Kaieteur News

Saturday June 14, 2014

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Kaieteur News

Suspects lead cops to body in Parika canefield Hijacked taxi driver…

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he search for abducted taxi driver Dhanraj Latchman ended at around 19.30 hrs yesterday, after two teens suspected of killing him led police to a Parika, East Bank Essequibo canefield where they had dumped his body two days ago. Police said that the suspects, aged 18 and 17, confessed under intense interrogation to strangling 17-year-old Latchman with the seatbelt of his car, after hiring him last Wednesday to take them from Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, to Parika. The alleged killers also revealed that they had planned to sell the slain driver’s car. Accompanied by ranks from A and B Divisions, the teenage suspects yesterday led the detectives to a desolate area some four miles off the East Bank Essequibo public road. Within minutes, detectives found Latchman’s decomposed and apparently battered remains in a nearby canefield. Some of the slain man’s relatives were present but were not allowed to see the body. Police detained the teens on Thursday morning after Latchman’s mother, Lynette Daby, informed ranks that her son had called the names of his two passengers, who reside a short distance away from their home. Initially, the suspects had given investigators conflicting reports regarding their last encounter with

Latchman. They eventually admitted that they strangled the teen and had planned to sell his white Toyota AT 212, bearing registration number, PMM 9823. “It seems that they had their eyes on this man’s car for some time now, and after they found a buyer, they hired him (Latchman) and told him they were going to collect money at Parika,” a source close to the investigation told Kaieteur News. But the deal between the suspects and their buyer reportedly fell through after police found the missing vehicle at Parika. Kaieteur News understands that one of the alleged killers had once lived in the area where the suspects had stashed the car. At the scene yesterday, a number of persons gathered at the location to get a glimpse of the two men. Some of them shouted, “give we them, we gone deal with them.” L a t c h m a n ’s g r i e f stricken father, Ramnarace Latchman said that his wife was unaware that the body had been found. According to the mother, the now dead Latchman was at the family’s Lusignan, East Coast Demerara home last Wednesday afternoon when he suddenly informed her that he was going to Parika to transport passengers. “About five o’clock I called my son and asked him where he was and he said that he in Parika. I called him again around eight o’clock and he said that he was still at

The suspects leading cops to the body Parika and he leaving just now, so I asked him who he with, and he called their names,” Lynette Daby said. “He recently get his licence, so I does call him steady to make sure everything is okay with him,” the mother had informed this newspaper. According to the woman, after Latchman failed to return home around 22:00hrs, she and her husband went to the homes

of the men who her son had left to transport. “When we went to one of them house, he didn’t want to come out, his mother had to force him to come out and when he did, he say that he don’t know where my son is, and then he say that my son left to go Enmore,” the mother said. This is just one recent case in which teens have been implicated in the murder of taxi drivers.

Last January, a group of youths were charged with killing Pegasus taxi driver Rudranauth Jeeboo and dumping his body in Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt. Some of the suspects

were also implicated in the murder of taxi driver Raphael Campbell. The 30y e a r- o l d C a m p b e l l o f Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was shot in the head and his body dumped at Liliendaal.

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The shifts in the Education system Nearly two decades, in the wake of the announcement of the National Grade Six examinations there were those in the upper echelon of society who screamed that a young male teacher had cheated. To make matters worse, that young male teacher was operating from a school that was never expected to produce students capable of achieving much. Even the Ministry of Education had created a stereotype of the various schools. They knew which schools would do well and those that certainly would not. This stereotype is very much there although in public the officials would not admit it. The school was West Ruimveldt Primary School and the teacher was a young man named Wilfred Success. When the results were announced West Ruimveldt Primary School had secured six of the top ten pupils. Parents who had spent thousands of dollars on extra lessons with some of the prestigious teachers in the system were among the loudest to scream. How did children from the dregs of the society perform so well? That was impossible. That particular society was already known to produce criminals and the society was not prepared to shatter the mould. The officials in the Education Ministry listened to the voices of the high and mighty and mounted an investigation. The investigators found nothing. They had been told that the school had got hold of the examination papers and had drilled the children. For one year the matter would not go away. Wilfred Success did it again the next year and while there were the exclamations the high and mighty were beginning to realize that there was a good teacher who would not turn his back on the disadvantaged in society. The Education Ministry attempted to transfer him. He was being wasted in a depressed community. But Success refused the transfer and continued to make a lot of poor parents happy. And his band of disciples grew to include the rich; his critics were now sending their children for him to tutor them. There was a similar ripple when Leonora Primary School produced some top students. Today, nearly twenty years ago those children who opened the eyes of Guyana to Wilfred Success are themselves parents, some with children preparing to write those very examinations. At the same time we are witnessing how parents are neglecting the once top schools-St Margaret’s, Stella Maris. There was a time when every parent wanted his or her child to attend these schools because they provided excellent results. Those with money then sought to get their children to the private schools that were also attracting good results. Today, many people are coming to the conclusion that if they pay for education they are going to get the best results. There is no consideration for the fact that the child must also demonstrate an inclination toward the academics. What the system has exposed is that just after we concluded that we did not have teachers the private schools have emerged and they are attracting relatively good teachers who can do just about anything but mathematics. It cannot be accidental that children are struggling with English and Mathematics in the public school system. The system seems happy with teachers who resent mathematics because it employs them and does not insist on them improving their qualifications by way of special holiday courses. The result is that the country is continuing to lament poor performance in mathematics. If this is unique to the public schools then the Education Ministry may wish to introduce a monetary incentive for passes in mathematics. It may do well to give mathematics and science teachers a special salary. If the problem with mathematics is across the spectrum then we can rest assured that the private schools are going to poach on the public schools unless the monetary incentive is so good that no teacher would want to leave. But there is one other thing that we need to take note of. Wilfred Success is no longer concentrating on the children of a depressed community and the Education Ministry has not done much to see that those children do not form the bulk of those who fall by the wayside.

Saturday June 14, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

National Grade Six Assessment 2014 and the Bell-Shaped Curve DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me the chance to make some pertinent observations and suggestions in regards to the National Grade Six Assessment 2014. Thank you. It was my intention to do a statistical analysis (never my favourite subject) on the Grade Six Assessment 2014 results, but much to my chagrin, the results were not published, as was intimated by the Minister of Education. Only one percent of the results (The good part?) is published, but nevertheless, ‘numbers don’t lie’, like the popular TV show in the USA tells us, I will still try to get my point across. The results stated that the top one percent, or those in the 99 percentile,numbering 169 students, scored 512 to 533 points. This begs the question: What happened to the remaining 15,058 students? Where in the percentile range of 1 to 99% did they fall, and by how much? This exercise is not an attempt to politicize the education system, or denigrate any of those teachers, students, parents or administrators associated with it, but education progresses best when it is exposed to new ideas and challenges. After all, it is education. It cannot remain static in a changing world. To go beyond the top students and discover how the Assessment affected other students, we ought to take a look at the Bell-Shaped Curve. James Dalton Bell, a farmer, mind you, was observing the trajectory of fallen objects, when to put it in a nutshell, he discovered variations in a

specific frequency, which when graphed, produced a bell-shaped curve. And the rest is history, so to speak. In a nutshell, if you have 50 boys run 400 metres around a track and record their time, when placed on a graph the number of boys versus time, the connected dots should form a bellshaped curve. The Bell-shaped curve caused a revolution in the scientific field and on invading education caused such a furor, which is still going on, to some degree. You see, the Bell-shaped curve can assess IQ (intelligent quotient), which the ability to recall information on a

standardized test. The results of these tests determine who is admitted to which schools. It has its detractors. For example, if you plot the Grade 6 Assessment results on a graph and it represented the ideal results, using the American method of evaluating tests: 90-100%, which is 486-540 points would be an Excellent or A-grade 80-89% “ “ 432-485 “ “ “ Good or B-grade 70-79% “ “ 378-431 “ “ “ Fair or C-Grade It is not necessary to mention Poor (Continued on page 23)

The PPP leadership is out of touch with the will of the people DEAR EDITOR, The PPP leadership has learnt nothing from the loss of its majority in the 2011 elections. Reading their General Secretary Mr. Rohee’s statement that “local government elections not as urgent as anti-money laundering bill…” exposes their disconnect from the people. Just revisit the facts. In 2010 when the PPP had a majority in the 9th Parliament and all the information for the passage of this anti-money laundering bill from CFATF, they just sat on their laurels. If this anti-money laundering was so urgent to them, why operate like snails in 2010 and 2011? But what this statement reveals is that Mr. Rohee is clearly out of touch with the “mood” of the people and that

is a dangerous political position to be in; just ask Sonia Gandhi. If one is to peruse the “what the people say” column of May 19th, 2014 in the Stabroek News with respect to their views on the absence of local government elections this is what they said and I quote: 1. One security guard – I think it (local government elections) should be happening regularly because it would benefit us a lot and we’ll be seeing some changes; 2. One porter – It needs to happen fast because we need a better government…; 3. One vendor – in my opinion, the holding of local government elections is necessary. To carry out the (Continued on page 23)

Saturday June 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Be a part of Guyana’s basketball history DEAR EDITOR, As I observed historic happenings and events of recent history around the world, I am forced to recognize the impact sports on the whole have on one’s country. According to Bob Swanson, “No matter your race, gender, age, an ethnicity, or religion, sport is our common bond. In times of racism and hatred, the American society use sports as a crutch.” An examination of the relationship between academics and sports will reveal a direct positive correlation. According to Science Daily the source for the latest research news: ‘Academic performance is better if young people play sports competitively’ Is a sport just a game? The impact that sports has on one’s economy is remarkable. In the United States of America alone it generates 14.3 billion per annum. The byproducts that sports generate in terms of jobs are unbelievable. Guyana, it is time for us to see sports for what it can do for our country. Let us use the United States of America as a model for sports development. Jamaica has significantly invested into sports and the results are remarkable, example: Usain Bolt who is an internationally recognized sports personality. It is therefore important to note that we don’t confuse a donation with an investment. An investment should be a tool for moulding the life and future of whatever it is put

towards. I said all the above to say this: the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) is preparing to send a national senior male and female basketball team to participate in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC). This tournament will attract the best basketball athletes from the Caribbean, Americas and North America to some extent. It is an excellent opportunity for our country’s flag and a corporate(s) logo to be displayed. Companies that are seeking to break into the regional markets will be offered an excellent branding opportunity. These games will be televised and covered by Caribbean sports media. The stakeholders of our national pride have to step up and be excited to offer funding for such a venture. Whether it is the government, companies or the diaspora, every effort should be made to contribute towards making this national venture a success. I believe the GABF has the right pieces involved to ensure transparency and accountability where funding is concerned. Be a part of Guyana’s basketball history by making a contribution towards sending Guyana’s male and female teams to the British Virgin Islands in July between the 1st and 12th - to represent our country. Persons desirous of making a contribution can visit www.guyanabasketball.com. Junior Andrew Hercules Manager of Guyana Male Basketball Team

Making the sacrifices necessary to achieve excellence is not owned by anyone DEAR EDITOR, In the United States of America Asiatic Indian and Chinese immigrant children have raised the bar of excellence in winning the top trophies in science, math and at the “spelling bee “starting in 1985. Is it due to innate genetic or cultural prowess or something else to which these achievements can be credited? Unraveling this riddle does not require anyone to be a rocket scientist in 6 1/2 race Guyana. What is so really wrong in Guyana for a maligned Indian working class based PPP/C government to have destroyed election rigging and yet not enhanced all our Guyanese children’s education is not up to them alone. Some of the words which the Indo American spelling champions mastered are far removed from their Indianness, or culture, the Hindi language, its Sanskrit Aryan mother source, color or the religious practices of Indians worldwide. Coming from India where most, not all, Indians are without adequate toilet facilities as a well known acerbic critic from the Indian owned Kaieteur News loves to demean Guyanese by his mockery, should be good cause to chew the cud to another shining milky way. For the 2014 US national

Spelling Bee contest two Indo American children came out ahead of the pack. Both Ansun Sunjoe, 13, and Sriram Hathwar, 14, were declared joint spelling bee champions because of a tie. The American Spelling Bee has never had a tie for the spelling championship since 1962. Because they both successfully spelled all the words thrown to them and with no other finalist they were both declared winners. In 2013 an Indo American student, Arvind Mahankali won the spelling championship by spelling a Yiddish German word “knaidel”. Did Arvind Mahankali win the spelling contest purely on innate genetic inheritance? Interviewed afterwards the very modest Arvind Mahankali explained his success was due to his nurturing preparations at home with his parents and siblings providing the inspiration and support for his victory. His parents researched a list of local and foreign words and drilled him daily. Was his success still due to only his genetics or the

social environmental including his parents who made the significant difference in this young man’s life? US tennis champion Arthur Ashe agreed, when asked if black people possessed genetic superiority in sports. But Ashe would not have become champion unless he kept on practicing his skills to become a champion. There was a popular perception in years past of the 1930s to the 1980s that only Europeans and their Christian culture were endowed with the capabilities for academic excellence, possibly lending validity to some kind of racial superiority. By the late eighties as Asian immigrant children entered the schools of America, they far exceeded in all academic disciplines, especially in math, the sciences and also spelling. It

compelled a reassessment of the opinions which may have propped up any European/ Caucasian genetic superiority. In fact an Indian immigrant to the US Mr. Bhagat Singh Thind in 1923 was denied American citizenship under the naturalization Act of 1906 because the US Supreme Court ruled that even though he was technically Caucasian (coming from Aryan ancestry) he was not white! What caused subsequent changes must have a valid explanation. Is it the environment or culture? Conceivably there may be a certain degree of genetic inheritance by Darwinian evolution of natural selection which enhanced and nurtured excellence in a particular trait reflected in black excellence in sports etc. But this apparent edge in a particular discipline does not survive (Continued on page 23)

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Kaieteur News

APNU renews calls for removal of Rohee A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) yesterday renewed its call for the removal of Clement Rohee as Minister of Home Affairs. The Party leader, David Granger, told the media that the recent road accident on the Corentyne Coast, which claimed the lives of three children, is what provoked the call this time around. He said that the tragedy should serve as a warning to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force that the road traffic situation is out of control and that urgent change is needed. Granger said that the National Assembly had in July 2012, passed a Resolution of “no-confidence’ against Rohee and in his ability to exercise responsibility for human safety as Minister of Home Affairs. He said that the resolution called on the President Donald Ramotar to revoke Mr. Rohee’s appointment but that call was not heeded. Granger was adamant that the human safety situation in Guyana has deteriorated during Rohee’s eight-year tenure as Minister of Home Affairs. According to the politician, Guyana now loses lives to road accidents weekly. Granger told the media that other forms of lawlessness - including armed robberies, arson, banditry, contraband smuggling, gun-running, money-laundering, narcoticstrafficking, piracy, police brutality and corruption have continued on a daily basis during Clement Rohee’s tenure. “Road accidents, particularly, are a grave human safety problem. There have been 57 deaths for 2014 already. There were 569 deaths over the fiveyear period, 2009-2013.” According to the opposition leader, the biggest contributory factors to fatalities have been the lack of effective Ministerial direction, lax law-enforcement and dangerous driving habits. There are now more than 80,000 vehicles on Guyana’s roads. He said that some drivers, however, “simply do not have the skill or experience to be entrusted with responsibility for human lives

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee

APNU leader, David Granger

on public roads. Many drive recklessly or at unsafe speeds and display aggressive behaviour and poor road discipline. Too many persons drive under the influence of alcohol.” Nevertheless, Granger pointed out, the Guyana Police Force, exerts its energies on arresting hundreds of petty offenders and touts. These actions cannot stop the spiralling toll of fatalities. Such operations do not address the fundamental causes of fatalities. He said that it’s against this backdrop that APNU repeats its demand for President Donald Ramotar to revoke the appointment of Clement Rohee as Minister of Home Affairs. “Responsibility for human safety must be placed in the hands of a Minister who has the interest in curtailing the road carnage and in making our roads safe for our children.” Rohee, after the shooting to death of three Lindeners during a protest, attracted a no confidence motion in the House. This matter eventually became one that was taken up in the courts. But before that, Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman had ruled that Rohee was banned pending the outcome of a meeting of the Privileges Committee. Trotman ruled that the motion was properly before the House after intense debate on its admissibility. In the interim he ruled that no motion or Bill in the Minister’s name would be entertained until the matter was concluded before the Committee. The court then ruled that the ban on Rohee

was unconstitutional. Trotman acceded and agreed that Rohee could speak as a member of parliament but not as Minister. This was further modified since the Standing Orders allows for any Minister to speak on topical matters without notice. Now Rohee will enjoy full participation in the House. In his more than 6,000 word ruling, Trotman stated that he arrived at his decision to allow Rohee to speak after consideration of the Guyana Constitution, the preliminary ruling by Chief Justice Ian Chang on the Rohee gag, the Parliamentary Standing Orders and the advice of legal and parliamentary practitioners locally and abroad. APNU then backed off, taking a different approach. The Party in most recent times just refused to pose any question to Rohee. Hence allocations for Rohee’s Ministry were approved without questioning during the last budget deliberations. Yesterday Kaieteur News asked Granger whether he thinks his party did the right thing as opposed to questioning the use of taxpayers’ money. His shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Winston Felix, added, “I am glad we did not cut the budget so now they (the government) have no excuse” for not buying what he described as important equipment that will better the standard of the police force. Asked, as well, why the different stance taken against Rohee, the APNU said that even though it had relaxed on the no confident motion it never viewed Rohee as a person of significance.

Saturday June 14, 2014

Poor gold declaration…

Guyana lost US$100M in foreign exchange, $1.5B in taxes for 2014 The decline of gold declaration for this year has seen Guyana losing around US$100M in foreign exchange and $1.5B in royalties and taxes, says Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board, Dr. Gobind Ganga. The official was part of a panel discussion along with President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding, and Consultant, Edward Shields, which focused on developments in the sector. The industry has been battling poor declarations of about 20%, as compared to the levels of last year. The state-owned Guyana Gold Board was expecting between, 40,000 to 50,000 ounces more of gold, but actual declarations were a mere 165,595 ounces. Officials have been blaming the poor showing on hoarding and smuggling. According to Ganga, in a government statement yesterday on the recent panel discussion, the situation is threatening Guyana’s economy as gold has been helping the country’s fiscal policy to provide for economic sustainability. “So with this decline it’s going to have an adverse effect, not with respect to the exchange rate per se in the immediate future, but later down the road it will have the effect.” Ganga believed it is easy to conclude that the main causes are the continuous decline in the price for gold, some amount of hoarding and the possibility of illegal export. Supporting his claims of possible hoarding of the mineral, Ganga said, “If you are looking at the export earnings from this sector you would find that the foreign exchange is not there, if you would have mined gold and sold gold, you would have expected the foreign exchange to come back in that is not there.” He said that miners are producing more, declaring less, assuming that the declaration is not being sold,

A 20% drop in gold declarations this year has see Guyana losing US$100M in foreign exchange, Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board, Dr. Gobind Ganga, said this week. which makes it obvious that there is no foreign exchange earnings. “There is a strong indication that indeed there is some level of hoarding.” Ganga went on to explain that within the Gold Board Act, miners have 28 days to make their declaration and if this isn’t done then the gold is illegal. “When land is being given to miners, it’s not their private operation, it is public asset which is given to recover an asset which is to provide revenue to the state in the form of foreign exchange, taxes and royalties which are to be used for every Guyanese, so when you withhold the production and it is not in the official stream then it is having an adverse effect on Guyanese as a whole.” On the same issue, Shields said he would rather use the words ‘holding on’ as opposed to hoarding. Shields said he is of the belief that the gold crisis has been brought on primarily by the low price of gold, and it caught everyone off guard. “We have to accept there is a crisis, and we have to look to see how best one can survive this. It will not go away until such time the price of gold increases and until we start to get good returns. It is high risk business and this is because if you’re successful you get good returns, at the present moment you are not getting good returns.” He said he also believes that affluent business owners and dealers in some instances are holding on to their production in anticipation of better days. He said he does not believe this is the case for most small and medium scale miners. Harding also concluded that the falling gold price is a main contributing factor to the problem the gold industry now faces. He however,

added that many miners were forced out of operation because of the current situation with the falling gold price. “One of the things we look at is the amount of dredges that are registered. It doesn’t mean they are all working, maybe they are selling gold outside, but certain causes include the price, cost of production; so the miners are finding it very difficult to stay in business and are leaving.” Harding pointed out that the cost of staying in business is very high and is not equitable with the cost of production. “Equipment companies are taking back equipment, miners are giving back equipment, in addition miners are complaining that they don’t have proper lands to work, when the price was high, it’s difficult for them to survive.” Meanwhile, speaking of a solution to the issue, Ganga called on miners to make their declaration to the relevant bodies so better policy measures can be put in place with regards to moving the sector forward. “In addition to the need to increase production, we should have an effective way to help lower costs so the miners will have to utilise whatever technology is available and that will provide for much more profitability.” Harding said while all stakeholders have reached consensus that there is a crisis in the sector, the relevant bodies have agreed to meet miners’ call for better lands to work on. “They want better lands that have geological works on them, we are working on getting proper lands for them to work and at the same time we are encouraging miners to declare gold while we are looking at cost saving measures that will help miners,” Harding stated.

Saturday June 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 14, 2014

Pretrial larceny victim accuses police of neglecting his complaint

Randolph Martin Barrow, who has been running to the Anna Regina Police Station for the last eight days, says that he is disgusted by the police officers who failed to address his serious matter. According to Barrow, he initially visited the Anna Regina police station, first on June 2 and lodged a complaint with the station Sergeant.

He told the police that a known group of young men was responsible for stealing his plantains, bora, pumpkin and ochro from his garden, located at the Queenstown back dam. He said that the damage was some$30,000. Barrow said that he knew the persons who were responsible for stealing his produce and he told the police. He was forced to visit the commander in charge, at “G” Division, since his complaint was not treated with any

urgency. The senior law man instructed a squad to accompany him to Queenstown, Barrow said. The angry farmer said that he took the policemen to one person’s house where some of the produce was recovered but the thief wasn’t at home. What however, angered Barrow was the fact that when the guy was eventually caught and taken into custody, he spent the stipulated 72 hours behind bars but charges relating to simple larceny were not imposed. Still not satisfied with the police actions, Barrow said that he again visited the Anna Regina police station on Friday after the guy was released and proceeded to question the police. Barrow said that he was told that the police did not have enough evidence to impose any charge.

But they did find the stolen products in the man’s home. Barrow said that on June 9, last, the suspect, after his release, pulled a gun on him when they met in the back dam. He said that the man made threatening remarks. He threatened to kill him, he said. Barrow said that he had to run in fear of his life. He said now he is afraid to venture into the back dam to attend to his cows.”My father-in-law would now attend to my cows for me.” After an inquiry, a senior police officer suggested that Barrow revisit the Anna Regina Police station and talk to the head of the Criminal Investigations Department. He has refused. He is contending that the police are not treating his matter seriously and he cannot afford to spend excessively since he needs his money.

NICIL purposefully took minority share in Marriott ...investing more meant more debt responsibility-Dr Singh Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, has defended the use of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) financing model in the pursuit of large scale infrastructure projects in the case where Government would find it difficult to finance the entire project. The PPP model was used to pursue the construction of the US$58M Marriott Hotel. When it was pointed out that the Government-owned National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) did have enough finance available in order for it to have controlling interest in the project, Dr. Singh said that had that route been taken, then NICIL would have also owned a greater portion of the debt. Marriott is being built through debt and equity using the PPP model. NICIL and ACE Square Investment have invested a combined US$12M in equity and have proportionally taken on the responsibility for the monies borrowed to build the project. The loans have been directed to Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), the special purpose company created to build and own the Hotel. NICIL has invested US$4M to have 33 per cent ownership and ACE Square Investment invests US$8M for 67 per cent ownership of the US$58M hotel. Dr Singh had premised the private aspect of the financing as a result of unavailability of fund from Government but while NICIL has invested

US$4M in the project it has also loaned the project US$15.5M at a zero percent interest if the cash flow enables. This means that Government-owned NICIL had available to it US$19.5M to put into the project but opted to only use US$4M as an investment. This means that NICIL had more than enough funds available to it to invest more in the project to have majority ownership in the Hotel. Dr. Ashni Singh’s explanation however is, had it invested more, then it would have been responsible for more of the debt to be repaid through the earnings of the hotel. Several stakeholders, recently, have been extremely critical of the way the project has been structured allowing a private investor to put US$8M in a venture and take control of the US$58M Hotel. NICIL has argued that the private investor is only entitled to 67 per cent of the net assets which is only US$12M.

It said that the net asset is the total assets minus total liabilities. The total assets amount to US$58.5M. The total liabilities according to NICIL is US$46.5M which consists of loan financing arranged by Republic Bank to the tune of US$27M, outfitting loan for the Entertainment Complex at US$4M and NICIL’s loan, US$15.5 M. NICIL claims that the private investor, B r i t i s h Virgin Islands registered, Square Ace Investment Inc will only be entitled to ownership of the US$8M that it has invested but what the company did not say is that if and when the loans have been repaid, the private investors remains in control of 67 per cent of the entire project. When the total loan stock is paid off, the private investor will be in control of 67 per cent of the total assets which will be the US$58M hotel with no debt, making that hotel the net asset of the company.

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Kaieteur News

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UNCLE DONALD CLEANING UP JAGDEO MESS! Donald Ramotar has a lot of mess to clean up. Sadly none of this mess is his creation; it was accumulated under the Jagdeo administration and is now hitting the fan. All this mess was allowed to pile up because the previous administration did not wish to touch certain issues and make certain decisions because such decisions would have been unpopular. As such the mess was allowed to accumulate and now that its stench and effects can no longer be ignored, it has landed straight on desk of the new President, Donald Ramotar. He is the one who now has to take the unpopular decisions necessary to clean up this mess. He has already had a

taste of how difficult it will be to clean up his predecessor’s mess. When he took office, he found out that for years the electricity cost in Linden was being highly subsidized to the tune of hundreds of millions each year. The cheap electricity, as low as one third of what the average consumer in the rest of Guyana pays, led of course to increased electricity consumption in the mining town. The result was that the sums required to continue to subsidize electricity at the existing tariffs became unsustainable, not to mention how discriminatory they were against the other citizens of the country living outside of Linden. This Linden electricity fiasco had developed under the Jagdeo administration.

Dem boys seh...

Dem gun prove nuff people wrang De Waterfalls boss man fuming. Smoke coming out he ears. He cuss Badam and all dem reporters fuh buy de crap wha Ash Knee tell dem de other day bout de IFMAS. He seh was a crappy excuse and a scanty defence. De paper hell bent in proving Ash Knee wrang. Dem boys seh that de people at de Waterfalls paper is not accountant but dem born and grow in business. Dem can count money well and guard it well. Dem also know fuh invest any money dem get and invest it wisely fuh mek a profit. Dem boys also intend to prove that Brazzy, that fat crook, Ash Knee de shaat scamp, and Jagdeo, de mastermind behind de Marriott, wrang about all de things dem do. De aim is to show that dem deh behind all de projects— de Marriott, de Specialty Hospital, de airport project, de Brazil cable project and all dem other project that cost nuff million dollars. Jagdeo talk, then he get Benn fuh talk about some Chinee Vice Premier who pass through de region waving nuff billion dollars. Benn seh that dem had to grab de money to build airport and how dem eyeing black people from Africa to come. Jagdeo and Benn can’t even get dem own Caribbean brothers and sisters to come to Guyana fuh play a cricket game. Or fuh pay a visit. But dem got de nerve fuh tell people that dem eyeing Africa. Dem boys hear that dem got men passing through Buxton waving things too. Dem boys want know if Jagdeo and Benn gun grab on to that too, like how dem grab de Chinee man thing. Dem boys gun prove Jagdeo wrang when he seh that he sell he house fuh $120 million to a man from Trinidad. Ah Kneel was de lawyer. Dem boys gun prove he wrang when he seh that Jagdeo was a poor man who didn’t got nutten. And dem boys gun prove that Brazzy is not so fat and that Ash Knee is not shaat and sharp as he would like people to believe. Dem boys gun prove that almost all of dem is a bunch of scamps, except Donald. Talk half and know that dem can’t see Gawd face.

And it landed straight in the lap of the Donald Ramotar administration when he took office in 2011. When he tried to resolve it during the 2012 Budget, there were protests in Linden which turned deadly and cost the lives of three persons while leaving untold damage to property and to the economy. The Linden electricity tariff issue has not yet been resolved and taxpayers are still being asked to subsidize tariffs in Linden to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The mess inherited from the Jagdeo administration has not yet been cleaned up. Another one is now piling up. It concerns the student loans for the University of Guyana, a facility that is administered by the Ministry

of Finance. Under this arrangement, students of the University of Guyana are granted loans to finance their tuition. It is believed that more than 95% of the students at UG benefit from this facility. This column had long suggested that an audit be done of this loan facility to determine just how many students were repaying. It was observed that about 80% of the graduates of the University of Guyana usually migrate and most of those migrating do settle their indebtedness with the loan agency at UG. There are Guyanese who take pride in saying that they are alumni from UG, but they never state whether they have paid off their student loans. One of the reasons why

some of them never bother to pay is because they have up to fifteen years after graduation to settle their accounts. This was a very lax regulation because within five years of graduation most of these graduates would have left these shores and taken up permanent residence outside of Guyana. So it is bye, bye for repayment of the loans! Now we are told that things have got so bad that students now owe the loan agency billions of dollars. This mess was accumulated under the Jagdeo administration. And guess who has to clean it up? You guessed right, Uncle Donald! The problem with Uncle Donald is that he is too much of a nice guy. He does not like to fire people. But since he will be burdened with

having to find a solution to this mess, he should determine under whose watch it occurred and why earlier action was not taken. Then he should determine who should be held accountable and why steps were not taken earlier to deal with this problem. It is now his problem and it is only fitting that since he would be shouldered with the task of cleaning up this mess, he should also clean his government of those who overlooked this mess and did very little all these years.

EPA wants public input on Chinese company seeking authorization for large scale logging Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc has submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency seeking environmental authorization to undertake a large scale logging and sawmill operation. According to a public notice which was published yesterday, the company is seeking the authorization for several areas including the Left Bank Essequibo River, Right Bank Berbice River, Right Bank Essequibo River, Left Bank Corentyne River, Left Bank Lysles River, River Bank Berbice River, and Right Bank Powis River, Regions Nine and Six. It was noted that the project would entail, felling, extractions of timber and transportation of same to a processing facility. They would also be doing grading, construction of roads, skid trails, bridges, culverts and camps with other ancillary facilities within the concession. The EPA noted that they fully recognized that the impending works may have “significant impacts” on the environment. Thus in keeping with the environmental protections act of 1996, an “Environmental Impact Assessment” is required

before any decision to approve or reject the project. As such the EPA has said that members of the public are invited within 28 days of the notice to make written submissions to them, setting out questions and matters which they required to be answered or considered in the “Environmental Impact Assessment”. It was stated that a summary of the project can be viewed on the EPA’s website or uplifted at the office which is located at Ganges Street, Sophia. The public would have to stand the cost of photocopying the documents. Bai Shan Lin has been granted a forestry concession that amounts to close to one million hectares of rainforest, from which it plans to extract logs and ship them out of Guyana. The company estimates that it will make US$1,800 from each hectare of land, giving it profits totaling US$1.7 billion. In addition, it has been granted permission to dig up a 20-kilometre stretch of river to look for gold. Other plans include setting up what it is calling a Guyana-China Timber Industry Economic and Trading Corporation Park

plus a 400-acre real estate development. The plans were announced last year by Chu Wenze, Chairman of Bai Shan Lin, at the Second World Congress on Timber and Wood Products Trade in Taicang, China. Those plans were announced even before Guyana knew of it. The country became aware of what was happening only when Bai Shan Lin officials visited Guyana and held discussions with President Donald Ramotar and other Government officials. The state information agency, GINA had reported

that Bai Shan Lin has been in Guyana over the past eight years with operations through the Bai Shan Lin Forest Development Inc. These include Haimorakabra Logging, Karlam South America Timbers, Wood Associated Industries, Kwebanna Wood Productions, Sherwood Forests, Bai Shan Lin Housing Construction, Mining development Inc., and Bai Shan Lin Ship Building and Heavy Industries Inc. It has been contended that the law does not allow one logging company to take over another, unless the President so agrees.

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Kaieteur News

Friendship man charged with wife’s killing

Saturday June 14, 2014

Teacher robbed in school at gunpoint

Dead: Shelly Persaud

Accused: Navendra Seeram A 31-year-old man was yesterday charged before a senior city Magistrate for allegedly killing his reputed wife. The woman, whose body, with head partly submerged in a bucket of water, was found outside the couple’s Friendship, East Bank Demerara home a few days ago. Navendra Seeram appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer a charge of murdering Shelly Ann Persaud between June 9 and June 10, last at Friendship, East Bank Demerara. Seeram, who trembled throughout the court hearing, was not called upon to respond to the charge since it was laid indictably. He is being represented by Defence

Attorney Kevon Bess. The Prosecution, which was spearheaded by Corporal Bharat Mangru stated that investigations are ongoing and could conclude in three weeks. According to Mangru, the Prosecution has nine witnesses thus far. Persaud, a housewife and mother of three, was on Tuesday found at the bottom of the back stairs of the couple’s Lot 34 Friendship residence. At the time of her discovery, her head was in a five-gallon bucket that contained water. According to reports, the couple’s eightyear-old daughter had 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.” Following the discovery of the woman’s body a report was made by the family to the police. Subsequent investigations led to Seeram being taken into custody and charged for his wife’s murder. He was remanded to prison and the case will be called again on July 4 for report and fixture.

The classroom where the robbery took place with the fence in the background

A teacher attached to the West Ruimveldt Primary School was yesterday robbed just outside her classroom at gunpoint by two bandits, one of whom was armed with a knife, The robbery occurred in the presence of some of her pupils just after classes were over for the day. Speaking with Kaieteur News the distraught teacher, Miss Shevon Brewster related a series of events leading up to her terrifying experience. According to Ms Brewster she dismissed classes around 15:00 hours, but some of her class were not finished writing their work. They stayed back to finish and copy their home work. “This guy came to my door and said ‘good afternoon miss. I always admire you.’ I asked if he came for somebody and he said no and walked away. He then came back to the class and said that he came to collect Junior and I said we don’t have any Junior here. “He asked me how I know that and I said that I am the class teacher and I have no Junior here. He sucked his teeth and left.” The teacher said that the man, whom she described as

short, came back again to the classroom, passed and went to the back of the building with a taller person. “So I peeped out to see what they were doing and I saw them looking at the fence. I went back in the class to hurry the children up. That is when the short one scrambled me with a knife and asked me where my bag is? I said I don’t have any bag and the taller guy pulled a gun and put it to my head.” Brewster said that after “he put the gun to my head, he turned to his friend who was holding me and said bore she sk..t and take off the chain off her neck. He fired a bore and I pull away. When he fired the bore my phone fell out my hand and he bent over to pick it up and I start running. “He then ran behind me saying give me the chain, so I burst the chain and threw it to him.” She said that the two thieves went back to the class and asked the children, “Where is miss bag?” The children showed where it was in the cupboard and they took it. The purse contained her driver’s licence, her ID card and bank card. “I had US$100

and $10 000 along with other documents.” Brewster said that during the time of the robbery she had about a dozen children aged between seven and eight years. They witnessed the entire traumatic ordeal. “This morning when I came to work some parents came and said that they would not be able to bring their children to school because they were still traumatized especially those that were in front that saw when the gun was placed to my head.” The teacher explained that the short robber escaped through a hole in the fence, while the taller one scaled the fence but in the process lost one side of his boots and his pants. He had become entangled in the barbed wire at the top of the fence. It tore off his pants. The man fled the scene in his trunks. The police have in possession his boot and torn pants. She described the men as being between 19 and 23. The police came and took a statement and then questioned the children, took pictures of the fence and told her that they were following up the investigation. The teacher said that even though the school has a guard she is “scared to go back to the classroom because she is lonely and the back there is dangerous.” Brewster said that a few years ago a parent came into the school and took a teacher’s bag. A parent has since provided the identity of one of the bandits to the police. He said that he had actually confronted the man after the robbery and had demanded that the man return the teacher’s property. He said that the fact that this has not been done is disrespectful.

Saturday June 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Royalty disparity creates motive Affected pupils to sit fresh to smuggle gold - Dr. Luncheon

NGSA irregularities at Region One School...

examination next month Pupils of the Region One School where irregularities were detected following the April sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) will be required to resit the entire examination. This disclosure was made by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during a press conference on Thursday to announce the national 2014 NGSA results. According to Manickchand, another examination has already been prepared for the affected pupils, that will be administered on July 2 and 3. “We had to give them reasonable time to prepare,” said the Minister. The Ministry during the latter part of last month had opened-up about the fraudulent development, revealing that it had commenced an investigation. The ongoing investigation, according to the Minister, is being done with a view of ensuring that “we minimise the likelihood of this happening again as well as determining what really happened.” Although Ministry officials have refused to name the school under the microscope so as to protect the affected pupils from being stigmatised, Manickchand did assure that “we will keep you updated as we get information.” According to the Minister too “the irregularities we found would have, in our professional opinion, affected the integrity of the results of those pupils.” Moreover, it was noted that it was in the best interest of the pupils, she said, that moves were made to ensure that another exam was prepared. The Ministry had earlier expressed concern about the situation, but asserted that the development was not one that would have impacted the general integrity or the timely release of the national results since there were no other

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

detected instances of irregularities at the other schools. It was even disclosed by the Ministry that efforts were being made to “actively consider various options and will make interventions where its paramount consideration will be what is in the best interest of the affected pupils.” In recent years, the Ministry established a number of quality assurance mechanisms to ensure that examinations and their subsequent results are of the highest integrity. In fact, it was these measures the Ministry has said that allowed for the identification of the irregularities. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Examinations, Sauda Kadir, revealed Thursday that the pupils of the Academy of Excellence, who were involved in an accident on their way to participate in the second day of the NGSA will not have to re-sit the exam. The accident saw about four pupils of the Cornelia Ida,

West Coast Demerara, school being hospitalised, thus they were unable to complete the second day of the official examination in April. According to Kadir, since these students will not be required to re-sit the exam, they will instead be assessed through “other statistical methods” which will be employed to award them placement at secondary level schools. The official release of the 2014 examination on Thursday saw Jason De Santos of the New Guyana School being identified as the country’s top performer with his 533 score out of a possible 540. The release of the results represent the second consecutive year that the results were made available in early June which the Ministry has attributed to the continued enhancement of the overall quality management process of the examination.

A disparity in the royalties being paid in Guyana as against what is being paid in Suriname, provides motive for the smuggling of the precious metal, gold, across the Corentyne River. This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, who said that while he did not want to ascribe wickedness on the part of those perpetuating the act or justify the behaviour, “motives exist for the gold ending up being declared elsewhere.” Guyana charges seven per cent royalties on gold declared locally while neighbouring Suriname charges only one per cent. This means that a person declaring gold in Suriname will make a larger profit as

against what they would earn in Guyana. He said that the issue of the significantly lower gold declarations this year did attract the attention of Cabinet, though fleetingly. According to Dr. Luncheon, “I think we are all aware of the impact of low declarations, the impact on export earnings and the gross of the economy.” The current data trend for the first five months of this year has 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. Currently, the level of

declaration for 2014 is only 34.17 per cent of the targeted amount for the year which is set at 484,562 ounces. For the first half of 2014, the Guyana Gold Board was targeting 242,281 ounces. Last year ’s gold declaration was the largest ever at 481,087 ounces. Gold exports was a massive US$648M as at December 31. With sugar struggling and rice production holding up, surpassing a record 500,000 tonnes last year, Government would want gold to continue raking in its millions. However, prices have plunged from US$1,800 per ounce high to over US$1,200 last year. Miners have been urged to lower their costs to sustain their operations.

Vendors fined for selling pornographic DVDs As police ranks continue to crackdown on the illegal vending of pornographic material, six city vendors were yesterday brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to face separate charges for the offence. Appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court were Stabroek Market vendors Melissa Jacobs, Lloyd Smith, Jermaine Morris, Eldon Hodge, Kollis Jackman and Alexi Adams. A quantity of pornographic digital virtual discs (DVDs) was reportedly found on their market stalls during a raid four days ago. The case against all six of the vendors, is

that on June 10 at Stabroek, they had in their possession pornographic DVDs to sell. To the charge, Jacobs, Smith and Norris pleaded guilty. The other three pleaded not guilty and were placed on self-bail. Their cases were adjourned to June 16 for report and fixtures. Jacobs, Smith and Norris were fined $25,000 each. The Chief Magistrate then said that failure to pay the fine within fourteen days will result in imprisonment. The police recently disclosed that more than 600 pornographic DVDs were seized when they conducted a raid at the Stabroek Market recently. They reportedly caught several persons selling the illegal material.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 14, 2014

Government should stop talking and start doing says AFC AML legislation…

“If they were serious they would have established the Public Procurement Commission, ensured that there was a properly constituted Integrity Commission, taken steps to encourage the establishment of a DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] office in Guyana, and ensured the extradition of drug lords to the US among other measures.” This was the contention of the Alliance For Change (AFC) as they spoke to the seemingly interminable stance between the Government and the combined Opposition to get the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill passed. Just recently General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee said, his Party is not linking the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) with the passage of the AML/CF Bill. The AFC is reiterating that Government needs to provide the necessary constitutional provisions if it is serious about fighting money laundering crimes and

Treasurer of the AFC Dominic Gaskin enlisting the support from their end. The AFC, which from the beginning has been calling for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) before it gives support to the AML Bill, said that “the public needs to understand that the Procurement Commission is a provision in our Constitution (Article 212 W), reinforced by way of the Public Procurement Act, and is intended to ensure that citizens get value for their tax dollars. It was designed to lend confidence to the procurement process and limit opportunities for government officials to demand bribes and kick-backs from contractors/ suppliers.”

The Party through its treasurer, Dominic Gaskin, stressed that “international bodies estimate that some 20 per cent of the money for all contracts goes towards bribes and kick-backs for high placed public officials. This is public money… money that rightfully ought to go towards improving the quality of life of the Guyanese people and not into the hands of corrupt government officials.” He further stressed that a functioning PPC would also reduce the fear of contractors/ suppliers that they could be discriminated against if they do not support the government of the day. According to Gaskin, government’s “unwillingness to deal with corruption and to stem the flow of illicit money is evident in their refusal to yield to the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission and their sloth in implementing the provisions of the existing AML/CFT Act.” If the PPP/C government was serious about addressing money laundering, they would have made robust efforts to strengthen the Financial Intelligence Unit without having to be forced to do so by an external body the party highlighted. Gaskin said further that “in an economy awash with illicit money, there has only ever been one prosecution for offences under this Act.”

“One would have thought that these would have been good enough reasons for the government to hastily establish the Commission, especially as they were the ones who spearheaded the passage of legislation for its creation. However, they continue to make lame excuses while maintaining full control over a process that sees billions of tax payers’ dollars squandered each year” said Gaskin. According to the AFC executive, it is time for Government to “stop talking and start doing” with respect to the passage of the Bill. He cited that the issue of the AML Bill is just an opportunity for the Government to make “appropriate noises designed to fool the Regional and International Communities about their commitment to the fight against financial crimes.” Leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan had said that Guyana has a short time to go to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) meeting on the 20th June, 2014 and in the period up to then “we can procure that Commission, and have the new legislative regime in place for the Local Government Elections this year, by the assenting of those Opposition Bills and ensure passage of the AML/ CFT Bill.”

Russian roulette shooting of teen…

Accused Cadet Officer released on bail After spending three days as a remanded prisoner, the Cadet Officer accused of shooting a 16-year-old boy in his mouth was yesterday released on bail. Subsequent to a failed application at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the attorneys of Cadet Officer Franz Paul moved to submit a bail application before Chief Justice Ian Chang at the Georgetown Supreme Court. Franz of Lot 159 Freeman Street, East La Penitence was released on a total of $725,000 court bond. Following a six-week probe, Paul along with Police Corporal Baichan Singh, was taken before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Tuesday to face several charges which stemmed from the incident with the boy who was fifteen years- old at the time. Cadet Officer Paul, the lawman believed to have pulled the trigger, faced a total of four charges. Paul was accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Alex Griffith on April 30, last, in Georgetown with intention to maim, disable, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm . It is also alleged that he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm as well as assaulted the teen. He and Corporal Singh,

Accused: Cadet Officer Franz Paul 31, were charged for conspiring with each other, on May 1, at Georgetown to pervert the course of justice. Both men at the first court hearing pleaded not guilty to the charges and submitted bail applications through their lawyers. The case was prosecuted by Inspector Stephen Telford. In response to the charge for attempting to pervert the course of justice, both lawmen were granted $150,000 bail. Magistrate Azore had also granted Paul bail on the common assault charge to the tune of $75,000. She had, however, denied the Cadet Officer bail for the inflicting grievous bodily harm and discharging a loaded firearm with intent allegations. The teen was being held in police custody when the shooting occurred. On April 30, last, Singh’s sister was robbed and he took her to the police station to make a formal report of the incident. Based on information received, Griffith who was 15 at the time was arrested by a party of police headed by Paul. It was during the process that the Cadet Officer placed a firearm in the teen’s mouth and shot him. The victim, he said, was taken to the hospital by Paul where he was admitted as a patient. A report was made to the police and an investigation was launched. During the investigations whilst Paul was under close arrest, Corporal Singh took the Mahaica Police Station Firearms and Ammunition book to him for him to alter the entries therein. Investigations were completed and legal advice was sought and the charges instituted against the two lawmen. The case will be called again on June 30.

Saturday June 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Eyewitnesses testify in fish vendor murder trial Three witnesses were called to testify in the matter in which Meadow Bank Fish vendor Quaison Jones, called ‘Blondie,’ is on trial for murder. Jones is accused of killing another fish vendor on Januray17, 2011. The victim, Marlon Greene was reportedly stabbed several times while in the vicinity of a wharf at Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara. On Wednesday, a mixed twelve member jury was empanelled before Justice Navindra Singh, at the Georgetown Supreme Court. Yesterday, State Prosecutrix, Judith Gildharie Mursalin called three persons who are said to have witnessed the incident, to the stand. These are businessman Steven Vieira, a resident of Meadow Bank, his daughter Michelle Vieira and brother of the deceased, Rondell Singh. The businessman told the court that he had known both the victim and the accused for number of years. He said that although they were not related, he treated Greene as if he was a member of his family. Vieira recalled that on the

The accused Quaison Jones, called ‘Blondie’

day in question, he looked out his window and saw the accused and the victim fighting. He claimed that he saw “Blondie,” pull a knife and started to stab Greene. The witness said that he shouted and ran from his house to where the men were, in an effort to stop the fight. However, before he got there, Greene was already wounded. He said that the wounded man was quickly hoisted into a vehicle and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The next witness, Michelle Vieira said that she heard a loud argument and saw what appeared to be a fight between Blondie and her cousin (Greene). “I see Blondie and my cousin and my brother André look like he trying to part them… I see Blondie hands moving up and down. At the time, I thought Blondie was cuffing Marlon because I was running towards them.” She said that when she got close enough, she noticed that Blondie had a long knife in his hands. The knife had what appeared to be blood on it.

Miner drowns at Aranka Backdam Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a miner who reportedly drowned while crossing a Creek at Aranka Backdam on Tuesday. The dead man has been identified as 21 year- old Andrew Griffith called “Tulley,” of Lot 27 Belfield East Coast Demerara. Griffith reportedly drowned as he attempted to swim across the creek, which serves as a main waterway in the district. His mother Connie Mc Almont explained to this publication that her son was heading out of the area after she sent him news that his sister was ill. “His younger sister was sick bad and I send word that he should come home. I aint know what going on but according to what the police tell me …My son and about five other men from his worksite were heading to the landing in the area to make a report concerning an issue they had with their boss.” The woman said that she learnt of her son’s demise days after the incident. “I understand that they had to swim across a creek …about six of them were coming out after their boss man refuse to pay them and apparently they tried to swim across, but my son catch cramp or something and he didn’t make it.”

Mc Almont said that she has since identified her son’s body which is at Ezekiel Funeral Home, West Coast of Demerara. “His body already start to decompose… my son left and spent four months in the bush with he bossman, and he boss aint even had the decency to send a message to say that my son dead,” the grieving mother said yesterday. Griffith leaves to mourn his mother and five siblings.

Andrew Griffith

“Marlon was lying on the road, on the left side of his neck had a hole, blood was pouring out of it.” Under cross examination by Defense Counsel George Thomas, the witness agreed that she could not say who started the fight, but she did not see Marlon hit Blondie. The victim’s brother, Rondell Singh claimed that he also tried to separate the two men. “When I push Blondie he turn to me and say watch how yuh mek I kill he...then he left and run straight at the back at the wharf and get away.” The defense later suggested to the witness that his statement was not

accurate ...”because it was not written in his deposition. The witness then told the court that he cannot read or write and therefore cannot say what is written in the deposition. The Judge then perused the document and found that those words were not written in the evidence. On Thursday, Andre Vieira told the court that he was cleaning fish with the victim on the day that he was stabbed. He said that Greene was working along with him, but had left to buy cigarettes. He said that he tried to intervene after he heard Greene and Blondie arguing. Vieira said that he saw the

The Deceased Marlon Greene accused stab the victim several times. He claimed that the two men had a misunderstanding two days prior to the incident.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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2009 Red Nissan Titan. Flex Fuel GRR Series. Contact: 604-6108.

1-2 storey wooden & concrete house with 5 bedrooms, upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M Tel: 642-7898 Prime location at Ogle - Twostorey house (need work), spacious land – Tel: 691-7049 Commercial property at Corner Spot, Lodge - Tel: 6274900

FOR SALE 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 One bush cutter - Call: 6816603 One two-storey concrete building at Tuschen New Scheme, E.B.E – Contact No: 627-6305, 668-6858 Canadian rebuilt Perkins Duetz engine, Lincoln generator welder, model M with winch, 320 excavator – Call: 691-2921 Pure Rottweiler pups, parents are imported pedigree dogs Call: 264-2870 or 6726402 after 6pm 665-9140 or 639-1431 One Perkins engine, 3 cylinder 75 horsepower with bed, never used - $300,000 negotiable - Tel: 604-9855, 677-1968 One slate pool table 8’X4’ $400,000 – Tel: 601-8083, 6892658 One Bedford truck for sale by owner- Contact: 5926242420, 266-3239 1 RZ Toyota Minibus, PKK series, price: $1.2M neg. 1 Datson 4x4 pickup GEE, price: $650,000 - Tel:6410804; 216-2723

Saturday June 14, 2014

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 Prime business and residential 3 storey property in excellent condition, situated 11 Camp and Norton Street G/town, negotiable Call: Pearl Realty: 689-9991 1-2 Storey roadside concrete and wooden house (45’X20") located at 57 New Road, V/Hoop – Tel: 624-0779

24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838 Office clerk senior/junior, CXC English, Mathematics & computer knowledge an asset- Call: 225-0188/225-6070 1 - Civil Engineer (full time), securities, skid steer & excavator operators, mechanic, body works man (spray), office assistant – Call: 603-4098

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

RA Soda Factory at Good Hope Branch: vacancies for sales clerk, bond clerk and drivers – Tel: 330-2399, 3302772, 623-5920

Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

RA Soda Factory at Rosignol Branch: Vacancies for Accountant, Bond Clerk, sales clerk, Drivers, male & female workers – Tel: 3302399, 330-2772, 623-5920 Exist for one female cleaner; apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling.

One 2-storey wood & concrete house, 3 bedrooms with one self contained with A/C @ Parika E.B.E – Call: 660-3118

Exist for one Accounts Clerk. Please bring written application to Mike’s Pharmacy, 56 Sheriff Street.

One house & land for sale at good hope E.C.D – Tel: 6211722

Pump Attendant @ Shell Service Station, Providence, EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) Tel: 265-7305 Cashiers @ Shell Service Station, Providence, EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) – Tel: 265-7305

Craig Street - $32M, David Street - $40M, Thomas Street - $65M, Sheriff Street - $150M, Etc. Contact Sonja: 225-7197/ 623-2537 G- Touring Wagon in excellent condition – Flair kit, mag rims, air condition, etc – Call Pablo: 641-1303. Price $1.1M negotiable TOURS Suriname Tour Return: July 4th/ Caricom Holiday 4-7 July Tel: 639-2663, 644-0185, 6655171, 227-8290

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

LAND FOR SALE Mining Blocks at Mazaruni & Kwakwani- Tel: 627-4900 La Parafaite Harmonie $1.4M, Cummings Lodge $2.5M, Herstelling - $3.2M, Grove- $2.6M – Call: 2185591, 675-7292 DRESS-MAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration at 153 Barr Street, Kitty - Tel:670-2653, 618-1706

CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 628-2284 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com Wings Car Rental- Call: 6906494/ BBM pin: 24E17558 Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807

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 One Toyota Rav4, PMM Series, fully loaded, good condition - Price$1.9M negotiable. Contact: 669-6499 One 8000 Forde Tractor, one 450 Forde tow truck, one Toyota Tacoma - Contact Floyd: 694-5599 RAV 4, PLL 9729 in excellent condition - Contact: 626-9582

Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, A/C units – Call Lindon: 6411086, 694-2202, 227-8907

One Leyland DAF container rice truck- Call: 602-0393/ 629-1497

We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734

1 AE110 Sprinter, Corporate Yellow, $600,000 negotiable Tel: 611-1018

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

Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered 212, Allex, old & new model Spacio, 05 & 03 Allion, Voxy- Call:6523820/ 665-4529

Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312, 627-3206 (Nick)

Cobra 800W inverters $18,000 & Sun force 12V 30Amp charge controllers $17K purchased from USA Call JD: 693-1752/ 226-7742

Honda CRV, Toyota AT192, AT212, Raum, L-Touring Wagon, AE100 Corolla, EP82 Starlet, Fun Cargo, IST – Tel: 644-5096, 697-1453 One Toyota Land cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 225-0188, 223-7500, Mon-Fri 8:15-4:15pm, Sat - 8:15-1:15PM

Real Estate clerks, Road foreman, operations manager, Accounts Clerk, Kitchen Assistant, Hauler Driver & Truck Drivers –Call: 603-4098

Nandy Park - $24M, Robb Street - $25M, Kitty $32M35M, AA Eccles - $55M – Contact Diana: 227-2256, 6269382

Two storey concrete house (26X45 ft), 4 bedrooms, 3 washrooms, grilled with electronic security @ Grandville Park, Beterverwagting - Tel: 6726169

Signature Sensation Wedding Special: Do any service over $5000 & get 20% off- Call: 622-2643/ 225-8701

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 NEED WORK CALL LABOUR READY STAFFING SERVICES AT: 603-6052 OR 227-2766 DaSilva’s Welding & Fabricating specializes in: Grills, Gates, Pontoon, Lavador etc. Best prince in town - Call: 647-6880/ 219-1680

AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 One RZ minibus BJJ series Call: 225-8272 (after 5pm) & 619-9072 Mitsubishi Canter 2-Tons enclosed, excellent condition - Call:220-5281 Toyota Raum, Silver, year 2002, PMM series with alarm Call: 621-5244 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 Toyota Raum PMM, excellent condition. Documents ready for Bank Purchase – Call: 689-4330 (Continued on page 23)

Saturday June 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Letters... Where your views make the news

People are suffering all over Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I’ve been on coastal Guyana for the past month. I’ve visited friends in Regions 6, 5, 4 and 3. What I have witnessed should make any decent government hang their head in shame; but then again, this government is not decent, neither do they know how to be ashamed. Apart from the failing infrastructure all over the coast, a lot of people are faring worse than us in the hinterland. I have seen countless, what the Jamaicans call, screw-faces. These countless masses seem to be trudging

through life in a zombie-like manner, not seeming to know where their deliverance will come from or when. No wonder we have so many spontaneous, violent crimes. People are literally living on the edge. On the other side of the spectrum we have a few who are living it up. I am sure that their pets eat better than a lot of our people. Yet they go about their daily ‘hustlings’, oblivious to the suffering masses. This new class of wealthy people can be observed daily flouting the laws of the land with protected impunity.

Meanwhile the Guyana Police Force in the forms of their traffic ranks, motor-bike squads and black clothes ranks can be seen day and night adding to the misery of ordinary Guyanese. At every turn one can observe the harassment, the subtle traps and the open bribe-taking schemes. The alarming thing is that the bribe-taking is no longer covert. This begs the question: do the upper echelons know of these deviant behaviours and the perpetrators? Of course they must know. Instead of fixing the many ills that have befallen us as a

nation, the government has engaged in activities that are divisive, counter-productive and downright unpatriotic. I do hope that a new government will call on this excuse of a government to account. I also hope that the next time around that the Guyanese people remind the PPP what a miserable failure they have been and replace them with a government that can bring peace, national unity and prosperity to each and every Guyanese. Carl Parker Sr. Regional Councillor Region 9

National Grade Six Assessment 2014 and... From page 4 -D or Fail- F scores, since they wouldn’t matter. Without going into too many technical details, and since educators – at least in the USA – want to see how many students gain scores of C or higher, with their expectation being, that a school

district ought to be able to get 70% of their students within that range. 70% of 15,227 is 10,589 students from the Grade 6 Assessment The Bell-shaped curve claims that under ideal conditions the success rate should be 70%.

How far or near to the ideal Guyana’s education system is determines what happens next. It is my opinion, since I am not privy to the data to back it up, that Guyana is seriously behind the eight ball, so to speak, and most import a n t l y G u y a n a ’s e d u c a -

The PPP leadership is out of... From page 4 democratic process of governance, we need to have the elections; 4. One construction worker It’s bad that it has been so long. They should get a change, there should be a change; 5. One Miner – I think we should select persons who are capable of doing the job right. They are not doing a proper job right now; 6. One nut vendor - well it

think we should hold local government elections twenty years is too long; 7. One businesswoman - I think it is bad for democracy that local government elections have not been called for twenty years; 8. One driver - we need local government elections since we need a change to get this place cleaned; 9. One rice farmer - It’s ridiculous, I can’t see the rea-

son why they don’t want to hold local government elections; 10. One pensioner – I think that the local government elections will bring a change in the state of the city. It is obvious from the above that the PPP leadership is clearly out of touch with the will of the people. The voice of the people is so much more powerful than the fossilized politicians. Sase Singh

Making the sacrifices necessary... From page 5 unless it is nurtured and rigourlessly trained to reach excellence. Any particular individual or race who excels in academics or business is propelled by their unique environment which they operate by their culture. Both India and China lead the world by their respective population records. Excelling

in something which makes them outstanding is more compelling for them every moment of their existence. Spelling Bee champion Arvind Mahankali and his parents did not excel in their family’s achievements because of any Indian Hindu Aryan Brahmanism superiority. They all invested the time, effort and sacrifice to win the American Spelling

Bee championship. What makes for success in business, academia, sports etc is no big secret. Working hard, saving your money and making the sacrifices necessary to achieve excellence is not owned by anyone to become better. It is time Freddie Kissoon get with the arithmetic of genetics. Vassan Ramracha.

tional system is not structured to significantly affect the Assessment outcomes in the future. A copy of this letter will be sent to Education Minister Priya Manickchand, since I am suggesting that should convene a panel of qualified but enthusiastic and impartial members in order to investigate the state of Guyana’s education system with a view to making constructive recommendations. Thank you. Albert R. Cumberbatch, Ph. D.

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

EDUCATIONAL IAE - Camp Street - Registration has commenced Forms 1-5 (full-time school); day & evening, adult CXC classes Call: 683-5742, 223-0604

(From page 22)

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

WANTED One cook for home in interior – Contact: 681-6044 Farm worker, gardener – Call: 265-3586 Pacific Development Construction: foreman and office assistant must have driver’s licence – Contact: 227-8274/ 223-6035 One cook needed to work in canteen – Tel: 687-3629

Salon stations for stylist & barbers in comfortable atmosphere, hot & cold water, affordable rent - Tel: 619-5829, 683-3466

One experienced canter driver - $28,000, 1 porter $21,000, to work in Tushen Scheme, E.B.E – Tel:684-8231

Apartment for rent at Uitvlugt, W.C.D - Tel: 6662442

One experienced diesel mechanic to work part time – Call: 684-8231

1- Two bedrooms apartment at 35 Howes St., G/Town$45,000 per month- Contact: Pet Boy’s Shop between 11:00AM – 6:00PM

Hire Cars at Atlas Taxi Service VHF Network – Call: 661-3043 One experienced driver, Apply in person with written application @ Hack’s Halaal, Lot 5 Commerce Street.

GT TOOL RENTALS SPECIALS: CONCRETE SAW; JACK HAMMER WELDING MACHINE & MORE. 2ND TOOL ½ PRICE – CALL: 675-0767; 627-5098 1 Two bedroom apartment to rent in Diamond Housing Scheme – Price $40,000 - Tel: 604-2431, preferably a couple

TO LET 1 – Four bedrooms house with all modern conveniences, semifurnished - $300,000 monthly, Happy Acres – Tel:231-7839 (working hours) Fully furnished two bedroom apartment for rent with TV, Air-condition, hot & cold, cable. In South for foreigners Tel: 689-5877 Furnished 2 bedroom apartment, in Linden for short term local & overseas guest Tel: 444-4704, 614-4415 Campbellville - $55,000, Subryanville - $120,000, BelAir -$US1200, AA Eccles $US1200 – Contact Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382 Furnished and unfurnished two bedrooms apartment in Eccles, for short or long term Tel: 6 90-6494 Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment located at Timerhi Tel: 615-2584

We buy all low income land in La Parfait Harmonie, Herstelling, Eccles, NonPareil – Call: 218-5591 or 6757292 One Car/ Van Driver, apply in person at Avinash Complex, Water Street. Housekeeper to work at hotel. Call:602-0945

EDUCATIONAL Canadian School of Arts & Science, now enrolling students for summer classes in remedial Mathematics & English – Call: 216-6921 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: 264-3057 I.A.S – 94 Alberttown: CXC Adults/ Students classes $1200 per subject. Day/ Evening / Grade 6 classes – Call: 223-7906, 690-5008 Canadian School of Arts & Science, Third Avenue, Diamond: CAT Accounting Classes begin on July 1, – Call: 216-6921/22 to register

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Kaieteur News

More interest in airline industry

Saturday June 14, 2014

Miner found lying in a pool of blood on roadway The injured Terrence Younge

To the President’s right is John Sawyer, CEO of Jet Tram, while to his left is Bill Acor, owner of Vision Air; Rob Binns, CEO of TravelSpan, and to his left is Nohar Singh, owner of TravelSpan. On Thursday, President Donald Ramotar met with a team comprising various airline operators interested in investing in the aviation sector here in Guyana. Following the collapse of a number of charters and airlines in recent years,

Guyana has been looking for other operators. With five companies operating in Guyana at the moment, conducting flights to and from North America, there has been worry that there are too many seats.

Police are investigating the circumstances in which a 29 year old was shot twice and left lying on a road at Timehri early Friday morning. According to reports Terrence Younge, of Lot 54 Hyde Park, Timehri was found lying on the roadway with two gunshot wounds about the body. The man’s wife Sheneeza Barlow told Kaieteur News yesterday that she was at home when relatives called to

tell her about her husband being shot. The woman said that her husband had left their Timehri home on Thursday evening to go “hang out” with friends. According to Barlow she became worried after he didn’t return home. Barlow said that she received an early morning call from one of her husband’s cousin who had taken Younge to the hospital. Barlow stated that she was told by the

cousin who lives a short distance from where the body was found that he had heard a loud noise around 02:00hrs. The woman said that the cousin claims that when he came out of his house, he saw her husband lying on the ground in a pool of blood. Younge was immediately rushed to the hospital. Kaieteur News understands that the cousin has been taken into police custody and is assisting with investigations.

Region Ten top performer heads... From page 20 said she must give God the glory. Aquil Gill, an 11-yearold aspiring Scientist/Inventor, was second in the Region with 513 is a twin. He is also the only boy between three children. According to him, " I just wanted to get a place at QC." He was awarded a place at Bishop's High School. His twin was awarded a place at Mackenzie High School. He said that it was hard studying but his parents were very supportive. His father Dennis Gill, aka Jafar

Mohamed, who is a Phlebotomist and owner of Rite Care Pharmacy and mother Dr. Oneka Higgins, a medical doctor at the Georgetown Public Hospital are elated at their son's success. His teacher, Michelle Craig, who also taught the student who placed fifth in the Region, said that she is very happy to have students in the regional top ten again. In 2011 she was the teacher of the third and sixth place students in the country. She has been teaching for

24 years, serving the pupils of Grades Five and Six for the past 12 years. Her biggest joy is not getting students in the top but about who they become after leaving school. She even made mention of a former student who is presently a medical doctor at the Linden Hospital Complex. Eleven year old Ayrton Waldron, with 511 marks, placed fifth in the Region. The aspiring surgeon or scientist came from Stewart Park, Christianburg. He is the last of three.

Saturday June 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Thai military promises government by August, lifts curfew BANGKOK (Reuters) Thailand’s ruling military government lifted a nationwide curfew yesterday to bolster the country’s vital tourism industry and promised to install an interim government in August. General Prayuth Chanocha, who heads the council that has overseen the country since taking over on May 22, said that power would be handed to a government in August. That, he said, was part of a three-phase plan of reconciliation, formation of a government and elections. “A government will be set up by August, or at the very latest September,” Prayuth told a meeting devoted to the 2015 national budget. He did not say whether the government would be made up of civilians or military officials. In an evening television announcement, the National Council for Peace and Order said conditions had improved enough - after months of periodically violent street demonstrations - to lift the curfew across the country. “As the situation has

Thai Army chief General Prayuth Chanocha speaks at a meeting to discuss the 2015 national budget, at the Army Club in Bangkok yesterday. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha improved and there have been no incidents that can lead to violence ... and in order to improve tourism, the

curfew will be lifted in all remaining provinces,” the council announcement said. The curfew, imposed throughout Thailand after the coup, was lifted over the past week in 30 provinces, including the main tourist destinations. It had remained in place from midnight to 4 a.m. in 47 provinces, including Bangkok. In a rambling 40minute address to the nation, Prayuth issued a wide range of promises to make the economy more efficient, streamline energy policy and improve the lives of ordinary Thais. He pleaded for more time to achieve the military’s aims. The army staged a bloodless coup after six months of turmoil pitting mainly rural supporters of ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra against her Bangkok-based, royalist opponents. In his comments to military officials, Prayuth repeated that a temporary constitution would be drafted within three months. It would take at least a year until a new general election could take place.

Page 25

Ukraine prepares for gas cuts as Russia stands firm KIEV/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Ukraine began preparing yesterday for Russia to cut off its gas after talks on long-running price dispute broke down, raising the prospect of supplies to the European Union also being disrupted from Monday. Kiev was still scrambling late yesterday to arrange talks before Monday, the deadline for it to start paying billions of dollars in unpaid gas bills, but Moscow showe d n o interest in new talks and rejected a new compromise offer by Ukraine. Turning off the taps would aggravate the worst political crisis between Russia and Ukraine since the Soviet Union broke up in 1991 and set back fledgling peace moves in e a s t U k r a i n e , w h e re government forces are fighting pro-Russian separatists. “Ukraine is getting ready for the worst scenario, a cut in Russian gas supplies,” Andriy Kobolev, chief

executive of the Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz, was quoted as saying by a company spokeswoman. Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk issued an order to the energy sector, relevant ministries and regional authorities to prepare for supply cuts. The gas talks have proved especially difficult because of political tensions over the overthrow of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president in February, Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March, and the violence in east Ukraine. Each side blames the other for the impasse. Russia initially demanded Ukraine pay $485 per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas but then offered to remove the export duty, a move that would reduce the price to $385 - around the average amount paid by Russia’s European clients. Ukraine had held out for $268.5 until Friday, when it said it was ready to pay

$326 for an interim period of 18 months while a longterm price was worked out. “Ukraine will be ready under such a compromise to pay its unpaid bills from the past,” Kobolev told r e p o r t e r s i n K i e v. B u t President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman described the new offer - based on a proposal by the European energy commissioner who is mediating talks - as “inadequate”. The spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he knew of no plans to hold new talks and the Energy Ministry ruled out any prospect of an immediate resumption. Yesterday evening, Ukraine proposed starting a new round of negotiations today in Kiev or, failing that, another European city. There was no immediate response from the Kremlin. Russia’s state gas exporter Gazprom has demanded that Ukraine pay $1.95 billion in gas debts by Monday, but there was no sign on Friday that the money had been paid.

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 14, 2014

Saturday June 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

GCB Treasurer corrects President... From page 28 my very livelihood and ability to provide for and face my kids and family every day. I am forced to remind myself of another accounting colleague, Maurice Arjoon, whose career was cut short and destroyed for the very same reason. I have been the Treasurer for the GCB for the past four (4) years and a director of the WICB for those four years. Two years ago I was appointed to the WICB finance committee. I can assure you that the accounts of the GCB have been audited for the last 20 years and for the last four (4) I was responsible for getting

those accounts in order. I can personally provide you with any information on the audited accounts of the GCB which you may require. The last Biannual General Meeting of the GCB was observed by officials of the WICB who declared it “free and fair.” They are our parent body and main source of financing. They continue to recognize the GCB and obviously made those declarations. Mr. President, with all due respect, you and your Ministers seem to be running out of reasons and excuses for attempts to take over a vibrant, well organized, structured and accountable

sports entity. No entity in Guyana has withstood such harassment and scrutiny as the GCB. I boast that truth, honesty, integrity and dedication are the tenets that enabled us to withstand the pressure from the Government enjoined with the unholy alliance with the group of administrators. I remain available to produce and represent any documentation you may need to support my position on this matter. Best Regards, Anand Kalladeen - FCCA Treasurer- Guyana Cricket Board Director - WICB Member - WICB Finance Committee.

Saturday June 14, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be looking forward to talking on the phone with someone dear who lives far away, Aries, but circumstances beyond your control could get in the way. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Although business and money matters continue to go well, some rather unsettling news regarding either your finances or the economy in general could reach you today, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may have been looking forward to a social event, group activity, or perhaps a get-together with a lover today, but circumstances beyond your control throw some unexpected obstacles in your way. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Although you've been feeling especially strong physically over the past few days, Cancer, today you might feel a little under the weather. You could even experience some giddiness.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you might take up some sort of occult study, such as astrology, numerology, or alchemy that seems like Greek to you at first, Libra. As a result, you could be tempted to abandon it. Don't! SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A friend might be in such a dour mood that you wonder if this is the same person you know and love, Scorpio. During the day you might be tempted to try to analyze what's going on, but this is apt to raise more questions than answers. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A friend or romantic partner might need your advice, Sagittarius, and want to discuss a few things that you don't really understand. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you might read a book on exercise or nutrition that seems a bit unsettling, Capricorn. According to the book, you're doing everything wrong!

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Emotional matters could hit the fan today at a social event or group meeting of some kind. Those around you are apt to be feeling especially stressed and volatile, Leo, so be prepared for anything.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) YMemories and emotions welling up from the past might excite your creative impulses today, Aquarius. You may not quite be able to understand what all of this means, but the pictures should keep coming to you nonetheless.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Stress might be getting the better of a household member today, Virgo. This person feels emotionally volatile. The least irritation could set off a temper tantrum. Try to ease the pressure by staying out of the way.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A subject you're researching, perhaps for a class or workshop, might prove more difficult than you expected, Pisces. The resources you consult might be very scholarly and thus difficult to read.

Page 27

Johnson set to become 48th Guyanese Test player Left-Hander ‘Very happy & elated’ at 2ND Test call-up By Sean Devers When Leon Johnson made his International debut for the West Indies against Bermuda in 2008 in Canada many felt it would be the start of a prosperous career for the then 20-year-old Guyanese left-hander. However, Johnson who played his only three ODIs in 2008 had to wait six years to earn his first Test match callup for the West Indies for the second Test against New Zealand in Trinidad from Monday. The 26-year-old GCC player told Kaieteur Sports from the Grantley Adams International airport in Barbados just before he departed for Trinidad & Tobago that he was ‘very happy and elated’ to be selected. If selected in the final X1, Johnson, who hails from Kumauni Creek in the Demerara River, will become the 48th Guyanese to play Test cricket and the first since Veerasammy Permaul made his debut against Bangladesh in 2012. He will also be the 298th West Indian to play at the highest level since 1928 when the Regional side played their inaugural Test match in England. “I just want to continue scoring runs as I have been doing and make meaningful contributions in whichever way I can to the team” Johnson, who is the only Guyanese with a double century at the Regional under-19 level, said. The talented player who also bowls useful spin made his first-class debut for Guyana against the Leewards at Enmore in 2004 when he was just 16. He only played a couple

of matches that season and had to wait four years for his third First Class game after Captaining West Indies at the Under-19 World Cup in 2006. When he returned to the Guyana line-up, Johnson enjoyed a productive season; scoring 427 runs at an average of 42.70 and his only flaw was that he failed to get a three-figure score. Johnson has two hundreds and 19 fifties from 50 First-Class matches and has been consistent this season against India ‘A’, Bangladesh ‘A’ playing for the West Indies ‘A’ and for Guyana when he registered his maiden first Class ton for the South Americans in Antigua against the Leeward Islands in April. “I think the main reason for my recent success is due to me maturing not only as a player but a person as well, so that has enabled me to understand the game and my own game better,” explained Johnson. One of the hardest working and complete batsmen in Guyana, Johnson

attended the Starters Nursery and the St Margaret’s Primary before going to St Rose’s High, a school which never produced a Test player. Speaking from her adopted Island of St. Maarten, Johnson’s mother Inez Fernandes was emotional and brimming with joy when Kaieteur Sports contacted her. “It was a really great feeling Sean, I am very, very proud of him. I shed tears of joy because I know how much he wanted this and how much he worked for it,” she disclosed. Johnson, who is married to Carolyn Johnson and has a son Joshua, thanked his club Coach former England International Guyanese Monte Lynch for helping tremendously for the last two years and to everyone else who has played a positive role in his career so far. “I am looking forward to playing in Trinidad and if I do I am hoping to do well and make everyone and my country proud,” Johnson concluded.

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Letters to the Sports Editor

The BCB should be credited for Was the “Vote of no Confidence” demanding transparency at the GCB against Matthias legitimate? DEAR EDITOR, The decision of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) General Council, in refusing to accept the challenge thrown out by the Federation’s President, Christopher Matthias for a live televised debate on national television, as was reported in your newspaper publication KN (31.05.14), Editor, indeed remains a commendable gesture, when it’s taken into serious consideration that the President offered a 48 hour ultimatum for a response to be forthcoming, from disgruntled members. Matthias nevertheless had the temerity to publicly advocate “the cost for the televised debate would be paid for from the coffers of the GFF”! My, oh my! If the aforementioned is not a crass reflection of downright tomfoolery, then I would cease forthwith to pen any letter/missive in the print media, pertaining to football! Suffice it to say that a “cash strapped and debt ridden” GFF, devoid of a proper functioning executive, reduced to two individuals from a total of an elected six, grants the President the privilege to unconstitutionally spend much needed cash to pay for a televised debate. By the way! Does this action confirm to the relevant

requirements of accountability, transparency and democracy? Was it forwarded to the Finance Committee, for deliberations? While the points highlighted by members of the “GFF Congress challenging Matthias to public debate via print media” are justifiable, since the relevant constitutional support are also evident, Surely, I’m not in agreement with item 5: “dealing with personality issues. i.e. previous role as a Customs Officer, Church member and Custom Broker to name a few. Editor, my humble opinion entails that an ultimatum should have also been offered to Matthias to respond, failing which the next step was, “reconvening a Special General Council Meeting, specifically dealing with the “Vote of no Confidence”! By the way, I do hope all affiliates of the GFF, including the Associations (s) governed by IMC’s were duly informed in writing, within a specific time frame of the “reconvening of the meeting”, along with the remnants of the GFF executive! In the final analysis, accountability to the various stakeholders of the sport; transparency in deliberations and adherence to constitutionality-application, articulation and interpretation

are all essential components towards ensuring the (in) actions of the General Council is foolproof and above board! That all and sundry must expect a fight from Matthias, since the individual would not under no given circumstance surrender meekly. Further, with the commencement of the FIFA 2014 World Cup, preceded by the Congress a few days away, Matthias out of desperation, aided by a few of his cohorts and lackeys, would use the constitution to the fullest , towards quelling an insurgency! As per norm within a few Associations, there must be a few members of the executive, who would not be supportive of the General Council’s decision (s); while going the extra mile to sanction any member, who had attended the ReConvened Congress, even though the attendance would have been in the capacity as an observer! Conveniently the notion of clubs giving their respective executives the mandate to support the “Vote of no Confidence”, in defiance of democratic norms, remains another “puzzle, in the jigsaw”. But this is only a reflection of what transpired, when the UDFA executive was banned! Respectfully yours, Lester Sealey.

Franz Beckenbauer: Fifa bans German legend for 90 days BBC Sport - Franz Beckenbauer has been provisionally banned from all footballing activities by Fifa for “failing to co-operate” with its inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process. The World Cup winning German legend had been asked to help with a Fifa ethics investigation led by lawyer Michael Garcia. Beckenbauer, 68, was part of the Fifa executive committee that voted to give the tournament to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. He has been banned for 90 days. Beckenbauer captained West Germany to victory as hosts at the 1974 World Cup, and was coach when they next lifted the trophy in Italy 16 years later. He then managed at Olympique Marseille and Bayern Munich, where he is

Franz Beckenbauer now honorary president. Fifa said Beckenbauer ignored “repeated requests” to assist with an independent investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. No details have been

given on what Garcia wanted to speak to Beckenbauer about. Garcia’s remit includes looking into allegations that Qatari football official Mohamed Bin Hammam made payments totalling £3m to football officials in return for their support for the Qatar bid - as set out in a Sunday Times investigation. But Beckenbauer said: “I politely requested a meeting in which we could talk about the matter in German. That was apparently not desired. That aside, I wouldn’t be able to contribute anything to clear up the matter anyway.” World football’s governing body said Beckenbauer was asked to supply answers to written questions provided in both English and German.

DEAR EDITOR, Cricket indeed generates a unifying force among the Caribbean people; hence every stroke that is played has an imposing impact on and off the field. In Guyana the lovely game has been tarnished for almost three years because of administrative chaos, thus the results on the field has been understandably pathetic. How the WICB could have relentlessly ignored such a problematic situation is still a mystery? From the inception when the legality of the GCB elections was challenged, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would have maintained a principled stance. Simply put, the GCB could not have justifiably held elections with only one participating Board (Essequibo Cricket Board). In contravention and defiance of an order by the Court, a faction of the Demerara Cricket Board proceeded to give credence to the said elections by participating. The WICB would later

announce that the results were acceptable after confirmation from the observers that came (Imran Khan, Conde Riley and Paul Slowe). Is there something to hide WICB/GCB? The Court would have recently ruled that the elections were null and void thus vindicating the BCB’S challenge. There were several other stakeholders including the Georgetown Cricket Association, East Coast Cricket Board and North Essequibo Cricket Committee among other concerned groups that have also challenged the administration on similar grounds. The BCB though has paid the penalty in several forms including the removal of subventions to the Board and stipend for its Administrator, surprise non selection of its players at different levels; yet the BCB has admirably weathered the storm like any competent batsman would have done against a hostile bowler.

Hopefully with the passage of the Cricket Administration Bill which seeks to hold the institution accountable given fair elections, the BCB can once again become an integral member of the GCB since unquestionably they have been the best organized and success driven of the three county Boards. Our rich cricketing history should never return to such a despicable level of mediocrity. Therefore when the inevitable transformation of the sport transcends the GCB, the Berbice Cricket Board should be credited for maintaining their due diligence, collective strength and loyalty to the will of the majority of its constituents for the struggle towards maintaining the high standards that they have set and wishes to be enforced at the highest level which is the Guyana Cricket Board. Yours Faithfully, Elroy Stephney

GCB Treasurer corrects President Ramotar DEAR EDITOR, Mr. President, it literally pains me to respond to your reckless assertions regarding accountability within the GCB, but my professional reputation and integrity demands that I pen this response. The GCB has been maliciously persecuted by all and sundry over the past 5 years, firstly, by a group of former administrators and now, unfortunately, the same unfounded allegations are being parroted by no less than the President of Guyana. We can understand and rationalize the reason for this action by the upset group as they were seeking to take over the GCB and they were mudslinging as much as they could with the hope that something would stick. It did not since there was nothing factual to their wild and reckless statements. Accountability, Mr. President, is not a watch word synonymous with the modus operandi of several administrations within Guyana but the GCB stands tall amongst all these administrations. Your government must make up its mind on why exactly you have now decided to “Witch Hunt” the GCB. - Your Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport initially stated that he was disbanding the GCB because of the Chief Justice ruling (orbiter dicta)

that the State must intervene. He proceeded to disband the GCB, seize their assets and placed padlocks on their offices. - Your AG then proceeded to file Court Proceedings stating that the property of the GCB belongs to the State on a principle of “Bona Vacatia” or ownerless property. Several Board officials and their families were routinely harassed and had their homes searched by the police forcing some of them to resign. - The CCJ and the local Appeal Court ruled in favour of the GCB on all of these matters but the Government is still not satisfied. - Under court and police protection in February 2012, your Sports Minister and AG seized all the financial records of the GCB including computers, cheque books, invoices, etc. (two truckloads). This was done under the guise that you had to conduct a forensic Audit. These were returned over a year later in a very quiet and sedate matter by the Ministry. Surely, had your forensic auditors discovered any act of wrongdoing or fraud, the Commissioner of Police or even the Minister of Home Affairs himself would have taken immediate steps to arrest those culpable or corrupt officials of the GCB. - Further, in early 2011 your Ministry of Labour had

subjected the GCB to a rigorous forensic audit of its entire operations. This resulted in a detailed report termed the “Foster Report,” which cleared the GCB and all of its officers of any wrong doing. I can provide you with a copy of this document as I am advised that your then Minister of Labour, Mr. Mansoor Nadir hid the report after he did not get Mr. Rupert Foster to insert a finding to his liking. I am also aware that the Essequibo Cricket Board tendered a copy of this document to Parliament in their submissions on the Cricket Bill. Now that all of that has gone past us, you are suddenly speaking of rigged elections and accountability. The elections of the DCB and GCB were challenged by the above group, which group incidentally were the clients of your AG. In the case of the DCB, Anil Nandalall was the attorney that withdrew one of the Court Matters when he realized that video evidence was tendered by the Defendants. Mr. President, I am a professional accountant, with a young family, and I treasure the hard work and sacrifice that was required for me to be qualified. When allegations such as yours are carelessly thrown around, it affects my career, my job, my personal, family and professional life, (Continued on page 27)

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England v Sri Lanka: Joe Root hits double century before tourists rally BBC Sport - Joe Root scored his maiden Test double century as England posted their highest total in three years in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Root struck 200 not out and Stuart Broad and Liam Plunkett added quick runs to carry England to 575-9 declared on the second day. On a flat pitch, however, England’s luckless bowlers could not drive home their advantage as Sri Lanka closed on 140-1. Opener Kaushal Silva was 62 not out and Kumar Sangakkara, seeking to cap an illustrious career with a first Lord’s Test century, was unbeaten on 32. That England did not end the day in a position of even greater authority was due to a squandered chance and contentious decision. Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne was put down in the slips before Chris Jordan removed him with his third ball in Test cricket. Late in the day, England were incensed by the

Joe Root progressed untroubled to a double-hundred as England piled up the runs © Getty Images television umpire’s decision to give Silva the benefit of the doubt after he appeared to have been caught behind low by Matt Prior. “I thought it carried,” Prior told Sky Sports. “I felt the ball hit the hard bit of my finger. I’ve gone forward at the ball. We’re disappointed.” Although the lack of wickets may frustrate new England coach Peter Moores, he will be delighted by the positive intent shown by Root and the lower order as they added 231 runs in 41

overs on Friday after resuming on 344-5. Following their torpid batting displays during the 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia, when they were often rendered shotless by Australia’s potent attack, England’s innings run rate of 4.40 reflects a clear desire to take the attack to the opposition. Root, who was dropped for the final Ashes Test in Sydney, picked up where he left off in making 102 on Thursday to become the first player to score 150 in

17th annual Scotiabank Golf tourney launched

Three children charities will benefit when the 17th Annual Scotiabank Golf Tournament tees off today June 14, 2014 at the Lusignan Golf Club, East Coast Demerara. Apart from winning trophies and golf gear, for the third consecutive year, the top three players will receive as part of their prize package, a donation t o w a r d s a c h i l d r e n ’s charity of their choice under the Bank’s Bright Future Programme. The cash donations are $150,000, $100,000 and $75,000 for the first, second and third place respectively. The Scotiabank tournament is the only one with a philanthropic component. The inclusion of charitable donations in the golf sponsorship is to

- Charities to get cash donations encourage stakeholders to be as passionate as Scotiabanker s a r e a b o u t giving our children a bright future. Under its Global Bright Future programme, the Bank channels funds and employee volunte e r hours towards initiatives that benefit children in the areas of education, health, social well-being and sports. Scotiabank is asking all golfers to indicate at the time of registration, which cause benefitting children they will be playing for. Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and C a n a d a ’s most international bank.

2014 NBS 2nd division... From page 32 Thameshwar Kumar 3 for 38 and Imran Khan 2 for 16. *At Ulverston, Big Star beat Young Adventurers by 9 wickets. Young Adventurers 110 in 24 overs with Norman Seegobin 4 for 20 and Darren Walrond 3 for 12. Big Star 111 for 1 in 20 overs with Julian Thomas 49, N.O. and Keagan Sampson 29 N.O. *At Port Mourant, Port Mourant beat Guysuco Training Centre by 8 wickets. Guysuco Training Centre 71 in 28.1 overs with Randolph Davis 26. Joshua Dhanai took 3 for 4, Demetric Cameron 2 for 8 and Loyydel Levis 2 for 12. Port Mourant in reply 72 for 1 in 12.2 overs with Loyydel Levis 30 N.O.

Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic programme, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

successive Lord’s innings and, at 23 years and 165 days, England’s youngest double centurion since David Gower in 1979. Sri Lanka started the day brightly as their decision to pepper England with short balls delivered two early wickets. Prior, 76 overnight, fended Shaminda Eranga to short leg for 86 and Jordan mistimed a flick to leg and popped up an easy catch to the wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene for 19. There was no let-up in the drama in a rollicking opening session as Broad and Plunkett spearheaded a counter-attack alongside the tireless Root. Broad hit nine fours in a 39ball 47 and Plunkett made the most of being dropped by Eranga at midwicket on two by clubbing a rapid 39. Both

batsmen fell to Nuwan Pradeep, who finished with 4123. With only James Anderson for company, Root sped towards his double century, reaching the mark with a paddle sweep to provide the cue for captain Alastair Cook to declare. Anderson looked to have struck with the last ball of his first over, but Karunaratne overturned an lbw verdict. Broad was also denied an early breakthrough when he located Karunaratne’s edge, only for the ball to fly at catchable height between new boys Jordan and Gary Ballance at second and third slip respectively. After starring performances in England’s Twenty20 and oneday sides, Jordan made a dramatic start to his Test

bowling career, drawing a drive from Karunaratne, who feathered an edge through to Prior. England were convinced they had removed Silva in similar fashion as they went up in unison for a catch behind. But third umpire Steve Davis, after watching countless slow-motion replays, decided he could not see clear evidence that Prior’s catch was clean. By the close of play Silva and Sangakkara had extended their partnership to 86, leaving the visitors well placed to continue their pursuit of England’s mammoth score on Saturday. Scores: Sri Lanka 140 for 1 (Silva 62*, Sangakkara 32*) trail England 575 for 9 dec (Root 200*, Prior 86, Bell 56, Pradeep 4-123) by 435 runs.

Superb Dutch destroy sorry Spain 5-1 SALVADOR Brazil (Reuters) - Stunning goals from Dutch captain Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben ensured an awful start to Spain’s World Cup defense as the Netherlands destroyed one of the tournament favorites 5-1 in Group B on Friday. In complete contrast to the tetchy World Cup final between the sides in 2010 which Spain won 1-0, the Dutch took revenge with a pulsating display capped off by two goals each for Van Persie and Robben and one by Stefan de Vrij. “They were better in the second half after a first half when we played well,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told Spanish television. “They looked to knock the ball over the top against our defense and found a lot of space. “We kept on fighting but they were physically stronger as the game went on and that made a difference. “It is now a delicate situation for us which we will and try and overcome in our next game against Chile and then see what happens.”

Spain, also 2008 and 2012 European champions, took a 27th- minute lead through a Xabi Alonso penalty after Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa went down under a challenge from de Vrij, only for Van Persie to equalizes brilliantly in the 44th minute. The Dutch forward stole in between Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba to meet a searching Daley Blind cross with a powerful diving header that left goalkeeper Iker Casillas rooted. Moments before Van Persie’s goal Spain missed a glorious chance to double their lead when midfielder David Silva’s cheeky chip was pushed wide for a corner. It was a wasted chance they came to rue. After the break the Dutch

poured forward and went ahead after 53 minutes when Robben got on the end of another superb Blind lobbed pass before turning Gerard Pique and holding off Sergio Ramos to fire home from seven meters. The match opened up but in the Netherlands’ favor with De Vrij stealing in on 64 minutes at the back post to convert a free kick after Van Persie put Casillas under pressure. It got worse for Spain as Van Persie added a fourth after taking advantage of a sloppy touch by Casillas to slot home in the 72nd minute and Robben stunned a raucous crowd as he toyed with the Spanish defense and Casillas before belting home in the 80th.

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Scotiabank contributes to help Bartica Grand Horserace meet set for residents watch World Cup football Rising Sun Turf Club June 29

Ms. Nirvana Burnette (left) hands over the cheque to an official from Bartica Communication in the presence of other staff members. Scotiabank Bartica has contributed $50,000 dollars to Bartica Communication Cable network to facilitate the sponsorship of the World Cup football. Bartica is a community

with a strong football bias and with the world’s biggest football event on show, residents from the area would have been clamouring to see the matches. Scotia Bank Bartica Branch, as it has done

in the past, came forward to ensure they fulfill their corporate responsibility and help offset the costs so the Bartica residents could see matches during the tournament.

The meet is promising intense action come race day. The Rising Sun Turf Club will come alive on Sunday June, 29, 2014 when they in collaboration with Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service present a grand one day horserace meet. The activity has already attracted some of the country’s top thoroughbreds who will be competing for millions in cash and trophies, with action set to start from 12 noon. Eight races are carded for the day with the feature event being the D1 and lower fetching a first prize of one million dollars and will cover

a distance of 1500M. The main supporting race is for Three-year-old Guyana and West Ind i e s b r e d animals competing at 1400M for a top prize of $600,000. The winner of the F1& Lower event at a distance of 1400M is guaranteed $500,000, while the Two-yearold Guyana and West Indian bred cash prize is set at $300,000 with a distance of 600M being run. Other races on the agenda are the G3 & Lower (1000M/ $400,000 first prize), I1 and Lower (1000M/$250,000 first

prize), J & Lower (1000M/ $200,000 first prize) and H1&Lower (1000M/$400,000 first prize). Horse owners are urged to register early as entries will be closed 23rd June, 2014. Contact persons for the registration process are: Mr. C.Ramnauth on 337-5311,Fazil Habibulla on 657-7010, Inshan Bacchus on 629-9419 and Chandu Ramkissoon on 232-0633/624-9063. According to information, all systems are in place for a highly competitive day of racing, featuring the leading horses, jockeys and stables.

WICB think they are untouchable - Dr Luncheon Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has confirmed that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has threatened to exclude Guyana’s Under-19 Team from the Regional Tournament. Dr. Luncheon told reporters Thursday at a post cabinet media briefing that this threat was issued in a recent correspondence from the WICB to the Office of the

President. “The WICB really think they are untouchable,” the Cabinet Secretary said. The WICB had moved the test match from Guyana between New Zealand and West Indies to Barbados, on the grounds that the country passed a ‘contentious’ Cricket Administration Bill. According to Dr. Luncheon, the WICB is now trying to disassociate itself

from any “attempt to belittle President Donald Ramotar, or show disrespect to him or the administration.” He added, “Interestingly, in the same breath in the correspondence, the WICB issued further threats that if we don’t do what they say, the exclusion of the under -19 team from the Regional Tournament is on their front burner…”

Mexico edge to win over ... From page 33 followed up a marauding run by picking out Eto’o, whose first-time shot hit the outside of the post. Mexico might have felt annoyed they were not in front and their grievances were added to when they had another goal controversially disallowed and a penalty shout rejected. First, Dos Santos’s header from a corner was ruled out, then the

striker had a penalty shout turned down following a challenge from Aurelien Chedjou. However, Mexico had only themselves to blame for not taking the lead just after the break. Dos Santos helped on a pass to release Peralta only for the striker to have his shot saved by onrushing keeper Charles Itandje. The miss was almost punished when Assou-Ekotto’s free-kick de-

flected just wide before Mexico’s frustration turned to joy. A Dos Santos shot was initially parried by Charles Itandje but Peralta was on hand to drive in the loose ball home for the winner. Mexico coach Miguel Herrera stated, “The team surpassed my expectations on the pitch. The attitude was wonderful. The team showed they were mentally strong.

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GCB clarifies CPL ‘Amazon Warriors’ U-19 selection

Warriors’ management wanted Chanderpaul, we never selected Kevin Paul says Drepaul Nazimul Drepaul, C h airman of the Junior Selection Panel of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has responded to a story in this Newspaper written by Sean Devers Headlined ‘Why no Berbice U-19 player in CPL Squad?’ In the article D evers questioned the omission of We s t I n d i e s u n d e r- 1 9 batsman Shemron Hetmyer, adding that the selection of fellow West Indies Under-19 o p e n e r Ta i g n a r i n e Chanderpaul was surprising since young Chanderpaul was not a T20 batsman. Devers also asked what had Kevin Paul done to merit his selection. A letter to the S ports Editor a few days later from Hetmyer’s Club, Young Warriors also questioned his

non-selection resulting in a press release being sent to the GCB to ‘clear the air’ on the matter. Below is the full G CB statement: “A s Chairman of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Junior Selection Panel, I find it necessary to clarify recent news articles surrounding the nonselection of U-19 player Shimron Hetmyer, as a junior member of the Amazon Warriors. I must make it abundantly clear that the GCB is not involved in the selection of players for the Amazon Warriors. The G CB received an email from The Amazon Warriors’ Manager, Omar Khan, requesting the names of three U-19 players to be nominated by the GCB for possible selection to the

squad to participate in the camp and join the team for their home matches. The request from K h an specified the speciality of the three players. Only one batsman was requested. My panel selected three players based on their performances in the recently concluded InterCounty U-19 tournament. Khan then requested that the batsman selected be replaced with Taignarine Chanderpaul. The player we selected performed exceptionally well in the U19 tournament and has all the requirements to be a T20 batsman, but after much deliberation, my panel reluctantly agreed to the request of the Amazon Warriors’ management. I reiterate that our

nominations were made as per the required specifications of Omar Khan, and the players’ performance at the U-19 competition. I w ould als o like to state that my panel did not select Kevin Paul, the fourth U-19 player in the Amazon Warriors’ squad. F urther, contrary to those news articles about

the non-selection of Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, I want to inform all that Motie-Kanhai could not have been considered for selection as he is no longer classified as an U-19 player”. N az imu l D r epau l, Ch air man of th e Ju n ior Selection PanelGu yan a Cr icket Boar d

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2014 NBS Latchman (5 for 13), Felix (5 for 12) destroy 2nd division Crabwood Creek, No. 73 Young Warriors win

Lakeram Latchman

Javan Ali

Clavern Beresford

Dermashwar Chatterpaul

The 2014 New B u i l d i n g Society Limited Second Division 40Over Cricket Competition in Berbice continued recently. Highlights of the latest matches were the outstanding bowling performances of No. 73 Young Warriors bowlers, pacer Lakeram Latchman and left arm spinner Claude Felix who took 5 for 13 and 5 for 12 respectively to bowl out Crabwood Creek for 64 in 13.4 overs, Latchman then opened the batting and saw the Warriors to a 10-wicket victory. Former Berbice U n d e r - 17 off spinner Javan Ali took 6 for 23 from 6.4 overs to help Skeldon Community Centre restrict No. 69 Red Rose to 136 with Persaud Chaitram hitting 56. When Skeldon replied, former Berbice Under 19all-rounder Parmanand Narine stroked 55 to guide them to an 8 wicket win. After Clavern B e r e s f o r d ’s 5 4 p u t Corriverton on the road to a total of 222 in 28 overs against Crabwood Creek Risings, the latter team’s No. 7 batsman, Darshan Challitar blasted 54 (3 fours and 7 sixes) but in vain as they could only reply with 163 in 25 overs. Other batsmen r e g i s t e ring half centuries were, Govindasammy Kishnasammy of Tain Block F o u r, D a v e P e t e r s o f L e t t e r k e n n y, A n d e s h Danroop of No. 43 Scorpion, Mahmood Khan of No. 70 M.Y.O, Naeem Yacoob of No. 70 A and Parmeshwar Chatterpaul of No. 70 Young Star. In summarized scores: *At No. 73, No. 7 2 Yo ung Warriors beat Crabwood Creek by 10 wickets, Crabwood Creek 64 in 13,4 overs with Divindra Singh 31, Claude Felix 5 for 12, Lakeram Latchman 30, Young Warriors 65-0. * A t N o . 6 9 , S k e l d o n C ommunity Centre beat No. 69 Red Rose by 8 wickets. No. 69 Red Rose 136 in 31.4 overs with Persaud Chaitram 56, Imran Khan 30, Javan Ali 6 for 23, Sherwin Murray 2 for 27. S k e l d o n C o m m u n i t y C e n tre 137 for 2 in 15.2 overs with Permanand Narine 55, N. Khan 46. *At Crabwood C r e e k , C orriverton beat

Crabwood Creek Risings by 59 runs Corriverton 222 in 28 overs with Clavern Beresford 54, Jeremy Moore 34, Quadeer Khan 3 for 44. In reply, Darshan Challiter made 80. Jermain Reid took 3 for 22, Victor Pedro 2 for 20, Eric Phillips 2 for 23. * A t T a i n , L e t t e r k e n n y Young Star beat Tain Block Four by 1 wicket. Tain Block Four 215 for 8 in 40 overs with G o v i n d a s a m m y Kishnasammy 50, Romel Ramanand 49, Veersammy Latchana 48, Mahendra Persaud 3 for 26, Jaipersaud Baijnaught 2 for 12 and Vinode Samaroo 2 for 34. Letterkenny 216 f o r 9 in 39.1 overs with Dave Peters 54, Royston Baijoo 49; Maymend 3 for 40. *At No. 43, No. 4 3 S c orpion beat No. 59 by 109 runs. No. 43 Scorpion 214 in 30 overs with Andesh Danroop 55, Devin Baldeo 28 and Faroach Drepaul 28. No. 59 105 in 1 9 . 4 o v ers with Ugiswar Danroop 4 for 13 and Andesh Danroop 3 for 5 and Devin Baldeo 3 for 29. * A t N o . 6 3 , N o . 6 4 F i g hting Marines beat No. 70 M.Y.O, by 2 wickets, No. 70 M.Y.O. 178 for 8 in 35 overs with Mahmood Khan 71, Jameel Assad 30. Jason Itwaree took 4 for 20 and Leonard Sandy 3 for 49. No. 64 Fighting Marines made 183 for 8 in 29.2 overs with Devendra Balram 45 and Devendra Budhoo 34. Mahmood Khan took 2 for 21, Jameel Assad 2 for 39 and Niazi Khan 2 for 42. *At No. 70, No. 7 0 A beat No. 72 by 5 wickets. No. 72 made 131 in 32 overs with Abdula Ajib 28. Naeem Yacoob took 3 for 15, Rayan Yacoob 2 for 30, Latchman Roopchand 2 for 32. No. 70 A made 132 for 5 in 27 overs with Naeem Yacoob 51. Abdula Ajib took 3 for 12. *At No. 72, No. 7 0 Yo ung Star beat No. 72 All Star by 121 runs. No. 70 Young Star made 239 in 29.3 overs with Parmeshwar Chatterpaul 60, Omesh Kumar 44 and Saif Ally 32. Amerdeo Hamchand took 3 for 17, Deonarine Laljit 3 for 41 and Trishan Heera 2 for 37. N o . 7 2 A l l S t a r m a d e 118 in 21 overs with Amerdeo Hamchand 40. Omesh Kumar took 4 for 24, (Continued on page 29)

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 14, 2014

Page 33

Boxing judge, Clairmonte DeSouza, kayoed in fight with Lymphoma Members of the boxing fraternity were thrown into grief just under one week ago following the death of Treasurer of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) and qualified judge, Clairmonte DeSouza who succumbed to the Lymphoma disease. He was 59 years old. DeSouza was employed for the better part of 20 years at Banks DIH Ltd as the Trisco Warehouse Manager and despite being a strict disciplinarian, was an individual of quiet

disposition. His colleague, Trevor Nero said that he was a humble individual and led a private life. Mr. Nero said that though he knew that he was afflicted by the disease, Clairmonte worked diligently at the firm. Clairmonte was also a judge and his last assignment occurred at Mackenzie Sports Club last December when he officiated in the Shondell Parks/Shelly ‘Boom’ Gibson heavyweight encounter. From a personal perspective, Clairmonte was a humble individual who

Mexico edge to win over Cameroon

Oribe Peralta celebrates scoring for Mexico. BBC Sport - Mexico overcame having two goals controversially ruled out to beat Group A rivals Cameroon courtesy of a strike from forward Oribe Peralta. Giovani Dos Santos had a volley and a header disallowed, with replays suggesting both calls were incorrect. Cameroon rarely threatened but a Samuel Eto’o shot hit the post and Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s freekick went wide. However, Mexico secured victory when Dos Santos’s shot was parried before Peralta arrived to slot in the rebound. At a rain-lashed Estadio das Dunas in north-eastern city Natal, Cameroon almost stole a point late on when Benjamin Moukandjo’s free header was acrobatically saved by keeper Guillermo Ochoa. An equaliser would have been harsh on a Mexico side who put on an impressive performance, combining a strong work ethic with an attacking threat, and should serve them well when they play hosts Brazil on Tuesday, 17 June. Peralta’s seventh goal in nine competitive games

prevented the dubious refereeing decisions from overshadowing the victory, while Cameroon’s quality and prospects of getting into the second round appear limited with Croatia and Brazil to come. There were questions about how these countries would fare, with both sides changing managers in scraping t h r o u g h Wo r l d C u p qualifying. A nimble Mexico, though, appeared determined to make the most of their time in Brazil, while a powerful-looking Cameroon showed their struggles had continued into the tournament. The African side struggled to deal with the wing-backs in the 5-3-2 formation employed by the Aztecs, who appeared to have a legitimate early goal disallowed. Hector Herrera crossed from the right and forward Dos Santos scored a left-foot volley only for the effort to be ruled out for offside, even though replays showed the strike should have stood. Cameroon almost made it worse when left-back Assou-Ekotto (Continued on page 30)

took great pride in his job as a boxing judge. He hated controversy and often called me after I would have published a report on a fight of which he was a part, to clarify any issue that might lend a wrong impression of the bout. He was also quick to accept when he blundered. Former Secretary of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Trevor Arno,

extended his sympathy to the wife and family of DeSouza. He said that DeSouza had given yeoman service to the boxing community ever since he served as an executive under the stewardship of President (GBBC), K D Persaud. He became the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer in 2011 and then the Treasurer last year. President of the GBBC,

Peter Abdool said that boxing would be much the poorer devoid of DeSouza’s input. He said that the deceased had indeed given yeoman service to the fraternity and would be sorely missed. The GBBC wishes to express deepest sympathy to DeSouza’s wife and children. Clairmonte is survived by his wife, Margaret, three children, Garfield, Gail Ann

and Gavin and one grandson. His wife told Kaieteur Sport that he will be buried next Tuesday while a wake will b e h e l d a t h i s We s t Ruimveldt residence on Sunday and Monday evening. Kaieteur Sport wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to the wife, children, other family and all affected by his death. May his soul rest in eternal peace! (Michael Benjamin)

t r o Sp

Superb Dutch destroy sorry Spain 5-1 P.29

Robin Van Persie scores a remarkable header for the rampant Dutch.

Johnson set to become 48th Guyanese Test player

17th annual Scotiabank Golf tourney launched - Charities to get cash donations P.29

P.27

Leon Johnson bats against Bangladesh ‘A’ team.

Natascha Hamilton (left), Senior Manager Corporate and Commercial Banking Centre, presents the sponsorship cheque to Secretary of the Lusignan Golf Club in the presence of bank and club officials.

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