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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
New GPC fails to prove news items cost it overseas markets - unable to explain “Sole Sourcing” Days after being ordered by a New York court to answer several questions, the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) has responded, but declined to reply to quite a number of them. S i g n i f i c a n t l y, t h e company was unable to back up claims that it lost customers overseas because of Kaieteur News and its publications about New GPC drug sales to Government by that company. New GPC in August 2012 took the Kaieteur News’ New York edition to court alleging defamation and suing for US$1M, following reports of G o v e r n m e n t ’s d r u g purchases from New GPC. The reports alleged price gouging. New GPC has been a preferred supplier to both the Ministry of Health and to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for years now, for contracts worth billions of dollars. The New York court action was followed by a similar one in Guyana against Kaieteur News. Kaieteur News, as part of its defence in the US case, deposed the New GPC. On May 16, Judge Joan Kenney denied a petition by New GPC’s lawyer, Ray Beckerman, to present the answers confidentially. New GPC, owned by Dr Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, a close friend of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, was also ordered by the Judge to present the documents requested within 20 days. New GPC was asked to, among other things, prove that as a result of the Kaieteur News publications, sales to overseas clients plummeted. “Sales in several international markets recorded a drop in sales in 2012. Anecdotal reports both locally and in some territories indicated reduction of sales of New GPC’s products as a result of the Kaieteur News negative publicity,” the lawyer, Sam Beckerman, submitted by
way of deposition. However, New GPC was unable to provide any customer it may have lost because of the publications. “Plaintiff (New GPC) is not aware of any customer it has lost due to the defendant’s articles. In the event any such information is discovered, it will be produced.” Questioned about its claims that the articles may have “seriously injured and prejudiced” efforts to attract new customers, New GPC said that “after a diligent search, plaintiff has found no records of any such potential new customers, and has been able to find no information responsive” to the questions. “If information is discovered, it will be produced as soon as it is discovered.” New GPC, by way of the answers provided by Beckerman, said that it was still computing the drop in sales in the international markets as recorded in 2012 and these figures will be “furnished at the appropriate time.” It did offer this answer, though…” Several international markets recorded a drop in sales in 2012. Anecdotal reports both locally and in some territories indicated reduction of sales of New GPC’s products as a result of the Kaieteur News negative publicity.” Significantly also, New GPC, which is facing flak in
Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop the National Assembly for its seemingly cozy relationship with the administration over the drug purchases, was unable to answer questions about what it understood by “Sole Sourcing”. New GPC was specifically asked to define “Sole Sourcing” and what it means with respect to doing business with the government of Guyana. The a n s w e r w a s simply…”Unknown” Asked about the number of employees New GPC had in 2012, the company objected on the grounds that the question was seeking “material” which is not sufficiently related to the “issues in litigation to make the effort to obtain it in preparation for trial reasonable”. New GPC also declined, on the same grounds, to answer whether it had a Public Relations Department or Public Relations representative in 2012.
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Rare British Guiana stamp sells for record US$9.5M (Reuters) - A British Guiana One-Cent Magenta postage stamp from 1856, the only one of its kind to still exist, sold for a record $9.5 m i l l i o n a t S o t h e b y ’s yesterday. The hefty price, which i n c l u d e s t h e b u y e r ’s premium, makes the oneinch by one-and-a-quarterinch stamp (2.5 cm by 3.2 cm), printed in black on magenta paper, the most expensive stamp ever sold at auction, and the most valuable object by weight and size, according to the auction house. An anonymous telephone bidder purchased the stamp during the bidding in the packed auction. “Every time it has come up for auction and sold, it has brought the highest price ever paid for a stamp,” said David Redden, the worldwide chairman of books and manuscripts at Sotheby’s. “It has always been the world’s most-famous stamp. It is one of these objects around which a huge mystique has grown up over the years,” he said. The previous record auction price for a single stamp was 2.87 million Swiss francs (about $2.2 million). It was set in 1996 for the Treskilling Yellow, a
The stamp on display at Sotheby’s in Manhattan, NY (Reuters) Swedish stamp that is a misprint of an 1855 shilling stamp in the wrong color. The British Guiana stamp was sold by the estate of the late multimillionaire John du Pont, an heir to the du Pont chemical fortune, who died in prison in 2010 at the age of 72. Du Pont was serving a murder sentence for the shooting of David Schultz, a champion U.S. wrestler, in 1996. Earlier this year, the Royal Philatelic Society of London re-authenticated the stamp, which du Pont, an a v i d s t a m p c o l l e c t o r, purchased in 1980 for $935,000. The stamp’s authenticity was previously verified in 1935.
The British Guiana OneCent Magenta is one of the world’s first postage stamps. In 1856 in British Guiana now the Republic of Guyana - the local postmaster asked a newspaper to print some stamps after supplies from Britain, where its stamps were printed, were delayed. There are still a few fourcent stamps issued by the South American country, but this is the only one-cent. Until this year, the stamp had not been on public view since 1987, according to Sotheby’s. The stamp was discovered in 1873 by a 12year-old schoolboy named L. Vernon Vaughan, who was (Continued on page 8)
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
RACISM AND GPL MAIN STREET – A definite nightmare worse than the U.S. Embassy ILLEGALITIES DEAR EDITOR, I would like to publicly compliment the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) who, under its present Chief Executive Officer, Bharat Dindyal, has brought light to places in Guyana that had for so long been in darkness, and for trying to bring relief and excellent management to a most corrupt and difficult utility. He has a Herculean task. However, there is a growing phenomenon taking stranglehold on many public corporations, and GPL with all its innovativeness of pre-paid meters is a victim of this deadly trend. I refer to the adoption of systems that frustrate and anger customers and result in lost man power and as a result, money, for the country as a whole. Something is very wrong when it will take someone an entire day to conduct business at any office. This is what is happening when one goes to make enquires at GPL. Just recently, I sent my secretary to conduct business on my behalf. After waiting for some time for her to return, I called her and was told that she was letter ‘I’ number 86 and that there were now dealing with letter ‘G’ number 76. This meant that they had to get to ‘G’ 100 then begin again at ‘H’ 1; get through another 100 persons before they got to ‘I’, and she was holding number 86 in the ‘I’ series. This was around 14:30hrs. She had left to conduct business at GPL Main Street at 11:00hrs. At 15:30hrs I asked her to come out of the line and return to the office. The next morning she returned to GPL and at 07:30 there was already 35 persons in front of her waiting in line. This begs the question,
“How early does one have to be at GPL in the hope of getting business done so that one could go about the rest of the day as scheduled?” My frustration, however, goes beyond merely my own inconvenience. As a business man and someone who knows how much money is drained from a business in lost man power, I wonder at all the businesses bleeding money while their employees spend the day at GPL; and these employees have no choice, if they don’t want to be left in the darkness some unexpected night. Apart from the lost man hours think about the thousands of people who have their lifestyles disrupted every day, those who lose money because they have to stay away from work and the hundreds of businesses undermanned because their employees are standing in line at GPL. Something has to be done to better customer service at GPL. Some better system has to be put in place to deal with customer issues and these seem to be many. It is easier to get into the American Embassy and obtain a VISA than it is to get into GPL and be sure of service. Recently, the line meter and connectors were erroneously removed, by an incompetent GPL officer, from a property our company manages for a client (meter # N12724431, Account # 0088837 South Road). Was this supposed to have led to an offer to corrupt us by assuming we would offer a bribe to have it remain? NEVER!!! We contacted Mr. Watson, the meter manager,
and after going through all the hurdles of the bureaucracy endemic at GPL, we were told that a huge mistake had been made. He also indicated his frustration with the entire process. We took the issue to GPL Main Street and the customer service representative, without listening to the matter to the full details, said to us “If you thief electricity, it got foh get disconnect” This is what paying customers have to put up with on a daily basis. Realizing that I was not going to get a proper hearing from someone displaying that level of incompetence, I went further and spoke with Mr. Johnson, who, like the professional he is, listened to my complaint and between himself and Mr. Watson, the service was restored after a few days. In the meantime, my client’s tenants had to suffer because of the incompetence of one GPL Field Officer. Additionally, I manage two other locations where the tenants are receiving free electricity since the pre-paid meters have malfunctioned. Reports have been made over and over to the relevant senior management personnel at GPL. Investigations were done and straight connections were made. Therefore, for quite a long period, I have been managing two properties where expatriate tenants are enjoying free electricity because someone at GPL can’t supply new pre-paid
meters to these two properties as yet. As much as I manage these properties, and I understand GPL’s service oriented approach to pre-paid meter customers, I think it morally and philosophically wrong for someone to be receiving a service free that everyone else is required to pay for. These are expatriate citizens, who can afford to pay for the service being provided to them, and whether it is expatriates or native citizens, people must pay for the services they receive. This is the principle by which I operate and the principle any loyal Guyanese citizen must adopt. In situations like the aforementioned, I believe that GPL in providing the satisfaction it so desires to give to its pre-paid customers, should charge them reasonable estimated electricity consumption charges while they sort issues with meters that malfunction. One of these pre paid meters, Duncan Street, Lamaha Gardens has since been replaced. To my mind many of the issues people go to GPL to deal with could be avoided by GPL becoming more efficient in other areas of public service such as meter readers who will carry out their task conscientiously. In my own situation, my secretary was there to enquire into what was an obviously glaring (Contined on page 23)
DEAR EDITOR, Hundreds of Chinese nationals have started flooding into Guyana without let or hindrance while CARICOM nationals and Brazilians have often been charged with illegal entry. The Guyana and CARICOM governments must immediately demand reciprocal treatment for CARICOM and Guyanese nationals wishing to settle or visit China. The people await the response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. S e c o n d l y, C h i n e s e nationals are widely known to ignore the Laws of Guyana. They do not pay NIS for their staff or workers; they ignore the Income Tax Laws and do not pay Income taxes or VAT, a n d t h e y h a v e n o respect for the Labour Laws. The various Government agencies responsible for enforcing such Laws, including the NIS, the Revenue Authority and the Labour Department must
account to the Nation why they are in default in doing their jobs. The other national media must follow up these Government Departments for answers. Guyana and Guyanese have rapidly been turning their backs on the racist past but the Chinese influx has been bringing a new racism here. The Chinese have for centuries been despising all other races as “barbarians”and “foreign devils” and in Guyana, all other races are called “Kwayees” (i.e.Jumbies) and Black People are most contemptuously called ‘Black Jumbies” Racism with its sly or overt face is not wanted here.. Prof Accabre Nkofi’s recent explosive booklet “The Blackman spearheads struggle against New Imperialism” succinctly deals with this Chinese question and could be obtained at some gas stations and at Austin’s bookstore. G. Niles
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Kaieteur News
Wife-killer gets 20 years Fifty-three year-old Haydock Baxter was yesterday sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the unlawful killing of his wife, Carol Braithwaite-Baxter. Baxter strolled slowly along the corridor of the Georgetown Supreme Court as he made his way back to the prisons. He was indicted for the murder of his 48-year-old wife whom he had viciously attacked and stabbed in broad daylight on October 19, 2009, while in the vicinity of the Georgetown Prisons. The woman was at the time taking food for her eldest son, who had been incarcerated. The victim, of Lot 177 Garnett Street, Albouystown, was stabbed in the neck. Public-spirited citizens came to her rescue and apprehended her husband. Mrs. Baxter was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where she was admitted. From her hospital bed, the woman told reporters that Baxter would constantly threaten and abuse her, whenever she refused to give him money to support his drug habit. “When I reach in front de prison and go fuh sign me name, he come and tell me when I finish, let we go fuh de divorce. I tell he I ain’t going,” the woman had said. She had recalled that her husband became annoyed and pulled out a knife and
plunged it into her neck. The woman was stabbed at least three times and later succumbed to her injuries. Baxter, also of Garnett Street, Albouystown, had pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter after his case came up before Justice Dawn Gregory and a mixed 12- member jury. He claimed that his wife had attacked him. “She see me passing on a bicycle and she try to throw hot porridge pun meh because I de sleep out de night before … I had a knife and I stab she,” the man told the court, as he apologized for what had happened. Attorney Huckumchand Parag requested a probation report into the circumstances of the incident prior to Baxter’s sentencing. The report was read aloud to the court yesterday. According to the report, Baxter grew up at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, under the supervision of his maternal grandmother, after his parents separated. He stopped attending school at a young age and did odd-jobs to support himself. He subsequently met his wife, who belonged to the same village and they shared a relationship for thirty years, prior to the incident. The couple had four children together, but Baxter had other children outside of their
union. The relationship between Baxter and his wife was tumultuous as he would often abuse and mistreat her. The court was told that the man would frequently abuse his wife at her place of employment, which resulted in her services being terminated, on two separate occasions. He also had numerous brushes with the law and members of his community. He was arrested for having a utensil used for smoking narcotics; shot by the police and doused with corrosive substance as he engaged in criminal activities. Baxter was also incarcerated on numerous occasions. He served a threeyear sentence at the Mazaruni prisons. The probation officer related that family members of the victim opined that she lived in constant fear of her husband. The court learnt that before her tragic demise, Mrs. Baxter was in receipt of documents which would have afforded her, the opportunity to travel to the United States of America as a permanent resident, which she revealed to her husband. Some opined that this may have also contributed to the incident which led to her death. Baxter ’s attorney subsequently asked the court for leniency. The lawyer asked that the court take into consideration that the accused had already spent eight years in prison awaiting trial and had shown remorse for his actions. Justice Gregory ruled that based on the report the accused had a history of violence and as such the incident which led to his wife’s death was not isolated. “It was not a one-off thing; you had a history of violent behaviour towards
Haydock Baxter after receiving the sentence yesterday. your wife, on two occasions you even caused her to lose her job. The sentence starts at thirty years, but I have taken into consideration that you spent eight years in prison pending trial, which is deducted from the sentence. However given the report, which detailed your history of violence, I will deduct two more years for your guilty plea, bringing you a sentence of twenty years,” the Judge detailed in her ruling.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Passport applications…
Birth certificate requirement to protect against identify theft - Rohee Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has responded to concerns raised by first-time applicants for machine readable passports having to present a birth certificate that was obtained no more than six months prior to the date of application. That announcement was made by the Police Public Relations Department in response to queries from this newspaper, after a first-time applicant travelled all the way from Anna Regina, Essequibo, only to be told that the birth certificate he presented to immigration officials was invalid. The Home Affairs Ministry had said that the machine readable passport was introduced in 2007 and to ensure that the passport was less susceptible to forgery, the directive coming from the Guyana Police Force was given for applicants to furnish birth certificates no older than six months. The Ministry outlined that for integrity purposes it is now reinforcing its policy directive originally given to the Guyana Police Force. “This process is necessary to enable Guyana to comply with international best practices and prevent illegal use of travel documents.” APNU Shadow Minister of Public Works and Telecommunications, Joseph Harmon, had said however that it is “a most ridiculous requirement. If you are a firsttime applicant for the passport, what will a recently issued birth certificate do to enhance one’s integrity? How does the old one diminish one’s eligibility for the passport? In making rules we have to be sensible. The Parliamentarian said
Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee further that if Government has reason to believe that a birth certificate was not properly obtained it has the ability to check that. “This new requirement will put an additional burden on the system and put a new sort of backlog in place. I don’t know if it is an attempt to stem the flow of people applying for passports, but it certainly is, to my mind, a hindrance and a fetter on the freedom of movement of citizens and government should reconsider it.” Rohee, pronouncing on the situation, said that one of the reasons why the directive for persons to produce a birth certificate not more than six months old was given was “because there are a lot of people applying for passports with false birth certificates, presenting it and stealing someone else’s identity.” “If you go with a false birth certificate and you present it with wrong information you will obviously be perpetuating a Continued on page 11
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
Gas and currency deals cap Chinese premier’s first UK visit (Reuters) - Britain and China signed deals worth more than 14 billion pounds yesterday during a visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, with energy and finance dominating the trade agenda. In a trip aimed at deepening commercial ties between the world’s secondlargest economy and Europe’s financial capital and moving past a row over Tibet, Li met Queen Elizabeth and held talks with Prime Minister David Cameron. Cameron said the rise of China was “one of the defining events of our century” and that Britain wanted to strengthen ties on every level, from business to cultural understanding. “Today we have signed deals worth more than 14 billion pounds, securing jobs and long-term economic growth for the British and Chinese people,” Cameron told a news conference. Li, on his first official trip to Britain since taking office, said the two countries had extensive shared interests. “China is ready to work with the UK to foster a
partnership for growth and inclusive development to ensure that this relationship will grow faster and in a healthier way,” he said. Oil major BP signed a 20year deal worth around $20 billion to supply China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) with liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley said at a conference in Moscow. “It is a fair price for them and a fair price for us. It is a good bridge between the UK and China in terms of trade,” Dudley said. Shell also announced that it had signed an agreement with CNOOC strengthening its existing strategic ties. The London Stock Exchange said it had signed agreements with two of China’s biggest banks to develop offshore trading in the Chinese currency, the yuan (RMB). London, which dominates the $5-trillion-a-day global foreign exchange market, is seeking to fend off challenges to its position as the leading yuan centre in Europe.
Li hailed a deal to make China Construction Bank (CCB), the country’s secondlargest lender, the first clearing service for offshore trading of the yuan in London. “It will further consolidate and promote London’s status as an international financial hub and will help the gradual internationalisation of the RMB to promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation,” Li said at a speech to business delegates. China views Britain, the world’s sixth largest economy and home to the only financial capital to rival New York, as Europe’s most open place to do business. With Chinese firms keen to invest in major nuclear and high-speed rail projects, the two governments also agreed a framework to collaborate more closely on nuclear supply chain development and signed a memorandum of understanding paving the way for more cooperation on railway design and construction.
Nigeria losing $35 million a day from oil theft – report (Reuters) - Nigeria is losing an estimated $35 million (20.6 million pounds) a day from oil theft and needs to put a “full, final stop” to the growing black market for crude exports, according to a national conference report seen by Reuters yesterday. Africa’s largest economy and top oil producer has been struggling with oil theft for years, with much of the stolen crude leaving the country in tankers. The energy committee of Nigeria’s national conference said in a report submitted this week the losses were “equivalent to $35 million each day,” or
roughly a quarter of Nigeria’s annual revenue. It called on Abuja to “bring this racket to a full, final stop”. “The potential gains should clearly outweigh the cost of any intense security operation to stamp out this economic sabotage,” the committee said in the 71-page document, which has not been made public. Delegates from around the country have been meeting in Abuja for the national conference, which was convened by President Goodluck Jonathan in March with the aim of examining longstanding problems in Africa’s most populous country.
As Ukraine mulls security, some say build a wall with Russia KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine’s leaders are puzzling over how to cut off Russian support for a separatist rebellion in the east of the country but one of its richest men thinks he has the answer. Billionaire businessman Ihor Kolomoisky has suggested building a wall along the almost 2,000 km (1,200-mile) land border with Russia to prevent fighters and weapons flooding in. The idea may sound absurd but Kolomoisky has offered to stump up 100 million euros ($136 million) to fund the twometer (six-feet) high, 25-30 cm (10-12 inch) thick wall of
reinforced steel, complete with electronic alarms, trenches and minefields. What’s more, it’s been done before. Israel has constructed a barrier to keep out Palestinian militants. China built the Great Wall to stop invaders. Soviet-led East Germany erected the Berlin Wall, though more to keep people in than out. “We can take on this project from start to finish,” said Alexei Burik, deputy head of the Dnipropetrovsk region where Kolomoisky is the governor, offering to lead construction work. President Petro Poroshenko may or may not be about to build
Ihor Kolomoisky such a wall but the growing discussion of the oligarch’s idea highlights deep security concerns in Ukraine, three months after Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.
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Kaieteur News
Guyana has a leadership crisis - House Speaker tells youths at forum
peaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman (left) and Blue CAPS President, Clinton Urling at yesterday’s forum By Abena Rockcliffe Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman yesterday told a group of young people who gathered in the chambers of the National Assembly that Guyana is in the middle of a “leadership crisis.” As he noted this, Trotman said that within that inadequacy lays the core of Guyana’s problem. He opined that this “crisis” is the metaphoric stumbling block in the path towards a better future for Guyana. The Speaker had the opportunity to meet with over 20 young people from various Non-Governmental Organizations as part of an ongoing initiative spearheaded by a new NGO—Blue CAPS. Blue CAPS (Change, Advocacy, Policy, and Service) is a two-month old NGO which has recently launched a Youth Leaders’ Leadership Development Programme that includes various activities – with yesterday’s meeting being one of them. Trotman told the gathering that every successful society he has seen in his life has had one common feature, and that is, that time was taken to develop leaders. He suggested that Guyana get a leadership institute. Trotman said that this entity should focus primarily on
strategic thinking. The Attorney-at law, who was recently admitted to the bar in Grenada, opined that “Guyana isn’t getting to the place where we want to, or should be, because we not investing in future leaders.” He noted that around the world people are being groomed for leadership, and even while this is happening, there is still room for experience which can only be offered by older persons. The Speaker, as he sat in the seat of the Clerk of the National Assembly, kept his conversation with the group quite humorous. He introduced the Chambers to the group as the place where “lots of action takes place but little work”. He told the gathering that he wanted to give them a chance to sit in the “hot seat” and commended them for their initiative. The Speaker recommended that they define themselves and let no one else do that for them. He said that, in that way, they can become assets to the nation. Trotman said that political leaders should focus more on the national issues like security, health services, taxes, airports and energy. He emphasized that too much power is at the Office of the President and Parliament. The Speaker noted too that he wants the tenth
parliament to adopt more features of a modern day democracy. Trotman noted that Guyana is one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in the Caribbean but cannot develop as a state because “we just can’t come together.” He encouraged that the young people must say they had enough and give no more considerations to surname, hair texture or skin colour. The Speaker said that in the absence of a vision to give more power to the people it needs to be demanded. He also encouraged the group not to allow unscrupulous leaders to get the better of them. President of Blue CAPS, Clinton Urling, said that his NGO decided to include such an exercise so as to expose the young people to the highest decision-making body of the land. Urling said Blue CAPS has three main functions, those being to bring forth future or current leaders, to formulate and articulate public policy prescriptions. NGOs represented yesterday included the Roxanne Burnham Community Group, Come Alive Network, SASOD, Youth Action Network, Youth Ambassadors Programme and Global Chambers Georgetown Club.
Rare British Guiana stamp sells... (From page 3) living in British Guiana with his family. He found it among his family papers. He kept it in his collection and later sold it to another collector in British Guiana. It surfaced in Britain in 1878 and was then purchased by Count Philippe la Renotiere von Ferrary, a noted stamp collector. The count’s collection was donated to the postal museum in Berlin and was later seized by France as war reparation from Germany and sold in 1922. It was sold several times before du Pont purchased it. Part of the proceeds of the sale will go to the Eurasian Pacific Wildlife Conservation Foundation, which du Pont supported.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Agricola housewife’s murder…
Mother of accused among four called to testify as PI gets underway The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the death of a 55year-old housewife, whose bound body was found in her yard in Agricola earlier this year, has commenced at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, and the mother of the accused and the victim’s husband were among the four persons who have testified. Abiola Jacobs, a former rank of the Guyana Defence Force, is charged with the murder of Donna Taylor at Lot 16-17 Agricola, East Bank Demerara, on January 31, last. The mother of four was reportedly found with her hands bound behind her back, a slit throat, and a piece of cloth wrapped around her neck. Taylor was said to have been attacked in her bed around 23:00 hrs on the day in question and slain after she was dragged to her backyard. The other occupant of the rented upper flat, Samantha Sabat, was subsequently found lying unconscious in the front yard. Sabat, the British-based citizen was a guest of the Taylors, who reportedly escaped by removing the panes from her bedroom window and jumping to the ground from the top flat of the two-storey structure. A neighbour and the victim’s son found Donna
Victim: Donna Taylor
Murder Accused: Abiola Jacobs
Taylor’s body, with hands bound behind her back, in her backyard. A post mortem later conducted showed that she suffered blunt trauma to the head, as well as injuries to the neck and other parts of the body. Death was due to shock and hemorrhage. The army rank who was the girlfriend of one of Taylor ’s sons was apprehended after Sabat, who survived the attack, fingered her as one of the individuals who forced their way into the residence and launched an attack on them. Jacobs was first brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on
February 5 for Taylor’s murder. She is being represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson and prosecuted by Corporal Bharat Mangru. The PI commenced on Monday and the daughter of the deceased, Marcel Collymore, and her husband Charles were the first to take the stand. At yesterday’s hearing, the mother of the accused, Gwendolyn Younge, as well as Bertrand Taylor Sr. also testified in the pretrial matter. The PI is scheduled to continue today in the said court room. A total of 15 witnesses are expected to testify.
Brazilian miner faces court on fraud, conspiracy charges Carlos Costa, a 22-year-old Brazilian miner, appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to fraud and conspiracy charges. The first charge stated that Costa on June 16 at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, with intent to defraud, uttered to Police Constable Douglas, his Brazilian Passport #FG38058938 with material insertion of one false immigration entry and departure stamp in order that it be used as genuine, despite knowing same to be false. The other charge read that he conspired with person(s) unknown to forge two Guyana Immigration stamps in his passport purporting to show
Convicted: Carlos Costa same was issued at Moleson Creek, again knowing same to be false. Speaking through an interpreter from the Brazilian Embassy, Costa said that he was guilty and that he did not know
what else he should’ve said because he knew that he did something wrong. Prosecuting, Corporal Bharat Mangru stated that the facts in the matter are as charged. The accused was represented by Attorney Patrice Henry. The lawyer said that his client has been legally engaged in the mining industry for quite some time. Henry urged the court to consider that his client was a firsttime offender who did not waste the court’s time. He asked that the Magistrate exercise discretion and impose a noncustodial sentence. Responding, the Chief Magistrate fined Costa $75,000 with an alternate three months imprisonment on each charge. He opted to pay the fine
Bail for hotel worker accused of stealing Hennessy Bail was yesterday set to the tune of $50,000 for a 23-year-old hotel clerk who was brought before the city court to be charged for allegedly stealing from Pegasus Hotel. Javone Nelson was accused of stealing six bottles of Hennessy from the hotel while he was employed
there as a clerk. He admitted to the offence and asked the court to be lenient. Nelson claimed that he had been working for the hotel for over a year and that he was a firsttime offender. He also offered to repay the entity for the alcohol. Chief Magistrate
Priya Sewnarine-Beharry who presided over the matter ordered a probation report be prepared for Nelson. She said that after it is presented, the court will hand down its decision in the matter. The case is set to be called again on July 11.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Backdoor entry requirements into UG should be abolished There is a crisis at the University of Guyana. There is a crisis because the university is underfunded. This crisis will get worse. This year an allocation necessary for the replenishment of the University of Guyana Student Loan Fund was not approved by the National Assembly. This will affect the resources available to the university to the extent that it may have to reduce the number of courses offered, chop its staff complement, or close its doors. This column had long suggested that the University of Guyana needs a two-year sabbatical. It needs to close its doors for two years. During that period it needs to reflect on just what type of university it wants, and standards that it needs to embrace to achieve its own vision. Those responsible for the University of Guyana need to decide whether they want a
night school, a part- time university, a college or a first class institution. If it is the latter, then they have to address not just the issue of funding but also the issue of standards, beginning with entry requirements. For too long, the University of Guyana has tampered with standards. In so doing it has created what some people refer to as “backdoor” entry requirements for those persons who do not have the most basic requirements, or five subjects at one sitting or six subjects at two sittings of either the GCE O’ Levels or CSEC examinations. During the time of the PNC, there were many party card holders who were given jobs in the State sector. There was a time in this country when having a party card meant more than having a school-leaving certificate. There were some persons who used to “pick corn” on their typewriters. Yet they
were given jobs in front of young girls who had gone to secretarial schools and were highly proficient in shorthand and typewriting. There were some guys who could not spell their names, but they were foisted into positions within the public sector. These persons owed their positions to having a party card or knowing someone who was high up in the PNC who could arrange a job for them. They were loyalists. As loyalists, the PNC wanted them to move up the chain of command of their organizations and take over from those who had either left or retired. The problem was that these square pegs were not qualified. The individuals, however, wanted to improve themselves, and so they desired to attend university so that they could graduate with a degree and this would improve their prospects within the public sector. The problem was that
Dem boys seh...
Parliament got a special cell fuh Brazzy When dem boys use to talk ‘bout GuySuCo, some people use to tell dem how dem anti-government and how dem hate Jagdeo suh dem was finding fault wid de Skeldon sugar factory. Dem boys decide fuh shut dem mouth because dem live in Guyana and whatever hardship de people face dem boys gun face it too because dem ain’t got luck like Jagdeo who got visa fuh travel when he please. De same Jagdeo spend nuff money pun one sugar factory and was like pouring water through a sieve. De money go in and de factory deh de same way and wukking wuss than de old one, because de money just run out at the other end. Dem boys seh that if dem been tek that money and pay de sugar workers de whole country woulda been happy and Donald didn’t have to sit down and bargain wid de opposition. Even Komal Chan who is a big thing in sugar now cussing de people who managing sugar. He go to de function fuh remember dem people who get shoot and kill because dem talk how de sugar bosses was punishing dem. Komal seh that nutten ain’t change because today, sixty-six years later de sugar workers still punishing. De only thing is that dem ain’t get shoot.
Donald is de head of de sugar industry and Komal seh that GuySuCo is like a chicken without head. He telling de whole world how Donald useless. Well Donald invite he pun de GuySuCo Board again. De last time Donald invite he de man sit down and wait. He wait fuh three years and he still to get call. He tell dem boys that now that Donald invite he, he prepare to wait another three years before he get call again. And while he waiting, Brazzy digging up to find people to sit on de NICIL
Board. He only got Marcie and Lunch Man and heself, but de Parliament people prepare to ask he wha he doing wid de money because is only de Board can approve. Of course he got de size of three board member and he does act like three. He always outvoting Marcie and de Lunch Man. That is why dem parliament people seh that he going to jail and is three jail sentence, because he had three vote pun de board. Talk half and bring out de handcuffs fuh Brazzy.
they did not have the five subjects at one sitting which was the basic entry requirement to enter the University of Guyana. The PNC government therefore came up with a plan to allow them to enter university if they had certain alternative qualifications which were approved by the university. One of these alternative qualifications was some certificate in industrial relations or something to that effect from Critchlow Labour College. The acceptance of this alterative qualification was tantamount to creating a backdoor entry requirement for those who the PNC wished to become qualified so as to be promoted within the public sector. And let us be honest, a lot of non- PNC persons, including PPP leaders, have benefitted from that alternative entry requirement. I do not know what you the readers feel but there is no way, I am convinced, that this one-year or two-year
programme at Critchlow Labour College is equivalent to five subjects at one sitting at the GCE O’ Level or CSEC examinations. I do not think so. And I believe that this helped to water down the entrance standards at the University of Guyana. My point is, what was preventing those same students from going to private classes over the same two-year period that they would have spent at Critchlow Labour College and obtaining five subjects at the GCE O’ Level or CSEC examinations? Why instead of creating an alternative entry requirement, could the authorities not simply have urged those students to go and write these subjects privately so that they could gain entry into the University of Guyana? I am seeing it happening again. Just a few weeks ago, there was a notice in the newspapers about some Physics course that is being offered for persons interested in entering the University of
Guyana but who did not obtain Physics at the schoolleaving examinations. It was said in the notice that successful completion of this course would be a substitute for not passing the Physics at the CSEC or GCE O’ levels. This is a treacherous road that the university is going down and one that will affect its standards, and ultimately, the quality of its graduates. The University has to do better. It has to lift its standards. I can appreciate the need to have full programmes, but once you begin compromising with your entry requirements and having entrance examinations and special courses being run to facilitate entry into the university, you will run into serious problems. (To be continued)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
President Ramotar says things that do not make sense
I originally put the title of this article as “Horses replace elephants in the circus.” Then my experience as a journalist spoke to me. An article enjoys a wider circulation based on the caption. If you headline your column, “Incident at a street fair,” readers may feel that the writer is describing some criminal or sociological deviancy and may not be interested. But if that column is captioned, “Ministers in nasty brawl at street fair,” it is bound to attract wider curiosity. I removed the horses and elephants
headline because people may not know it is about a very shocking and unimaginable mistake by President Ramotar. This country is definitely jinxed. When you think you have seen the worst, you run into the bizarre. Then the bizarre become the horrible then the horrible become the unspeakable. Then the unspeakable becomes the unimaginable. We thought that Mr. Jagdeo made no sense many times when he spoke. And we understood the shortcomings of Mr. Jagdeo. He was a virtual nonentity in politics and national life then miraculously became president of a leading West
Indian nation. Given his tiny intellectual capacity and literal nondescript status in Guyana, it was expected that he would make slip-ups that would be really unspeakable. I once read where Mr. Jagdeo said that it is better to have open voting in an organization than secret ballot, because open show of hands is more transparent. Nothing can be more asinine. If I give you a million dollars to vote for me then by show of hands, you have to vote for me. With secret ballot, I could take your money yet embrace the truth and history by voting for the more honest candidate. You would have lost and would never know who stuck to their conscience and voted for morality over bribery. I will always remember how secret voting on the UG Council backfired on the PPP
and it led to then Minister of Education, Henry Jeffrey, and President Jagdeo flying into a rage. The PPP’s point man at UG, Dr. James Rose, lost contract-renewal by one vote. Given the polarized nature of the Council, Rose should have won because at the meeting there were six PPP members versus five who were against Rose. After secret ballot, Rose lost the vote by one. Instead of it being six for Rose and five against, it was the other way, meaning a PPP member voted against Rose. The confusion was immense. Every PPP Council member was overtaken with anger – someone jumped ship. They all wanted to know who it was, but secret ballot protected the person who voted with his conscience. Dr. Mark Kirton replaced Rose as Vice Chancellor. He lasted literally one day because Mr. Jagdeo ordered Rose’s reinstatement. So much for the silly nature of Mr. Jagdeo. But how different is Ramotar? He is not. But he should be. Jagdeo came to the presidency in his thirties
without any experience whatsoever. Ramotar assumed office in his sixties after more than thirty years of political experience in and out of Guyana. Now if you think Mr. Jagdeo’s secret ballot remark was shockingly nonsensical, read on about what President Ramotar said. Speaking at his press conference two Saturdays ago on his insistence not to bow to opposition pressure and concede to the conditions the opposition has set for signing the antimoney laundering Bill, Mr. Ramotar said that he will not recognize and concede to the things the opposition wants from his government because such politics is called horsetrading. He said that such horse-trading will destroy democracy and the poor in Guyana. He explained that horsetrading is lobbying and only people with money can lobby and the poor will not be left out. This is the most nonsensical, shocking and silly thing to have come out of the mouth of any of the presidents we have had in
Frederick Kissoon Guyana. Politics is about trade-offs; concessions; compromise; retreats; recognition of one’s weakness; exchanges that are in the best interest of a nation; nationalist sacrifices etc. Mr. Ramotar is from a party that has the adoption of Marxism-Leninism in its constitution. One of Lenin’s most famous quotes used by all Marxists throughout the world wherever they are goes like this; “you must take one step backward so you can make two steps forward.” This was Cheddi Jagan’s favourite quote and he used it literally thousands of times. Of course the sickening thing about Mr. Ramotar’s foolish conceptualization of politics is that he is a minority president. This means that concession and compromise should be the essential characteristics in the exercise of power. What a mess Guyana is in.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Parika, Ruby roads and bridges for upgrades Bids were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the upgrading of access roads and bridges under the Agricultural Sector Development Unit (ASDU). The bids were divided into two parts: Lot (1) Parika Paved Road, Lot (2) Ruby Pave Road.
The Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region eight, received bids for the construction of the Health Post at Kaibarupai.
Six bids were opened under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for the construction of sluice at La Grange, West Bank Demerara, Region three. Meanwhile, the Office of the President received bids for the provision of surveillance cameras at LTE sites.
Financial proposals were opened for the Ministry of Public Works for the road network upgrade and expansion program – supervision service for Sheriff Street – Mandela Avenue roadway enhancement project.
NDIA also received bids for the procurement of Mini Hydraulic Excavator Service spares.
Birth certificate requirement... Still within the sector, 10 bids were submitted for the rehabilitation of bridges.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture, bids were opened for the extension of the office of the fisheries department, Regent Street and Vlissengen Road.
From page 6 false identity,” the Home Affairs Minister said. He continued that the idea behind the decision was that if persons that have false birth certificates knew that they had to get a copy no less than six months old, then they would not be inclined to take the risk and go through the corrupt process of getting back a fake certificate. More so he said “when they get a copy of the new birth certificate that is no more than six months old they will take out from the record the exact information that is there.” Speaking to whether the person could use the information on the bogus certificate to get a new bogus
birth certificate Rohee said “the bogus certificate was written by somebody else and was not issued from the General Register Office [GRO].” Providing an example Rohee said “let’s say you are working with the GRO ten years ago and you are issued a false birth certificate and you are not working there now and new persons are there, it would mean that a new person would have to be bribed to repeat the same information, but the system that is now set up, there are four or five persons having different responsibilities, so if you want to get a bogus birth certificate you now have to bribe four or five persons which is less likely to
happen.” Rohee in further substantiating his reason why the decision was made said “People go to the American Embassy and the Canadian Embassy with bogus birth or marriage certificates and the Embassy says okay, could you go and get a recent birth and marriage certificate, and that is where they are caught.” The Home Affairs Ministry had said that it is “conscious of the temporary inconvenience members of the public will suffer and expects that the Guyana Police Force will take all necessary steps to negate any difficulties that members of the public, especially those who need special assistance, may experience.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Miners’ body squares off with Govt. over low declaration The country’s largest miners’ association has insisted that falling gold declaration is to be blamed on reduced production. In a statement yesterday, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) also accused Government and the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) of attempting to criminalize the entire mining industry with a number of statements and threats issued recently. The statement came days after reports that poor declaration for this year was because of a huge smuggling racket involving a dealer and Suriname. However, yesterday the association said that the Government and its various arms seem to be more intent on vilifying the industry rather than producing helpful solutions to help increase production. “The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has resuscitated an archaic piece of legislation and is using it to threaten legitimate miners and other stakeholders with jail times of up to five years for failing to sell gold within a specified period of time. The ministry has also accused miners of hoarding gold, a charge the Association strongly denies.” GGDMA said that it “believes” that the real problem lies in reduced production for the first half of 2014. “As a result, the GGDMA has commissioned a study to investigate the reasons for lower production figures for the first half of 2014 with an intention to demonstrate that
it is a reduction in production rather than deliberate low declarations.” The results of this study, the association says, will be made publicly available once completed and should demonstrate beyond any doubt the real reason for the shortfall in the Government’s budgeted gold expectation. “Production and declaration must go hand in hand and miners cannot declare gold they have not won.” The association said despite an earlier position that the gold declaration was below production, miners have now seen documentation that proves contrary and hence the decision to conduct a more indepth study of production figures. “The GGDMA says that while it empathizes with the government’s position of reduced revenue earnings, which are now below budgetary expectations, the miners cannot be made the “fall guys” for this situation. The Association has previously stressed to its membership the importance of declaration on the national economy and has been actively advocating for increased declarations.” GGDMA said that meetings have been ongoing with the Ministry and it is shocking that these have resulted in the application of threats and coercion. “This does not sit well with the industry. The association maintains its position that gold remains the most important economic earner for Guyana and miners remain the country’s best
- insists reduced production is the reason hope for economic growth. The GGDMA, however, wishes to state, clearly, that any attempt to criminalize and bully legitimate mining operations cannot and will not be accepted, and calls on the government to offer solutions and incentives for increased production rather than threats.” GGDMA said that in light of the “controversy”, it is convening a special emergency meeting for all miners next week Thursday to discuss the implications of the resuscitated measures and to determine a position on how the industry will move forward “in this climate of criminalization”. Meanwhile, the Guyana Gold Board in a response yesterday, said it has noted the accusations made by the association surrounding the current ongoing outreach activities. “The Guyana Gold Board wishes to point out that the current outreach follows representation by the GGDMA and other stakeholders for the need to ensure that the GGB Act and other related legal provisions are complied with by those involve in the gold trading and the wider mining sectors.” GGB said that it must be recalled that on June 4 at a meeting with stakeholders of the gold mining sector, the GGDMA emphasized that there must be more monitoring and enforcement of the mining regulations by both the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)
and GGB. “In addition, the executive members of the GGDMA, including the President of the Association stated that the GGB must undertake more monitoring of all stakeholders of the gold mining sector, which is in accordance with the Guyana Gold Board Act of 1981.” Gold Board said it must be noted that the GGDMA itself had emphatically made the call for the mining industry to improve their level of declarations. “The activities being carried out by the GGB includes the verification of all
licenced gold dealers for 2014 and the details of the records by dealers corresponding to the GGB records. Moreover, all licenced dealers are subject to conditions which states that (a) for each dealer, the Board shall undertake periodic reconciliation between purchases made, holdings, and sales to the Board and (b) every dealer shall permit a duly authorized officer to enter the premises of the authorized dealer at reasonable times to inspect records.” GGB said that the activities are being done in
accordance of the GGB Act which has never been questioned as to its relevance in governing the modern gold mining sector. “The GGB has been mandated by the Board of Directors and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to ensure full stakeholders collaboration in fulfilling its obligations for the betterment of the gold trading sector and the wider mining community. The GGB reiterates the recognition of miners, dealers and other stakeholder of the gold sector to the national economy and denounces any effort to impute motives that these Continued on page 24
Road Safety Council appeals for end to carnage The Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) is once again appealing and urging all road users to be more responsible, to put an end to what it described as pandemonium on the country’s roadways. The appeal comes in the wake of the mayhem that has been occurring on the roads, and which has so far this year claimed the lives of 52 persons, and caused serious injury to many others. “Recently, there is an increase in the number of serious road accidents in and around the city in outlying areas and in other regions of our country, mainly due to speeding, recklessness and driving under the influence (DUI), which reflects total neglect of our traffic laws,”
the GNRSC noted. The body observed that almost all accidents impact financially on Guyana’s economy and have distressed all parties involved, emotionally and physically. Also, serious accidents have significantly disturbed the social welfare of all the affected families. According to the GNRSC, it should be noted that habitual blunders by many drivers and motorcyclists are speeding, driving under the influence (DUI), total neglect for our traffic laws and total disregard for the five Cs; Care, Courtesy, Consideration, Caution and Common Sense when using the roads. “Blatant disregard for traffic laws and traffic advisories are the major contributing factors for road accidents which we, as responsible Guyanese, are desperately trying to reduce
substantially,” the body stressed. It added that pedestrians and cyclists are also to be blamed for their carefree and sloppy attitudes when using the roadways. The GNRSC urged that these behaviors should be discontinued immediately to put an end to some of these “Needless Road Crashes and Deaths.” “These victims didn’t need to die.” “Fellow road users, please be advised that the reduction of road accidents can only be achieved with your input. So again, the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) is pleading to all road users and responsible Guyanese to join with us in our campaign to help stop the road carnage by correcting the careless ways we use our roads and adhering to the road safety and traffic laws to make our streets and roads safer. Road Safety is everybody’s business,” the GNRSC stated.
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Kaieteur News
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Abducted taxi driver… Two teenagers were charged yesterday in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old Lusignan taxi driver whose body was discovered in a cane field aback of Parika, East Bank Essequibo. Following intense investigations, Abdul Razac, 18, and Aswraf Ally, 17 were yesterday taken before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to be jointly indicted on murder/robbery charges. The duo appeared in court days after a search was
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Teens charged with murder
launched for taxi driver Dhanraj Latchman who had been missing since last Tuesday. The Toyota Carina AT 212 which Latchman was driving was found in the Parika backlands last Thursday, two days after he was reportedly hired by the two accused. The following day, investigators found Latchman’s lifeless body in the said cane field. Reports are that the teens, who are also cousins, had used one of the seat belts from the victim’s car to strangle him before dumping
his body. A post mortem examination which was performed on Latchman’s body yesterday gave the cause of death as asphyxiation due to compound injury to the neck, which is consistent with being strangled. Ali and Razac were yesterday charged in open court for the taxi driver’s murder. They are the latest pair of teenage offenders to appear before the courts to be indicted for murder this year; particularly that which involves carjacking.
The charge which was read to the duo alleged that between June 10 and June 14, last, at Parika Backdam, they murdered Latchman during the course of a robbery – to steal one car PMM9523, one BlackBerry cellular phone and another. The teens were not called upon to enter a plea since the charge was laid indictably. Corporal Bharat Mangru who prosecuted did not reveal the details of the alleged murder. The accused were unrepresented by legal counsel. At the end of the short
hearing, Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry remanded the duo to prison. The case was transferred to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court and is set to be called again on July 24. In a similar situation earlier this year, 17-year-old Lorenzo Forde was charged for the murder of a Pegasus taxi driver. Through tracking cellular phone data, investigators were led to Forde. The man’s body was found in a garbage heap.
Murdered: Dhanraj Latchman
Health Ministry conducts exercise to reduce Filaria
The Culex Mosquito With an aim to reduce the incidence and prevalence of Filaria, a highly stigmatized and disfiguring disease, the Vector Control Services (VCS) of the Ministry of Health will be conducting a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) exercise. This will be done in communities along the East Coast and East Bank. The MDA started on Monday and will continue until June 29. The Programme is funded by the I n t e r- A m e r i c a n Development Bank and is being executed by the Guyana Water Inc. and Ministry of Health with support from the PanAmerican Health Organization/World Health O r g a n i z a t i o n (PAHO/WHO). According to the Vector Control Services, some recognizable conditions of Filariasis or Filaria are Lymphedema (commonly called big foot) and hydrocele also called ‘goadie’ in Guyanese vernacular. The parasite is transmitted on Guyana’s coastal plains by the Culex mosquito. The MDA will see Vector Control Services, local Health Centres and community health activists coming together to inform, educate and administer to households two tablets; Albendazole and Diethylcarbamazine or DEC. The Vector Control Services explained that transmission occurs when an infected person is bitten by the Culex mosquito which in turn bites and transmits the
parasite to a non-infected person. This usually occurs between the hours of 7 pm to midnight. In the body’s system, the adult parasites multiply, and, after many years this can cause obstruction around the lymph nodes with fluids settling in the extremities of the body (feet, hands and scrotum) where swelling can occur. Prior symptoms that usually indicate infection of Filariasis, include inflamed glands accompanied by fever and pain. However, to be absolutely sure whether one has been infected, The VCS advises that visits be made to its clinic located at the Malaria Clinic of the Georgetown Public Hospital for three consecutive evenings (between 7 pm – 10 pm). However, since it would be a huge burden to determine the whole population status, a most effective strategy would be to conduct a preventative campaign. Hence, the campaign is called Mass Drug Administration or MDA. To effectively reduce and interrupt parasitic transmission, MDAs will be conducted in the targeted communities for five consecutive years. There is another component to this strategy, which is, to apply an integrated vector control programme. However, for more information residents are encouraged to contact their nearest health centre(s) or the Vector Control Services on telephone numbers; 2258973 or 227-4752.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Fish vendor murder trial…
“I never kill and would never kill anybody” Murder accused Quaison Jones yesterday told the court that he had nothing to do with the murder of fellow fish vendor, Marlon Greene, who was stabbed to death in the vicinity of Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara, during a heated argument on January 17, 2011. Jones, called ‘Blondie,’ is on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed 12-member jury. He is being represented by Attorney- at Law, George Thomas. Ye s t e r d a y , S t a t e Prosecutor, Judith Gildharie-Mursalin, called a fifth witness to the stand. Nicholas Isaacs recalled that Jones was standing over Marlon “stabbing away at him”. Isaacs said that he aided in rescuing the victim
from his attacker, but noted that the injured man bore grave injuries about his body. However, while giving the court an unsworn statement in relation to the incident, the accused said that he never knew Isaacs. “My name is Quaison Jones. I live at 255 West Ruimveldt. I used to buy and sell and clean fish at Meadow Bank Wharf …I never see this last witness before until that day, and I never kill and would never kill anybody.” “On that day I was at Billy shop drinking tea, Marlon pass and say yuh finish wuking yuh white mouth… I turn and watch and continue doing my business, then I see three of
them – Marlon, Rondell and the last witness come up. Marlon had a cutlass and the other two had knives. I hold unto Marlon and dem man start fight. I hear somebody say ‘aah a get juk’ after I hear da I loose and run towards the wharf,” the accused claimed as he broke down in tears. “I had no reason to kill the boy. We ain’t had no problem.” O n T u e s d a y , Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh told the court that the victim’s jugular vein and windpipe were severed. The victim died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to stab wounds. The doctor recounted that the body bore an incised wound at the neck which
- accused may have been inflicted by a sharp pointed object. Businessman Steven Vieira, a resident of Meadow Bank, his daughter Michelle Vieira and the victim’s brother, Rondell Singh, were all witnesses of the crime. The businessman recalled that on the day in question, he looked out of his window and saw the accused and the victim fighting. He claimed that he saw ‘Blondie,’ pull a knife and start to stab Greene. Vieira said that Greene was like a member of his family. Vieira 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. Michelle Vieira said that she heard a loud argument
Quaison Jones 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.
Marlon Greene “Marlon was lying on the road, on the left side of his neck had a hole, blood was pouring out of it.” 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 of the wharf and get away.” He claimed that the two men had a misunderstanding two days prior to the incident.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
Flooding, Le Repentir Cemetery major focus of $1B clean-up campaign By Zena Henry The massive $1B cleanup project advanced by the government is gaining momentum with the start-up process being put in place. Citizens, especially those in the city are expected to get some relief as some $100M is expected to be spent on Le Repentir Cemetery, while the revitalization of public a s s e t s a n d t h e implementation of flood preventative measures are expected to get special attention during the projected six month-long project. During a press conference dealing with the current status of the programme, Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker related that special emphasis would be placed on flooding. “One of the primary contributors of flooding is the absence of proper drainage so that excess water resulting from rainfall could be removed within a specific time. And one of the biggest contributors also, is the fact that City Council has been unable or unwilling to desilt the main and internal drains that water can flow freely.” The Minister said the drains (in the city) are heavily silted and filled with garbage. Focus will thus be placed on seven canals, including the Downer Canal, Young Street Canal, Lamaha and Princes Street, among others. He also mentioned repair and possible rebuilding of kokers. Whittaker said that the Local Government Ministry, which is the executing agency for the national campaign, will in some cases be looking to restore
public assets, even those under the control of the City Council. These assets include sluices, main canals, parapets, alleyways, cemeteries, monuments, public spaces, markets, and the seawall. As it relates to solid waste, the Minister said a number of illegal dumps sites have been identified and special focus would be on the garbage problem. T h e c i t y ’s l a r g e s t cemetery, Le Repentir, is expected to receive an estimated $100M out of the budgeted $500M which is slated for the capital. Whittaker said “it’s a lot of work; the heavy bush will be cleared along with drains etc”. He said that the $1B project is now in its tendering, public awareness and capacity building stage and as such, there is no official launch date as yet. Currently, the Ministry is working with several stakeholders; the various Ministries, private sector, local government bodies and civil society in moving the exercise forward. Out of these stakeholders, a Technical committee has been set up, comprising representatives to oversee the billion-dollar clean-up campaign. “The committee will plan, coordinate and provide oversight of the project, and they will report to the Local Government Ministry’s Permanent Secretary directly,” the Minister asserted. The government during the 2014 budget debate informed the nation that one billion dollars would be expended on a massive (Continued on page 20)
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Wednesday June 18, 2014
Shot army recruit loses kidney V
ernon Harding, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) recruit who was shot a month ago at Tacama, has lost a kidney and the warhead that struck him remains lodged near his spine, army sources confirmed Monday. Harding, 21, of Middle Road, La Penitence, is recuperating at the army’s Camp Ayanganna medical facility. Kaieteur News understands that doctors are apprehensive of removing the warhead for fear of leaving him paralysed. The recruit has an 18month-old daughter and his wife, Tasleema Harding, said that while he is beginning to walk unaided, her spouse appears to be a long way from full recovery. According to Mrs. Harding, her husband would have completed his basic recruit training course this Friday. She expressed concern over his future in the army. H o w e v e r, a n a r m y official indicated that the GDF will not deem Harding medically unfit. Harding was shot in the
Recruit Vernon Harding following his surgery
stomach and shoulder on May 18, last, after Lieutenant Othneil Hope, a 23-year-old training officer, accidentally discharged a handgun that he had taken into a barrack-room at Base Tacama, Berbice. Lieutenant
- bullet lodged near spine
Hope was wounded in the leg but has been discharged from hospital. One report suggested that Harding was shot when he tried to go to the wounded Lieutenant’s aid. However, this newspaper understands
that Harding told investigators that he was in the barrack-room when the lieutenant cocked his handgun and rubbed the muzzle against his (the lieutenant’s) chin. Shortly after, the recruit reportedly heard a gunshot and heard Hope cry out that he had been shot, while pleading for the other ranks to call a medic. Harding reportedly told investigators that all the ranks fled from the barrackroom on hearing the shot. Harding, who was in bed, was reportedly attempting to follow the others when he heard a second shot - he allegedly then felt a pain in his stomach and shoulder and realised that he was bleeding. According to sources, the recruit then ran outside and collapsed. The two wounded soldiers were airdashed to Georgetown and taken to the GPHC. Harding underwent emergency surgery and relatives said he was
Harding’s wife, Tasleema, and daughter subsequently informed that doctors were forced to remove one of his kidneys. According to an army statement, investigators concluded that the shooting incident was a direct result of a breach of Force Policies. Paramount among them, were those related to the
carriage of a service pistol and its handling in the presence of recruits. According to the statement, the findings and recommendations from the Board of Inquiry are being studied for possible initiation of disciplinary action.
Flooding, Le Repentir Cemetery... (From page 19) cleaning up exercise, of which half the amount would be spent on Georgetown. With the split between the government and the Mayor and City Council, the capital’s oversight body, words have already been exchanged about the implementation of the project without the input of the Mayor and Councillors.
The Ministry has noted however that it has engaged the Council, specifically the Town Clerk (acting) and the City Engineer. The Council has expressed interest in the maintenance phase of the project since according to the Deputy Mayor, “a clean-up is one thing, but maintaining the work is another”. The Minister has emphasized however, that
City Hall will not have any financial involvement in the project. “The objective of the activity is to enhance the physical environment and also, if we are to sustain this project…to build capacity of existing institutions so that effective maintenance of the assets can continue when the clean-up exercise is completed,” Whittaker said in conclusion.
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Kaieteur News
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Local Reparations Committee to complete draft proposal today By Zena Henry The local Reparations Committee, which is responsible for the compilation of data - historic and current - for presentation to Europe over claims of native genocide and slavery, is expected to complete its draft proposal today. The committee will then be seeking the input of organizations and civil society. Chairman of the committee Eric Phillips told Kaieteur News yesterday that the organization had designated today for all major work to be completed and the draft prepared. He explained that recently the committee, along with others from the various Caribbean regions seeking compensation, had a Skype meeting with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to discuss their moves. He said that CARICOM is expected to meet from July 1, to the fourth, and they will decide on the way forward. Among the proposals being advanced to the local committee, participating organization, The Afrikan Movement, has submitted and called for a Reparations Act. The call goes to both CARICOM and the local government for what was described as a meaningful
guide towards matters of reparation. The body said it has a vested interested in the outcome of the work of the Guyana National Reparations Committee and it has pledged its support for the point 10 “Debt Relief” as per Guyana Reparations Committee, subject to the condition that in the Guyanese context, Debt Relief be accompanied by a programme of “Affirmative Action for Guyanese of Afrikan ancestry”. They called for the provisions for reparative action to be legislated in a Reparations Act, which “takes into consideration the history of the undermining of Afrikan achievements in the Linden community and the wider context of Guyanese history”. In the undermining of African achievement, the Movement believes that a constitutional provision needs to be engaged to ensure the perpetuity of the benefits of African endeavour in Guyana and that it recommends and lobbies for the establishment of a Reparations Fund to receive and manage funds received as Reparations and that such monies shall not go to the national treasury.
The Committee members at the meeting. It was requested further that all historical records relevant to African arrival, existence and experiences be obtained and educational and cultural programmes be developed. The body called for an investigation to be launched into the history of Guyana’s Black Caribs. “The Afrikans of Guyana should be recognized and compensated for laying the infrastructure on which the nation’s capital and economy is based. “It is requested that attention be paid to lands
seized from Afrikan foreparents in the late 19th century; all of the estates and settlements seized by the state in the 19th century; all properties which would by common customs and usages accrue to a people but which we have been unduly been denied access to as a result of state discrimination. “In keeping with the precedents established, especially in the post apprenticeship period and by the Independence movement to guarantee ethnic groups state patronage, suitable
bodies of land and water and the rights to all the minerals and other natural resources and advantages occurring from same.” An enquiry was requested into the policy and practices of police training in Guyana with the aim of changing the perception and orientation of the ranks, which assumes current policing methods which display a discriminatory exercise of execution. And “considering the extent of the damage done to the Afrikan identity and
competitiveness and the rapidly changing economic dynamic, and the Afrikans need to hasten their economic and technological competitiveness, the establishment among others, of our own economic, cultural, spiritual, educational, medical research and development institutions. The movement asked that several Articles of the Programme of Action and relevant Articles of the Durban Declaration, be tabled in Parliament and form a part of the Reparations Act.
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Kaieteur News
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Crab Wood etc – Call: 688-6579 1 Titan fully loaded 4 Wheel Drive, $2.6M Negotiable – Tel:699-2322 or 678-2814. Must go urgently! Established business place, 3 storey building @ Lot 220 South Road – Contact: 2271042, 601-3399, 676-5450 Tibetan Terrier Puppies for sale - Telephone: 226-4166, Cell: 641-8571 Pluck Chicken - Call: 6273484, 253-3246 Used pedicure chair, hair dryer and salon chair - Tel: 668-9583, 698-5272 Spares for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool tables - Call: 277-0578
VACANCY
PROPERTY FOR SALE
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838
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 business and residential 3 storey property in excellent condition, situated 11 Camp and Norton Street G/town, negotiable Call: Pearl Realty: 689-9991
Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
2006 Blue Nissan Titan. Fully Loaded GSS Series. Contact: 604-6108.
Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241
2009 Red Nissan Titan. Flex Fuel GRR Series. Contact: 604-6108.
RA Soda Factory at Good Hope Branch: vacancies for sales clerk, bond clerk and drivers – Tel: 330-2399, 3302772, 623-5920 RA Soda Factory at Rosignol Branch: Vacancies for Accountant, Bond Clerk, sales clerk, Drivers, male & female workers – Tel: 3302399, 330-2772, 623-5920
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 628-2284 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807 Harmony Inn Car rental: Cars from $5,000, Allion, Premio, Allex, Suzuki, Runx – Tel:6947817, 668-0306 Wings Car Rental- Call: 6906494/ BBM pin: 24E17558
Exist for one female cleaner; apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling. 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 Experienced person for new Premier Supermarket: 3 Subjects (Mathematics & English), police clearance, two references Contact: 231-2307
Fluffy Dachshund pups, one pure white available – Tel: 226-9548, 670-2653,618-1706 G- Touring Wagon in excellent condition – Flair kit, mag rims, air condition, etc - Call Pablo: 641-1303. Price $1.1M negotiable One slate pool table 8’X4’ $400,000 - Tel: 601-8083, 6892658 Pure Rottweiler pups, parents are imported pedigree dogs Call: 264-2870 or 672-6402 after 6pm 665-9140 or 639-1431 A fully equipped sawmill operation at prime location: large land space, plenty suppliers & customers Contact Swamee: 614-1466; 678-1421 Yamaha outboard engines, various sizes, tundra wheels, boat trailer - Tel: 220-1981, 690-1945 One 48V 3000W inverter, 1 snow cone cart/machine – Tel: 621-1549 Original Slate Pool table – 8ft American Made – Tel:6605309, 622-9917 300 HP Yamaha Vmax HPDI outboard engine: 30" four fin propeller, excellent condition, foreign used – Contact: 621-8612 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Craig Street - $32M, David Street - $40M, Thomas Street - $65M, Sheriff Street $150M, Etc. Contact Sonja: 225-7197/ 623-2537 One 2-storey wood & concrete house, 3 bedrooms with one self contained with A/C @ Parika E.B.E – Call: 660-3118 One house & land for sale at good hope E.C.D – Tel: 621-1722 Location 106 Samatha Point Grove, EBD – One flat 3 bedroom concrete house – Tel:266-0580, 670-1452. Price Neg. Queenstown, second building, 3 bedroom cottage in good condition - $16M – Contact B&G’s Realty – 6179717, 682-4094 Norton Street Lodge, 2 properties in the yard 42X120 $30M negotiable - Contact B&G’s Realty – 617-9717, 6824094 North Ruimveldt - $14M and $25M, Annandale Scheme$6.5M - Tel: 603-9593
EDUCATIONAL FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Salon stations for stylist & barbers in comfortable atmosphere, hot & cold water, affordable rent - Tel: 619-5829, 683-3466 One restaurant, located around Princess Hotel Area Preferably Chinese - Tel: 6171481 One 3 bedroom house to rent at Lot 43 Blyzeight Gardens Tel: 652-6565 One bedroom apartment $30,000 per month – Call: 6578335
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 IAE - Camp Street - Registration has commenced Forms 1-5 (full-time school); day & evening, adult CXC classes Call: 683-5742, 223-0604
LAND FOR SALE Diamond - $8M, Atlantic Gardens - $15M- Tel: 6039593 Campbellville, vacant land 60’X120’ – price negotiable Contact B&G’s Realty – 6179717, 682-4094
287 Samatha Point Grove, EBD – One Flat 2 bedroom concrete house – Contact: 266-0545, 675-6074, price neg. Two houses and land for sale at Agriculture Road – Tel: 678-8526
La Parfait Harmonie - $1.2M, $1.4M, $2.5M, (100ftX50ft) High Income, Grove - $2.6M (with foundation) – Tel: 2185591, 675-7292
Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 Permanent & Visitors Vi s a Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 2256496, 662-6045 Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032,647-2943 House plan drafting from$10,000 electrical works and estimates services available. Tel:667-2189,646-6572,629-8750 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312, 627-3206 (Nick) For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine - Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 DaSilva’s Welding & Fabricating specializes in: Grills, Gates, Pontoon, Lavador etc. Best prince in town - Call: 647-6880/ 219-1680 NEED WORK CALL LABOUR READY STAFFING SERVICES AT: 603-6052 OR 227-2766
TO LET One bottom flat at 95 Hadfield Street, Werk- EnRust, Georgetown, Suitable for business/firm/ company – Contact: 2230929; 682-1055
Rooms to rent – Tel: 225-3234
LAND FOR SALE
Rob Street, 3 flat property, price negotiable - Contact B&G’s Realty – 617-9717, 682-4094
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Harmony Inn: Furnished, air condition apartment, W.B.D & Georgetown - $5,000 & $6,000 per night – Tel:6680306, 694-7817, 602-8769, 6121351 Furnished 2 bedroom apartment, in Linden for short term local & overseas guest Tel: 444-4704, 614-4415
Services and repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, electric stoves, etc – Call: 688-0183 TO LET Fully furnished two bedroom apartment for rent with TV, Air-condition, hot & cold, cable. In South for foreigners Tel: 689-5877 1 – Four bedrooms house with all modern conveniences, semifurnished - $300,000 monthly, Happy Acres – Tel:231-7839 (working hours)
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 8000 Forde Tractor, one 450 Forde tow truck, one Toyota Tacoma – Contact Floyd: 694-5599 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered 212, Allex, old & new model Spacio, 05 & 03 Allion, Voxy- Call:6523820/ 665-4529 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Mitsubishi Canter 2-Tons enclosed, excellent condition – Call:220-5281 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 One enclosed canter for sale 3½ Ton, GJJ 8286 – Contact: 613-0830, 666-2549 Noah/ Voxy, unregistered, (private or bus), Toyota Regius/ Super custom, unregistered (goods) – Tel: 603-9700 Toyota G-Touring Wagon – Price - $700,000 – Tel: 6105502 or 652-8068 One EP-82 Starlet for sale Tel: 643-6517 Cheapest – New model Spacious, Noah Buses, VVTI Manual & Automatic buses, one Vigo 42" High Definition Television – Tel: 616-7635 One Toyota Land cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 225-0188, 223-7500, MonFri 8:15-4:15pm, Sat – 8:151:15PM Toyota IST $1M – Call Ron’s Real Estate for homes & Land from $1M to $25M – Tel:2185591, 675-7292 (Continued on page 23)
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news
Decentralization is not an alternative DEAR EDITOR, Vassan Ramracha, a well known contributor to the Letters’ columns writes an interesting and funny commentary on “Mike’s dinner-hosting meeting with Granger’s entourage”, published in the governmentowned paper. (GC, June 7th, “PNC apology does not resolve ethnic security dilemma”). Unfortunately, that paper will not carry my response, hence this letter now published in KN. I recognize that Vassan is deeply concerned about a solution to Guyana’s very flawed democracy. (Is he really?). As a Trinidadian, Vassan should be commended for his contributions to these discussions. The readers will notice right away that Vassan and I describe the same animal differently, and therefore each of us will propose different solutions. Vassan defines the problem as “Ethnic Security Dilemma”, and he proposes a remedy called “Decentralization”. Elsewhere Vassan’s group (Jaguar which later morphed into ROAR, now disbanded) describes the solution as “Federalism”. I have never really understood the idea of Federalism as proposed by the writers of Jaguar group. (Do they plan to turn the three counties of Demerara, Berbice, Essequibo into semi-
autonomous states within a Federal Union?). So I turned to Dr. Tyran Ramnarine (former History lecturer at UG) who explained Dev’s concept of Federalism as really nothing more than “Decentralization” decentralizing some services which for a over a hundred years have been centralized in the hands of the Central government and run from the Capital city, Georgetown. Somehow this idea of decentralization would solve all the problems encapsulated under “Ethnic Security Dilemma”. Decentralization is a policy. The PPP government does already have such a policy – Berbice campus of UG, Registrar’s branch office at Suddie on the Essequibo Coast. Mr. Dev has also called for decentralization of the police force. Each little town/ village would have control of recruiting and training of its village police force. Dr. Ramnarine supports decentralizing the police force. Thus explained the readers should recognize that the policy of Federalism/ Decentralization has no relationship to my advocacy of genuine multi-racial parties which would foster the development of a sizeable pool of Swing Voters - and which in turn would cause the baton of power to change every few election cycles. Regular turn-over of power
would produce more transparent, accountable and responsible governments. The racial tensions in the society would also be reduced, if not disappear completely, given a few election cycles. The PPP and PNC themselves would no longer be perceived as ethnic parties. My concept of a multiracial democracy and Jaguar group’s advocacy of Federalism/Decentralization are not substitutes or alternatives to each other. Let it be said that Vassan has got several things about this “dinner hosting meeting” wrong, but rather than correcting factual errors, I’ll rather focus on important issues. The meeting afforded us an opportunity to engage the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Granger on how the Guyanese people can break the spell of racial voting. Did we agree on a package of ideas on how this may be achieved? Of course not. I also strongly support the idea that African-Guyanese leaders should be welcome in Indian-dominated villages as brothers; vice versa for Indian-Guyanese leaders in African-dominated villages. Vassan does not – this much is clear from his letter. Excessive ethnic voting for perceived ethnic parties is the root cause of practically all our problems in Guyana – including what the Dev group calls “Ethnic Security Dilemma” — lack of racial
unity, same government in power for 22-years and counting, massive corruption and mismanagement of the nation’s resources, high crime rates, road carnage, etc. In short: incompetence of the government and no hope for a solution to any of these problems. Entrenched ethnic parties and a culture rooted in ethnic voting will require a lot of work to end it. Party leaders, PNC’s David Granger, and PPP’s Donald Ramotar, may be powerless to change it, even if they have the will. The Dev group accepts and defends the idea of ethnic parties and ethnic voting. I am adamantly opposed to the ideas of the Dev group. We can expect the Dev group to call next for partition of the country along racial lines. Vassan cites the example of Ukraine and says the government there is i m p l e m e n t i n g “decentralization” as a policy to solve the “ethnic security dilemma”. Ukraine is different from Guyana. Ethnic groups are heavily concentrated in particular regions – and because of Russian interference, these groups are now opting to form unions with nations across the border, an age-old problem. In Guyana, our major ethnic groups, Africans and Indians, are not so concentrated. Mike Persaud
GPL MAIN STREET – A definite nightmare.... (from page 5) discrepancy in the billing for electricity consumption for a property I lease. The Client had moved out in February of this year after clearing all GPL expenses, No one has since inhabited the property and other than two lights left on for security purposes there is no other electricity being consumed. In March I received a bill for $48,000; in April a bill for $48,000; and in May a bill for
$5,000. Note there had been no change in electricity consumption from March to May and no one occupying the house. This says that either this meter is malfunctioning or the previous two readings were estimates. Since this matter is yet to be resolved, I will use this forum to publicly ask GPL for an investigation of the meter at 28 Bel Air Avenue, Lamaha Gardens. (meter # 40712/account # 0057683)
GPL needs to put its house in order so that citizens of this country do not have to go through so many frustrations, in order to get a meter, get a query heard or get new service. I urge GPL to bring some light into this darkness so that we could wake up from the public service nightmare that dealing with GPL has become. Notwithstanding, however, I am sure that as the premier electricity provider in
Guyana, GPL has a great future and I commend them on the steps they are taking to stop the rampant theft of electricity and the decision to jail the perpetrators. And while you deal with these issues, please take note that some GPL staff encourages this type of behaviour, since it is known that some of them elicit bribery to manipulate meters and provide wire to persons. Roshan Khan
(From page 22)
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Premio; PRR 909, PRR982, low mileage in excellent condition, $2M negotiable – Call: 231-8694 or 670-1638 Mazda RX8 Sports package, full aero kit, 18" staggered wheels, racing exhaust system & more - $2.4M negotiable – Tel:231-8694, 670-1638 Toyota Rav 4 PKK series, aero kit, TV, spoiler, roof rail & more - $2.7M negotiable, excellent condition- Tel:2318694, 670-1638 2001 Mercedes Benz C200, 2000 CC engines, backup camera, sunroof, back & front sensors, leather interior - $3.6M- Tel:670-1638
WANTED Pacific Development Construction: foreman and office assistant must have driver’s licence – Contact: 227-8274/ 223-6035 One cook for home in the interior – Contact: 681-6044 One experienced canter driver - $28,000, 1 porter $21,000, to work in Tushen Scheme, E.B.E – Tel:684-8231 One experienced diesel mechanic to work part time Call: 684-8231 Hire Cars at Atlas Taxi Service VHF Network – Call: 661-3043 Property to purchase between $8M and $10M – Tel: 603-9593
2004 Lexus GX470, fully loaded, 20" chrome wheels, tow hitch, excellent condition – Price: $8.8M negotiable – Tel: 231-8694, 670-1638
Two purchase clerks from out of town area, age 3040yrs, send email to singh_inc@hotmail.com Male & female to work in factory between the age of 18 & above – Call: 223-0090 for more information
Toyota Allion PPP 6146, low mileage, excellent condition $1.9M negotiable – Tel: 2318694, 670-1638
One Cleaner to work in snackette & bar, must know to cook. Age 20-35yrs – Tel: 647-7432, 223-5798
One Ford Driven Tractor, 60HP, almost new, 600 hours - $2.2M – Contact Junior: 6654611, 261-5304 One Nissan Titan 2008 manufactured 2010 register, excellent condition - $3.2M Contact Junior: 665-4611, 2615304 One Toyota RZ Super custom Mini bus BPP series, excellent condition - $2.4M - Contact Junior: 665-4611, 261-5304 One NZE, female driven $1.5M negotiable – Tel: 6449356 One Toyota Rav4, PMM Series, fully loaded, good condition – Price$1.9M negotiable. Contact: 669-6499 TO LET One 2 bedrooms house at Unity East Coast Demerara – Call: 259-3170 Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment located at Timerhi Tel: 615-2584
One Carnegie trained cook; 4 days per week – Call: 6144358 One cleaner two days per week - Call: 614-4358 We buy all low income lands in La Parafaite Harmonie, Herstelling, Eccles, and Non-Pareil – Call: 218-5591 or 675-7292 One live in maid or domestic $60,000 per month - Contact: 664-5199 CLEANING LADY TO CLEAN & COOK. GOOD MANNERS. MUST KNOW HOW TO COOK GOOD MUSLIM FOOD. E.B.D AREA – TEL: 231-8529 Over edge, straight stitch, button & button tack operator to work at garment factory – Call:222-2541 Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter – Call:225-0188, 225-6070 (Monday to Saturday ) (8:15am-4:15pm) Silverballi and Kabakalli logs – Tel: 653-9752
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
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Kaieteur News
Charges likely in latest prison brawl - ‘Rambo’ still critical in N/A hospital Even before the dust has settled in the previous prison brawl in which four high profile prisoners were brutally chopped and burnt with acid, on Friday 23rd May, by an opposing gang, another high profile prisoner has been critically injured in the same prison. The latest incident occurred early last Saturday morning (June 14), and has left 27-year-old Tameshwar Khemraj, called ‘Rambo’, who is presently serving a fouryear sentence for robbery under arms, clinging to life in the New Amsterdam Hospital with stab wounds about his body. Khemraj, who was also wanted for a number of misdemeanours, was reportedly attacked by two brothers, and their uncle. The brothers are on remand for a murder/robbery which
occurred at Hampshire in 2013 during which a businessman was shot dead. Their uncle is serving a sentence for rape. The attack followed an altercation Khemraj had with one of the brothers on the previous day. He was stabbed just around 06:00 hrs - when the prisoners are allowed to empty their overnight utensils. According to reports, Khemraj has been having differences with the brothers whom he accused of implicating him in the murder/ robbery. He is alleged to have punched the younger brother in the face and beat him up. The man reported the matter to his elder brother and uncle. The men then armed themselves with ‘juckers’ and pounced on Khemraj early the following morning. Khemraj was picked up and rushed to the hospital.
Tameshwar Khemraj called ‘Rambo’ After the attack a search was subsequently conducted at the New Amsterdam prison where several cellular phones, cutlasses, ice-picks and several other sharp weapons were found.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Decommissioning of old sewer mains starts today - GWI The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) announced that under the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) US$ 10 Million Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme, the company will be decommissioning old sewer mains to facilitate activation of the new sewerage system which was recently rehabilitated under the programme. The decommissioning exercise will commence today (Wednesday June 18, 2014) and will be followed by the activation of the rehabilitated Force and Delivery Mains as well as 24 refurbished sewer
pump stations. This exercise may result in a temporary interruption of the system. The main sewage system in central Georgetown which caters to about 50,000 residents is being upgraded. The loan will be applicable for a five-year period and will help to fund four components of the project, the first being the rehabilitation of the Georgetown sewer ring main. The present upgrades will spread over 30 months, with an 18-month execution and a 12-month defect liability period. The contract was awarded to S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Contracting Services in
collaboration with Nabi Construction Inc. as the Contracting Firms. Customers with concerns are asked to contact GWI’s Sanitation Hotline numbers on 227-8718 and 226-6059 from Monday to Friday between 8:00 to 17:00hours. The company says that it anticipates a successful transition to the rehabilitated system and assures customers that every effort is being taken to minimize any inconvenience the temporary interruption may cause. “GWI customers with further questions can also email GWI’s Public Relations Department via pro@gwi.gy or visit www.gwiguyana.com.”
Miners’ body squares off with... From page 12 ongoing examinations are a matter of criminalization.” Last week, miners called for a full blown investigation into reports that a prominent North Georgetown gold dealer was believed to have been involved in smuggling large quantities of the shiny metal to Suriname. With that country charging a mere one per cent compared to seven per cent in Guyana, the lure of better prices there has been a risk worth taking. Insiders estimated that
almost 150,000 ounces were smuggled between January and May, leaving the country with over $2.5B in revenue losses. Just over a week ago, the Government expressed alarm over poor declaration for the year, which it says were far below projections. For the first half, ending June 30, Guyana had been projecting a target of 242,281 ounces, which leaves the sector struggling to play catch up. As of May monthend, only 165,000 ounces would have been declared.
The poor declaration if it continues will have implications for projected revenue earnings for this country at the end of 2014. Gold has become the largest foreign currency earner and a significant revenue earner for Guyana, in recent years. Government initially suspected hoarding as a reason for poor declaration. This year, Guyana has set a target of 484,562 ounces. Last year’s gold declaration was the largest ever at 481,087 ounces.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Kaieteur News
Iraq’s Maliki defies call to reach out, accuses Saudis of ‘genocide’
Volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi Army to fight against predominantly Sunni militants from the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), gather with their weapons during a parade in the streets in Al-Fdhiliya district, eastern Baghdad. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani BAGHDAD(Reuters) Iraq’s Shi’ite rulers defied Western calls yesterday to reach out to Sunnis to defuse the uprising in the north of the country, declaring a boycott of Iraq’s main Sunni political bloc and accusing Sunni power Saudi Arabia of promoting “genocide”. Washington has made clear it wants Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to embrace Sunni politicians as a condition of U.S. support to fight a lightning advance by forces from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. But the Shi’ite prime minister has moved in the opposite direction, announcing a crackdown on politicians and officers he considers “traitors” and lashing out at neighbouring Sunni countries for stoking militancy.
The latest target of his government’s fury was Saudi Arabia, the main Sunni power in the Gulf, which funds Sunni militants in neighbouring Syria but denies it is behind ISIL. “We hold them responsible for supporting these groups financially and morally, and for the outcome of that - which includes crimes that may qualify as genocide: the spilling of Iraqi blood, the destruction of Iraqi state institutions and historic and religious sites,” the Iraqi government said of Riyadh in a statement. Maliki has blamed Saudi Arabia for supporting militants in the past, but the severe language was unprecedented. On Monday Riyadh blamed sectarianism in Baghdad for fuelling the violence. In the latest bloodshed,
scores of Iraqis were killed yesterday during a battle for a provincial capital, and fighting shut the country’s biggest oil refinery, starving parts of the country of fuel and power. Government forces said they repelled an attempt by insurgents to seize Baquba, capital of Diyala province north of Baghdad, in fighting overnight. Some residents and officials said the dead included scores of prisoners from the local jail. There were conflicting accounts of how they had died. ISIL fighters who aim to build a Caliphate based on mediaeval Sunni precepts across the Iraqi-Syrian frontier launched their revolt by seizing the north’s main city, Mosul, last week and swept through the Tigris valley towards Baghdad.
Reverse gas flows to Ukraine ‘legally sound’ says EU Brussels (AFP) - The EU is exploring alternative gas sources for Ukraine, the European Commission said yesterday, a day after Russia cut off a key energy flow that also feeds Europe. With the Russian gas supply to Ukraine now halted, the EU is considering ways to replenish Kiev with imports from neighbouring Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. Moscow is strongly opposed to so-called “reverse flows”, but the European Commission yesterday said the process was perfectly legal. “The option of the reverse flows … is legally
perfectly sound,” said the EU’s Energy Commission spokeswoman Sabine Berger. “There are possibilities (for Ukraine) to buy gas from European companies,” she said. Ever since the UkraineRussia gas feud erupted earlier this year, Gazprom has cast doubt on the legality of European companies, who are locked into their own Gazprom contracts, pumping gas back into Ukraine. European energy groups “do not have the right to do that,” Miller said again on Monday. A Ukrainian delegation set out for Budapest
yesterday to confirm support for “reverse flows”, with Kiev confident it can win a cheaper price than what Russia is willing to offer. Weeks of acrimonious debt and price negotiations broke up on Monday with Russia walking away from a compromise solution proposed in Kiev by the European Union’s energy commissioner. Ukraine receives half its gas from Russia and transports 15 percent of the fuel consumed in Europe — a dependence that has not diminished despite similar supply disruptions in 2006 and 2009.
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St Lucians warned of possible retrenchment as unions reject latest offer CASTRIES, St Lucia CMC – The St Lucia government seemed headed for a confrontation with public service unions after they rejected its proposals Friday and Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony immediately signalled that all options, including the retrenchment of public servants, were now major possibilities. The government’s six point proposal included a five percent wage cut for all public servants in Grades 4 to 21 in addition to a wage freeze for the next triennium. But speaking to reporters at the end of the talks on Friday, a disappointed Anthony said that in light of the total rejection, his administration will now have to go back to the drawing board and put all options on the table. Prime Minister Anthony has previously ruled out retrenchment as the way of reducing the EC$76 million (one EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) deficit, saying it was not his intention to send any public servants home.
Dr Kenny Anthony But he observed that with the rejection of the proposal, government had no choice but to consider all options. “Going back to the drawing board means that all things are on the table, for example we have been talking about reduction in wages, retrenchment, additional taxes, all of those things will have to come back on board,” he noted. Anthony, who is also Finance Minister, also
indicated reluctantly the possibility of introducing Value Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity, but admitted that the measure was a last resort as it would have significant implications for the poor and would deal a death blow to certain sectors. Anthony who has been asked by the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) to resign over his “mismanagement of the economy” maintains that the entire region is facing very challenging times, and difficult decisions are the sad reality facing many governments of the region. “We have had a number of countries that have gone through IMF (International Monetary Fund) adjustments, we started off with Dominica, then it extended to Antigua, then on to St Kitts, now Grenada is about to enter into an agreement with the IMF, and of course we are trying to deal with our own problems, by making the appropriate adjustments,” he said.
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Regional private sector wants good Canada-Caribbean trade agreement BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) is calling on Caribbean Community (CARICOM) trade negotiators “to stand firm” and leverage the good relationship Canada has had with the Caribbean to secure a fairer free trade agreement. In a statement, the CAIC said with the possible concluding rounds for a Canada-Caribbean trade agreement taking place here this week, it was cautioning against accepting a “watered down agreement” which would not be beneficial to either party and worse yet the Caribbean private sector. The regional private sector group said that based on consultation with its Caribbean private sector stakeholders, CAIC has identified six areas of concern with the ongoing negotiations including the impact that the status of these negotiations would have on the CARICOM private sector in the event that the trend of these negotiations continue. The CAIC said it is also concerned that the impending withdrawal of the CARIBCAN without the enactment of the CARICOM-Canada free trade agreement and the severe impact on Caribbean export items such as rum, tapia, ground provisions, fruits, vegetables and other food products. It said that there were also areas that Canada are interested in receiving
greater market access to based on its demonstrable export capacity such as, dairy industry, poultry, non-alcoholic beverages, sausages and apparel. In addition, the CAIC has raised concerned about the removal of sensitive items of interest to Canada on the basis of reciprocation as well as insufficient and therefore ineffective mechanisms to facilitate CARICOM suppliers of Trade in Services. The CAIC said it was also concerned regarding a desire to reengage the Canadian private sector that allows integration at the provincial level. Negotiations between Canada and the CARICOM for a new trade agreement began in 2009 to replace the current non-reciprocal CARIBCAN, the World Trade Organization (WTO) waiver which allows Canada to grant nonreciprocal preferences due to expire on December 31, 2014 and the 1998 CARICOM-Canada Protocol on Rum. The trade agreement includes market access for goods, cross border trade in services, investment, temporary entry, labour, rules of origin, information and communications technologies, customs procedures, competition, monopolies and state enterprises. The CAIC said that the ongoing negotiations between CARICOM and Canada are heavily vested on Canada’s side with increasing their non-energy
exports to the Caribbean in particular meat, fish, vegetables and processed foods. “These goods while increasing the variety available to the region and the competitiveness, it can have devastating effects for the territories whose livelihood will be affected by the import of these goods from Canada,” CAIC said, noting that for example, the Caribbean may soon see the importation of canned saltfish to replace the “buljol” prepared locally. “The success of sardines from the Canadian market is only too well known”, The CAIC said, noting also that the trade in services discussion has been insufficient to allow for meaningful mechanisms to be put in place. “Traditionally the Caribbean region has been portrayed to be market leaders in sun, sand and sea and despite the historical offering of agricultural products, the Caribbean Community is rich in human resources and professional services. “The EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement signed with Europe in 2008) has set a standard for services agreements for CARICOM but we note that several of the elements which were to be of benefit in services trade have not materialized, so anything worse than that would be of little relevance.,” the CAIC added.
Gov’t seeks to raise loan limit Barbados Nation Barbados will now be able to borrow more money to build its productive capacity, by increasing the Special Loans limit from $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion. The $1 billion increase is being done via a parliamentary amendment to the Special Loans Act, introduced by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler in the House yesterday morning. Noting that the economy desperately needed restructuring and that Government must have at its disposal the resources to reform and transform the economy, he said it was absolutely critical for Government to build productive capacity
Chris Sinckler over time. Therefore, such long term debt would ensure Government had the space to be able to intervene in the economy in strategic ways and make the economy more
competitive. Sinckler said when the amendment was being contemplated, loans like the government-togovernment Chinese loan given for investment in the Almond property were considered; along with other tourism projects like the Pierhead marina and acquisition of the Sam L o r d ’s p r o p e r t y, restructuring of the sugar i n d u s t r y, a n d t h e We s t Coast sewerage project. He said, unlike shortterm borrowing to finance day-to-day operations, on which the recent raising of the Treasury Bills limit was based, this was the type of debt one would want to incur for the country’s overall development.
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Biden ‘confident’ relations with Brazil can be repaired BRASILIA (Reuters) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said yesterday he was confident relations with Brazil were on the road to recovery after he assured President Dilma Rousseff that Washington has changed the way it conducts electronic surveillance. U.S.-Brazil relations have been largely on ice since documents leaked last year by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden showed that Washington had spied on Rousseff and other world leaders. A day after watching the U.S. soccer team’s victorious debut in the World Cup in the northeastern Brazilian city of Natal, Biden traveled to the capital to meet with Rousseff in hopes of turning the page on the espionage spat. Biden said he and Rousseff had a “candid” talk about the episode and Internet surveillance, and that he was “confident” the hourlong discussion would help thaw relations between the hemisphere’s two biggest economies.
“We discussed the common effort we have to protect and secure the Internet,” Biden said in a statement. “It is not a government tool of repression. It is owned by the people of the world.” Biden also handed Brazilian authorities a first batch of declassified U.S. documents that shed light on human rights abuses committed under Brazil’s U.S.backed 1964-85 military dictatorship, a gesture of particular interest t o Rousseff, who was a political prisoner and a torture victim. “I hope that in taking steps to come to grips with our past we can find a way to focus on the immense promise of the future,” Biden said. “The sky is the limit to what we can achieve together.” Rousseff, who canceled a state visit to Washington last year in response to the espionage scandal, has indicated she is ready to move on from the spat. That could unlock faster progress on trade, offshore oil
development and other longelusive cooperative ventures between the two countries. Earlier this month, Rousseff told reporters she was eager to reschedule her Washington trip, but only if she gets a “strong signal that (spying) won’t be repeated”. In response to the uproar over NSA spying in Brazil, Germany and elsewhere, President Barack Obama said in January that the United States would no longer spy on heads of state of allied countries. U.S. officials hope that face-to-face assurances from a leader for whom Rousseff has respect will be enough to turn the page on the spying scandal. Warmer ties could spell gains for both countries. Brazil’s economy is Latin America’s biggest, but also one of its most closed to trade, and U.S. companies have tried for years to persuade Brasilia to lower tariffs. Brazil wants U.S. companies to drill for its offshore oil deposits and help with technology to gain
access to potentially vast shale gas reserves. The spat cost Boeing Co a $4 billion fighter jet contract with Brazil’s air force. Boeing had been the front-runner but the contract went to Sweden
in December. Brazilian officials said they could not buy military hardware from a country they did not trust. Initiatives dear to business leaders in both nations have also been on
hold, including a treaty to avoid double taxation, the fast-tracking of U.S. visas for executives, and regular meetings between corporate chief executives of both countries.
Barbados government promises to pay Shanique Myrie this week BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Eight months after the Trinidadbased Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled in favour of a Jamaican woman who successfully challenged the Barbados government, Bridgetown says it will this week make the payment of compensation awarded to her. Shanique Myrie had been denied entry into that country in 2011, and the CCJ had in October last year awarded her pecuniary damages in the sum of BDS$2,240 (One BDS dollar =US$0.50 cents) and nonpecuniary damages to the tune of BDS$75,000. Last week, Myrie threatened to file a claim before the CCJ in order to get
Barbados to comply with the ruling. But Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, said the payment will be made this week “once the money is released from the Treasury. “I’ve committed that I will speak to the Central Bank and have the money remitted to her attorney’s account, and my word is my bond. It will be done this week.” “We’ve never had any intention of not abiding by the court’s judgment. We’ve signed on to the CCJ and I’m in full support of the CCJ,” Brathwaite told radio listeners on Monday. But, in an immediate reaction to Brathwaite’s commitment, Myrie’s
attorney, Michelle Browne, was skeptical, saying that she has not received any word from the Barbados authorities. “We have had a promise that she would be paid by a particular deadline, and she has not been paid any money yet,” Browne told local media as she reflected on experiences since the court award was made. Last week, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister AJ Nicholson told the Senate that the ball was in Myrie’s court to lodge a complaint to the CCJ about Barbados’ lack of compliance despite a promise by the country’s Prime Minister Freundel Stuart three months ago that payment would be made.
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UG Sports Council wants BCB congratulates Leon Johnson on elevation to the WI Test team meeting with basketballers today The President and Executive of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) have congratulated Guyana Captain and middle order batsman Leon Johnson on his recent selection to the West Indies Senior Test team. In a statement, the Board said, it was always confident that it was just a matter of time that Johnson would have made the senior Test team following his One Day debut a few years ago. The BCB said that the Board follows the
career of all cricketers from the junior level and was always impressed with the attitude and commitment shown by Johnson. The only thing that might be lacking in J o h n s o n ’s c r i c k e t w a s consistency in his batting, something that he overcame recently. He is also a decent leg spinner. The Board encourages Johnson to not only be in the team but to perform well enough to remain in the team and enjoy a remarkable career. All the
young players will be watching Johnson and he can provide the inspiration for others. Apart from Chanderpaul and Sarwan not many other Guyanese players have been able to maintain their place in the West Indies Senior team for a long period of time. It is our hope that Johnson will and others will follow. The Board said that the cupboard is not empty and with proper administration, cricket in Guyana will rise again.
Wednesday June 18, 2014 ARIES (March 21 April 19): Others, particularly family members, might be rather quiet today. It could seem as if everyone is running around like crazy but not sharing what's on their minds. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 May 20): Communication, particularly with family members and romantic partners, could take place more subtly t h a n v e r b a l l y t o d a y. N o n e t h e l e s s , Ta u r u s , you'll sense strong love and support from e one. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Today you should be feeling especially intuitive, particularly where family members are concerned, Gemini. It certainly won't be easy for anyone to lie to you. ******************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): A group you're affiliated with could meet today, perhaps in your neighborhood, Cancer. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): A small gathering, perhaps in your home, could bring up the subject of the world economy and what it's going to mean to individuals. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): Today you might receive a visit or phone call from a friend you haven't seen for a while. An intense and emotional conversation could follow, Virgo. Stimulating news could have you preoccupied for a while. Spiritual activities could also take up much of your time.
.LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): You generally enjoy philosophy, metaphysics, and other forms of higher thought, Libra, but today you could find yourself almost obsessive about them. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 N o v. 2 1 ): Social events, perhaps involving a group you're affiliated with, could involve discussions of some deep subjects, such as philosophy, metaphysics, science - or all three. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Today you might decide to help someone with repairs or decorating in their home or perhaps a church or school. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): An engagement with a current or potential romantic partner could involve a lot of communication on a subtle level, enjoying each other's company while not saying much. You're likely to feel especially passionate today, Capricorn. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): You shouldn't work as hard as you do. You might have a lot of energy, but your body needs to rest from time to time. There is more to life than work. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): Social events in your neighborhood could focus on families, with everyone bringing their children. You might spend time telling stories today. Someone with whom you're in contact could be dealing with some powerful emotional issues and not want company.
The Sports Council of the University of Guyana (UG) is summoning all basketball players present and aspiring to an emergency Meeting today, at the Transport Sports Club on Thomas Road. According to Sports Co-ordinator Lavern Fraser the aim of the Meeting is to discuss the University’s participation in upcoming regional and international competitions as well as plan preparations to participate in those tournaments. The Meeting is scheduled to commence at 17:00hrs and all present and aspiring basketballers are asked to attend.
Rafman Ali softball tourney
Chinapen century hands Trophy Stall B huge win By Zaheer Mohamed An attacking century by Latchman Chinapen handed Trophy Stall B a 35-run victory over Amrol and Sons when the Rafman Ali softball tournament continued on Sunday. Playing at Everest in the Open category, Chinapen and fellow opener Chris Sukram laid the foundation for a challenging total with a first wicket stand of 83 before Sukram was dismissed for 28. Chinapen cracked seven fours and twelve sixes in scoring 110 while Pooran John chipped in with 24 as Trophy Stall B posted 205-7 off their allotted 15 overs, batting first. Navindra Kublall claimed 3-28. Amrol and Sons threatened somewhat before they were bowled out for 170 in 14.5 overs in response. Kennard George top scored with 62 (3x4 8x6) and Wazim Sundar made 41 (6x6). Trophy Stall B overcame Farm by four wickets in their match up. Farm took first strike and were restricted for 99-9 after the game was reduced to 12 overs due to a late start. Avinash Rooplall scored 32; Vishnu Gewan snared 3-15 and Pooran John 3-18. Trophy Stall B responded with 100-6 in 10.5 overs. Chinapen made 35 as Patrick Khan captured 4-16. Amrol and Sons gained a walk over from Accomplishments. Farm beat Jaguars by nine wickets in another match. Jaguar took first turn at the crease and were bowled out for 101 in 13 overs. Patrick Khan grabbed 3-20 and Ravindra Sarabjeet 2-28. Farm replied with 103-1 in 10.1 overs. Ameer Khan smashed 61 (4x4 5x6) and Wazim Yusuf 25. In the Over-40 division, Park Rangers got the better of Uitvlugt by 115 runs. Park Rangers managed 197-8 off their allocation of 20 overs, taking first knock. Danny Mohanram slammed 68 as Ravi Narine picked up 3-45. Uitvlugt were sent packing for 82 in 14.1 overs in reply. Greg De Franca grabbed 4-21 and Dharam Persaud 2-18.
Parika Defenders went down to Frontline by seven wickets. Parika Defenders scored 171-5 in 20 overs, batting first. Kabesh Persaud top scored with 59, while Hakim Mohamed made 28 and Kenrick Persaud 18. Frontline reached their target in 19.5 overs ending on 174-3. Ramo Malone led with 89, while Patrick Khan contributed 24 and Dennis Mangroo 21. At Better Hope, KK Warrior thumped Grand Coastal by seven wickets. Grand Coastal were sent packing for 83 in 11.1 overs. S. Seeraj captured 3-27, K. Chung 2-22 and K. Singh 226. KK Warriors responded with 87-3 in 7.3 overs with Seeraj scoring 30 not out. KK Warriors were again in winners’ lane when they thumped Friendship by 129 runs. Chris Deonarine top
Latchman Chinapen
scored with 54 and got support from N. Khan 51 as KK Warriors scored 199 all out in 15 overs, batting first. A. Ramnarine took 3-45. Friendship were skittled for 70 in reply. K. Singh picked up 4-20, N. Khan 3-21 and k. Chung 2-11.
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Imran Khan wins Scotiabank golf tournament
Top performers at the just concluded Scotiabank Golf tournament along with club and bank officials take time out for a photo after the event. Imran Khan took the first prize with a net 67 score in last Saturday’s Scotiabank Golf tournament which saw the bank donate $325,000 to the top three golfers which will be donated to charities of their choice. The tournament, of such generous contributions from a partner of 17 years with the Lusignan Golf Club, attracted 55 golfers. Khan has now won this tournament 3 times, first in 1999, 2008, and now in 2014, making him the keeper of the
lien trophy. Second placed Haresh Tiwari edged out Roy Cummings after having a better last nine holes with a net 68, fourth place went to Dr. Philbert London who ended the day on net 69. Best Gross also went to Imran Khan for a superb 76; closest to the pin was new comer Andrew Budhan, Longest putt was awarded to Dave Mohamad. Best Female player of the day was Joaan Deo. President of the Lusignan Golf Club Dave Mohamad
expressed gratitude to the sponsor for such a wonderful tournament and for the long term commitment to the club. “Giving back to the less fortunate is always a good gesture and doing so through the sport is even better, we hope to see more of this in the future not only in golf but sports in general.” He also said he was very thankful for senior officials from the bank being present for the event. Natasha Hamilton Senior
Manager for Commercial Banking, said, she was very pleased with the turnout and support for the tournament with 50 plus golfers competing. Miss Hamilton also stated that she and Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani, who was also present, will be ready to take part in the next tournament. On this weekend is a Club tournament with prizes up for grabs while t h e Wa r s t i l a s p o n s o r e d competition is set for the following weekend.
Crash Water escape elimination, Annai United females suffer shock defeat Crash Water escaped elimination with a clinical 4-1 thrashing of Wowetta Premier Conquerors as the North Rupununi first division football championship continued at the Rupertee Sports Ground. A helmet-trick from Shivraj Lall (12, 56, 60, 78) spearheaded a determined Crash Water display as they trounced a lackluster Wowetta Premier Conquerors team which now faces elimination with two defeats in two matches with two more games still to play. Wowetta’s lone goal came off the boot of Orien Francis in the 65th minute. In the only female match of the day, Three Hills defeated Annai United 1-0 compliments of a 2nd minute goal by Murisa Va n l o n g . A n n a i U n i t e d tried valiantly to equalize but the experienced Three Hills back four defended stoutly to ensure that the home team opened their campaign on a winning note. Despite the defeat, A nnai United have still qualified for the semifinals and will await the results of the other female preliminary matches to know who they will be playing in the semis. The feature match between home male team
Three Hills and Kwatamang lived up to the hype and expectation as a cagey and closely fought encounter ended in a 1-1 draw. Garville Daniels opened the scoring for Three Hills in the 4th minute against the run of play, much to the delight of the huge home crowd, but Kwatamang equalized in the 27th minute courtesy of a penalty by Kensman Cambridge after he was brought down in the box. Despite some clear cut chances from both teams in the second half, neither of the teams was able to break the deadlock at the final whistle. The action continues at Aranaputa Sports Ground on Saturday from 09:30hrs with Annai United males taking on Net Rockers in a crucial match for both teams. Net Rockers and Bina Hill Institute female teams will try to pick up their first points of the tournament after both sides lost their opening games respectively. Crashwater will have their backs against the wall as they try and pull off an upset against defending champions Surama F.C. from 13:30hrs after which home team Basin FC will face Splashing Stars from 15:30hrs.
Amral and Sons humble Challengers by 45 runs Amral and Sons defeated Challengers by 45 runs to win the final of the Trophy Stall 15 overs softball tournament played on Friday night last at Thirst Park. Led by Wazir Hussain 52 (4x4,6x6), Richard Latiff 49 (3x4,4x6), Amit Kublall 44 (1x4,6x6) and Navindra Kublall 22 (3x4,1x6), Amral and Sons posted 227-4 off their allotted 15 overs,
batting first. Challengers threatened before they were bowled out for 182 in 14 overs in reply. Seekumar Boodram was their leading batsman with 45, Balram Boodram made 40; David George bagged 5-21 and Wazim Sundar 2-32. Hussain was given the man of the match and best batsman awards and George collected the best bowler prize. Both teams took home a trophy
each. In the over-35 segment, Frontline overcame Superstar by six wickets. Superstar managed 119 all out in 17.3 overs, batting first. Deodat Hemraj scored 32 and Kumar Seedyal 27. Mohamed Rafeek grabbed 5-8 off three overs. Frontline responded with 120-4 in 13.2 overs. Kapildev Singh slammed 64 and Rafeek 35. Jagdesh
Persaud snared 3-27. Rafeek took the man of the match and best bowler prizes, Singh the best batsman accolade while both teams received trophies. Meanwhile, Challengers defeated Speed Boat by 23 runs to capture the Trophy Stall inter-corporation eight overs softball title recently at the said venue. Batting first, Challengers managed 99-8 in eight overs with Anand Dindyal top scoring with 28 (1x4,3x6) while Raj Premraj cracked 26 (1x4,3x6). The pair came together after Challengers lost a few early wickets and added 54 for the fourth wicket to stead their innings. Greg Singh grabbed 2-23. Speed Boat who drew the bye to the final were restricted for 78-7 in eight overs in reply. Wazir Hussain gave them hope with a brisk 35 (5x4, 2x6), but the rest of the batting failed to offer support as Ravindra Ramnauth captured 2-11. Challengers overcame Stockfeeds by 46 runs in the lone semi final encounter.
Mohamed Rafeek displays his prizes.
Challengers posted 134-5 in eight overs after taking first strike. Ravi Ramnauth stroked 40 (1x4,5x6) and Seekumar Boodram scored 24 (4x6). Stockfeeds were bowled out for 88 in seven overs in reply.
Kelvin Olford snared 3-15 and Ravindra Ramnauth 2-20. Challengers collected the wining trophy while Speed Boat took the runner up prize. Dindial was given the man of the match award.
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Braithwaite and Bravo slam tons as Windies take control against New Zealand By Sean Devers in Trinidad in association with Digicel, Stag Beer,John Fernandes Ltd & Cascadia Hotel There was a much larger gathering than on the opening day at the Queens Park Oval yesterday but this was mainly due to installation of several large Television sets in the stands to broadcast the 2014 World Cup Football live from Brazil. Fans were treated to exciting Football on TV and entertaining batting as the young guns fired for West Indies to spark memories of glory days when batsmen like Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Gomes and Lloyd regularly pounded opposition bowlers into the ground. The Bajan pair of Kraigg Braithwaite (129) and Kirk Edwards (55) put together 93 for the third wicket before the 25-year-old Darren Bravo, in danger of losing his place in the side, fashioned a high class 109 and shared a century stand with the 21year-old Braithwaite to put the West Indies, who enjoy a lead of 89 with five wickets in hand, in firm control going in today’s third day. By the end of the day’s play, which was extended due to a rain, the home team reached an imposing 310-5 in reply to New Zealand’s 221 when day two of the second Test against New Zealand ended yesterday in Port-ofSpain with the team’s most experienced batsman Shiv Chanderpaul (4*) and night watchman Kemar Roach (0*) at the crease. This was Bravo’s ninth Test hundred and first in the Caribbean while Braithwaite finally got his maiden ton at this level. The 182 partnership between the two failed to surpass the record third wicket stand against New
Zealand by West Indies of 221 between Brian Lara and James Adams at Wellington in 1995 but it was a joy to watch as the Black Caps toiled all day. West Indies resumed the day on 6-1, on a track which was slightly faster yesterday and progressed to 16 before Tim Southee struck. Night watchman Benn was given out LBW to Southee but the review proved the Umpire wrong and the left-hander responded with a batsmanlike cover drive for four to get him off the mark. However, Southee got his revenge in the next over when Benn (4) was bowled off his pads. Edwards joined Braithwaite and was quickly into his stride on an outfield which was cut yesterday morning. Edwards crashed Trent Boult for four and dumped off-spinner Mark Craig back over his head for six while Brathwaite rarely took any risks and was content to play the supporting role to Edwards. Braithwaite used the pace of the bowler to his advantage and neatly clipped Southee off his pads for four when the pacer strayed on his legs, to post the 50 in 21 overs. Edwards got on top of two short balls from Jimmy Neesham and pounded them for fours while Braithwaite used his feet to Craig when he flighted to gather successive boundaries over mid-wicket as the 50 partnership was posted. Edwards chipped into Craig and his mishit just cleared the head of mid-on, on its way to the boundary. He again used his feet to disdainfully deposit the spinner onto the sightscreen two balls later. Edwards ‘back-drove’ Neesham majestically
through extra cover and audaciously dumped Craig, who seemed to be targeted for rough treatment, into the stands and batting was looking increasingly easier. Edwards’ seventh four provided the 29-year-old with his seventh Test fifty but when leg-spinner Ish Sodhi replaced Craig, Edwards pushed forward to one that spun and edged a catch to the keeper at 109-3. His entertaining 55 lasted 64 balls and 84 minutes and was decorated with seven fours and three sixes. Bravo got going with two delightful boundaries off Sodhi which were absolutely mouth-watering and one could not help but think of batting Maestro Brian Charles Lara. Braithwaite looked very organized and positive yesterday and by lunch had progressed to 48 from 96 balls with Bravo unbeaten on 10 and the hosts on 124-3. The West Indies had added 118 runs and lost two wickets in 27 overs in a session the home team, who last won a Test match in March last year when they beat Zimbabwe in Dominica, completely dominated. After Lunch, Bravo backed away and elegantly punched Sodhi for four before Braithwaite reached his fifth Test fifty with his sixth four and the slim right-hander was set for a big score. A sharp shower sent the players scurrying off the ground 17 minutes after lunch and after a delay of 63 minutes play resumed in overcast conditions and the post Lunch session was extended by an hour with Tea being taken at 16:00hrs. Braithwaite continued to play in a workman-like manner while Bravo, who scored a
GCA sends condolences to the family of the late Mendonca The Executive and Members of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) have extended their deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends of the late Ivor Mendonca. A release from the GCA stated that Mendonca, a former Guyana and West Indies wicket-keeper/ batsman, will always be remembered for the excellent work he did with the young players in the Georgetown area especially at the Georgetown Cricket Club where he served as Coach and
Team Manager. The young cricketers who were fortunate to be involved with him will always remember the word discipline which was his watchword. Mendonca will surely be missed around the cricketing circles and the GCA recognizes that his death has left a void that will be very difficult to fill.
Mendonca died on Saturday last after suffering cancer of the Larynx and Prostate. He was born on July 13, 1934 in Bartica, Essequibo. The right handed batsman appeared in two Test matches against India in the 1961-62 series. He scored 78 in his first game and took four catches while effecting one stumping.
double century the last time West Indies opposed New Zealand in New Zealand found his best form of the series. Although beaten on a few occasions outside off stump by the pacers, the fourth wicket stand flourished with Braithwaite passing his previous best at this level of 68 and Bravo reaching his ninth fifty from 82 balls with eight fours. By Tea the partnership was exactly 100 with Braithwaite on 85 and Bravo on 58. After Tea, the Kiwi bowlers failed to reproduce the heroics of Jermaine Taylor who took 3-19 from six overs
in the final session on Monday. Bravo thumped Sodhi for three sixes and a four in successive overs while Braithwaite dabbed Southee for four to move to 97 before he reached his maiden Test ton from 281 minutes, 199 balls with 11 fours. Bravo majestically drove Neesham for four to produce the shot of the day and flicked Craig to the fine leg boundary to move to 99. He then pushed for a single to post his century from 170 minutes, 128 balls with 11 fours and three sixes. The emotional Bravo, with his father watching from the
stands, then dropped his bat and raced to the boundary to acknowledge his fans with a Football-like celebration. Bravo was then removed by part timer Kane Williamson at 291-4 to bring Chanderpaul to the crease to join Braithwaite who was caught and bowled by Boult (2-30) after facing 258 balls and batting for 371 minutes with 13 fours. The new ball was taken just before the close and in fading light, Chanderpaul and Roach, the second night watchman in the innings, survived to the end when bad light stopped play at 18:15hrs.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
Dries Mertens and Marouane Fellaini come off the bench to secure victory for Marc Wilmots’ side Goals from Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens saw Belgium come from behind to beat Algeria in their World Cup Group H opener in Belo Horizonte. The north African side took a shock lead when Sofiane Feghouli scored from the spot after being fouled by Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen. Manchester United’s Fellaini, a second-half substitute, equalised with a looping header shortly after coming on. And Mertens scored the winner when he finished off a swift counterattack. The 80th-minute strike prompted an eruption of relief from the Belgium bench, not least from coach Marc Wilmots, who had spent most of the match looking understandably pensive. His side had 65% possession but for most of the game found it difficult to penetrate an Algeria defence marshalled by former Rangers centre-half Madjid Bougherra. The European side, the seeded team in the group and widely tipped to do well in Brazil after an impressive qualifying campaign, fielded an imposing starting XI, with the Chelsea pair of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku in attack, while Spurs’ Mousa Dembele and former Chelsea man Kevin de Bruyne sat in midfield. Pre-tournament fifth favourites with some bookmakers, they looked anything but for 69 minutes.
They were rocked in the 24th minute when forward Feghouli was hauled down by Vertonghen in the area as he aimed to convert Faouzi Ghoulam’s cross. The Valencia player recovered to sidefoot a tame penalty past another Blues player Thibaut Courtois, who dived the wrong way. That was Algeria’s first World Cup goal since 1986 - 506 minutes of football. Belgium’s best early chances were from long distance and fell to Zenit St Petersburg’s Axel Witsel, who had two efforts saved before failing to convert a header. The pattern changed with the Belgium substitutions. First to test the goal was 19-yearold Lille striker Divock Origi, who forced a brilliant low save from Rais Mbolhi. Gaps began to grow in a tiring Algeria defence, and a fresh Fellaini took advantage of that when he outmuscled marker Carl Medjani and flicked his effort beyond the reach of Mbolhi. The winner came from a move that showed off Belgium’s attack at its best. De Bruyne tackled Feghouli in his own half and when the ball found its way to Hazard on the left, the PFA young player of the year sped down the wing and fed Mertens, who slammed his shot high into the net. Belgium almost grabbed a third through Fellaini, but Mbolhi produced another good save from point-blank range. Belgium coach Marc
Wilmots: “It was a tough match but we were patient throughout and at the end we were rewarded. “We stayed calm after doing a small mistake in the first half. We got a new momentum. We saw that Algeria were getting more and more tired. At half-time people were a bit down, but I said ‘don’t worry, we will score and we will change totally the match’.” Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic: “It’s a major disappointment. I would have liked to have a couple of tougher and more resilient players to resist their attacks but I don’t have much of a choice. “We missed a great opportunity here. But in the second half it was a bit tough. We left too much space to the Belgian team and the two goals scored against us were to be expected.” Russia 1 South Korea 1 Former England coach Fabio Capello saw his Russia side come from behind to draw with South Korea thanks to an equaliser from Aleksandr Kerzhakov. The substitute, 31, drove the ball home to join Vladimir Beschastnykh as Russia’s top scorer with 26 goals. South Korea had led through a long-range shot from Lee Keun-ho in the 68thminute which squirmed through the hands of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. But Kerzhakov rescued a point after a shot from Alan Dzagoev had been saved.
Marouane Fellaini (centre) headed home to equalise for the Red Devils
Goalkeeper heroics deny hosts Brazil Brazil produced an unconvincing display at Estadio Castelao as Mexico held them to a goalless draw to leave the hosts needing to win their final group game to be sure of their place in the last 16. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side were again well short of their best in a cauldron of an atmosphere in Fortaleza. Neymar and captain Thiago Silva had the best of Brazil’s chances but were denied by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who was excellent throughout.
Mexico more than held their own, testing home keeper Julio Cesar through substitute Raul Jiminez and peppering his goal in a breathless second half. The result leaves both sides with a chance of topping Group A. Brazil face Cameroon in Brasilia in their final match, while Mexico must beat Croatia to be sure of their place in the knockout stages. This was a game in which the hosts’ alarming reliance on the brilliance of Neymar and Oscar was exposed, once again. Fred failed to appease his critics with a toothless display in attack, while Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo lacked imagination in a midfield battle they lost to Mexico. It is not the first time Brazil have struggled against Mexico - no team has beaten them more often in the 21st century - and they were fortunate not to endure a repeat of their last home defeat, which took place here in Fortaleza in 2002. Neymar, the tournament’s poster boy, was in the thick of the action from the off, dancing away from Mexico defenders, and drawing foul after foul in a breathless opening. As Brazil found a measure of control, Fred and then Paulinho found themselves in good positions but failed to capitalise. And it was Neymar, who else, who had the best of the early chances, rising high at the back post to head Dani Alves’ cross powerfully towards goal. Ochoa saved Mexico, not for the last time, throwing himself to his right to tip the ball to safety.
He made another vital save with half-time approaching, spreading himself to smother a closerange stab by Paulinho, after Silva chested on a free-kick. But Mexico gave every bit as good as they got. Oribe Peralta led wave after wave of Mexico attacks, but it was Hector Herrera and Vazquez who went closest before the interval with piercing shots from distance, one of which Cesar tipped over, while the other whistled just wide. Though Brazil remained short of their fluent best, the introduction of Bernard for Ramires at halftime added zip to their attack. Within a minute, the diminutive winger was racing onto an Alves pass and sending the ball across goal, where Mexico defender Francisco Rodriguez prevented Neymar heading home w i t h a vital intervention. Neymar curled a free-kick wide and went closer still as he chested down Bernard’s cross and drilled a fierce low shot at goal, only for Ochoa to deny him once more. Former Manchester City striker Jo, on as a substitute, dragged a shot wide as Brazil became increasingly desperate for a goal. Mexico, however, had other ideas. Andres Guardado fizzed a shot just over Cesar’s crossbar, while the Brazil goalkeeper had to react quickly to turn away a thunderous low shot from substitute Jiminez. Mexico finished the game with purpose and belief. Brazil must do better.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
GOA/GBA DISCOVER Open tourney for this weekend, entries close on Friday The Guyana Badminton Association in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is set to host the DISCOVER Open Badminton tournament this Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. This tournament forms part of the GOA’s list of annual activities for the Olympic season. Serve off time is 13:00hrs on Saturday at Queen’s College Courts. Participants will contest the men’s and ladies singles as well as the men’s, ladies and mixed doubles categories. Since this is an Open tournament, selected junior players will be afforded the o p p o r t u n i t y t o p l a y, depending on their levels. The GBA is anticipating a large turnout of players
despite a number of players being involved in end of term tests. Entries will close on Friday at 18:00hrs. Anyone wishing further details can contact GBA President, Gokarn Ramdhani.
Persaud to lead Berbice in GCB Inter County U-17 tourney Brandon Persaud has been chosen as captain of Berbice in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter County Under-17 50-over tournament which commences today. The team includes the talented Adrian Sukwah, Kevin Sinclair, Steve Deonarine and Asif Ally. Berbice’s first game is against defending champions Essequibo tomorrow at Wales while today’s opening fixture pits
Demerara against Essequibo at Enmore. The full squad reads; Brandon Persaud (Captain), Adrian Sukwah, Ritesh Omroa, Randy Wade, Kevin Sinclair, Steve Deonarine, Devindra Chatterpaul, Jaleel Jafar, A s i f A l l y, N i c h o l a s Seenarine, Sylus Tyndell, D e o n S i n c l a i r, R a n d y Singh and Rameshwar Somwaru. The Manager is Leslie Soloman and the Coach is Julian Moore.
Ramnauth Seven-a-side softball set for June 22 at Lusignan Shahendra Ramnauth seven-a-side softball competition will be played this Sunday, June 22 at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara. Entrance fee is $4,000
and registration will be done from 09:30hrs also on Sunday. The winning and runnerup teams, man-of-the-match in the final, best bowler and batsman will all receive prizes.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
NACRA eases GRFU Registration closes today for burden significantly Olympic Day Jog/Walk, Team Run - Just over $2million more needed With the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) confirming its intention to absorb a sizeable chunk of the estimated $8million budgeted to get the regional champions to Atlanta, USA to take on USA South for the overall NACRA title, the act has made the work of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) to solicit funding for the trip much easier. The GRFU during a Press briefing on Monday at the Guyana Olympic Association Head Office on High Street, Kingston had revealed to the media that a total cost in the vicinity of $8 million was required to get the team to the USA and because the Union financial coffers was in the ‘red’ the only hope for participation was if they received substantial assistance from the Government and the corporate sector, but as was eventually disclosed at the Briefing, Parent Body NACRA in communication with the Union authenticated its willingness to bear most of the cost associated with the team’s travel to the USA. Guyana won the right to face the USA South for the NACRA Men’s 15’s title after defeating Trinidad and Tobago 15-8 in the final of the Northern Zone at the National Park in Guyana,
President of the GRFU Peter Green (right) seen speaking at the Press Briefing on Monday in the presence of Executive member Mike McCormack. while the USA South beat the Cayman Islands 3430 to capture the Southern Zone crown. The Briefing had in attendance President of the Union Peter Green and executive members Mike McCormack and Roger Perreira. Green in his remarks gave an outline of the cost of sending the team to the USA, whole Perreira confirmed the assistance that being given by NACRA. Green when quizzed on where the balance will come from to complete the total cost to send the team said the Union going to solicit support from the Government and corporate community to ensure that the team gets to the USA. “Following our win over T&T, the confidence of the players is at a high.
Their training is intense and Guyana has jumped to number 53 on the International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings and we at the GRFU don’t intend to slow down as there is much more hurdles to cross. “We saw t h e G overnment assist powerlifting and basketball, to which I wish them all the best. However, rugby’s track record is tried and proven over the years and can be deemed elite, so we are in need of his help at this time,” Green said. However, with quite a few players needing visas to travel and the game fast approaching, Green said if the US Embassy cannot facilitate an early date for those without visas to get an interview, he will be asking NACRA and USA South to defer the date for the match to a later time.
Registration closes today at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Headquarters, High Street, Kingston for the International Olympic Day Annual Jog/Walk and 10km Team Run scheduled for Sunday beginning at 06:00hrs outside YMCA, Thomas Lands. According to a release, the Jog/Walk is not a race and
is open to all persons ten (10) years and older while entry is free. It further added that the 10km Team Run comprises of two (2) females and four (4) males and they must complete the course in order to obtain the points requisite for an award as a team. Each association/club/school can enter the maximum of two (2) teams. The prizes for the Team run are as follows: 1st
Prize: $60,000; 2nd Prize: $40,000 and 3rd Prize: $30,000. Participants in this event will receive a T-Shirt and an IOC Certificate. Completed Entry Forms should be returned to ‘Olympic House’, 76 High Street, Kingston, no later than 4pm today. No entry would be accepted for the team run, following the official closing date.
Pooranmall, Braithwaite and Francis replicate previous performance to win darts tourney When the top draughts players last convened for the Guyana Draughts Association (GDA) national tournament earlier this year, three players Khemraj Pooranmall, Mark Braithwaite and Michael Francis had ended the tournament in that order to
cart off the spoils. These three players excelled once again, occupying similar positions, when their parent body staged the second edition of the tournament Sunday June 14 last. The tournament was played utilizing the 100
square boards on a round robin basis. The third showdown is set for October and the GDA wishes to thank their benefactors for their co r p o r ate in p u t. Th ey include NALICO, NAFICO, John Fernandes Insurance Ltd and federal Management.
GCA congratulates Johnson The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has extended congratulations to Guyana Captain Leon Johnson on his elevation to the West Indies Test team for the series against New Zealand at Queens Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago. The Members of the GCA have long recognised Johnson’s ability and passion to reach the pinnacle of West Indies cricket and we would like to urge the Georgetown Cricket Club player to continue to be humble and strive for greater heights.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 18, 2014
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Fitting farewell as boxing judge, Garfield Clairmont DeSouza, laid to rest He had been a boxing judge and many fighters would have had their hands raised in victory after gaining the nod after hard fought battles while others would have left the ring feeling disappointed after Garfield Clairmont DeSouza would have ruled against them. On July 8 last, Clairmont suffered a similar fate when the grim reaper administered the final count after he was floored by the dreaded lymphoma disease and yesterday afternoon, President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, joined with several other executives of his organization, Trevor Arno, Francis Abraham, Andrew Thorne and Carlton Hopkinson along with family members of the deceased and bade a fond farewell to the boxing official who was later transported to his home v i l l a g e , B a c h e l o r ’s adventure, ECD where he was laid to rest. Several of DeSouza’s colleagues, all boxing judges, Francis Abraham, Tr e v o r A r n o , C a r l t o n
Hopkinson and Andrew Thorne, were also present at the ceremony which was conducted by Reverend Michael Perreira. Up to the time of his death, DeSouza served as the Treasurer of the GBBC and in his tribute, Abdool lauded his input saying that he could not have asked for a better finance official. Abdool chronicled DeSouza’s journey in the administrative structure of local professional boxing and said that the late Treasurer was committed to his task. “When we launched the Guyana Fight Night initiative it was imperative that we attract committed people and Clairmonte filled the role and acquitted himself admirably,” said Mr. Abdool. The GBBC President said that DeSouza has left a void that will be hard to f i l l . “ Yo u w i l l b e profoundly missed by the GBBC; travel well my friend; may God go with you!” concluded Abdool. DeSouza was employed for the better part of 20 years at Banks DIH Ltd as the Trisco Warehouse Manager and his colleague,
Peter Abdool (right) is joined by Andrew Thorne (left), Trevor Arno (2nd left), Francis Abraham (2nd right) and Carlton Hopkinson as they carry their colleague to the hearse.
Trevor Nero, praised his diligence while pointing out that he was committed to his job. “It was also admirable that despite his commitment to his job, Clairmonte was also a staunch family man. Notwithstanding, he dedicated himself to his job at times to the extent of sacrificing quality time with his family,” said Nero. D e S o u z a ’s s i s t e r,
Denise was filled with grief but still managed to eulogize her brother in glowing terms. She said that her brother lived a good life and has left many fond memories for his family to cherish. She noted that his wife, Margaret, has been a source of strength and remained committed to her brother’s care during his period of illness. She said
that despite her grief, she was comforted by the fact that her brother has served Christ during his earthly tenure and is gone to a better place. A stirring tribute was also delivered by a close friend, Arthur Taylor. One of Desouza’s son, Gavin, read a scripture from the book of John while another, Garfield, eulogized his dad in
glowing terms, at times amidst tears. He said that his dad has been his hero and has left an indelible mark in the lives of his children. He said that his dad loved sports to the extent that it was in his DNA. “This world is a better place because Clairmont Garfield DeSouza lived in it,” concluded Garfield. Reverend Perreira also delivered a stirring sermon and underlined the goodness of DeSouza. He said that the fallen boxing official was indeed a staunch disciple of God and he (Perreira) was assured that DeSouza was going to a better place. He closed with a word to the congregation, “None of us can tell when that time will come but may it find you ready,” he advised. The congregation also eulogized the fallen official with stirring hymns while Melissa Vandeyar and Kaycena Jardine paid tribute in songs. His daughter, Gailann also read from the scriptures. Clairmonte is survived by his wife, Margaret, three children, Garfield, Gail Ann and Gavin and one grandson.
Six matches on today in Digicel Schools Football Competition Despite the current football landscape being saturated with commentary and scenes from the World Cup in Brazil, the local scenario is beginning to be inundated with the excitement of the Digicel Schools Football Competition which continues today with six matches at
various venues. At Uitvlugt, Uitvlugt host Zeeburg in a Region 3 Zone clash, while Bladen Hall takes on Lancaster in a Region 4 Zone encounter, at the Victoria Community Centre ground on the East Coast of Demerara. At Timehri, Soesdyke and
Electra Institute square off in another Region 4 matchup at the Timehri Red ground, starting 15:30 hrs, while Wisburg engages Mackenzie High at home. In Georgetown, St. George’s fourth placed finishers in last year ’s tournament will open up
against Dolphin at the M i n i s try of Education ground, while at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, St. Mary’s and New Campbellville battle for a place in the next round. Defending champions Christianburg /Wismar Secondary, Xenon Academy
and Queenstown Secondary School have advanced to the next round following wins over Linden Foundation, Supply and Freeburg respectively. At stake in this year’s tournament is $1M for the winning school, while second, third and fourth placed
finishers receive $600, 000, $400,000 and $250,000. Regional winners will receive $100,000 to go towards a school project, while all teams making it to the quarterfinals, including players, coach and teacher will each pocket Smartphones compliments of Digicel.
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Braithwaite and Bravo slam tons as
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Windies take control against New Zealand
Darren Bravo elated Kraigg Braithwaite
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Ochoa clears the ball under pressure from Paulinho
Goalkeeper heroics deny hosts Brazil Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210