Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

The mistakes politicians make Rhetoric has long been part of the political landscape. Political parties and politicians make statements to appeal to their members and supporters as a means of enhancing whatever they wish to enhance. It could be that they wish to enhance their appearance or to promote some course of action to justify some action. It matters not that whatever the pursuit may be, it could be a failure. When there is a failure the politicians or the political party would seek to apportion blame elsewhere. Generally, the aim is to make the people feel that everything is alright with the political action, but that some outside force caused the problems. For example, in 1977 when Guyana was in the grips of a financial crisis, the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham announced a graduated wage and salaries increase over three years. Of course, unless production is at a premium, pay increases lead to inflation and Burnham knew this very well. There were the increases over the first two years but the economy could not sustain another pay increase so to avoid rampant inflation, Burnham did not pay the promised increase in the third year. Of course the workers were disappointed but Burnham was glib with the rhetoric. He spoke of seeking to construct a hydroelectric facility that would make the people earn more than the promised increase. Believe it or not, he got the people to accept that they would not be paid a further increase although to a man, the increase would have gone a long way to easing many an economic plight. But sometimes, it is not all well when projects fail. Under such conditions the best policy would be to take the people into confidence. Deputy Prime Minister the late Dr. Ptolemy Reid announced that the government had made a terrible mistake when it shut down the railway in Guyana. The then PNC government took this decision when oil prices were low and when transportation by road was so much cheaper. It turned out that soon after, oil prices went through the roof and what was considered an expensive proposition-rail travel-turned out to be so much cheaper. It also turned out that Guyana, the first South American country to establish a railroad, became the first to scrap its service. A lot has happened since then. A new government came to power just over two decades ago, and like any government, it made mistakes. There was the clean sweep of the foreign missions, causing Guyana to lose the contacts it had established on the diplomatic front. So clean was the sweep that Guyana struggled to gain seats on international bodies- like the United Nations. Perhaps the biggest mistake was the scrapping of the Guyana National Service. Of course, while it was in opposition, the PPP campaigned extensively against national service. When it came to office it opted to close the various national service centres, thus, denying young men who had not done well in the academic sphere a chance at developing themselves. Today, there are those in the society who are prepared to blame the absence of the National Service centres on the rise in violent crimes in Guyana. Young men with idle time now find something to do with their hands to the detriment of the wider society. Yet one is still to hear an admission of any wrongdoing. Today, people who chose politics over public service are being weeded out from the government service. Of course, this is a tradition that has come down through the ages. Politicians cannot be public servants; at least that is the view. The previous administration made use of its loyal supporters to fill certain vacancies. Needless to say, some of these people are being removed by the present administration. And the present administration is being accused of inserting its own political type. There are now accusations back and forth with one claiming that it is doing exactly what the other did.

Saturday June 20, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news

Accurate and timely information: One of the tenets of good governance DEAR EDITOR, One of the tenets of good governance is the timely delivery of accurate information that is generated from publicly-funded enterprises using tax payer money. The public delivery of such information will reduce the opportunities for corruption that is typically endemic in informationdeprived environments. Access to such information by the public will improve oversight and make enforcement through administrative committees and the courts more practical. Without such information in society, the process aimed at eliminating corruption will be an exercise in futility. Alternatively, accessing such information will change the dynamics in society, where performance indicators will enhance a deeper understanding of how society is changing over time; and it will ensure a framework for measuring government effectiveness. Useful examples of access to information are the Bank of Guyana quarterly and annual reports that capture the state, measurement and impact of money in the economy. These reports are on the Bank of Guyana website and all can access them. Another example is the annual release of the National Grade Six Assessment results which provide a wealth of information on student performance by region, by gender, and by public and private schools. Every citizen or parent with an interest in these results is informed and can make an assessment of what is emerging in education at the level of the young children in school. The release of the election results by GECOM on its website is another useful example of

publishing important information for public consumption. Can you imagine a situation where each Permanent Secretary or a General Manager/Managing Director of a government-owned business produces an annual report of the completed work of the Ministry or Corporation by the end of the first quarter in the New Year? Can you imagine the Auditor General at the end of the first quarter producing prior year audited reports by the end of the first quarter in the New Year? This would indeed be the beginning of effective accountability, transparency, and the professionalization of the public service. Above all, this would minimize rumour and reduce its destructive consequences in the society. Presently, we are far-removed from this type of accountability, given the current situation of the unavailability of the accounts for some agencies, such as the PetroCaribe, NICIL, the Amaila Falls road project, NCN, the Marriott, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), among many other agencies. In this type of environment, assessing progress and holding those in leadership positions accountable is almost an impossibility, as objective assessments would be difficult to organize. I would therefore argue that delivering accurate and timely information on how tax payer money is spent and how the public is served must be a priority of the new Guyana Government. Such information should be placed on a government website, showing what has been achieved or not achieved when tax payer money is disbursed. I would further argue that having Permanent Secretaries, the Auditor General and other General Managers completing annual reports as

part of their job responsibilities, together with these reports being debated in Parliament and examined by the press and public, will result in accurate information being available for decision-making and for policy integration within and across different sectors. This type of analysis is usually lacking in government work and therefore ‘bottlenecks’ are not uncommon events. For example, the production of sugar-cane that cannot be efficiently processed into sugar by the Skeldon plant is an interesting case. So too is rice production without rice markets; extending the runway at the airport without a prior soil test or without resolving the land tenure issue of residents; building the Marriott without sufficient funding or without resolving Court challenges. While I recognize that forensic audits are being undertaken in thirty agencies, it would be useful to have website access to GuySuCo annual reports, since more tax payer money has to be directed into this failed business, where the past Board and Management have not demonstrated professionalism, transparency and accountability. Also, the annual reports for each Ministry, agency and corporation should be released. Additionally, I ask through you, Editor, that the complete Guyana Census Report be released immediately, as it will provide an important insight into the evolving demographic changes that will impact the economy and society in many different ways. Let us end the information blackout. Let us give tax payers the information so that they can evaluate how their money is being spent, for too much of it has already been wasted. C. Kenrick Hunte

The PPP’s threat to boycott local govt. elections must be rejected by right-thinking members of this society DEAR EDITOR, The call by the PPP for Dr. Steve Surujbally to demit office as Chairman of GECOM is neither surprising nor shocking, for it speaks to the mindset of the leadership of this party who believes that it must be their way or no way. Surujbally was one of the names for Chairman recommended by the then Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte. He was appointed by the PPP President from among the lot. Every elections Surujbally supervised prior to 2015 the PPP won and was comfortable with him and the performance of GECOM, even when the AFC seat in Region Ten in the 2006 elections was given to them. Today when the PPP has lost the presidency and the parliament, the leadership is stridently seeking to make Surujbally the fall guy, ignoring the fact that the people’s power is at work. The recent threat by General Secretary Clement Rohee that the PPP will not participate in local government elections once Surujbally heads GECOM must be rejected by rightthinking members of this society,

including PPP supporters. The threat not to participate given the party’s groupthink outlook invariably means supporters and members will be called on to do likewise. Local government is another tier of government which puts the power into the hands of representatives in the villages, districts and towns to identity their leaders, develop programmes and implement them to meet their domestic needs. This aspect of shared government must no longer be denied. Good sense must prevail among the PPP leadership and the 200,000+ supporters who voted for the party on 11th May must demand an end be brought to them and their communities being used to further the agenda of a few self-serving leaders. Local and regional governments, when allowed to properly function and laws are put in place to strengthen these institutions, can realise the deepening of inclusionary democracy consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution. The PPP, the parties in APNU and the AFC must allow these tiers of government to function and their communities be given the opportunity

to identity and elect their leaders. PPP supporters are called on to agitate to the party leadership the threatened denial of the opportunity and right to participate and be involved in the decision-making processes in their communities. Not to participate in local government elections is first to deny members and supporters the right to be effectively represented at the local level and more so must be seen as a selfish act. For while the leaders are denying their own members and supporters the right to participate in making decisions in their communities, the said leadership is advancing arguments why they must be represented at a higher level. What is being represented by Rohee and others in the PPP leadership is that this issue is about them and their bruised egos, not about their supporters and those who voted for them and the wellbeing of their communities. 2015 must see growth in our politics and where national leaders fail to give the deserving leadership, supporters and members in the various communities must demand better from them. Lincoln Lewis

Saturday June 20, 2015

Kaieteur News

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

Wamara logs export as an Desecration of our home: Pope example of Customs fraud Francis speaks for the nature

DEAR EDITOR, The price range for exported wamara logs was reported as being between US$200 and $220 per cubic metre during January to March 2015 (FPDMC Market Export Report, April 2015, page 10). However the CIF import price for wamara logs into China was US$760 per cubic metre, as reported in the latest edition (19 (11) 1-15 June 2015) of the Tropical Timber Market Report of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). This difference of US$500 per cubic metre provides an indication of the scale of Customs fraud, which was estimated for Guyana at US$84 million in 2003, rising almost continuously to US$440 million in 2012. Around half of the illicit flows (US$1,464 million for 2003-2012) were attributed to export under-invoicing (Global Financial Integrity 2014). The transfer pricing in wamara log exports is a very good example of why forensic audits in the natural resources sector are urgently needed. Incidentally Guyana is also exporting fire ants to China, according to the same ITTO report: “Fire ants found at Fujian port Recently fire ants were found in Pau rosa [wamara] logs from Guyana for the first time

by the Fujian Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. The batch of Pau rosa logs was sealed after fumigation treatment to prevent ant infestation. The fire ants are found in tropical and subtropical areas of South America. They can be a serious problem for livestock. It has also been found that fire ants can damage power supply systems by biting cables.” The Ministry of Agriculture provides a phytosanitary inspection and fumigation service, and exporters should be showing the phytosanitary certificate when they apply to the Guyana Forestry Commission for an export certificate. So how would it be possible for log exporter BaiShanLin to be exporting infested logs? Surely it could not be because they have bypassed the phytosanitary service and the GFC and the GRA inspections prior to the sealing of the shipping container? Did not Minister Robert Persaud promise 100 per cent verification of all exports? (‘Forestry transfer pricing probe on – Commissioner Singh – Barama, Jialing to come under closer scrutiny’, Stabroek News 09 December 2006). Janette Bulkan

We need a homogenous blend of governance and management DEAR EDITOR, Governance typically embodies the overarching set of policies, procedures, rules and systems which set the tone and direction governing the modus operandi of organizations. Management, on the other hand, can be considered a sub-set or extension of governance, so that while they usually mirror and reinforce each other, that is not always the case; any dissonance on the part of the management cadre can and often does lead to the demise of the latter, simply because of the superior structural ‘power’ of the former. I n t e r e s t i n g l y, this ‘power’ is relatively e p h e m e r a l , i n t h a t the electorate can periodically dis-empower the politicians in the same way that shareholders in private sector companies can remove Directors of Boards. In contrast, the management cadre are typically subject-matter experts/career professionals enjoying relatively secure, permanent appointments based on what management

guru, Tom Paterson, calls “sapiential authority’ which is rooted in their professional expertise. Problems arise when the ‘politicos’ and the ‘professionals’ disrespect, transgress, usurp or undermine the respective roles of each other; worse still when the professional manager abandons his professionalism and curries the favour of the structural superior in pursuit of promotion, financial reward or in fear of victimization. These inevitably result in unprofessional conduct and ineffective management to the detriment of the nation or corporation or service as the case might be. The ideal situation is for those with structural authority, like politicians, to respect and be guided by the sapiential authority inherent in the role of the experts and professional managers; the resultant homogeneity can only redound to the good of the relevant corporations and our nation. Of course, implicit in the foregoing discussion is that the managerial positions are

populated with well-endowed professional staff … a perception that might not be altogether true; hence the need for a Human Resource Audit, concomitant reprofiling and any related staffing initiatives. Nowrang Persaud

DEAR EDITOR, This planet earth is our home away from our home. This home of ours is to be kept clean and liveable not only for ourselves but for the generations to come. The twelfth century St. Francis of Assisi acclaimed the planet and its entities as brother and sister. “Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures especially Brother Sun, who is beautiful and radiant splendour, Sister Moon and the stars, who are formed clear and precious and beautiful, Brother Wind, through air, cloudy and serene and every kind of weather, we get our sustenance for our living, Sister Water, which is useful and humble and precious and chaste, Brother Fire, from whom we get light and who is playful and robust and strong.” Has it ever crossed your mind this wonderful way of expressing our love for the nature? If we did not, I think we can think about it now and treat our natural brothers and sisters as we treat our own biological siblings. Pope Francis in his encyclical (letter) “Laudato Si” (Praise be to you) categorically warns the world, addressing our nature and its creatures including human

beings as sister. “This sister of ours cries out to us because we have inflicted harm on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will.” Pope Francis. Can we hear the groan of our sister nature which has been desecrated to the extent that we will be unable to live in our home nature because of the drastic climate change in the last few decades. It is significant to treat our nature as our own home. It is not fair to think the public land does not belong to me, hence, I can do whatever I like on that land. It is simple logic, as Pope says, if we consider nature and its creatures as our own family members, I am sure we

will be caring for it by keeping it spruce and healthy. This way we can be happy to get the utmost from the ecosystem. We need to upkeep our ecosystem because we are mutually dependable. The life cycle needs every creature and each one of us. Therefore, we have to keep our natural diversity alive by caring for it. Our nature home needs to keep clean just like our own home. We cannot live in the filth for a long time. By doing this we contribute significantly towards a healthy ecosystem. We have been trying our best in different ways to keep our nature alive by various means but as Pope says, we have to do some serious work and have a serious debate as to how we can control global climate change. Fr. Jerry Melwin Dias SJ Diocese of Georgetown

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US ad tech firm claims role Personnel Officer, in coalition’s May 11 victory senior staff sent home

US ad tech firm, El Toro claims role in coalition’s May 11 victory. A Louisville, Kentucky, US company claimed that it had a hand in defeating a 23year incumbent president in Guyana. El Toro LLC, a local advertising technology company, was hired to help with digital strategy to elect David Granger, a retired army chief, as the South American country’s new President in May. Though it’s not El Toro’s first political race, it is the first time the Louisville startup was hired for an international election, said Marty Meyer, Vice President of political campaigns and corporate outreach. El Toro has patented an algorithm that maps physical households with Internet addresses, allowing the company to precisely deliver online advertisements to specific IP addresses. (The company is featured as one of Louisville’s coolest office spaces in today’s weekly edition of Business First.) El Toro was hired by Brad Goodman, a political consultant for the Granger campaign, with whom the

company has previously worked on American elections. Meyer said that campaigns usually target undecided voters with mail pieces or door knockers. El Toro does the same thing, but the efforts were online. For the cost of a mailer, the company can deliver 40 to 50 times the information to a home. “We’re the only people on the planet right now that can deliver the digital with such granularity,” he said. Meyer said the race was a long shot because of the incumbent’s two-decade hold on the government. In addition, the media are government-controlled in Guyana, so the campaign had no access to advertise on TV or radio. Meyer said it’s the first time Guyanese people have seen political banner ads, which added a novel aspect to the campaign. With more than half of Guyanese using mobile devices, El Toro also incorporated Facebook

advertising and targeted mobile devices, according to a news release. “We implemented a multilayered campaign and delivered several million impressions to reach voters across the entire country,” Stacy Griggs, president and CEO of El Toro, said in the release. “President Granger and his team were very digitally savvy and knew that online outreach, especially to the youth of Guyana, would be critical to winning the election.” Mayer said about 30 percent of El Toro’s business is political elections. Last year, El Toro was contracted in 426 campaigns in the United States, and it helped win 82 percent of those elections. El Toro currently employs 15 at its offices in Distillery Commons. Recently, it opened a one-person Australian office in Melbourne, where David Harry, CEO of El Toro Asia Pacific, works. (bizjournals.com)

Gold Miner remanded on robbery under arms charge Nico Lane, an East Ruimveldt goldminer was yesterday remanded on two counts of armed robbery after he made his appearance before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

It was alleged that on June 12, last, the 20-year-old while armed with a pair of scissors robbed Ivelaw Hartman of one Nokia cellular phone worth $11,000 and $19,400 cash. On the second offence,

the defendant on May 6, at the said area, allegedly armed with a gun, robbed Shafeek Mohammad of one Digicel smart phone worth $39,300 and $26,000. The defendant who was not represented pleaded not guilty to both charges. The Prosecution however, made an objection to bail sighting the seriousness of the offence because of the alleged gun that was used in the matter, and he also said that several matters are currently being investigated that may implicate the defendant. He is scheduled to make his next appearance on June 29 for statements.

The release of two people from the Ministry of the Presidency, formally the Public Service Ministry, was done to facilitate an investigation into the suspicious transfer of state assets to private individuals, according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. He was discussing the release of the agency’s Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings and Joyann Taylor. “It is more than an allegation. It is on actions the Ministry has taken based on a report which was made to me as the Minister of State by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Public Service Mr Hydar Ally,” explained Harmon. Minister Harmon said that he received written correspondence from the Permanent Secretary concerning suspicions that the two employees were involved in fraud under the Ministry of Public Service. Minister Harmon said that he learnt that there were some documents that had been sent to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary under his letterhead but in effect, were signed by someone else. “He had no knowledge of this transaction,” said Minister

...as Ministry of Presidency probes sale of state assets Harmon. According to the Minister, Permanent Hydar Ally had directed him to the discrepancy in the paperwork and to the application to the GRA for the transfer of eight vehicles. He said that the signatures of Cummings and Taylor, were found on the receipts for the documentation, sale and transferral of said vehicles which were owned by the Ministry. Signatures for the payment for state assets, the Minister explained, were from former Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford; Gary Beaton, a close friend of the former Minister; WayneWalker; Delroy Lewis and Osbert McPherson. “(Ally) sent me a bundle of documents which included a document from GRA which showed that there was an application to transfer these vehicles that belonged to the state, to some private individuals. The bundle of documents also included receipts showing that these vehicles were sold to these individuals by the Ministry,” said the State Minister. Additionally, Minister

Harmon said that based on a preliminary investigation he conducted on a visit to the Public Service Ministry, he thought it important that police be called in to investigate the matter. He said that he asked that the two staff members involved in the matter to be “sent on leave immediately”. The documents, according to the Minister, have since been sent to the Assistant Police Commissioner, Wendell Blanum and that investigations have since commenced. Should those persons be found guilty, Minister Harmon said, the determination will have to be up to the police. He added that the transferral of 25 other vehicles is also under investigation. However, he said that those vehicles are the subject of another matter as the Government has received reports of many state-owned assets being transferred to private individuals. “In the second week of this administration I did make (Continued on page 24)

South Road, Grove slayings…

Former ‘killing squad’ ranks released, file to be sent to DPP Investigators have released the two police ranks and the ex-policeman that self-confessed hit man and informant, Lennox Wayne, has implicated in the killing of five civilians. But a file is to be sent “very soon” to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to ascertain whether charges could be leveled on the trio. The ranks were taken into custody on Thursday, after investigators arranged a confrontation between the trio and Wayne, also called ‘Two Colours’, at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. During the arranged confrontation, Wayne reportedly repeated his claims that the ranks had shot and killed five unarmed civilians in October and in December 2009, while claiming that the men were robbery suspects who were slain during shootouts. In turn, the ranks reportedly stuck to their story that the men were robbery suspects who had shot at

Lennox Wayne, called ‘Two Colours’ them. On October 12, 2013, cousins Jermaine Canterbury, 21, Mark Anthony Joseph, called ‘Two Grand’, 19, and Romario Gouveia, 19, all residents of Albouystown, were slain during what police said was a shootout near the K&VC Hotel in South Road. On December 7, 2013, Paul Bascom, a resident of Diamond Housing Scheme,

Alberto Grant, 28, called Alberto Mustapha and Mukie, of Lot 299 Meadow Brook Gardens, were killed during an alleged 20-minute shootout with police at a Grove, East Bank Demerara residence. Wayne has claimed that he was present when the South Road trio was shot, and it was he who had informed the ranks that the suspects were planning a robbery. But he also claimed that he had no idea that the suspects would have been executed. He claimed that some of the suspects were mowed down even as they had their hands raised in surrender. He said that one of the ranks brought a .38 revolver in a haversack to the scene of the ‘shootout’. The police reportedly later claimed that this weapon was retrieved after the ‘shootout.’ At present, Wayne is on remand, having been charged for the July 2014 murder of Lusignan Cosmetologist, Ashmini Harriram.

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Anti-money laundering Bill, others for Thursday’s House sitting By Abena Rockcliffe Sending a signal that it means business, the government has given the Clerk of the National Assembly notice of five Bills that it wishes to pass in the National Assembly. Those Bills have already made their way to the Order Paper for Thursday’s sitting. Most of the Bills that are set to be tabled were passed in the Tenth Parliament but were not assented to by former President, Donald Ramotar. These include the Constitution (amendment) Bill, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (amendment) Bill 2015, the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2015, the Fiscal Management and Accountability (amendment) Bill 2015- and the Local Government (amendment) Bill 2015. The Constitution (amendment) Bill will be presented to the House by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. That Bill will, once passed in the National Assembly, amend the Third Schedule relating to Article 222A of the Constitution to provide financial autonomy to certain entities.

Williams is also set to table the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (amendment) Bill 2015. This Bill is intituled an Act to amend the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act which was passed in 2009. The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2015 will be presented by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. This is a Bill intended to cap the benefits offered to former Presidents upon retirement. Jordan will also present to the House the Fiscal Management and Accountability (amendment) Bill 2015. Both of these Bills were originally presented by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, to the Tenth Parliament while he served as shadow Minister of Finance. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, is expected to present the Local Government (amendment) Bill 2015. A safe passage for this piece of legislation will pave the way for the holding of Local Government Elections in Guyana after 22 years. When he addressed the Eleventh Parliament on June 10, President David Granger promised the nation that he

Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

will ensure that his government promotes legislation to secure strong and lasting constitutional reforms and to guarantee good governance. In addition to the Bills that are to be tabled at Thursday’s sitting, Granger promised to ensure his government, which controls the House by a one seat majority, sees the safe passage of many other Bills that were passed and, in some cases, tabled in the Tenth parliament. Among this is the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly Bill, a piece of legislation that seeks to es-

tablish an independent office of the Clerk of the National Assembly that would allow greater independence in the a p p o i n t m e n t o f a l l staff of the Parliament Office. The President also mentioned the Constitutional Offices Commission Bill which will allow the periodic review of salaries, pensions and other conditions for persons appointed to

constitutional offices, including Members of the National Assembly. The Telecommunications Bill, to provide a new regime for a liberalised and competitive telecommunicat i o n s s e c t o r, w a s a l s o named. Further, Granger had mentioned the Public Utilities Commission (Amendment) Bill. This piece of legislation will allow for equal treat-

ment to all investors in this sector and to ensure better service quality to consumers. Granger also promised to ensure the safe passage of, and to assent to the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. This Bill seeks to allow greater independence to the National Broadcasting Authority and to ensure standards of fairness, balance and accuracy on matters of public interest. Granger said, “Government will adhere to an empowerment policy that regularly renews local democracy by ensuring that local government elections are held – as is stipulated in our Constitution. “We shall fortify grassroots democracy by ensuring that local residents are allowed to play a greater role in managing their towns and villages. We shall, introduce legislation to upgrade the four hinterland regional administrative centres – Bartica, Mahdia, Mabaruma and Lethem – to township status with their own mayors and town councils.”

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MERS spreads to Thailand One of Thailand’s leading hospitals, known for treating medical tourists, said yesterday it had received the country’s first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as authorities said it had taken nearly four days to confirm the illness. Thailand said on Thursday a 75-year-old businessman from Oman, who had traveled to Bangkok for medical treatment for a heart condition, had tested positive for MERS. The announcement came just as an outbreak in South Korea that began last month and has infected 166 people, killing 24 of them, appeared to be leveling off. The high-end Bumrungrad Hospital, run by Thailand’s second-largest hospital operator, identified the first MERS case. The hospital in central Bangkok treats over a million patients a year, about half of them foreigners. “The patient came to us tired, coughing ... there was no fever,” a doctor from the private hospital told a televised news conference. “So we X-rayed his chest ... we found that he could have two things, a heart condition or the MERS virus.” Tourism accounts for 10 percent of the Thai economy and medical tourists make up more than 10 percent of visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. About a third of those medical tourists come from the Middle East. The hospital said 58 staff had been quarantined, but all other operations were continuing as normal. The infected man was moved to Bangkok’s Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute on Thursday. Staff there was seen wearing and giving out masks to visitors, according to a

Reuters reporter at the scene. Health warnings were posted in front of the building’s entrance. Two South Korean hospitals were locked down and another completely shut due to MERS, while the prestigious Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, where most infections occurred, stopped taking new patients during the outbreak. The Thai case will compound fears in Asia of a repeat of a 2002-2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which began in China and killed about 800 people globally. MERS was first identified in humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and the majority of cases have been in the Middle East. Isolated cases have cropped up in Asia before South Korea’s outbreak began last month, and Thailand is the fourth Asian country to register a case. China has had one case recently, that of a South Korean man who traveled to China via Hong Kong despite authorities suggesting he stay in voluntary quarantine at home. The Philippines has also identified a case this year. The infected man arrived in the Thai capital on Monday on an Oman Air flight for medical treatment for a heart ailment at a private hospital. “It took about four days to diagnose this case and two lab tests,” Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin told Reuters, adding all 106 people on board the man’s flight had been located. Among those being monitored were the man’s two sons, who were considered at high risk because of their proximity to their father. The health ministry said in a statement later on Friday that both of their tests had returned negative.

Most of those under observation had been told to stay at home for 14 days. South Korea’s outbreak, the largest outside Saudi Arabia, had been traced to a 68-year-old man who returned from a business trip to the Middle East in early May. The outbreak in South Korea appeared to have peaked, with just one new case reported on Friday and the number of people in quarantine down 12 percent to 5,930, though authorities were taking no chances. “Given the current developments, we have judged that it has leveled off, but we need to watch further spread, further cases from so-called intensive control hospitals,” the South Korean health ministry’s chief policy official, Kwan Deok-cheol, told a briefing in Seoul. In Thailand, authorities were screening passengers from countries seen at risk of MERS and stepping up public information about the virus, another health official said. The Middle East is an important source of tourists for Thailand with arrivals from the region up by nearly 50 percent in January, according to the tourism office. Bangkok is also one of the region’s main aviation hubs. The vast majority of MERS infections have been in Saudi Arabia, where more than 1,000 people have been infected since 2012, and about 454 have died. There is no cure. Shares in Thai aviation companies and hotels fell on Friday with hotel operator Central Plaza Hotel plunging 6.6 percent. Airports operator Airports of Thailand dropped 4.2 percent to a more than three-week low. Bumrungrad Hospital shares were down over 6 percent.

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A NEW PPP IS NEEDED The PPP should never have found itself in a position where firstly, it lost power and secondly, having lost power is being investigated for misappropriation of public property. Nothing is more shameful that the revelation that either just before or just after the elections, there was an attempt to transfer government vehicles to private individuals. This is a shameful charge for the PPP to have to face, one that has disgraced the party which was once led by a man who would not even steal a crumb. This malaise began with the demise of that man’s wife Janet Jagan. Mrs. Jagan may have been pushed into a corner after she was described as a private citizen. She had her ways and protected her underlings but things would never have deteriorated as bad as they have if she were alive. She was a political animal. She had turned her eyes away from certain malpractices of party members. But she had a good heart when it came to

people and would never have condoned some of the things we have been reading about the PPP government since her demise. She would never have tolerated some of the things we have been learning about the PPP. After she closed her eyes, the PPP fell into a deep pit of corruption. It has not been able to climb out of this pit. The image of the PPP has been badly scarred and the party is not likely to recover from this sullying of its image. It will not recover unless there are sweeping changes to the leadership of the PPP. Those changes are not likely to take place. The cabal that controls the Executive Committee has a stranglehold on power. Instead of acknowledging the validity of views of persons such as Clinton Urling who called for the party to move forward without Bharrat Jagdeo, the cabal has rallied behind the former President. There is not going to be any breaking of ranks. Instead, the PPP is smelling rank. With each day

that the new APNU government finds evidence of wrongdoing, the PPP is going to end up smelling stinker than the rotting whale that recently washed up on the Essequibo Coast. The present PPP is not the original PPP. It is counterfeit PPP. It is not a working class party. It is self- serving supermarket, except that those who were serving themselves do not have to pay at the cash out counter. A new PPP has to emerge. Change cannot come within. Those who are keen to ensure the legacy of the Jagans, those who desire change and want to save the PPP from the fate that now awaits it, should form a new party. It should be called the new PPP and someone like Ralph Ramkarran should be asked to lead the party. This is the only way that the PPP is going to redeem itself. It cannot redeem itself under the present leadership because they do not intend to slacken their grip on power. It will take time for this new party to kick off. But it

will find support throughout the country because there are thousands of PPP supporters who do not like the APNU+AFC but do not also care very much for the present PPP leadership. They want to see the PPP cleansed of the rotten apples and tomatoes. Some of these supporters of the PPP are even hoping that APNU and the AFC will do the PPP a favour and jail some of those persons who committed crimes. After what is being

revealed, a great many of the 200,000 persons that voted for the PPP are not going to want to support the old PPP. But if a new PPP emerges they may shift their allegiances. This shifting will take time but it will happen. As with any new party, you have to build from scratch. This is why the PPP needs a unifying force at the top. It needs someone to provide that stability and to enjoy the confidence of the prospective financers of the new PPP. Ralph Ramkarran

may be the best person to lead that process. But if he is not willing to do so, then someone else will have to take up the task. That person may be hard to find. But life is strange and an unknown may well emerge and become the maverick that saves the PPP from political desolation.

Festival City Beautician murder…

Husband found guilty of manslaughter

Dem boys seh...

Police does pray too

De rate some people was thiefing dem boys believe that Donald did serve out he full term, de country wouldn’t have had anything. People thief money till dem can’t find place to put money. Then dem start fuh thief any and every thing. Li’l Joe ketch some of dem thiefing cars. Dem do de thing smart. Dem get de letterhead from de Pee Ess office then dem sign. Dem forget that times change and de same Pee Ess is de Pee Pee Pee man who know that he got to switch if he got to keep he wuk. He sell out wholesale, Dem sell cars to Ministers and dem sell to other government people. Dem boys want to know how long this was happening. Old people got a saying that every day bucket go a well. This bucket go to de well once too often. But while de thiefing going on some people praying. And this is not de church

people. De police now praying every time dem go pun de road. Dem boys seh that it can’t be that de police frighten that de vehicle breakdown pun de road and dem got to walk. And it can’t be that dem frighten bandits because dem doing a good job seizing illegal guns off de streets. Suh it got to be a case that when dem hustling, dem don’t shakedown some of de new people. Nuff of dem don’t know de new ones. One set even shake down de Chief Justice because dem didn’t know him. Anyhow, while de set praying dem minibus driver and dem taxi drivers praying too. Dem praying that de police who praying get a heart, not a heart attack, and don’t pray fuh too much money pun de road. One man seh that de prayer is really to ketch all dem dangerous drivers. Another man seh that dem praying fuh promotion because that hard to get in de force.

MURDERED: Latoya Conway Woolford Murder accused Charles Anthony Woolford, was yesterday found guilty of the unlawful killing of his hairdresser wife, Latoya Conway Woolford, by a mixed twelve member jury before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court in Georgetown. Woolford is said to have fatally stabbed his wife on February 8, 2009 at her Lot 2041, Hummingbird Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt home, allegedly during a heated argument. The beautician and mother of three, is said to have had her stomach sliced open during the ordeal. She succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) while receiving treatment. The accused, who was a self-employed construction worker at the time, tried to end his life by ingesting what was believed to be a poisonous liquid a few hours after learning of his wife’s demise. He was hospitalized but was later released to face the murder charge. This was his second retrial for murder. During the trial, State Prosecutors Mercedes Thompson and Michael Shahoud called on a number of witnesses, including the

GUILTY: Charles Anthony Woolford victim’s daughter Marciana Conway who said she witnessed the stabbing and the dead woman‘s cousin Talia Rayside, to testify. After four long hours of deliberation, a mixed twelve member jury announced yesterday, that they had not found the accused guilty of the offence for which he stands indicted (murder); rather, he was found guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter. The panel had initially retired to deliberate at around 12:30 hours, but returned to Justice Brassington’s courtroom for further directions. Members of the panel related that they had

further questions based on portions of the evidence presented in the trial. The panel also asked for clarity on whether the victim’s cousin, Talia Rayside had admitted to the court that she knew that her cousin (Latoya Woolford) had been friends with a guy named “Andy,” prior to the incident. This was based on a suggestion made by Defense Counsel, Peter Hugh. One juror also inquired as to the reason why only one of the victim’s children (a teenage daughter) was allowed to testify, when all three are said to have witnessed the crime. The (Continued on page 23)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 20, 2015

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The Granger/Nagamootoo team has to put an end to Rickey Singh’s “eyepass.” What is going through the mind of Mark Ramoutar the Chronicle editor and Rickey Singh, the Chronicle’s paid weekly columnist? How can humans behave so shamelessly? From the time the PPP came to power in 1992, Rickey Singh has been the Sunday columnist with the Chronicle. Mr. Singh has become a virtual propagandist for the PPP Government the past twenty-three years. What passes for commentary in the Rickey Singh column is boring praise for the PPP every week. Singh is consistent in his demonization of African

Guyanese and the PNC in his commentaries. Like the rest of the Indian supremacists in the just concluded national election, he took the apan jaat route and urged a vote for the PPP because the alternative was a return to the PNC and back to the days of rigged elections. Mr. Singh didn’t even pen a half of a word on Jagdeo’s racist incitement during the 2015 election campaign. If any ruling party in the CARICOM region had descended to the level of blatantly racist demagoguery as Jagdeo did, Rickey Singh wouldn’t have missed the

occasion to point some accusing fingers. In his syndicated column, Singh has chastised every Caricom Government since he began writing for the Chronicle, but in those twenty-three years there hasn’t been even one article critical of the PPP Government. In his column last Sunday, Singh was particularly egregious in his hateful tirade against the PNC. Singh is still transfixed on the PPP in power. Psychologically, Singh still cannot come to face with the reality that the PPP is out of power. His offerings continue in his usual style of treating the PNC as a pariah. Singh doesn’t speak of APNU but the PNC. His commentary last Sunday was about the PNC, not APNU. There are four observations that characterize his commentary. First, the PNC has won the election without using “its enormous skill of rigging.” Secondly, the PPP came close to retaining power even with the fiddling of the election results.

Thirdly, there are calls in the local media for the PNC to hold free and fair elections inside the PNC. Fourthly, Basil Williams, the AttorneyGeneral, could hardly be concerned with the just concluded rigged National Elections or even rigged election in his own party because he, Williams, is taken up with the matter of disbanding the Rodney Commission. He ended his piece by saying Patricia Rodney has spoken out against the ending of the Commission. Do the Guyanese people have to continue to put up with the rambling asininities of Rickey Singh for which he is paid by taxpayers’ money? Shouldn’t Singh do the decent thing and end his PPP propaganda in the Chronicle because time has moved on, his benefactors have lost the election and Singh no longer has a reason for writing in the Chronicle? To think that Mark Ramoutar, the Chronicle Editor who should have been peremptorily dismissed a

month ago, passed that column by Singh is beyond shocking. Why is the Granger/Nagamootoo administration keeping Ramoutar as Editor and Singh as commentator? Not even Obama would have retained Ramoutar. Three other repellent aspects of that last column by Singh need to be dwelled on. One is Singh’s assertion that there have been calls in the local media since the 2015 elections for the PNC to hold free and fair elections inside the PNC itself. I am accusing Singh of lying. A Google search has revealed no such item. I used several combinations of words in my Google search and I cannot find anything. I went to all the local newspapers and internet news sites on Guyana from Wednesday, May 13 to Saturday, June 13 and there is nothing to go on. Singh is lying. Secondly, why should the Attorney-General be concerned with rigged National Elections in the year 2015? What is the relevance

Frederick Kissoon of rigged National Elections? Because Singh is implying that the 2015 National Election was not free and fair. That is why he stated that the PPP was close to winning even with the fiddling of the official results (his words). Rickey Singh deliberately failed to mention that not one organization that observed the 2015 poll has even hinted of any irregularity. All declared the election free and legal in its substance. Finally, Singh told readers that Mrs. Patricia Rodney has spoken out against ending the Rodney Commission. An extensive Google search has not come up with any such statement from Rodney. If Mrs. Rodney has spoken such words, where is it; in which media? This 79year-old journalist is lying.

Saturday June 20, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

NCN sacks Berbice Head as shakeup continues By Leonard Gildarie Head of the Berbice operations of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), Faizal Jafarally, yesterday had his services terminated with immediate effect, as the shakeup in that entity continues under the new Government. Officials, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Molly Hassan, and Mark Archer, Communications Director in the Ministry of the Presidency, along with auditors, were yesterday in New Amsterdam, Berbice, meeting with staffers. Jafarally, the Station Coordinator, confirmed that he has been sent packing. He had been with the entity since 2003 and was a candidate for the former ruling party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, for the May 11th elections. He also was a Member of Parliament during the 10th Parliament for the PPP/C and had been a main face in the lead-up to the elections. Jafarally said that he was summoned to a meeting yesterday with the CEO where he was told that NCN was being restructured. “I was told that there was no place for me and I should

resign or be dismissed. I informed them that I had done nothing wrong and will not resign. So they exercised that option of dismissal.” Jafarally said he did not receive any warning letters nor was he told he was underperforming. However, Hassan made it clear there were no options. “Their services were terminated full stop.” She said that NCN was not satisfied with the performance of Jafarally during his probationary period. Jafarally was appointed as Coordinator of the Berbice operations last year. According to Hassan, the Berbice operations have not been profitable for a long time. “We have a clear mandate from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to make NCN a sustainable entity. We must therefore have the skills available…competent personnel.” Jafarally’s termination would come one day after two editors from the Georgetown headquarters, were handed letters sending them home following an internal investigation into what management deemed as a misappropriation of funds. The incident was one which occurred during the

DISMISSED: Faizal Jafarally

elections campaign and it is suspected that the editors produced fake receipts for hotel accommodation.

Those fired are Senior Editor, Edward Layne and Radio Editor, Adele Rampersaud. Kaieteur News

was informed that NCN management became suspicious of some receipts that were presented for accommodation in Bartica for the news team that covered a PPP/C rally. Once the investigation started, the company’s auditors travelled to Bartica and made checks at the hotel. Kaieteur News understands that a hotel staffer “revealed” that Layne only paid for two double-bed rooms, but requested receipts for eight single rooms. The coalition Government which won a close race in the May 11th General and Regional Elections has vowed to clean up NCN, the Government Information

Agency (GINA) and the Guyana Chronicle- all stateowned- after claiming that there was widespread abuse of resources and mismanagement at those entities. Already, the Head of GINA, Neaz Subhan, has resigned. A special audit report following a fraud a few years ago, saw NCN”s former CEO, Mohamed “Fuzzy” Sattaur, resigning and Programme Director, Martin Goolsarran, being suspended. The report had recommended widespread changes. The David Granger administration has vowed to make state institutions more professional, removing political influence in sweeping reforms.

Blackouts plague Essequibo Coast With Region Two in need of a brand new generator to effectively distribute electricity to residents on the Essequibo Coast, blackouts continue to plague its residents. Residents of North Essequibo experienced blackout for over three hours on Thursday night. On Wednesday the outage was for about an hour. Essequibians are

disgusted even as employees of the power company continue to effect maintenance work on the two Wartsila engines that are long past their best days. Hema Madhoo, who resides at New Road on the Essequibo Coast with her family, said that the situation is fatiguing. She said, yesterday, that she was forced to dispose of a quantity of fish, beef, chicken and other food items.

Madhoo explained that having to endure long hours without electricity, make people uncomfortable since they are forced to put a hold on things they have to do. Madhoo, who says that she is thinking of starting a business, has to now contemplate on whether or not to continue with her plan, due to the unstable supply of electricity. Meanwhile, Eustace

Alphonso contends that the situation is overbearing. Alphonso said that whenever there is blackout, there is also no supply of potable water for that period.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 20, 2015

Gold miners dissatisfied with new Govt. response to “crisis” The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) yesterday expressed dissatisfaction with the attention given to the industry by the new Government. “This industry remains the leading contributor of foreign earnings; a major source of employment; the largest purchaser of machinery, spares, and supplies; and plays an important role in the development of the hinterland and Guyana’s economy,” the body said in a statement. The association was highly critical saying that the “attitude” seems to be held over from the previous administration, where several promises made to miners remain unfulfilled. GGDMA disclosed that it had scheduled two meetings-

June 4 and June 10- but these were cancelled. A letter was sent to President David Granger appealing for a meeting with the relevant Minister. GGDMA insisted that the mining industry remains in crisis. Among some of the issues that the body wants addressed, is the completion of the draft Investment Development Agreement (IDA) to include additional items of spares, among other things. Miners also want incentives including a 50 percent reduction in rentals for small mining properties, reduction in royalties, maintenance of hinterland roads and airstrips and the establishment of new roads for greater access to new mining lands. They also want increased attention to public security within the hinterland, especially in light of the high incidences of crime. There should be stricter monitoring by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) especially in the areas of

safety and illegal mining activities. GGDMA stressed that some of the ongoing challenges it is facing includes, falling gold prices, improvement in gold recovery technology, high operation and maintenance costs, high fuel costs and high rentals for mineral properties. The miners are also complaining about the increasing prices for spares and machinery, limited available lands for serious and genuine miners, disparities in concessions between foreign-based and local miners, increasing violent crimes in the mining sector and the slow processing of work permits for Brazilian miners. Gold has seen declining production in recent years as prices fell on the world market. It was just three years ago the biggest foreign currency earner for the country, now falling behind rice. Miners have been calling for help with thousands of them still owing banks and suppliers.

Gold miners are agitating for an urgent meeting with Government to address concerns.

Prosecution closes case in Campbellville murder trial The Prosecution has closed its case in the trial in which, Anthony De Paul Hope and his two friends, Ralph Tyndall and Kevin O’Neil, are charged for the murder of his aunt, Colleen Forrester. On December 27, 2007, Forrester, who had been at her brother’s house at Lot 55 William Street, Campbellville, was allegedly strangled and beaten to death with a pestle (mortar stick) by her nephew, (Hope,) and his two friends who then dumped her body in the septic tank. After neighbours noticed that she was missing, they raised an alarm. On January 6, 2008, her body was found by police ranks with her ankles bound and her body wrapped in several sheets in the septic tank. Hope, called ‘Papa’, 27, of ‘C’ Field Sophia; Tyndall, 28, of ‘C’ Field, Sophia; and 28year-old O’Neil of Seaforth Street, Campbellville, are currently on trial for the murder. They are before Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire and a 12-member mixed jury.

Yesterday State Prosecutors Stacey Goodings and Diana Kaulesar, closed their case after calling their final witness to the stand. Police detective, Elson Baird, testified that he witnessed the taking of the caution statements from two of the accused persons, (Tyndall and O’Neil). He recalled that no force, threat or inducement was offered to the men while they gave the police their statements. In his statement, which was provided to the court last week, Tyndall essentially blamed the murder on his coaccused, Anthony De Paul Hope. Hope, in turn, said that it was Tyndall who murdered his aunt. However, in his caution statement, the third accused person, (O’Neil) said that he was present the night that Colleen Forrester was murdered. While, O’Neil told investigators that he did not murder Forrester, he said that he saw Tyndall hitting the woman in her head with what he described as a baton and choking her. O’Neil recalled that he

accompanied his friend, (Hope) to his residence at Lot 55 William Street, Campbellville, on the night of December 27, 2007. There, the accused said that they met with Hope’s aunt who began to quarrel with him for changing the locks on the gate. Hope, he related, jumped the gate and went for the keys. He opened the gate and his aunt went inside; she went up the stairs of the house but she continued quarreling with her nephew about the condition of the house. The woman, the accused said, then instructed her niece, Nikita, to fetch a few buckets of water from downstairs. He accompanied the child. While, downstairs, O’Neil recalled that he heard a loud noise. He ran upstairs and found Tyndall bludgeoning the woman in the head while choking her. The following night, O’Neil told police in the statement, that he helped his friends wrap the woman’s body in the pieces of cloth before dumping it in a septic tank.

Wallabaka Backdam shooting…

Family peeved over relative’s discharge from GPHC with bullet lodged in body The family of Quincy Abrams, who was discharged from the GPHC on Wednesday with a bullet lodged in his body, is peeved at the hospital’s decision to release the young man. One relative said that it is troubling because an incident of similar nature led to the death of another young man who resided in the same village. Abrams resides at 31 Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

The relative said that he is worried that the same may reoccur if his relative is not re-admitted to undergo emergency surgery to remove the bullet. He pleaded, “We are not interested with the shooting right now; we just want the bullet to be removed and then the rest will be sorted out later.” Abrams was air dashed from the Wallabaka Backdam to the GPHC with a gunshot

wound to his abdomen, on Tuesday. Reports had stated that the miner was shot during an argument with another man. The shooter was not the person engaged in the argument with Abrams; he was the person “picking up fire-rage”. The shooter, Godfrey Lambert, has since appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer two charges in connection with the incident.

Saturday June 20, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Education Minister heads to The Bahamas South Ruimveldt for C’wealth Education Ministers’ Conference resident shot in broad Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, is leading a delegation to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to attend the 19th Conference of the Commonwealth Education Ministers (19CCEM) that commences on Monday and concludes on June 26, 2015. Also attending the Conference would be Olato Sam – Chief Education Officer; Ms. Tricia Teekah Caribbean Region Representative of the Commonwealth Students’ Association - Steering Committee; and Joshua Griffith - President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society. The high level meeting of Commonwealth Ministers is being held under the theme: “Quality Education for Equitable Development: Performance, Paths and Productivity”. The conference aims to follow up on “a major commitment

towards the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Goals”, which according to Bahamas Minister of Education, were signed on to, in Dakar, Bangladesh and at the United Nations. He said, “This conference will allow us to gauge where we stand with regard to that commitment and accordingly revisit, if need be, mechanisms to accelerate towards the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Goals, as well as to strategize for aligning Commonwealth priorities with education aspects of the new Post-2015 Global Development Framework.” The Conference will provide an opportunity for the participants to deliberate on the priority and emerging issues, identified by the Ministerial Working Group, which include the persistent inequalities and inequities, worsening income inequalities, high unemployment,

vulnerabilities of marginalised groups, universality, measurement of quality and unmet education needs. The conference will also elaborate on policy, practice and the strategic actions required in direct response to the new development goals and targets, while exploring trends and innovative practices in education in the Commonwealth. The wide-ranging discussions at the conference are expected to cover a range of educational issues focusing on quality and skills that meet the dynamic needs of learners, especially the youth and global qualification standards, ICT integration in education and training, opportunities for economic growth and investment, education for sustainable development, and the overall quality of education across the Commonwealth. According to Minister

Jerome K. Fitzgerald, the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Kamalesh Sharma, highlighted three for (Teachers, Youth and other Stakeholders), which are vital components of the conference, thus creating relevant space for interaction and sharing of experiences by various partners in education. It is expected that teachers and young people will form part of the different delegations from the Commonwealth countries that will be attending the conference. Minister Fitzgerald stated in his letter to Guyana’s Minister of Education, that the Commonwealth Secretariat will officially launch its Fourth Edition of the Commonwealth Education Good Practice Awards (CEGPA) 2015. He further stated that there will be a dedicated website which will provide adequate information and details on the Conference.

daylight robbery Reginald Manbodh, 67, of 464 Kiskadee Drive, South Ruimveldt, was the victim of a broad daylight robbery for the second time just outside his home. He was shot three times when two armed bandits were attempting to relieve him of his bag of money. The incident occurred about12:35hrs, yesterday. Kaieteur News understands that Manbodh had just made his way home from a city bank when he was attacked. According to reports, just as the man reached his home, while still in his motor vehicle he was attacked and held at gunpoint by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun and who had driven up on a CG motor cycle. The injured Manbodh was picked up by two kind hearted neighbours, who rushed him to the A&E Unit

60-year-old jailed for road death

Winston Felix

After a few months of continuous hearings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, 60-year-old truck driver, Winston Felix, was yesterday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on a causing death charge. The elderly man of Windsor Forest Railway Embankment, West Coast Demerara, was found guilty of causing the death of Fatima Jamal on November 28 at Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara. He drove motor lorry GKK 8663 in a

manner dangerous to the public. On Tuesday last, both the defence and the prosecution made their respective submissions and the matter was adjourned by Magistrate Ann McLennan to June 19, for decision. Felix who was represented by Attorney-atlaw Mr. Rabindra Rooplall, on his first appearance pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted his pre-trial liberty in the sum of $800,000. He has been a driver for more than 14 years and had no prior

conviction or pending matter. On the day in question, Jamal was going across the street on the pedestrian crossing whilst Felix was driving the said lorry. Felix admitted that he saw Jamal crossing the road, and that his right front bumper collided with her. Defence counsel in his submission stated that there is no evidence of speeding and no tyre impressions. He argued that it is the duty of the Prosecution to provide all evidence beyond reasonable

doubt. Counsel also noted that from the evidence before the court, it cannot be found that his client on the day in question drove dangerously or recklessly. The proposal for the Prosecution was made by Police Sergeant Neville Jeffers. The Prosecutor emphasized that the case was proven that Felix drove dangerously that day. The court heard that the defendant paid no careful attention to other road users and applied no safety precaution that day.

of the Georgetown Public Hospital. One of the neighbours who was in a state of shock, was seen yesterday covered in blood because she clutched the profusely bleeding Manbodh into the A&E unit. She said that immediately after she had heard gunshots rang out, she ventured outside where she saw Manbodh with the gunshot wounds. Like a goodSamaritan the woman reportedly stripped her shirt off, using it to apply pressure to the man’s wounds before rushing him to the GPHC with the help of another neighbour. The man’s wife was yesterday shaken outside the hospital. She recalled hearing gunshots. Upon peeping out she saw her husband fighting with the “young” bandits. Mr. Manbodh had put up a good fight to maintain possession of his bag which contained $2million. He had just withdrawn the money from Scotia Bank. Determined to successfully execute the mission, one of the men then shot Manbodh while shouting, “Give me the f#@$# thing”. After receiving the third shot the men finally gained possession of the money bag and made good their escape. He was shot to his arms and left foot. Kaieteur News understands that this is the second time that the man was robbed in such a manner. Investigations are in progress.

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Kaieteur News

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LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

LAND FOR SALE Commercial lots available at Eccles E.B.D $14M - Tel:592227-2913 or 592-689-3033 144X37.4ft house lot, available at Buxton -$3.2M – Call: 696-8391 Prime land in Corriverton 1.3 acres roadside land suitable for Gas station, hotel, Shopping mall etc.- Call: 6266245, 335-3347 Luxury gated communitypool, mall, swipe card entry, underground irrigation. Selling @ $6USD per sq.ftCall: 609-0783 1500 acres transported land 4½ miles from Bartica Rock, Quarry, Forestry, Agriculture. Contact Mark: 603-1266; 6259788 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, Eccles -$6M, Herstelling $5M, Tuschen -$1.6M – Tel:611-7223; 675-7292.

One general manager to work on land dredge in the interiorContact: 226-9768; 625-5136; 626-6909 2 Accounts clerk with Grades 1 & 2 in Maths & English. Apply at Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D.

Star Cars Auto Sales: In Stock, Premio, Vitz, Bluebird, IST, Alteeza, Benz C200, Spacio - Tel: 679-3140 Don’t Miss! Venus Auto Sale: pre-order, specials on Toyota IST, Vitz, Ractis, Passo, Raum- $1.9M, $1.8M Call: 624-5617

Exist in a growing organization, for experienced seamstress, must have experienced with industrial machines. Contact: 225-8831 Work from home, earn $5,000-$20,000 daily Call Monday-Friday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 638-0595 www.jobfairworldwide.com

One Toyota Allion PNN SERIES & 1 new & unregistered Mazda Axela, excellent condition -Tel: 649-0956

Accounts clerk, must have experience send application t o rtilak@adamantiumholdings. c o m

2004 Spacio -$2M 2008 Fielder (new shape) -$2.5M unregistered –Tel: 617-2891

Vacancy exists for (1) one DJ/ Entertainer/ Promoter to work at a club in EssequiboContact: 226-9768, 615-6172

We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma - Call: 680-3154

WANTED One Surveyor to work with mining firm, must have own GPS-Contact: 226-9768

AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 1 beige Toyota spacio 2003 model. PMM series. Lady driven in excellent condition. 1st owner- Call: 628-5828

Fantasy Auto Sales: 38 Alexander Street Kitty. Get $100,000 discount on perorders- Tel: 611-1833

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807 FOR SALE/RENT 3 Storey established business at 220 south roadCall: 601-3369

EDUCATION Private custom brokerage certificate training course from 29th June 2015, register now & save-Call: 681-7567; 223-1506; 694-8322

ACCOMODATION Aracari Resort –Tel: 264-2946: Rooms from $45USD, double occupancy, fully air conditioned, hot & cold bath, WiFi, breakfast.

2 Ford F350 Pickup, extended cab, 4X4 Diesel, excellent condition, fully loaded, 6" lift kit –Call: 610-5370

First Class Auto in Stock: 09 Allion, 08 Premio, Carina 212, Spacio, Runx, IST, Mark 2, Axio, 06 Premio –Call: 6098188; 638-3045 Honda 600 RR, Toyota AT212, AT192, BB, Premio, Tundra fully off-road, RX-8, Nissan Bluebird –Tel: 644-5096; 6971453

2007 Toyota Fielder, fully loaded, excellent condition, PTT series –Contact: 613-9116

50% OR ½ PRICE ON CUPBOARD, TOP BOTTOM & PANTRY @ GUYAMERICA FURNITURE STORE – TEL: 225-7441, 664-1043 Concrete spindles, post crown etc, very good quality –Call: 692-3505 Lot 6 Adventure, Essequibo, Land 352X70ft with wooden building -$14M negotiable. Contact Anwar Essequibo: 771-4395; 694-4457 or Georgetown Trudy: 225-4712

One complete music system Tel: 699-5790, 221-2817 American Truck spare parts for sale- interesting person call: 683-3805 Pile driving hammers, weight 3 and 4 tons, 6 cylinder Leyland engine, 10 tons double steel wheeled roller Call: 275-0538; 693-7105 D4H CAT bulldozer, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper truck, 20 lengths- plastic sheet piles– Contact: 275-0538; 693-7105 Pneumatic roller – 9 wheels, 2,500 GLS, steel tank, 2,000 GLS, steel tank , 428 CAT Back-Hoe Call: 275-0538; 693-7105 German shepherd pupsContact: 615-0513 One TM Truck, 6X6, price negotiable, excellent condition, interesting person call Mr. Carlos: 683-3805

MASSAGE Mobile Massage: we come to homes, offices and hotels, 20% discount for fathers, St. Lucia trained –Tel:695-1265 The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful masseuses pamper you, four-hand massage. Khandi and Tiffany –Tel:657-5979

Toyota Caldina, Wagon, Black, 17" Rims, AC, Stereo $900K –Tel: 600-3500 Nissan Titan for sale, immaculate condition – Contact: 647-3924

HP Laptop -$50,000, Playstation 3- $90,000 –Tel: 628-1555 32 Inch flat screen TV $46,000 –Tel: 664-7014 10 Acres of land road side at Kuru Kururu for business. Cheap price- Call: 601-3369

1 Yamaha R6, Suzuki GSXR 600, 1-250 Rebel, 1-250 nighthawk –Tel: 265-3024, 663-8639, 609-0766

Toyota Prado, Price$4.4M Neg. Call: 643-2403

Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Spacio, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, ISTCall: 652-3820, 665-4529 CAR RENTAL

Experienced bartenders & cleaners – Call: 225-8572 (must be able to work shift)

Just Arrived! TM Trucks from UK, excellent condition –Tel: 679-7587; 695-3188

Leading Auto: Unregistered Toyota Allion, Premio, Spacio, Noah, 212, Axela, IST, Canter, bus –Tel: 677-7666, 610-7666.

1 Sand Truck Driver, 3yrs experienced –Tel: 265-3024; 663-8639; 609-0766 One maid, kitchen assistant, delivery rider, must have own bike – Contact: 601-4697, 6171321

Saturday June 20, 2015

CAKES AND PASTRIES Enroll Now! Classes start 13 July: floral arrangement, cake decoration, cakes & pastries, bridal accessories –Contact: 223-3303; 612-4193; 672-8768

1-16" Bore tractor driven, pump, new, 1, 2 million, 1 four wheeler box trailer-Tel: 2271830 Rare and expensive stamps, first covers/post cards with stamps, coins & paper money, etc –Tel: 227-6817; 624-7341 Pools table, cloth, balls, pocket, cue stick, rubber, coin Shute, spring coin, chalk holder –Tel: 669-9927 Whirlpool gold, Frigidaire, stove and fridge, stainless steel, very excellent condition –Call: 660-3753; 688-2944 400Lb 5" cat guts seine – Contact: 220-7655; 667-8921 Continued on page 23

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Norway halts forest payments pending new Govt’s decision - Norway report On May 11, an election in Guyana ended the 23-year rule of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C), which had been a partner for Norway’s US$250 million forest climate deal with the South American country. Five days before the election, Norway announced its decision to pay another US$40 million (NOK 300 million) to Guyana for avoided deforestation during 2013, bringing total Norwegian payments to US$190 million. According to the deal with the former government, Norway rewards Guyana for keeping its rate of deforestation low. Funds are disbursed for projects listed in Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy, whose flagship is the Amaila Falls hydropower dam. Development Today is told that the latest US$40 million is being held back, pending discussions with the new government in Georgetown. Key elements of the deal are being re-

assessed. “It is now up to the new government of Guyana whether they still want to go forward with the Low Carbon Development Strategy,” says Elisabeth Brinck Sand at the Norwegian Climate Ministry. The status of the Amaila Falls project - which counts for almost one-third of the deal with Norway - is also unclear. At the beginning of this year, Norway disbursed US$80 million to the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) as equity for Amaila Falls, in recognition of Guyana’s avoided deforestation during 2011 and 2012. Those funds will be held by IDB until July 2016. (See Table Below) But the developer pulled out two years ago, and has not been replaced. Christopher Barton at IDB confirms to Development Today that Amaila Falls is not currently in the bank’s project pipeline. Barton notes that “given the results of the recent election, we anticipate that a

new government will conduct a review of all of its energy priorities and options as a part of a more comprehensive review of the IDB’s Country Strategy with Guyana.” Norway’s decision to pay out US$40 million to Guyana so close to election time raised eyebrows. Political Advisor at the Climate Ministry Jens Frølich Holter denied that Norway had any intention of influencing the election outome. “The decision on the disbursement was made and was announced in accordance with normal procedures,” he told the daily Bergens Tidende. Brinck Sand confirms that the latest US$40 million payment will not be disbursed until the new government’s position on the low-carbon strategy is known. “Until [the status of the strategy] has been discussed between our two governments, the funds for the 2013 results will not be disbursed,” Brinck Sand says.

TAKING STOCK So far, only 16 per cent of the US$190 million in funds for Guyana – US$31 million have actually been disbursed for projects on the ground. The rest sits in accounts in Washington - at the IDB (for Amaila Falls) and in a World Bank-managed fund known as the GRIF. Potentially then, US$60 million remains to be disbursed from the original US$250 million. DTis told that the payment for Year 5 (2014) is likely to be announced in January 2016. As the table shows, the disbursement schedule has been anything but smooth. After 2011, Norway failed to disburse any money for three years - 2012, 2013 and 2014 partly because of uncertainty surrounding the Amaila Falls project. The Climate Ministry has played catch up this year, announcing three disbursements. Norway appears to be keen to continue its climate forest cooperation with Guyana. In the English version of the Climate Ministry’s May 6, press release, it states that the governments are “discussing the possibility of a renewed partnership for the period from 2015-2020”. It remains to be seen whether the new administration in Georgetown is on board. (Taken from Norwegian’s Development Today)

From page 22 FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Office, storage bond, lessons place, other businesses at Vreed-EnHoop- Call: 680-9905 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 3 Bedroom flat house, E.B.D –Tel: 678-9413 One 2 bedroom apartment for rent –Call: 220-6168; 6741358, 618-1754; 681-1508 12 Offices $60,000 at 220 South road- Call : 601-3369 Church at 180 Charlotte Street- $150,000 negotiable – Tel: 227-6817; 624-7341 Space @ 43 Wellington Street, G/town, Suitable for Barbering, Tailoring or Boutique-Tele: 226-1839 Spacious Top Flat @ CNS Channel 6 Building, Suitable for Office or Business- Tele: 226-1839 Space @ 41 Agricola Public Road, E.B.D, Suitable for any type of Business or Apartment- Tele: 226-1839

Personnel Officer, senior staff sent... Husband found guilty of... From page 9 judge explained that at the time that the matter was brought to court, the victim’s other children would have been only 9 and 3 years old. Based on his records, Justice Reynolds then reminded the panel of the evidence provided by Rayside. He told the jury that Rayside had categorically stated “no,” in response to Defense Counsel’s question about “Andy.” However, Jurors also noted that they were curious about the motive for the murder. The Judge then explained that in Guyana, motive is not a requirement for the prosecution to prove their case. The panel retired a second time but when they returned to the courtroom, they still had not made a collective decision on the outcome of the case. The foreman had initially announced that they had found Charles Anthony Woolford not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter. Their response was greeted

with sighs of relief from the accused, who was standing in the dock, as well as from members of the courtroom audience. When murmurs began emanating from the other members on the panel, the Foreman then stated that he did not understand the question put to him by the Court Registrar. Based on inquiries from the Judge, the Foreman told the court that the verdict for murder was unanimous but the decision was not proportionate (11 not guilty and one guilty) in regard to the lesser offence of manslaughter. The Judge once more briefed the Jury before allowing them to retire a third time to deliberate. By this time 4 hours had expired. When the panel returned to the courtroom, they announced that the verdict was not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Given the outcome, Justice Reynolds ordered that a probation report be prepared on the life of the accused. He adjourned the case to 9:30 hrs on June 30.

From page 3 showing that these vehicles were sold to these individuals by the Ministry,” said the State Minister. Additionally, Minister Harmon said that based on a preliminary investigation he conducted on a visit to the Public Service Ministry, he thought it important that police be called in to investigate the matter. He said that he asked that the two staff members involved in the matter to be “sent on leave immediately”. The documents, according to the Minister, have since been sent to the Assistant Police Commissioner, Wendell Blanum and that investigations have since commenced. Should those persons be found guilty, Minister Harmon said, the determination will have to be up to the police. He added that the transferral of 25 other vehicles is also under investigation. However, he said that those vehicles are the subject of another matter as the Government has received reports of

many state-owned assets being transferred to private individuals. “In the second week of this administration I did make a statement to the effect that on two days in May that at least 28 vehicles were transferred from the Government of Guyana to private individuals. That is the subject of a separate investigation because what we are getting now is that many other assets of the state are being transferred to private individuals,” the Minister related. Harmon is calling on the public to return any assets they may have purchased or borrowed from the state. “The State Asset Recovery Unit will soon be starting its work and therefore as a sort of an amnesty of sorts, (we are asking) people who are in possession of assets belonging to the state to quietly bring them back to the state ministry from whence they came or bring them back to the Ministry of the Presidency,” said Minister Harmon.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Residential lots ad houses for sale at Eccles, E.B.D $7.5M. Tel:592-227-2913 or 689-3033 Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461. One House in Tuschen Scheme (business place) – Tel:622-6516 Property @ Leonora New Scheme-Tel: 678-9851 2 Storey building , 8 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, hot & cold water, Lot 11 Coghlan Dam, W.B.D, Just off main Road- Tel:264-1582, 679-7587 Property @ Lot 63 West Ruimveldt, Estate Housing Scheme Georgetown – Contact Mark: 618-9744 Two storey 45X35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete, in Diamond, New Scheme, 5th Avenue, E.B.D –Tel:629-4017 Lot 23, Area F Zeeburg, South, old gas station road, West Coast DemeraraContact: 621-8386 (Brodo) Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Property at Kersaint Park LBI, price $11.5M negotiableContact:664-1865; 698-5713

TO LET Prime office space @ lot 239 Quamina Street, Central Georgetown, parking available in Private yard. Tel: 592-227-2913, 592-689-3033 Rooms in Alberttown –Tel: 225-3234 One bedroom apartment opposite UG, for single person –Call: 222-9123 3 Bedroom top flat with toilet & bath, working family preferably located in Peters Hall -$60,000 monthlyContact: 646-6831, 629-7552 Furnished executive one or two bedroom suites in Diamond. Ideal for foreignersCall: 609-2466 1 Bottom flat, 33 Fourth Street, La Penitence –Tel: 669-4865; 628-4611

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Saturday June 20, 2015

Kaneville residents GPSU calls for decision to be rescinded; plead for help in fixing roads prepared to take necessary action Termination of GPHC Matron...

Not only is the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) demanding that Nurse Colleen Hicks’ dismissal be withdrawn with immediate effect but it has made it clear that the union is prepared to take whatever appropriate measures are available to have the decision reversed. And these measures, according to Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Dennis English, could range from industrial action to the grievance procedure; taking the matter to the level of the Ministry with responsibility for labour issues. “At this stage we are demanding a withdrawal, failing which, there will be serious consequences,” warned English as he related that the GPSU, which has committed to represent Hicks, has advised her to remain on the job. Hicks, according to a contract made available by the GPSU yesterday, entered an agreement with Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Mr. Michael Khan, (acting on behalf of the institution) on April 7, 2015, to function in the capacity of Director, Nursing Services. While the contract outlines that Hicks was appointed on March 16, 2015 to function in that position for a three-year period, it did not outline a probationary period. But according to Khan because of “gross insubordination” he was forced to terminate Hicks’ service on the date that her probationary period was slated to end (June 15). Khan in a statement to the media chronicled actions by Hicks which he insists are tantamount to “gross insubordination.” Hicks, according to Khan, introduced a new system of relocation of nurses from one area to another. This meant that nurses from critical units such as the Accident and Emergency Department were

transferred, thereby leaving behind a skeleton staff. According to him, Hicks was verbally directed to cease such practice since the Board of GPHC had approved the creation of the said department and that all members of nursing staff within the A & E fall under the purview of the Head of Department. “She was also advised that if she is going to rotate the staff out of a department at least she should consult with the respective Head. However, despite my instruction she went ahead with her rotations without any consultation,” said Khan in a statement. “Ms Hicks further continued to deliberately ignore my instruction, thus in May, 2015 I once again wrote her instructing that the transfer of nurses out of the department, particularly the A&E, be put on hold until a meeting is convened to discuss the matter further,” outlined the CEO. He disclosed that Hicks in a formal reply categorically stated that she would not be carrying out any such instructions. Consequently, Khan said that he wrote to Hicks informing her that her disregard for his authority was unacceptable and viewed as an act of gross insubordination. “She was given 48 hours to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against her for her deliberate choice to ignore my instructions. Ms. Hicks further ignored this request which was inconsistent with regard for authority,” noted Khan. According to him, “it was decided that given her employment status of being on probationary period, her attitude was inimical to teamwork, cooperation and collaboration for the achievement of GPHC’s goals, hence, a decision was taken to bring an end to her employment at the end of her

Personnel Officer... From page 6 a statement to the effect that on two days in May that at least 28 vehicles were transferred from the Government of Guyana to private individuals. That is the subject of a separate investigation because what we are getting now is that many other assets of the state are being transferred to private individuals,” the Minister related. Harmon is calling on the

public to return any assets they may have purchased or borrowed from the state. “The State Asset Recovery Unit will soon be starting its work and therefore as a sort of an amnesty of sorts, (we are asking) people who are in possession of assets belonging to the state to quietly bring them back to the state ministry from whence they came or bring them back to the Ministry of the Presidency,” said Minister Harmon.

Senior Probation Officer, Dennis English probationary period...” Khan related. According to English, the Union has commenced representation of Hicks who has officially filed a complaint. He informed that the Union has also sent a letter to the management of the hospital requesting that the decision be rescinded. “There have been engagements with our reps there...and we strongly object to the decision that was taken,” said English. “It is quite illogical for one to comprehend and understand how a contract that is for three years could be concluded in less than a year,” said English as he dismissed reports that Hicks’ dismissal was due to “gross insubordination.” “Right now that could only be an allegation. The authority or the procedure to prove innocence or guilt has not been embraced and respected,” said the GPSU officer who asserted that the CEO is fully aware that there are certain industrial relation procedures that ought to be followed in terms of arriving at any conclusion. “So the claim of gross insubordination, there is no justification or evidence to substantiate that,” asserted English who is adamant that “there is nothing in Hicks’ contract to substantiate the action of the CEO.” However, the contract outlines that “the person (Hicks) engaged undertakes that he/she will faithfully perform the duties of Director, Nursing Services, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for the term of his/her engagement, and will act in all respects according to the instructions and directions given to him/her by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation through the Chief Executive Officer or any other authorised officers.” This clause therefore suggests that failure to adhere to the

instructions of the CEO constitutes a breach of the contract on Hicks’ part. Based on the contract, “if the person (Hicks) engaged at any time during [the] tenure of this Agreement neglect or refuse for any cause (other than ill-health not caused by his/her own misconduct as provided in clause 4) become unable to perform any of his/ her duties or to comply with any other, or shall disclose any information respecting the affairs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to any unauthorised person or shall in any manner misconduct himself/herself, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation may terminate his/her engagement forthwith and thereupon all rights and advantages reserved to him/her under this agreement shall cease.” The Union, however, is insisting that the act of termination was unjustified. English therefore noted that the GPSU is supporting the move by nurses of the GPHC to protest Hicks’ dismissal. The union has also lashed out at Minister of Public Health for accepting Khan’s grounds for dismissing Hicks. It is the belief of the Minister that the termination was “blown out of proportion.” “She was on probation at the end of which the hospital decided to terminate her service citing gross insubordination according to Mr. Khan,” said Dr. Norton who also noted, “I hope the nurses are not saying that their nurses’ licences permit them to be insubordinate.” Based on the details presented about Hicks’ insubordination, the Minister said that he is convinced that the logical move would be for her to leave the institution as she is no longer employed there. But according to English, “We strongly object because there are procedures to be followed...this new administration (Government) gave a commitment to respect industrial relations procedures, collective bargaining, trade unions’ rights, workers’ rights...if this is the way we are going there is much to be desired...,” said English as he expressed optimism that the Minister will give a disclaimer to his comments. Additionally, Member of the GPHC’s Board of Directors, Dr. Dalgleish Joseph in correspondence to Khan and carbon copied to the Health Minister and other members of the Board requested a stay of Hicks’ termination and asked to “allow due process to prevail.”

- says former govt. deserted them Residents of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, say they are fed up and frustrated that nothing has been done over the last twelve years to correct the deplorable state of the main access road to the community. This is despite numerous complaints having been made by the residents to the relevant authorities. They lamented to this newspaper yesterday, that they believe that the previous Government had turned a blind eye to their situation, and they are now calling on the present administration to do something. The residents noted that they are highlighting the condition of the main access road because of its importance to the community. There are huge craters in almost every street in Kaneville. One resident, Mr. McLean, who has lived in the area for over twelve years, said that the road which was constructed some time ago replaced a “red sand road”. He explained that as an abundance of heavy duty trucks and machinery traversed the area, the road began to develop potholes which grew bigger over time. According to another resident, former President Bharrat Jadgeo, during a

community meeting in 2004, challenged the residents to hold the government to task as $250M has been earmarked to be spent on drains, roads, electricity and water. He added that the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman visited the area some three years ago and promised villagers that he would meet with the relevant authorities to have the issue rectified. This promise, however, bore no fruit and the situation went from “bad to worse”. “Wheh it deh right now in that state is terrible and it affecting everybody, including the children who can’t even play when the afternoon come. Parents scared for the life of their kids because you now have to wonder if a lil one gon fall in di holes on the road and buss he head.” One concerned driver said that his vehicle is constantly in the workshop because of the damage the huge pot holes has done “We living under this pressure for years now, it is getting overbearing” the driver said. The residents noted that because of the condition of the road, public transportation operators refuse to traverse the street forcing the residents to have to walk.

IDB URGES.. From page 19 the so-called “resource curse” or “paradox of plenty.” Positive experiences in countries such as Australia, Chile and Norway show that with adequate management the extractive sector can contribute to development through improved infrastructure, financing of basic services and technological innovation. The cases of various countries included in the book share the conclusion that transparency is key, not only to preventing corruption but also to improving the efficiency of social spending. They show the challenges and lessons learned from innovative initiatives in which the governments worked with the private sector and civil society to make data available in a trusted and timely manner and in a digital format. The report also shows the importance, in moving effectively toward an improved

management of the extractive sector, of political will, the benefits of using transparency as a tool of public policy and the need to remain up to date on the application of international standards, comparative frameworks and key legislation for the sector such as the Dodd-Frank law in the United States and the European Union directives on transparency in extractive industries. The book highlights the case of Maparegalías in Colombia as an innovative use of geo-referencing technology to publish information on royalties and investments on the Web. In other positive examples, Perú and Trinidad and Tobago are already meeting the requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which demands high standards of transparency of information. Half a dozen Latin American nations are considering joining the EITI.

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Saturday June 20, 2015

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Putin says Russia weathering sanctions, lectures West

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2015 (SPIEF 2015) in St. Petersburg, yesterday. (REUTERS/GRIGORY DUKOR) President Vladimir Putin boasted yesterday that Russia had found the “inner strength” to prevent sanctions causing a deep economic crisis, and told the West to stop using “the language of ultimatums.” Investment in Russia has slowed to a trickle, capital flight has risen and the economy has been sliding into recession since oil prices tumbled last year and the West imposed economic sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis. But in a 29-minute speech to a business forum and a question-and-answer session that lasted more than an hour, Putin ignored calls by many investors to unveil new plans to end the downturn. Instead, he warned the West not to meddle in Moscow’s affairs and shifted blame for the conflict in Ukraine onto the West, primarily the United States. “I would like to point out that at the end of last year we were warned - and you know this well - that there would be a deep crisis,” Putin said in the speech in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg. “It has not happened. We have stabilized the situation ... mainly because the Russian economy piled up a sufficient supply of inner strength,” he told an audience including rows of foreign and Russian businessmen and much of the Russian government. Russia’s central bank reduced its main interest rate by a percentage point to 11.5 percent on Monday, inflation has slowed from 16.9 percent in April to 15.8 percent in May, and the rouble has risen to

around 54 to the dollar after briefly hitting 80 in December. Even though the bank expects the economy to contract by 3.2 percent in 2015, Putin said: “With us are businessmen, people and new leaders prepared to work for Russia and its development. For this reason we are absolutely certain of success.” State Department spokesman John Kirby disagreed with Putin’s assessment, telling a regular news briefing in Washington, D.C.: “We know otherwise. We know that the costs have remained high on him and the economy, and that they will continue to do so.” MANY U.S. INVESTORS STAY AWAY Despite Putin’s optimism, relations with the West are at their lowest ebb since the Cold War and former finance minister Alexei Kudrin said on Thursday Russia was still in the “eye of the storm”. He recommended bringing forward the 2018 presidential election to give Putin a stronger mandate to reform the

economy. The chief executives of many Western companies which would usually have attended Russia’s annual showpiece economic forum stayed away for the second successive year, though the heads of some major oil companies were present. The U.S. government urged U.S. companies to shun last year’s forum, soon after Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine, but refrained from doing so this year. “There is some wariness (about attending) but I think overall, Western companies want to continue working with the Russians because ... the opportunity space is very large,” said Hans-Paul Buerkner, Chairman of Boston Consulting Group. Ian Colebourne, Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte CIS, said: “Some of the anxieties perhaps that we were seeing last year have reduced. I mean certainly not gone away by any means, but the tension has been reduced.” Putin has turned to Asia to drum up business since the Western sanctions started biting, and he shared the platform with representatives of several Asian countries. Another guest was Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose country is building ties with Russia as it tussles with its European Union partners over its debt crisis. The two countries signed a memorandum deepening energy ties and one Russian official said Moscow might consider offering Greece financial aid if it requested it. Putin said he did not intend better ties with Asia and Greece to upset other countries, but made clear he believes it is up to the West, not Russia, to change its behavior if it wants a better geopolitical climate. “We will not be talked to in the language of ultimatums,” he said.

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Families of South Carolina church PM tells Jack ‘Christian’ massacre victims offer forgiveness is the … Guy next door

Dylann Storm Roof appears by closed-circuit television at his bond hearing in Charleston, South Carolina June 19, 2015 in a still image from video. (REUTERS/POOL) As the young white man charged with murdering nine people inside a historic black church in South Carolina stood blankly silent during a court hearing yesterday, relatives of slain worshippers address e d h i m o n e b y one, offering tearful words of grief and forgiveness. Dylann Roof, 21, who authorities say spent an hour in Bible study with parishioners at the nearly 200-year-old Emanuel African Methodist Church before opening fire on them, stood quietly, stoically, as he appeared via video feed for an initial bond hearing before a magistrate judge. Dressed in a black-and-

white prison uniform and flanked by two guards in body armor, Roof showed no reaction as the judge ordered him held without bail. He was formally charged with nine counts of murder and a weapons offense. “May God have mercy on your soul,” said Felicia Sanders, whose 26-year-old son, Tywanza Sanders, was the youngest person to die in Wednesday’s rampage. “You have killed some of the most beautiful people that I know. Every fiber in my body hurts.” Roof looked down occasionally and showed no emotion as Sanders and four other family members of the gun-

shot victims spoke of how he had been welcomed into to the church by the nine people he has been charged with slaying on Wednesday night. The attack at the church nicknamed “Mother Emanuel” for its key role in African-American history followed a wave of protests across the United States in recent months over police killings and excessive force against unarmed black men, focusing attention on race relations and bias in the criminal justice system. The bloodshed in Charleston, where residents packed an arena for a prayer vigil late Friday, marked the latest in a series of fatal U.S. mass shootings. The violence has renewed a national debate between advocates of tighter controls on gun possession and supporters of unfettered access to firearms they assert is constitutionally protected under the Second Amendment. “The elephant in the room is guns. South Carolina and the country have gone guncrazy,” said state Representative Wendell Gilliard, a Democrat who represents Charleston. “How many times do we need to come together? How many times do we need to unite?” The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the attack as both a hate crime and potential act of terrorism, spokeswoman Emily Pierce said yesterday.

Trinidad Guardian - Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar says she has a neighbour named Christian Gokool but to her knowledge he has never received any Government contracts. Also responding to Independent Liberal Party leader Jack Warner’s questions on whether there were at least three drug finds in 2013 at her home at Philippine, San Fernando, Persad-Bissessar said Warner was “delusional.” She said so Thursday as she responded to Warner’s claims, at a cottage meeting at Embacadere, San Fernando, on Wednesday night. During his speech, Warner spoke about the 2013 alleged marijuana find and questioned whether there were more than what was confirmed by the police. He also gave Persad-Bissessar two weeks to tell the nation who “Christian” was. Interviewed by reporters following the sod-turning of the Housing Development Corporation and Republic Bank’s Carlton Lane Housing Project yesterday, PersadBissessar said Warner needed to be more specific because she knew several “Christians”. “I do not know which “Christian” he is speaking about so we await his words,” she first said. But asked by reporters if Warner may have be referring to Christian Gokool, she said:

Kamla Persad-Bissessar “Oh yes, that name is familiar to me. In fact, Christian Gokool is my neighbour at the Philippine residence, one of the properties next door belongs to him, his father and his wife.” Asked if Gokool was a recipient of Government contracts, she replied: “Not to my knowledge that Mr Gokool has received any government contract. I am not aware of any such contract.” Told that Warner was also questioning whether marijuana was in fact found three times on her premises and not once as confirmed by the police, Persad-Bissessar said: “Mr Warner is delusional, quite frankly. There is something that says he who alleges must prove and I await Mr Warner to prove any of the allegations that he has made. “If it is that the police have reported something was

found there fine, the police is investigating that, go ahead. “Mr Warner said I was in New York (April) 12 (2013). I could hold up my passport to you and show I left the country on the (April) 14 (2013), so now he is shifting the goalpost at every single moment, shifting the dates. I think he is delusional, quite frankly.” She suggested that reporters ask Warner why he resigned the day after she returned to the country. But speaking at a political meeting in La Brea last night, Warner again stuck to his guns on the claim, saying he had given the PM two weeks to say who Christian is or he would. He said if the People’s Partnership believed he was bluffing they could wait until the time passed and he would deliver the bombshell if they did not. Resignation claim false Persad-Bissessar also denied asking Warner if she should resign after the marijuana was allegedly found. “Of course not. I have gone through five years of office with people calling upon me to resign every day. Would I ask someone if I should resign? No... totally not true.” Reiterating she was not aware of the marijuana find in 2013, she said when the report came about it she felt horrified and very disturbed. “The report speaks to a point in my premises which is like hundreds of yards away.

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Group stage concludes with celebrations... (From page 30) curling away from Cecilia Santiago and into the top corner for what will be a clear contender for goal of the tournament. Memorable moments French frenzy Les Bleues made easy work of El Tri, and Philippe Bergeroo’s side made history in the process. Marie Laure Delie scored 34 seconds into the match, just four ticks of the watch longer than Lena Videkull’s goal against Japan at China PR 1991, the fastest goal in tournament history. No boom box? No problem! Upon arriving at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, the Colombian team sang in unison while walking to the dressing room, where they have become used to continuing the party with more singing and dancing in an effort to relax before the match.

However, Las Cafeteras’ kit man accidentally left the allimportant boom box back at the hotel, but that was no issue for the South Americans. Without missing a beat, the players started singing on their own and making their own rhythms to carry on a tradition established throughout the group stage. Korean history The Taeguk Warriors celebrated wildly in their dressing room and in the tunnel after completing a remarkable secondhalf comeback to sink Spain 2-1 and reach the Round of 16 for the first time at the Women’s World Cup. The Korea Republic bench sprinted onto the pitch at full time, then they got really loud once they were away from the cameras, singing and dancing while spraying members of their backroom staff with wa-

Eugenie Le Sommer of France scores © Getty Images

ter and sports drinks to mark the occasion of qualifying for the knockout stages. Tears for Las Ticas Despite some brave goalkeeping by Dinnia Diaz –

the Costa Rican keeper made eight saves before Raquel finally found a way past Las Ticas’ No1 with seven minutes remaining – the Central Americans never found that all-important goal, which would

have helped them in the race to being one of the top four third-place teams. Reminiscent of Los Ticos’ exit at Brazil 2014 where Keylor Navas shone before the Netherlands edged Costa Rica on penal-

ties in the quarter-finals, Amerlia Valverde’s side can leave Canada with their heads held high. The stat 13 – France became the quickest team to score three goals in a Women’s World Cup match, accomplishing the feat in just 13 minutes. The words ”I don’t often score, so I’m very happy to have scored at a World Cup, and I hope there are more to come. I’ll have to watch it again, but I think I was it a bit lucky - sometimes those shots end up high or wide!” Amandine Henry on her 80th minute strike Next match day - Saturday 20 June: Round of 16 Germany – Sweden (Lansdowne Stadium, Ottawa, 15:00) China PR – Cameroon (Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, 18:30) (FIFA)

National U-23 team pays courtesy... (From page 35)

Saturday June 20, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) For you, Aries, the next few weeks portend a period of timidity. You will probably go out less, introduce yourself to fewer new people, and be less prone to showing off. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may have spent the past few weeks exploring other horizons, Taurus, meeting new people, going out more frequently, or taking short trips. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're likely to enjoy a change in the rhythm and quality of life, beginning right now, Gemini. Do you feel a need to take your friendships beyond superficiality? CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today you can expect to be more enterprising in your human relationships, Cancer. You may find new friends or enjoy quality time with old ones. It's likely that your love life will intensify. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The past month has allowed you to affirm yourself, Leo, and cement some aspects of your personality. You're now entering a period of consolidation. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today heralds the beginning of a very agreeable period. You will be especially happy, Virgo! You will project confidence, clarity, and charisma wherever you go.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Libra, this would be a good moment to get rid of anything that still stands between you and achieving your goals. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The signs say that you can expect a very profitable few weeks ahead, Scorpio. You've worked hard lately, and it's only natural that you have finally arrived at this stage. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The cosmos will ask you to make more of an effort, Sagittarius. To do so means you will have to come back down to Earth and join the rest of us mere mortals. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) A quest is in store for you, Capricorn. You're likely to engage in a search for physical or intellectual space. You may be asking yourself philosophical questions. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) In navigating your emotional life, Aquarius, you may feel you've made a great effort in the past month. You've been available and conciliatory, and done your best to maintain harmony. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Pisces, the cosmic signs indicate that your emotional universe will once again glow with positive energy. You will meet more people, and your encounters are likely to be profoundly gratifying, emotionally and intellectually.

areas. The National U-23 team Head Coach presented Jones with Golden Jaguars memorabilia as a token of the team’s appreciation for his support. ”You’re now officially a Golden Jaguar” Shabazz told the Director of Sports, adding “I want to welcome you to our team and hope that you would continue showing good leadership and truly help sports to grow in Guyana.” Meanwhile, the team will be officially announced today with Guyana aiming to be the lone team that comes out of their group.

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Silva, Prasad put Sri Lanka in charge Sri Lanka took control of the Galle Test, reducing Pakistan to 118 for 5 at stumps on the third day and leaving them facing a steep climb on a pitch with plenty of help for the spinners. When rain brought play to a close eight overs early, Pakistan were 182 runs adrift of Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 300. That total was made possible by a dogged 125 from Kaushal Silva, who held the innings together in the morning even as wickets kept falling at the other end. When Sri Lanka lost their last wicket halfway into the post-lunch session, the match appeared in the balance. It only took Dhammika Prasad ten balls to swing the advantage firmly the home side’s way. Last ball of his first over, Mohammad Hafeez chased a full outswinger and nicked to third slip; fourth ball of his second, Ahmed Shehzad played back to a length ball and fell over as it nipped back and pinged him on the front pad, in front of middle stump. Shehzad chose not to review, wisely, as ball-tracking showed umpire Richard Illingworth’s decision would stand with the ball appearing to clip the outside half of leg stump. Rangana Herath has had the wood over Azhar Ali, and had dismissed him six times in Tests before he came in to bat today (yesterday). Azhar was ill at ease

against his flight and dip throughout his stay at the crease, and it was no surprise when he shuffled indecisively across his crease to an arm ball that beat his inside edge and smacked his pad right in front. Post-tea, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq staged a brief recovery and showed positive intent during a fourth-wicket partnership of 51, with Younis in particular looking to use his feet against the spinners and put pressure back on them. He got to 47 with a number of punchy blows - including a muscular six off Dilruwan Perera that smacked into the top of the sightscreen - before perishing by the same methods that had brought him his runs. Dilruwan switched angle to around the wicket, and straightened an offbreak past Younis’ inside edge when he came down the track and looked to drive inside-out with an angled bat; 86 for 4. Pakistan had added only 10 to their total when Nuwan Pradeep sucked Misbah into driving at a fullish ball in the corridor that shaped away ever so slightly. Pushing in front of his body with a minimal front-foot stride, he could only edge thickly to the left of Kumar Sangakkara, who took a terrific catch diving to his left from first slip. At that point Pakistan were tottering, still 55 short of the follow-on mark. Asad

Kaushal Silva ©Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed batted through to stumps and minimised the chances of falling short of that target, but Pakistan were still in ample danger of conceding a big enough lead for Sri Lanka to win despite all the time lost to rain. In that light, Silva’s efforts in the morning were priceless. He only added 45 to his overnight score despite batting through the first session and close to ten overs of the second. His solid presence at one end meant Pakistan were only able to chip away at the middle and lower order rather than blast their way through.

Younis Khan walks back after being dismissed by Dilruwan Perera. ©Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistan’s bowling was persistent and incisive right through. The morning began with Yasir Shah ripping his legbreaks from a dangerous length and Wahab Riaz hustling in with pace and menace from the other. Wahab made the first breakthrough of the morning when he bowled Angelo Mathews from around the wicket. He found the perfect length, full but not quite drive-able, to exploit Mathews’ short, almost nonexistent front-foot stride and resultant angled bat, and kiss his inside edge onto the stumps. Sri Lanka’s score inched

along, with the bowlers maintaining constricting lines, and Silva had only made three runs in 27 balls before he put Yasir away for two fours in one over, driving him with the turn through the covers and against it through midwicket. Dinesh Chandimal, similarly becalmed till then, struck three fours in two overs from Zulfiqar Babar. Just when Sri Lanka seemed to have grabbed some of the momentum, the second new ball pegged them back. Pakistan took it as soon as it was due, but continued with Babar’s left-arm spin, contending that the shine would add extra skid to his arm ball. Babar struck Silva on the front pad with one such ball, with height possibly saving the batsman, and produced another lbw shout against Chandimal in his next over, before bowling him when he unwisely tried to make room and cut. Junaid Khan, keeping it tight without quite showing the incision of his fellow leftarm seamer Wahab, nearly got on the scorecard when he found the edge of Kithuruwan Vithanage’s flashing, crooked bat outside

off, but the ball flew too quickly for the airborne Younis Khan to grab it at second slip. Pakistan didn’t have to wait too long for Vithanage’s wicket, though, and like Lahiru Thirimanne on the second day, he too fell to a soft dismissal, and he too fell to that scourge of left-handed batsmen, Hafeez. The ball that got him was an innocuous low full-toss, which he popped straight back to the bowler. It was Hafeez’s 51st Test wicket, and his 35th of a left-handed batsman. Yasir had looked the most threatening Pakistan bowler but his first wicket only came when he had Dilruwan caught behind with a spitting legbreak two balls into the post-lunch session. The end didn’t take too long coming, in terms of runs, though Prasad made Pakistan wait a little longer than they would have liked with a 23ball duck, before Silva was ninth out, gloving an attempted sweep to the keeper. Pakistan 118 for 5 (Younis 47, Prasad 2-24) trail Sri Lanka 300 (Silva 125, Sangakkara 50, Babar 3-64, Wahab 3-74) by 262 runs. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Vettel quickest in Mayweather hints at fight with Austrian GP practice De La Hoya or Golovkin Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was first and last in Austrian Grand Prix practice yesterday that team principal Maurizio Arrivabene will not forget in a hurry after nearly being run over by Felipe Massa. Vettel completed only four laps in the morning before pulling over with a gearbox problem and then did 28 in the afternoon to end the day with the fastest lap of one minute 09.600 seconds. The second session also ended with another gearbox problem, however. ”One of the sensors went to the alert mode and we had to slow down...we don’t know what’s the problem yet, but it seems to be unrelated to the one we had this morning,” said the German. Compatriot Nico Rosberg, last year’s winner who set the pace for Mercedes before lunch, was second with a time just 0.11 slower than the four-times champion. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest in both sessions. If that put a smile on Arrivabene’s face, it made up for the shock of trying to cross the pitlane just as former Ferrari driver Massa left the Williams garage. As the Brazilian braked, the Italian jumped back. Rosberg’s world cham-

Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (R) talks to a technician in the pit. Reuters/Leonhard Foeger pion team mate Lewis Hamilton was second fastest in the morning but only fifth in the afternoon and sounded tetchy on the team radio in the first session when his time was 0.308 slower than Rosberg’s. ”How many changes do you guys want me to do, can I just focus on driving?,” the 30-year-old, who has a 17 point lead in the championship, said over the team radio. Several drivers, including Hamilton, ran off at the penultimate corner on an overcast day. ”I was pushing hard and learning with every lap. If you’re not making mistakes you’re not trying hard enough,” said Hamilton. “I

haven’t seen the data but Ferrari looked quick and it’s definitely closer here than at other circuits. We’re always aware of the threat from our rivals and we take it seriously every race.” McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, who has a 20-place grid penalty after changes to the engine, was 17th and 16th respectively. The Spaniard’s car broke down before he had done a lap and he was confined to the garage for most of the first session. Valtteri Bottas was fourth fastest for Mercedes-powered Williams in the morning, at the track where the Finn took his first podium finish last year. (Reuters)

Edwards, Hinds to fortify... (From page 28) Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Steve Liburd, Orlando Peters, Sherwin Peters, Jacques Taylor, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge; Nelson Bolan, Darren Cruickshank (Trinidad & Tobago), Narsingh Deonarine (Guyana), Colin Hamer, Shane Jeffers. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO RED FORCE: Yannick Cariah, Kevon Cooper, Rayad Emrit, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Kjorn Ottley, Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Richards; Nkrumah Bonner (Jamaica), Kyle Hope, Akeal Hosein, Yannick Ottley, Jeremy Solozano. WINDWARD ISLANDS FRANCHISE: Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Liam Sebastien, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile; Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Kyle Mayers (Barbados), Kevin McClean (Barbados), Dalton Polius. ABOUT THE WICB PCL PLAYER DRAFT The Player Draft has been organised with the goal of achieving an equitable distribution of the available player talent in the Regional 4-Day and NAGICO Super50 tournaments.

Each Franchise contracts a minimum of 15 players, as follows: % 10 players pre-selected from the Home Territory; % 5 players drafted from the Player Pool with a minimum of 2 from outside the Home Territory; and % Each franchise can have 1 international player (i.e. non-eligible West Indian player) at its own cost The six franchises participate in the Draft through the Chairman of Selectors or Head Coach. The selectors making the Draft choices this year were: Reginald Benjamin, Head Coach, Leeward Islands Hurricanes; Gus Logie, Head Coach, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force; Wavell Hinds, Chairman of Selectors, Jamaica Franchise; Charles Walter, Chairman of Selectors, Windward Islands Volcanoes; Hendy Wallace, Chairman of Selectors, Barbados Pride; Dexter Toppin, Assistant Coach, Barbados Pride; Rayon Griffith, Chairman of Selectors, Guyana Jaguars. The Draft is conducted over 5 rounds. Each franchise must pick a player in each round and has 2 minutes to select the player. Where a selection is not made within the stipulated time, the offending franchise misses their turn and waits until all other franchises have

made their selection in that round before making its selection. The selection order for the Player Draft is the reverse order of the final league position in the previous season’s WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament. The sequence below is repeated in each round. (WICB)

Floyd Mayweather poses with Shawn Porter (left) and Adrien Broner (right) at the Mayweather Boxing Club Floyd Mayweather has hinted he may have whittled the list of potential opponents for his so-called final fight this September to the names of Oscar De La Hoya and Gennady Golovkin. The undefeated champion announced following his win over Manny Pacquiao in May that he would be putting on his gloves once more later this year, with Amir Khan immediately touted as a possible challenger. But a rematch with De La Hoya moved a stepped closer, after Mayweather responded to the veteran American’s suggestion of a comeback to the ring at the age of 42.

Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 48 fights, would appear to be drawn to the idea of facing De La Hoya again, after scoring a points victory over him in May 2007. Eight years ago, Golden Boy De La Hoya, who won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1992, enjoyed success in the opening rounds before the five division world champion wore away at his opponent through his now inimitable and unconquerable speed and strength. The prospect of Mayweather Jr finishing off a impeccable career with another meeting with De La

Hoya does not immediately set the pulses racing, with a 49th victory more than likely. Golovkin could provide a much sterner challenge, and the Kazakh middleweight is also undefeated from 33 fights - a record that would certainly attract people to buy into the idea that Mayweather could suffer the first of his career. Mayweather has been helping Adrien Broner prepare for his fight with Shawn Porter tonight in Las Vegas, with the Money Man posting pictures onto Instagram alongside Porter and Broner in his TMT gym. (Mailonline)

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Who’ll reign supreme at the Biggest Party In Sport? Defending champs Barbados Tridents face Guyana Amazon Warriors ”If you love cricket then this is the kind of brand of cricket that you want to go out and support and go and watch. There’s a good standard of player that are going to go out to the Caribbean so why not come out, enjoy and party with us and have some fun.” The words of Kevin Pietersen, as the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League gets ready to explode into life this weekend in Barbados and St Lucia. Fun is the recurring theme of the tournament, dubbed ‘The Biggest Party in Sport’, with an array of Twenty20 superstars, such as Pietersen, Shahid Afridi and Jacques Kallis joining homegrown heroes like Chris ‘World Boss’ Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo in the 33-game extravaganza. ”Barbados supporters are passionate about their T20 cricket” - Tridents captain Kieron Pollard. Into its third season the competition global standing can no longer be questioned, with Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan joining Hollywood actors Mark Wahlberg

and Gerard Butler as franchise stakeholders while the action will be beamed into over 200 million homes worldwide. It comes as no surprise, then, that the players are excited to get the action underway, with defending champions Barbados Tridents opening the tournament at the Kensington Oval today against 2014 runners-up the Guyana Amazon Warriors. ”If there’s one thing about Barbados supporters they are passionate about their cricket, especially their T20 cricket. They are going to come out and expect us to do well,” said Tridents captain Kieron Pollard. ”There’s always a party in the Caribbean, especially on a Saturday night. It’s about playing hard on the cricket field and whatever happens after the game happens.” ”It still hurts for some of the guys what happened last year in the final” - Warriors coach Carl Hooper. The Tridents will enter competition with a familiar feel, having retained the core of their 2014 championship winning team and with four home games in the first week

of the competition, hopes are high that the team can get on a roll early on. ”For us it’s just about laying that foundation early and what we expect from the guys. From there it’s pretty simple, if we do our basics well we have a chance of winning. If we don’t we know what will happen,” added Pollard. For many the tournament begins in perfect fashion with a rematch of last season’s final with the Tridents hosting the Guyana Amazon Warriors, twice CPL runners-up. In a rain affected game it was Pollard’s side who prevailed by eight runs, under the Duckworth-Lewis method, but the result left a bittersweet taste in the mouth of some Amazon Wa r r i o r s faithful, helping to add extra layer of intrigue for the first game. ” I t ’s g o i n g t o b e a b i g game. An exciting game for us. It’s very important to try and get one over them,” a bullish Carl Hooper, who coaches the Amazon Warriors, told cplt20.com. ”Lendl Simmons won the IPL and has been in fantastic

Performers show off some striking props from the previous edition © Getty Images form since the World Cup” Warriors captain Denesh Ramdin. ”We can’t rehash old events but it still hurts for some of the guys what happened last year in the final so we’ve got a lot to play for. Most of all we want to start well because Barbados will be one of the key teams in the tournament.” The Amazon Warriors are expected to field a hugely experienced side, which could contain both Brad Hodge and

Shiv Chanderpaul, while also leaning on the explosive abilities of Lendl Simmons and the guile of Sunil Narine as they mount their bid for a first CPL title. ”Lendl won the IPL and has been in fantastic form since the World Cup. Sunil has had his ups and downs but he is going to be a good asset to have. Everyone in the crowd wants to see him doing well and taking wickets,” added Captain Denesh Ramdin.

From Bridgetown today, the party rolls on to St Lucia with the Zouks hosting the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel - before pre-tournament favourites Jamaica Tallawahs enter the fray on Tuesday June 23 and new franchise the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots make their debut the following day. What’s for sure though is wherever the island, whatever the weather, the party atmosphere is sure to be bouncing. (CPL)

Edwards, Hinds to fortify PCL franchises

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – International players Narsingh Deonarine, Kirk Edwards and Ryan Hinds headed the list of imported draft choices, when the Player Draft of the WICB Professional Cricket League took place on Thursday. Deonarine, Edwards and Hinds were the three eyecatching picks, as selectors from each of the six franchises were stipulated for the second edition of the Draft to pick a minimum of two players from outside of their home territory, unlike the inaugural edition last year. Deonarine, the Guyanese lefthanded batsman, who also bowls off-spin, is expected to be a big boost for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes which finished last in the six-team Regional 4-Day Tournament and failed to reach the knockout stages of the NAGICO Super50 Tournament. ”The Draft went extremely well

Guyana chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith shares a pick during the Player Draft. WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography for us,” said new Hurricanes head coach Reginald Benjamin. “There is always going to be a few surprises at a player draft and we were fortunate to have been able to secure Narsingh Deonarine. ”He was the best available batsman in the Draft and his off-spin bowling will be a plus, so we are now looking

Jamaica Franchise chairman of selectors Wavell Hinds makes a final run through of the player lists. WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography forward to him helping us to become a successful franchise in the coming season.” Edwards, the Barbadian batsman who distinguished himself with a Test hundred on debut, has been given a chance to revive his stalled international career with the Jamaica Franchise.

”Kirk has been an outstanding batsman on the regional circuit in previous seasons,” said Jamaica Franchise chairman of selectors Wavell Hinds. “He has also had some success at the international level and still has the desire to play international cricket again. ”We believe we can offer him the environment and the opportunity to propel himself and put his hand up so that the West Indies selectors get have a good look at him once again, so we think it turned out well for us to have secure a player like him.” Ryan Hinds, a long-standing left-handed all-rounder from Barbados, will add greater depth to the batting of the Guyana Jaguars and his leftarm spin bowling will make this part of their attack even more potent along with the West Indies duo of leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and another left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul. Hinds will be one of three Barbadians that will be lining up for the defending Regional 4-Day champions next season. Left-handed all-rounder Raymon Reifer was selected in the Draft last year and was placed on the Jaguars’ protected list for the coming season, and fast-medium bowler

Javon Searles will join him and Hinds in Georgetown. ”Raymon was very effective for us last year and we are hoping that Ryan and Javon will continue this trend,” said Jaguars chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith. “I think Ryan will bring real value to our side. It is a huge loss for us not having Narsingh in our lineup and to play the role that he has for a long time as batting all-rounder, so we were fortunate to grab Ryan, a season campaigner in domestic cricket, and we hope he will help to cushion the blow from the loss of Narsingh.” The other eight players selected from outside of their home territory were: Darren Cruickshank (Hurricanes), Nkrumah Bonner and Kyle Hope (Trinidad & Tobago Red Force); Trevon Griffith (Jamaica Franchise); Kyle Mayers and Kevin McClean (Windward Islands Volcanoes); and Preston McSween and Hayden Walsh Jr (Barbados Pride). FINAL FRANCHISE SQUAD LISTS (NB: 1. Players chosen in the Draft are highlighted in colour; 2. Players chosen from outside of the franchise’s home territory are further highlighted with their home territory in brackets following

their names) BARBADOS PRIDE: Carlos Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Ashley Nurse, Shai Hope, Jomel Warrican; Justin Greaves, Preston McSween (Windward Islands), Omar Phillips, Kevin Stoute, Hayden Walsh Jr (Leeward Islands). GUYANA FRANCHISE: Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Rajendra Chandrika, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh; Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds (Barbados), Keon Joseph, Javon Searles (Barbados), Paul Wintz. JAMAICA FRANCHISE: Dave Bernard Jr, John Campbell, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Dawes, Nicholson Gordon, Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Tamar Lambert, Nikita Miller, Marquino Mindley; Carlton Baugh Jr, Kirk Edwards (Barbados), Trevon Griffith (Guyana), Paul Palmer, Shacaya Thomas. LEEWARD ISLANDS FRANCHISE: Quinton Boatswain, Kacey Carty, Rahkeem (Continued on page 27)

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Over $400,000 up for grabs for Father’s Day Dominoes Competition A massive Father’s Day Competition organised by the President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) Faye Joseph will take place tomorrow at her residence at 1223 Gualding Place, South Ruimveldt. The Competition is expected to attract some of the best exponents of the game and among the teams slated to participate are Spartans, Thunder, Rage, All Seasons, F&H Printery, Saddam, Scamblers, Raiders, Turning Point, Village, Frankie’s, West Side Brothers and Determined among other vie for the top three prizes. The winning team will receive $200,000, runner-up

Faye Joseph $150,000 and 3rd place $50,000 along with trophies. Joseph speaking to this newspaper earlier in the week said that the competition is being played in the memory of her late husband Orin Joseph, who

was a former President of the GDA and avid player as well. She disclosed teams will not be asked to pay an entrance fee to participate in the tournament which is expected to start at 15:00hrs sharp. According to her, teams that arrive after the stipulated time will not be able to participate in the competition. Another incentive according to her is that special prizes will be given to fathers, including the oldest to play in the event, while there are many other prizes to be given away to them. Interested teams could contact tele #685-1009 or 665-5855.

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FIFA President backs integrity checks Outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter is backing a proposal for the world governing body’s top officials to pass integrity checks. FIFA’s Executive Committee will discuss the proposal in Zurich on 20 July, when it will also set the date of the new presidential election. Blatter said “decisions on extensive changes to the FIFA structure” will also be taken then. He added the test had previously been blocked by European Federation UEFA. The idea has been put forward again by FIFA Executive Committee member Wolfgang Niersbach of Germany. Blatter, who passed an integrity test in February, said: “Confederations are meant to screen officials but a new system would likely see FIFA’s Ethics Chairmen assessing them more rigorously.” On 2 June - only four days after being elected for a fifth, four-year presidential term - Blatter announced plans to step down amid investigations into alleged

corruption involving some FIFA officials. There have been suggestions he might seek to stand again, but FIFA said he stands by that statement of intent to step down. “The future of FIFA has begun,” Blatter added. “The key is to strengthen democracy within the FIFA government.” Highlighting how Asia was the only regional body with an independent ethics body like FIFA, Blatter said other confederations “are lacking” and must “acknowledge their responsibility in matters of ethics”. Blatter, 79, added: “German Football Association president Niersbach has broached a subject that has so far been blocked by UEFA, of all associations. “The message he has thereby sent out must apply to everyone: Only together can we continue to drive the process of reform forward. That is something I will stand for until my final day in office.”

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 20, 2015

Telman, Harvey, Nelson fires Stewartville to 3-0 win We s t C o a s t s c h o o l Stewartville Secondary started their Digicel Schools Football tournament campaign by demolishing West Bank Demerara’s Endeavour 3-0 at the Leonora ground in what turned out to be total mismatch yesterday

afternoon. Trishon Telman, Kerry Harvey and Christopher Nelson all found the back of the nets as Stewartville enjoyed almost total ball possession against the much smaller students from the Endeavour school in a game which started close to an

hour late in a drizzle. In the 10th minute 16-yearo l d f o r w a r d Te l m a n hammered a shot from close range to beat the startled Custodian Nascio Bayely who turned out to be the only bright spot in the Endeavour side with a few of good saves to limit the margin of victory

somewhat. Though the bigger Stewartville players had the ball for 98% of the game they failed to convert their advantage into goals and at the half, the score read Stewartville 1, Endeavour 0 as the entire first half was played inside Endeavor’s

half. Stewartville’s erratic shooting, at times with an open goal in front of their strikers, continued from the opposite end in the second half before a solo run from the left flank by the unmarked Harvey saw him easily patting the ball into the goal despite a valiant effort from Bayley to prevent it from going over the goal line. Things got so bad for Endeavour and so boring for Stewartville’s custodian that he was seen relaxing on his back with the action in full swing at the other end. When Stewartville got their shots on target they were tame ones which Bayley easily collected but the more powerful shots were wide of the mark or sailed over the crossbar. Their third goal, scored in the 62nd minute, was a well controlled effort from Nelson who collected a perfect pass from the left back and hammered it into the back of the net. The match continued to be played in Endeavour’s half and only twice did Stewartville’s goalkeeper get to touch the ball.

Kerry Harvey The first was when one of the defense players needlessly passed the ball back to him from the middle of the field and when Endeavour made it’s only raid on goal. With all of 11 players looking to score including their Goalie, who left his goal unprotected to try and dribble past a bemused youngster from Endeavour the final whistle was blown much to the relief of the West Bank unit. (Sean Devers)

Group stage concludes with celebrations and tears The final four group stage matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ came to a close on Wednesday as Groups E and F were finalised and the remaining spots in the Round of 16 were determined. There were few surprises in store for the six teams still vying to secure a spot in the knockout stages (Brazil and Colombia has already sealed passage), though a flurry of fine French goals delighted the fans in Ottawa, England entertained the Montreal crowd, Korea Republic stunned Spain with a late fight back and Brazil took down Las Ticas in a tight contest. R e s u l t s G r o u p E Costa Rica 0-1 Brazil Korea Republic 2-1 Spain G r o u p F Mexico 0-5 France England 2-1 Colombia Goal of the day Mexico 0-5 France,

Amandine Henry (80’) France were by no measure short of goals in their rout of a young El Tri team in Ottawa, but Amandine Henry definitely saved the best of the bunch for last. With ten minutes remaining and the game well in hand, the midfielder picked her head up and decided to have a go from about 25 yards out. After rolling the ball ahead of her slightly the No6 unleashed a wicked strike, which surely her namesake from Les Bleus’ fame would approve of, that was always (Continued on page 25)

Saturday June 20, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 35

National U-23 team pays Hope march on after 3-1 win over LBI courtesy call on Sports Director Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition

Team to be announced today

Part of the action between Hope Secondary and LBI Secondary yesterday, at the Victoria Community Centre ground. Braving soggy conditions underfoot, Hope Secondary rebounded from conceding an early goal to come away with a workmanlike 3-1 win over a game, but clearly outclassed La Bonne Intention (LBI) as play in the 5th Edition of the Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition continued yesterday, at the Victoria Community Centre ground. Watched by a fair-sized crowd, Hope was led to victory through a brace from the speedy Kevaughn Garnett, whose efforts which included a penalty came in the 18th and 40th minute, while Demel Joseph added the other goal in the 34th minute. On target for LBI was goalkeeper Rayshawn Simon, who netted a penalty three minutes after the match started. The ground which was heavy in some parts made it difficult for the players to exhibit their true skills and one could say that the c o n d i t i o n s w a s partially responsible for the first goal of the game when a sliding tackle by a Hope defender inside the penalty area resulted in a foul and a spot kick awarded. Up strode Simon from between the uprights and he buried his fiercely struck shot into the roof of the net. Undaunted even after trailing so early, Hope attacked relentlessly for the equaliser and while they threatened on occasions, LBI backline held firmly in a stubborn display, before the roles were reversed as Hope was the team to win a penalty this time after Simon was whistled for lunging with both feet off the ground attempting to intercept a through pass inside the red zone. The ensuing spot kick taken by Garnett blew past the goalkeeper to his right to

tie the scores at 1-1. Shortly before the half time whistle sounded, Hope took the lead courtesy of another penalty kick taken by Joseph which he sent low and hard to the left side of the goal past the diving Simon. The scores remained that way at the half and the prospects of a riveting final period appeared real. On the resumption, both teams looked to maintain their attacking style of play and it took a fantastic free kick from Garnett from about 30 metres out which came as a

result of a strong tackle by an opposing defender to place Hope in an even more comfortable position. LBI won a penalty a few minutes later, but the attempt was struck straight at the goalkeeper who made an easy save to preserve their 31 advantage. Hope goalkeeper Dexroy Bristol then made a stunning save from a free kick presnted to LBI, before the final whistle sounded. In the day’s other result: Stewartville beat Endeavour 3-0.

Hope goal scorers, Demal Joseph (left) and Kevaughn Garnett.

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz makes a presentation to Director of Sports Christopher Jones yesterday. G u y a n a ’s O l y m p i c Under-23 football team yesterday made a courtesy call to Director of Sports Christopher Jones ahead of their participation in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Olympic Qualifiers in Antigua and Barbuda, next week. The delegation headed by Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz featured Daniel Wilson, Daniel Whyte, Trayon Bobb, William Europe and Joshua Brown along with Guyana Football Federation (GFF) General Secretary Richard Groden. ”On behalf of the Government of Guyana, I would like to wish you guys all the best and know that the entire Guyana is fully behind you” said the Director of Sport while addressing the players at his National Sports Commission (NSC) Office. Guyana will depart on Monday where they will play on June 24, 26 and 28 against

Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda and Aruba in their bid to represent the ‘Land of Many Waters’ in Rio next year. Jones told the contingent that in Antigua, apart from excelling on the field, it is required that they remain good ambassadors off the pitch since they will be representing an entire nation. The Sports Director was high in optimism of the team’s success under Shabazz whom he called a true patriot though being Trinidadian. ”I can tell you that as Director of Sport, I will try my best to ensure that you

guys are afforded the necessary facilities needed to excel in the sport and even off the field. We will work together to also ensure that you can focus on the game and not what happens outside of it, but I want to thank you for visiting me,” Jones said. Shabazz was grateful for Jones’ confidence in the team and noted that for the first time, Guyana has a youthful leader in the sports fraternity, who understands what is needed to help youth develop in their respective (Continued on page 29)

t r o Sp Cricket’s biggest party back in town

Jamaica, 2013 winners

Barbados, 2014 winners No empty seat in the house: The CPL has been instrumental in bringing Caribbean fans back to the stadiums © Getty Images

Jason Holder

Christopher Barnwell ©Getty Images

Denesh Ramdin. CPL T20 Ltd.2015

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