Kaieteur News

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June 30, 2012 - Vol. 6 No. 25 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

NCN’s Mohamed ‘Fuzzy’ Sattaur resigns Husband 70, remanded Martin Goolsaran suspended P. 2

Body found buried in house….

P. 16

Gordon Leslie Durant

The bathroom in which Joan Durant was buried

Finance Minister wife’s GT&T undergoes appointment a serious major shake-up conflict of interest-TIGI P. 6

P. 3

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

NCN’s Mohamed ‘Fuzzy’ Sattaur resigns …Prog. Manager Martin Goolsaran suspended

T

h e C h i e f Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN), Mohamed ‘Fuzzy’ S a t t a u r, t e n d e r e d h i s resignation, yesterday. He was faced with a simple request from President Donald Ramotar, according to a source in NCN, ‘Resign or be fired.’

NCN, like the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company a few weeks ago, found itself being probed for financial irregularities. On the part of NCN one area of irregularity was traced back to GT&T and involved millions of dollars in advertisements.

N C N ’s P r o g r a m m e Manager Martin Goolsarran who had admitted that he had deposited the payment cheque from the telephone company into his personal account, has been suspended.

This publication understands that following the probe into the financial irregularities, NCN’s Board of Directors headed by Dr. Prem Misir made several recommendations to Minister of Information, who in this case happens to be Head of State, Donald Ramotar.

This publication understands that the probe unearthed the fact that there were severe managerial problems at the state-owned company hence, the recommendations which included severing ties with Sattaur.

Sattaur could not be reached for a comment.

Calls to his telephone went unanswered.

The financial affairs of the state-owned media entity were subject to a specially appointed private audit following revelations of financial improprieties that surfaced earlier this month.

The revelations centered on the payment of millions of dollars by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph company to NCN for work done by the staff.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, had written to the entity’s General Manager Mohamed Sattaur, informing him of a decision by the Office of the President (Minister of Information) to have a special investigation launched into allegations of

Mohamed ‘Fuzzy’ Sattaur

Martin Goolsarran financial irregularity at NCN. D r. L u n c h e o n h a d informed that Parmesar Chartered Accountants was recruited and appointed to carry out the activity.

The specific terms of reference were to “specifically investigate allegations of financial irregularity occurring from September 2011 to February 2012 and with regards to the account for the GT&T Jingle and song Competition”.

The state-owned media company’s Programme Manager, Martin Goolsarran, had admitted that he had deposited the payment cheque from the telephone company into his personal account.

He was subsequently sent on leave to facilitate a total audit of the NCN financial position and a probe of its financial practices.

The spotlight was also on t h e e n t i t y ’s G e n e r a l Manager Mohamed Sattaur, who it is felt was quite aware of some of the financial improprieties.

The special audit was completed and a report handed over to the Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Prem Misir last week.

Sattaur and Goolsarran had been granted 72 hours to (Continued on page 17)

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

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GT&T undergoes major shake-up Joe Singh new Chairman/CEO, Sonita Jagan in as CFO There were serious lapses in the internal financial controls of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), says outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Yog Mahadeo.

Mahadeo’s shocking resignation was accepted on Thursday by the GT&T’s Board of Directors following a damning auditor’s report that found internal accounting systems were bypassed.

Yesterday, the GT&T Board of Directors confirmed reports by this newspaper that it has accepted Mahadeo’s resignation.

Former CEO, Major General (rtd) Joe Singh has now been named Chairman of GT&T and will assume the role of acting CEO. Former CEO, Sonita Jagan will now be acting as the new Chief Financial Officer in place of Royston Rachpaul.

Rachpaul and three others from the company’s finance section were given termination letters earlier this week. An annual audit of the

mainly US-owned company took a turn several weeks ago after auditors started probing irregular cheque payments to Martin Goolsarran, Programme Director of the National Communications Network (NCN) for the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition.

Goolsarran reportedly placed almost $4M, representing payment to NCN cameramen and crew, in his personal bank account. The cheques were made out in his name.

Other payments were blocked.

The revelations had also ensnared NCN’s CEO, Mohamed Sattaur.

Sattaur yesterday reportedly handed in his resignation while Goolsarran has been suspended for eight weeks by the NCN’s Board of Directors.

During a press conference at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday, Mahadeo disclosed that he will remain for a few weeks to hand over.

He refused to link Sattaur’s resignation to his.

LAPSES “The board has basically informed me that there were lapses in internal controls. I have not been updated what these controls were.”

The official, who has been behind a major campaign to make GT&T more marketable, said that he met with the board and the report of the audit was discussed. He was the CFO for three years before being confirmed as the CEO two years ago.

“I had signaled to everyone that if those reports were adverse I will take the necessary actions…”

The official said that the next few weeks will be used to learn what the lapses in the internal control systems were.

Kaieteur News understands that GT&T has a number of systems in place which calls for three quotations before purchases can be made. These were bypassed on a number of occasions.

Saying that he was “hurt” by the lapses in the financial

department, Mahadeo refused to take responsibility for his colleagues’ action in allowing these lapses.

Payments to several promoters, suppliers and marketing agencies have been blocked by GT&T in recent weeks to facilitate the audit. Several persons doing business with GT&T have also been questioned.

In the past 18 months, GT&T has spent up to $1B on popular promotions including the Jingle and Song Competition, Ten/10 Softball, Gospel Concert, Colorfest and Feel The Beat, among others.

According to the outgoing CEO, in 2011 revenues grew, with the company hooking up 15,000 new mobile subscribers.

Some 16,000 new DSL connections were also made.

Mahadeo was not worried about criminal charges.

In addition to Rachpaul, internal auditor, Sachin Persaud; Caramchand Rambarran., Ten/10 Organizer

Nearly two decades later...

‘Fearful’ witness testifies in Monica Reece inquest The inquest into the April 9, 1993 death of security guard Monica Reece continued yesterday before Magistrate Hazel OctiveHamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Four witnesses, including a police inspector, gave evidence before a threeperson jury regarding statements they gave during the year of 1993 when Reece’s death occurred.

For safety of the witnesses their names have been withheld. The first witness gave evidence based on what he did during the period leading up to the death of the woman. He gave his information based on the evidence he provided in 1993.

The other defendant was described as a “pimp” who in his prime presented protection for prostitutes. The man stated his background and how he came to know the deceased. His evidence however showed that he had no immediate contact with the deceased but had known her since he was employed at the same place with at least three members of Reece’s family.

He described the deceased as an outgoing party girl who he knew by the name ‘Nikki’.

That witness however had

information to add to the previous evidence he provided in 1993. The man stated that he is now giving the evidence because back then he was fearful for his life and he to some extent did not trust the police who took his statement.

The man said that on the night of Reece’s death, he saw her on Church Street despite telling investigators in 1993 that after a certain occasion he never saw the woman again. The man said that he saw when the then 19year-old Reece had boarded a black 4x4 pickup and leave Church Street. He said the vehicle passed him and he saw the silhouette of at least four persons inside.

The man had to be given some time to compose himself after he began to weep. He said while at another location in the same vicinity, a man who persons referred to as a “junkie” told him that he had seen a woman dumped out of a vehicle.

He said at the time he did not know it was the same girl but he later found out after reading the newspapers the next day.

He alleged that he was fearful because of how the police had acted while taking statements. He was then interrupted and the Magistrate related that she

had been hearing statements to that effect from other persons who had taken the stand in the matter.

He further alleged that the ‘junkie’ was with another individual and that they had both seen what happened. He however said certain things had happened to those persons and he was not taking any chances.

The man however concluded his evidence and a policeman then took the stand. After that, another witness was presented. He related that he came forward after being informed about the

inquest. His evidence will however be taken on the next occasion.

The matter will be called again on Wednesday.

Reece, a security guard, was allegedly dumped from a pickup onto Main Street on Good Friday night of April 9, 1993. No one was ever charged.

Since Reece’s death, three Commissioners have retired, some of the police investigators have retired, and forensic pathologist Dr. Leslie Mootoo, who conducted the autopsy and also the exhumation for DNA evidence, has passed away.

New Chairman/ CEO: Joe Singh

New CFO: Sonita Jagan

and Richard Sukhdeo were also said to have had their services terminated.

The investigators reportedly took control of the computers in the finance department. They then ordered the four off the job pending the outcome of the investigation.

CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS? GT&T in a statement from Paul Bowersock, a member of the Board of Directors yesterday said that staffers are aware of strict business procedures.

“GT&T periodically, and as needed, reviews internal controls and compliance with our internal code of ethics and conflict of interest rules.

Every employee is made aware of our strict business procedures, and we do not tolerate violations.”

In the course of the recent review, Bowersock said that it was found that the actions of some individuals have been inconsistent with the company’s high ethical standards regarding internal business practices and conflicts of interest.

“Accordingly, the Board has decided it is in the best interest of the company to make some changes in personnel. The board has replaced our CFO, Royston Rachpaul, and three additional staff reporting to him.”

“Because this failure to adhere to the highest standards of conduct took place on his watch, CEO Yog Mahadeo has determined it is in the best interest of the company for him to resign his position. We respect Yog’s decision and appreciate the many achievements of the company under his leadership. Over the next couple of weeks, Yog has offered to help ensure that a smooth transition takes place.”

GT&T said that it did not envision any further personnel changes at this time.

Guyana had 20 per cent shares in GT&T, shares that it has now sold to an Asian company.

The rest is owned by Atlantic Tele Network, a USbased company.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the 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 Chinese gifts and the government insecurity Guyana has been engaging the Chinese in a number of development programmes. Within the recent past the projects have included a brand new hotel, an extended runway and a modern airport terminal at Timehri, the much touted Amaila Falls hydroelectric project and the various cable projects being undertaken for Guyana Power and Light and for the One Laptop per Family programme, and even laptop project that seeks to place a laptop into 90,000 homes.

This has been made possible by China’s booming economy and its desire to place itself as a giant in this corner of the world. The region has been subjected to the influence of first the British, then the Americans. These brought a level of economic advancement but in recent times their financial package has drastically reduced.

Indeed, they have their special interests and the demands on their resources by those countries that are of special interest to them would determine where the money goes. Guyana is no longer strategically important nor is it important in the scheme of things. It has no resource that the United States and Britain need and it is surely going to be a drag on these countries.

China, on the other hand, wants to expand its global borders. It sees the Caribbean as being ripe for its influence.

Given the money at its disposal, it is not finding it hard to place itself at the centre of any economic development of the region. Guyana is not exempt.

However, the government is bent on doing things in the shade. It never tells the people what it is doing and when these things come to the fore the government is quick to accuse anyone who questions the arrangement of being anti-government and hostile to development.

This newspaper has been questioning some of the projects that are already in the pipeline and at each turn, it is being greeted with government hostility to the extent that there are some who have accused it of actually thwarting foreign investment.

Details of the airport expansion programme have emerged but certainly not from the government. The Chinese contractors were repeatedly constrained to invite the media to seek answers from the Guyana Government; that certain questions about a client should not be posed to the contractor.

The actions of the Guyana Government seem to be deeply rooted in the days when the country experimented with communism and socialism; when the government adorned itself with unsurpassed power; when it considered the people as the masses who were little better than the producing class.

Those days are no more; these are the days of democracy and of openness; the days when the government must account to the people or face their wrath at the polls. One may argue that old habits die hard, that over the years the governments have had things their own way. They did not have to account to the people for anything.

That is why it was embarrassing to hear the Chinese tell reporters that some of the questions they happened to be asking the foreign contractors should be directed to the government. The government has been so mum that in many cases, projects got underway before the nation was aware.

Costs were arrived at and the nation paid.

Today the government must answer questions. It is this fear of answering the questions that is leading to the secrecy.

We have learnt that the Chinese contractors have approached the government with many other offers, all of which they would fund.

There is the deep water harbour promised by the ruling party in its manifesto of the 2006 elections. The Chinese promised to construct it but the government is balking at the questions that would be asked by the press and the political opposition.

Similarly, there is the proposed road linking Brazil to coastal Guyana. The Chinese know the benefits but the government is not prepared to defend the cost to the politicians. This is the insecurity that has come from knowing of the dishonesty that surrounded previous projects.

Don’t expect silence or compliance on my part, Mr. Dev. Not now, not ever!

DEAR EDITOR, Ravi Dev must be told his continued disrespect for the African race will come into conflict with some. He is also taking a lot for granted to think it is his domain to define or interpret my reality, choose my words, misrepresent my work, and expect silence or compliance on my part. Not now, not ever!

Reference is made to his June 10th column “For a future peace.” He is reminded in today’s world, peace is premised on justice. Thus his pander for empathy in the claim that my response to his bias is ad hominem shall not deter me. Refer to my letter “My position is in sync with international prerequisites for good governance and social justice” (KN May 29th, 2012).

Dev is no victim here. The victim is the society. His use of the media is not to weld this nation together, foster racial harmony, end discrimination and poor governance. His interest is in keeping the races divided to pursue the agenda of racial dominance by demonising and labelling the African race, fronting it under the claim that he is an Indian rights activist.

He is advised while it is his right to agitate on behalf of any group; it cannot and will not come at the cost of disrespecting another and engaging in act/actions to deny them their rights. Our Constitution is very clear on the equality of all races and guarantees the protection of all from discrimination on the ground of race.

Yet, in spite of these tenets, Dev chose to make his political debut to this nation by informing us, if it were not for Indians, Guyana would

have reverted to mangroves.

This statement is made in absence of evidence and in the presence of historical fact that on the arrival of Indians in 1838, the topography of Guyana was already built and maintained by the enslaved.

Though Africans arrived here as chattel slaves, were treated sub-humanly, they fought against this indignity, and with the support of others brought an end to slavery in the British Commonwealth, paving the way for those who came after to not suffer similar indignity.

Note too, that Dev’s statement is made in the presence of the fact that in 1838 (emancipation) after being enslaved and unpaid for hundreds of years, Africans had already accumulated money to buy villages from their former slave masters, started the village movement, and firmly laid a foundation for the right to self determination. And the money they accumulated came within the four years of amelioration (1834-1838) and being paid at a miserly rate.

This phenomenal feat would be lauded by men of decency. But Dev is tormented by such and seeks efforts to diminish and devalue same, hoping he can escape accountability. His statement is an offence to the African struggles and offends me personally as the descendant of a people, though having suffered much, never sought to hug their achievements for themselves. And he must be told!

Dev is who he is today thanks to the struggles of those who came before. And as he promotes his U.S

education, he is reminded this was made possible because of the struggles of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Rev. Al Sharpton and others. In the USA, where race is sharply demarcated - white or black/ coloured - and of which he can make no apparent claim to whiteness, the success he enjoyed was ridden on the waves of the AfricanAmerican Civil Rights Struggles, i.e. the struggles for racial equality.

At home, persons such as Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and the trade union community, who preceded the political parties, began the struggle for universal adult suffrage, political independence, universal primary education, eight-hour work day, the ordinary man having an opportunity to be elected to the Legislature, toppling the colour/race and other socio-economic barriers, among others. Dev benefitted and continues to benefit!

Yet, in spite of the foregoing, he has the effrontery to write in 1998 that “In addition to the nurtured tradition of revolt, African socialisation patterns predispose them into aggressive habits and frustrating situations elicit aggressive responses, even against authority figures, i.e. there is a normative support for violence in the African community.”

Only a depraved mind would project such thinking on society and argue such behaviour is the purview of one race when there is no evidence to support same, even moreso given what is happening today, and of

which he has opted for silence in the midst of escalation.

If Dev takes careful note, he’d see violence and disrespect for authority figures is not the purview of any group but the capability of all! This is why laws and rights are universal. For these tenets seek to ensure the equality and dignity of all, hold all accountable under a universal framework, and bound all to play by the same rules.

Thus his penchant to hide behind thinkers/philosophers should not faze, fool or impress. In fact, this disposition of his gives deeper meaning to Bob Marley’s philosophical outlook that, “If I was educated, I’d be a damn f o o l . ” E v i d e n t l y, D e v ’s projection of having read has not translated to learning, clearly seen with his lack of discernment or refusal to see universal right and wrong, and call it for what it is! He fails to understand that “until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, there is war” (Haile Selassie/Bob Marley).

Africans are no more or less, better or worse, than any group in the human family, as such he will have to respect the United Nations declarations and Guyana Constitution that enshrined equality and dignity for all.

In closing, in Dev’s choice of using his pen/mouth to execute his race war in this society, he is advised he will find a combatant in me. And since the price for peace is justice, it is not a choice he faces to end his war, but a requirement he must respect!

Lincoln Lewis

40 years of Guyana-China relations DEAR EDITOR, This year marks 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and China. The two countries established diplomatic relations on June 27, 1972, a significant diplomatic step given the fact that many countries in the region were at that time under the influence of the United States dictation and were therefore timid in establishing diplomatic relations with China.

The Cold War was raging at the time and the United States was opposed to any foreign power that sought to penetrate the region diplomatically or otherwise.

The Caribbean was regarded as the United States ‘backyard’ and any attempt to gain a foothold in the region was seen by the United States as an unfriendly act.

It is against that background of the Cold War, when ideological and political differences between the United States and China were at its peak, that the establishment of diplomatic relations has to be situated.

The United States was in support of Taiwan which broke away from China and was prepared to recognize what China regarded as a ‘renegade” state despite strong objections from the Chinese government.

The PPP, even though in the political opposition at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations, lent its full support to China and was in full solidarity with the Chinese people and government on the issue. It was not accidental, therefore, that Guyana became the first country in the English-

speaking Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Since then, diplomatic and cultural relations between China and Guyana have grown and matured to higher levels. As pointed out by the President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao, in a message to Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar on the occasion of 40 years of China-Guyana relations, bilateral ties between the two countries have made steady development.

The past four decades have seen a further deepening of mutual trust and understanding between the peoples of the two countries. In addition, there is growing cooperation and collaboration in regional and international affairs.

According to President Hu Jintao, both China and

Guyana are developing countries faced with the common tasks of developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood. The Chinese government, he said, attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations and cooperation with Guyana.

President Donald Ramotar for his part, acknowledged the mutually beneficial nature of the relationship between Guyana and China and said that the relations between our two countries have been founded on the principles of democracy, respect for territorial integrity and the development of harmonious relations among states as enshrined in the Charter of the United States.

According to the Guyanese leader, since the establishment of diplomatic Continued on page 5

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

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

THE DEFENCE OF NO DEFENCE DEAREDITOR, When I read Harry Gill’s letter, published in KN dated 06/27/ 2012 and captioned; ‘In defense of Minister Rohee’ my thoughts went directly to the story; ‘“The Tell-Tale Heart”, a short story written by renowned American gothic writer EdgarAllan Poe. Mr. Gill’s letter may deduce its most relevant comparison from the first paragraph of that story which begins; “True!—nervous— very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How then am I mad?

Hearken! and observe how healthily –how calmly I can tell you the whole story.”

The last time I read anything in the press under the name Harry Gill was some months ago when Mr. Gill, in his normal temper tantrum letters, threw a fit in the press and ended his letter by telling the public that that letter would be his last in the newspapers.

While many people probably breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that they will not have to put up

with Mr. Gill’s ‘public display of ‘scatter-brainism’, I was disheartened, as I believe that even the most disillusioned amongst us must have their say.

So, when I read Mr. Gill’s reentrance into the press, of course without notice this time, I was most excited. However, my greatest satisfaction from his reentry lies in the belief that, it appears that it was me who had caused Mr. Gill to walk back from his earlier position, for this I gave myself a pat on the back, and say welcome back Harry Gill!

In a clearly unhinged manner, Gill launched his vile, but not unusual, attack at me for calling out Minister Rohee on his “potentially delicate period of national security” comment in which he suggests that cutting the leave of senior police officers was necessary because Guyana is currently in a period where the national security situation is fragile.

In his letter of defence, Gill made all sorts of comments and attributes all kinds of statements to individuals he named in his letter, but the very basis of his so-called ‘defence’ exposes the

illogical pattern of his thinking.

The protagonist in Edgar Allan Poe’s story asks us how we can say he is mad, but yet he feeds us all the facts we need to conclude that he is a deranged and unreliable person. He claimed that he told us the whole story calmly and healthily but yet shouted “Hearken!” Gill is no different! He presented himself as the defence attorney for Mr. Rohee but yet offered an rational, coherent or consistent argument in defence of his master. However, we must be reminded that it is not unusual for those who have a propensity or preference for irrationality to be sucked into the realm of psychosis.

In his ‘attempted defence’ of Mr. Rohee, Harry Gill tells us that comments of which he attributed to one man, Aubrey Norton, are the reasons behind Rohee’s logic. If this is really the case, executive leadership in Guyana is at crisis point.

In his wild ramblings, Gill refused to address the last point I made in my June 25 letter and which I suggested might have been a more acceptable rationale, for cutting the leave of senior

40 years of Guyana-China...

From page 4 relations, Guyana’s relations with China has been evident in several areas which benefitted from our vibrant cooperation programme, including frequent high-level exchanges at the political, diplomatic, economic and cultural levels. As players on the international stage, both of our countries have pursued common interests as members of the United Nations and the Group of 77 and China.

The Communist Party of China and the People’s Progressive Party of Guyana have long been friends, even before the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Indeed, the PPP was the first political organization that stood firmly in support of the Chinese government in opposition to the ‘Two China” policy that was being encouraged by the United States and other western powers.

This friendship has grown and matured over the years. The two parties shared much in common, including the necessity to pursue a development programme based on addressing

the needs of the ordinary people.

China has made great strides in terms of poverty reduction and bridging the income gap between the towns and the rural communities. Indeed, thanks to China the global poverty rate has shown a significant decrease, with China alone accounting for an average of 20 million people who are lifted out of the poverty threshold annually.

The Chinese model of development is certainly worth studying, with its emphasis not only on production, but also on equitable distribution of the resources created by the collective labour of the Chinese people. The ruling Communist Party has shown over the years some interesting innovation in terms of development models, having regard for the peculiarities and characteristics of China and the Chinese people.

With its adumbration of “market socialism” China has been successful in taking advantage of the creativity and entrepreneurial qualities of the Chinese people not only to create wealth, but also to distribute the wealth created along more equitable lines.

Chinese President Hu Jintao

is being modest in saying that both China and Guyana are ‘developing’ countries. The truth is that China is now ranked among the more advanced industrial powers in the world, having only recently overtaken Japan as the second largest economy in the world.

With an annual growth rate of some 10% over the past two decades, it is only a matter of time before China overhauls the United States as the largest economy in the world, even though on per capita terms it is still behind the industrialized countries. This is due mainly to the fact of population size, where almost one in six inhabitants in the world today is from mainland China.

Hydar Ally

police officers. Yes, I made reference to the point that Minister Rohee made, in the same press report, in which he stated that it might be irresponsible to have four senior police officers proceed on leave, all at the same time.

I stated that while this seems to be a reasonable concern, the Minister treated this particular point as a fall-back rationale or supplementary reason to his ‘delicate period of national security’ point and all the other propaganda drivel he pedaled.

The question that any reasonable and rational thinking person would ask is; why would the Minister not stick with this latter reason rather than proffer reasons likely to create amongst the people a dangerous level of uneasiness, and added fear.

I am not disappointed that Harry Gill cannot find the logic in this view; for he merely does what he is expected to do, as can be gleaned from his comments defend his bosses in the PPP/C. Those of his ilk are incapable, I believe, to apply objective and critical analysis to the actions of the government of the day, as they are recruited to focus only on coming to the ‘defence’ of the regime, even if they have to compromise their own principles.

Like a befuddled child, Gill claimed that my calling out Mr. Rohee, the Home Affairs Minister, for using language capable of causing unnecessary trepidation and disquiet amongst the people, amounts to obstructionist behaviour. Here he should ask like the protagonist in Poe’s story, why do you think I am mad? Clearly, this is twisted logic, or downright lunacy, trying to pin a tag that suits Rohee’s comments on my logic is a nobrainer that will not travel anywhere. It is an example of the weakest attempt at propaganda.

What the PPP/C and their agents fail to understand is that there are people who listen and observe their actions and are thus, capable of making ‘spot

on’ assessment of their very actions and words.

Of course, Rohee’s act to emphasize that the country is in a fragile security state, that things in parliament are not settled, snap election talk is rife, that we just had elections, as reasons for the cut in leave for senior officers, can be described as nothing but a calculated psychological assault on the people, for which the PPP/C apparently hopes to elicit a certain mental and physical reaction.

The PPP/C understood that should Mr. Rohee merely state the point regarding multiple senior officers being absent at the same time as the most important reason, the outcome that they hoped to achieve would be less likely.

There is no question about the dangerous and partisan political objective the PPP/C hopes to achieve by having Rohee make this announcement; the Minister’s comments attract alarming suspicion which cannot be taken lightly. The Minister and the PPP/C must know that Guyanese have been dealing with a grave crime and security situation for the longest while, and the least any government official, in particular the Home Affairs Minister, can do is to work to reduce people’s fear rather than use language that heightens that feeling of terror. Why didn’t he stick with the more rational, less emotive and ‘fear inciting’ reason? The problem in Guyana is that the executive arm of the state feels emboldened to do and say what they like because they foolishly believe that the people are too busy trying to make a living and therefore pay no attention to their rhetoric. They also believe that the people are infantile in their thinking and so they couldn’t care less of how the actions of the government are perceived, or affect the lives of the people.

This is where I recognize the disrespect for the people, for if the PPP/C was concerned about the views of the people it would not have done many things.

In his ramblings Gill wrote; “…we all know how the system works, even for those who conveniently and publicly “oppose” corruption, but benefit from it.”

I’m not sure what the rationale was behind this comment, but I rather suspect he was throwing hints at Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran.

My advice to Harry Gill would be to go directly to your target and not attempt to engage in the ‘politics of meandering’.

Finally, Mr. Gill must know that if it takes a hate-monger to expose the evils of bad governance and a power-drunk PPP/C regime, I certainly do not mind the label. You are what you are, a part of the PPP/C propaganda machinery, your philosophy is driven in the premise which says; when you can’t debate them on the facts and merits of the issue resort to name-calling. I have learnt your strategies well!

Let me end by asking this question; is there a relationship between Minister’s recent act of putting the water cannon on display parade and his recent comment, or is this a case of ‘rare coincidence’?

Lurlene Nestor

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

Two detained for teen’s murder At least two youths were in custody yesterday as police continue to investigate Thursday night’s stabbing to death of 17-year-old Rayaad Khan.

Investigators are also trying to determine if the tragedy has escalated into a full-scale vendetta after a group of unidentified men fired shots at the Eighteenth Street Diamond, East Bank Demerara home of the 18year-old who eyewitnesses said stabbed Khan.

The shots were reportedly discharged by the occupants of a vehicle some 30 minutes after the stabbing had occurred. Some of the windows of the home and a glass case were shattered but no one was injured.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (Law Enforcement) Seelall Persaud, disclosed that detectives searched the Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara home of the victim’s father Azeem Khan, and also swabbed his hands for traces of gunpowder residue.

He said that Mr. Khan owns a licenced firearm.

“We swabbed his hands to see if this is a case of retaliation. His father is a licensed firearm holder, but the firearm (Mr. Khan’s) is not of the same caliber as the shells that were found.”

Mr. Khan confirmed to Kaieteur News that police questioned him about the shooting incident. He denied being involved and suggested that persons linked to the main suspect committed the act to make police focus on his family.

Police are still trying to ascertain whether the victim or the main suspect was the aggressor. Both families confirmed that the tragedy stemmed from a previous altercation. A girl is said to be at the centre of the dispute which started on Wednesday.

A brief police release stated that Khan and another man were involved in an altercation after taunting each other at around 19:30 hrs on Thursday when Khan was

- gunshots fired at prime suspect’s home

Michelle Ramkissoon points to one of the bullet holes on her house stabbed to his stomach with a knife.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, while the suspect was arrested.

Kaieteur News understands that the 18-yearold suspect told detectives that he stabbed Khan after the 17-year-old attacked him.

According to a source, the suspect claimed that he was in Seventeenth Street, Diamond New Scheme on Thursday night when Khan and others came up to him and other youths.

Police were also told that Khan and the suspect began to hurl taunts at one another.

The source also said that Khan said ‘leh we done this story’ (fight), and with that, the youths reportedly began to throw stones and other missiles at each other.

According to police sources, the suspect claimed that Khan suddenly placed his hand under his shirt and that the suspect then stabbed Khan before fleeing.

Michelle Ramkissoon, the mother of the main suspect, alleged that her son had visited his girlfriend in Seventeenth Street, Diamond on Thursday night when he was attacked.

She said that her son ran home and told her of the

altercation. Ms. Ramkissoon said that she then took her son to the Golden Grove Police Station and it was then that the ranks informed her that Khan was dead.

The woman claimed that her son had complained that three youths had threatened him the previous night. The teen alleged that the youths had said that they would

“turn him into a strainer.”

Refuting reports that his son was the aggressor, the victim’s father, Azeem Khan, alleged that a cousin who witnessed the incident said that a number of youths grabbed his son while one gang member stabbed him.

Mr. Khan, who lives in Golden Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara,

said that Rayaad had gone walking on Thursday night when his mother called her son and told him to go to the mosque to pray.

“He said okay, and after talking to his mother, he went to see a cousin (in nearby Diamond Housing Scheme), and ten minutes later we got a call that he had been stabbed and was lying on the road bleeding.”

The father said he immediately drove to the area.

“All I saw was my son lying on the road, and I scramble him up and put him in the pickup.

“I put him on a bed (at the hospital) and the doctors tell us to go outside. Then they say that one person can come inside and the way that three of them circle me I knew it was bad news.

“I think his death called him. I don’t think that there’s anything like an untimely death. I don’t think that my son was the aggressor, but because he is dead he can’t defend himself.”

Mr. Khan believes that a dispute over a girl caused his death. “The girl came to my house more than once. They

Dead: Rayaad Khan broke off and maybe started a friendship with one of the suspects.”

Disclosing that he lavished a lot of attention on his son, Mr. Khan recounted that Rayaad dressed well, had started his own business, and had several girlfriends. He believes that this may have bred envy.

He said that the former Academy of Professional Studies student was called “the Romeo” of his school.

However, he insisted that Rayaad was no troublemaker.

“He was progressive, hardworking and he wanted to reach the top. He was the sort of child that any parent would like to have. “

Finance Minister wife’s appointment as Audit Director serious conflict of interest - TIGI - promotions and appointments to public office should eschew nepotism The recent promotion of Mrs.Gitanjali Singh, the wife of Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, to the office of Audit Director within the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is seen as undermining the agency, and the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) is calling on the Head of State to remedy this situation in order to ensure good governance, greater transparency and enhanced accountability.

According to Transparency Institute, the OAG is a public office created by the constitution and is mandated to uphold and preserve the highest standards of independence and integrity in the discharge of its constitutional functions.

“As a result of this appointment, a critical role in the oversight of the financial

statements of the country has been entrusted to the wife of the person responsible for preparing them. The auditing process by definition requires insulation from the subject of the audit, a consideration which has been completely ignored by this incestuous appointment, which is in turn likely to undermine the effective performance and operation of the OAG,” President of the TIGI, Attorney-at-Law Gino Peter Persaud noted.

He explained that TIGI is of the view that a serious conflict of interest has arisen both in professional terms and in the eyes of the public.

“Both the Minister of Finance and his wife are bound by standards of professional conduct laid down by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and the

Attorney-at-Law and President of TIGI Gino Persaud Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana, to which they belong,” Persaud underscored.

Adding that a central rule of professional conduct mandated by these bodies relates to conflict of interest, Persaud said that TIGI is of the view that the retention of Mrs. Singh as Audit Director is likely to adversely affect the credibility of the OAG and will undermine public confidence in such an important independent office created by the constitution – the supreme law of Guyana.

He said the transparency institute is calling on the President (who appoints the AG), the AG himself, and the Public Accounts Committee (which has supervisory authority over the OAG in

relation to the appointment of senior officers) to remedy this situation in order to ensure good governance, greater transparency and enhanced accountability.

“TIGI wishes to note further that acting appointments are inimical to the independent and fearless performance of their functions by public officers, and so as to remedy another deficiency in the OAG, the entity also calls on the President to take appropriate measures to appoint substantively an Auditor General after due consultations with key stakeholders,” he further noted.

Persaud further explained that the people of Guyana are entitled to expect that the OAG and, all public institutions would operate in accordance with the highest standards of professional and personal ethics.

“Moreover, promotions and appointments to public office should eschew nepotism and/or the perception of nepotism. In keeping with these legitimate expectations TIGI wishes to advise Mrs. Singh of the possibility of taking the honourable and moral course of action by declining this appointment.”

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 7

Greenidge determined to take over PNCR

By Gary Eleazar Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition Brigadier (rtd) David Granger simply has too much on his plate when it comes to A Partnership for National Unity and would not be able to effectively focus on the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

This is the reason former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge has not declined the nomination for Leader of the Party and will go ahead with his challenge of Granger.

Greenidge says that his decision has nothing to do with questioning Granger’s ability as a leader, but with five parties to manage under the APNU banner he (Granger) simply cannot do what is needed for the PNCR. The former Finance Minister said that it is not a case where it is simply managing one party in the House and reminded that each of the parties under the APNU banner would have their ideologies unique to it.

This does not means it will always be in unison with the

PNCR’s position on a matter.

Greenidge says the PNCR badly needs resuscitation, the magnitude of which Granger simply cannot deliver because of his commitments to APNU. He reminded that despite what many believe, prior to the recently concluded Regional and General Elections he has never been involved in the party’s structure and as an outsider, would be good for the party.

He says that the party needs a new leader that is capable of addressing the issues confronting the PNCR and one who is also not inexperienced in state matters and as such he believes that he is the correct person for the job.

The PNCR will be hosting its Biennial Congress from July 26 to July 29 at which point in time the election will be held for party leadership.

The two key men and the lone female, Volda Lawrence, were the ones given the nod of approval from the various party groups when nominations closed recently.

David Granger

Carl Greenidge

Robert Corbin currently holds the post of Leader of the PNCR but he has already indicated an unwillingness to continue at the helm of the party.

While Lawrence has been nominated to contest for the post, the battle lines have already been drawn between Greenidge and Granger, both of whom had already competed for the post of Presidential Candidate of the PNCR. Granger won that race and this time around things have already begun to heat up,

with Greenidge receiving strong support from PNCR big wigs such as Aubrey Norton.

Norton had served as a Member in the House in the Ninth Parliament but did not make the cut among the APNU Parliamentarians despite playing a pivotal role in securing votes in Linden.

“Guyana is in a new political situation for which there is no blue print,” according to Corbin when he indicated that he would not be contesting this party’s election.

Students blow up school toilet tank, 11 questioned Persons in the vicinity of the J.C Chandisingh Secondary School in Berbice on Tuesday had to scurry for cover when loud explosions were heard coming from the school.

Upon investigation it was discovered that the toilet cistern (tank) in the boys section of the school had been blown up. The incident allegedly occurred around mid-morning.

Information reaching Kaieteur News indicated that after an investigation was conducted, 11 Fourth Form students, between the ages 15 and 16, were subsequently taken into custody and questioned in the company of their parents.

Kaieteur News understands that the students

used a Thunder King Bomb (Squib) to blow up the cistern.

To create the explosion, the students lit a coil and attached it to the squib. They then moved from the area leaving the coil to burn and then cause the explosion when it reached the bomb.

This is the second time in two years that students of the school have chosen to use explosives to blow up the toilet cistern at the school. The first time the incident occurred, the students involved were transferred to another school.

No one in the education sector was willing to talk about the latest incident.

Investigations are continuing.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

T&T government under pressure to dismiss Jack Warner PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC - The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) said yesterday it was seeking legal advice on ways to get Parliament reconvened to discuss what it termed “very worrisome actions” of the National Security Minister Austin “Jack” Warner in recent days.

Parliament was prorogued on June 27 but Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley said that recent actions by the newly appointed National Security Minister including using security forces to dismantle the tent of people protesting against the construction of a multi-billion dollar highway must be viewed as “extremely serious and of urgent public importance”.

There have been calls for Warner to step down as National Security Minister from various quarters, including from the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) which left the five party coalition headed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar last

week.

In addition to the MSJ, senior and influential members of the Congress of the People (COP), the second largest member of the coalition, have publicly denounced the actions of the National Security Minister and have even appeared in the sit down and prayer fasting protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office by the group calling for a re-routing of the highway.

Former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj has already indicated that he will be filing a lawsuit against the state on behalf of the protestors.

Maharaj told reporters that the group would also give consideration whether “this is also an action in which we should file a claim for damages for misfeasance in public office. We will file it against the ministers personally, or the police officers or the head of the army depending on the circumstances.”

Attorney General Anad Ramlogan on Thursday

backed Warner in his decision to demolish the camp saying that the protestors, who had been there for the past two months, had been doing so illegally.

“It cannot be that people could decide to pitch a tent on State lands, call two babas, put up three jhandis and then say the land is consecrated.

Can’t work! That is lawlessness of the highest order!” Ramlogan said.

“It cannot be that I must sit down as Attorney General, see a train coming to hit me at high speed, and I must worry about 20 people who trying to bully, intimidate, harass and blackmailing the Government and the people of Trinidad and Tobago into stopping a multi-billion dollar project.

Jamaica re-affirms full support for CARICOM KINGSTON, Jamaica Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Irwin LaRocque has been assured of Jamaica’s support to the integration movement by Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller and Opposition Leader Andrew Holness.

The secretary-general, on a three day official visit to Jamaica, met with the prime minister on Wednesday afternoon on the first day of his visit and with Holness on Thursday.

He has also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator AJ Nicholson and the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton.

LaRocque delivered remarks on Wednesday evening at the opening of the University of the West Indies (UWI) regional headquarters building in Kingston and on Thursday paid a courtesy call on the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Nigel Harris.

The prime minister and the secretary-general agreed on the need to put people at the centre of the integration process and for more widespread dissemination of information on CARICOM and its benefits.

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

THE CONUNDRUM OVER THE FINANCIAL PAPER There is nothing difficult about deciphering the Standing Orders of Parliament as these apply to Bills and financial papers. These orders are not written in the language of rocket science.

Where the difficulty may arise is when in making rulings on these orders, issues of precedent and case law may have to be injected.

The Standing Orders of Parliament provide that a Bill cannot be resubmitted during the same session of parliament if it contains substantively the same provisions. Case law and precedent would usually guide the Speaker in determining whether the contents of a Bill substantively are the same as a previous one submitted in the same session.

However, the Standing Orders of Parliament are so structured as to make a distinction between a Bill and a Financial Paper and it was shocking to learn that APNU in its lack of wisdom on this issue did not appreciate that the Standing Order barring the resubmission of a Bill did

not apply to Financial Papers.

The Speaker of the National Assembly was therefore correct when he ruled that a Financial Paper recently tabled by the government could be entertained. APNU was rightly overruled and should go back and familiarize itself with parliamentary Standing Orders.

There has been an explanation that the reason why APNU did not comment on the re-submitted Financial Paper during the debate on this paper. It was said that they asked no questions because it was felt that the government was treating the opposition with contempt for amongst other things classifying mobilization expenditure relating to the land as being related to Design and Study.

In the context that this expenditure which was voted down earlier this year on the grounds that it ought to have been predicted, one has to ask how was the government to know the basis of the opposition’s non- support of this particular expenditure

Dem boys seh...

Fuzzy play dead and Uncle Donald bury Ee Old people always seh wha you pray fuh you does get.

Fuzzy get exactly what he pray for—de breadline. Dem had de budget debate and when de opposition cut de vote fuh Hen See Hen, Fuzzy guh pun de road and he carry big placard how dem put he and others pun de breadline.

He forget that Guyana got a different leader. De last time when he get ketch and dem fire him Jagdeo intervene and send he back to de wuk. He continue wid de same attitude and get ketch, forgetting that he protector wasn’t there anymore. Is Uncle Donald he had to put up wid and dem boys know he is not Jagdeo.

Jagdeo use to dismiss hanest people and hug, keep and surround heself wid thieves. That is how he end up like Ali Baba. Everybody know wha Ali Baba had.

Only de day before Uncle Donald beg de private sector fuh help he fight dem chores (thieves) and all dem who involve in corruption.

Fuzzy is de first one he get rid of. Fuzzy play dead in de Hen See Hen scandal and Uncle Donald decide fuh bury him. Fuzzy believe that he had de weekend. He lie. Bright and early Monday morning, more man going. Because according to dem boys, Uncle Donald whisper that he got de whole weekend fuh write down de names of all of dem who like thief and all who like play dem forget that dem thief.

Dem boys seh that when Fuzzy been in de protest line he wasn’t really protesting. Is a front he was putting up because he did already know how fuh get he one by de millions in he bank account. In short, he and some of dem big ones bread already had butter, nut butter, jam and cheese.

Talk half and let dem li’l ones at Hen See Hen tek back dem half from Fuzzy and de rest of dem.

when the combined opposition stayed quiet during the debate.

It is one thing to accuse the government of contempt by resubmitting a Financial Paper in the same way as a previous submission. It is another thing to not support the expenditure on the basis that it was wrongly classified.

What would have been objectionable for the opposition to simply indicate then and there the basis for remaining silent? The opposition’s explanation is not convincing.

Whether the government was correct in its classification depends on what the study and design exercise involved. It could have been that land clearing

was a part of the contract for the study and design. It could also be that it may not have been but how would the opposition know if it did not ask for clarification?

Not also convincing is the opposition’s claim that the government should have provided the name of the payee for the purchase of the land. Perhaps, it would help the government if the opposition can point out the exact provisions in the law that requires the government to point out the name of the payee in a Financial Paper. It certainly would be enlightening not just to the government but to the public at large where this is a specific requirement when requesting approval for Financial Paper.

As regards the argument that the government compulsorily acquired the land yet was attempting to pay for it, there is no contradiction here.

By compulsorily acquisition is meant the obtaining of property by the State even if the owner is unwilling to dispose of the land or sell to the State. For public purposes, lands may be compulsorily acquired but since the constitution dictates that no one should be deprived of property without compensation, the government cannot take away private lands without paying compensation.

This probably explains why the government was making a payment for land

which had compulsorily acquired for the purposes of building a specialty hospital.

It is therefore advised that APNU gets its act together and try to take some time to familiarize themselves with these and other issues lest in its quest to use its parliamentary power to keep the government on its toes, it does not end up embarrassing itself by its lack of understanding of parliamentary standing orders, the law and the constitution of Guyana.

CHEC explains wrong cost for new Sudan International Airport The Chinese firm that landed a contract to rebuild the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is now recanting an earlier claim that it built Sudan’s new international airport for US$100M. The company admitted that the correct project cost is 900 million Euros as stated on its website.

The company, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), took out a full page advertisement in the Kaieteur News after it was reported that its parent company was banned by the World Bank.

In the advertisement, published two Thursdays ago, CHEC listed the projects which it successfully bid for and completed.

According to the advertisement, one of those projects was the new Sudan Airport, at a cost of US$100 million.

However, a check of the company’s website quoted a price of 900 million Euros, or US$1.2 billion. This was the price that international news agencies reported when the Sudan project was signed.

At a press briefing on Thursday, CHEC’s Communications Consultant, Huntley Medley said that the company made an error when it stated that the cost for the new international airport

being constructed in Sudan was US$100M. Medley said, “The US$100M relates to works that China Harbour is doing on a port in Sudan and not the airport. The cost of the airport is correctly 900M Euros and that was an error in translation from the port to the airport.”

He explained that the company had penned a letter to correct this error but decided to wait and clear the air at the press conference held at Guyana Pegasus, Kingston, on Thursday.

However, the company was unable to confirm if indeed Sudanese Finance Minister had stalled the airport project because of its cost.

According to the African Aviation Tribune, “The airport’s construction was stopped owing to the Ministry of Finance’s

concerns over the huge amount required; that of one billion, three hundred million dollars.”

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

CJIA contract remains in force, not under any review The Guyana Government and China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) negotiated intensely from February 2011 up until the contract was signed in Guyana last November, a few days before the Regional and General Elections.

This revelation was made yesterday when Zhongdong Tang, the Company’s Regional Director for the Americas, and his CHEC team

sought to clear the air on a number of issues not limited to allegations of corruption.

Asked about recent talk of the review of the project, Tang and his team that comprised Colvin HeathLondon, Senior Business Manager, CHEC; Jennifer Armond, Communications Manager, CHEC; and Huntley Medley, Communications Consultant, explained that to date CHEC has not been

formally informed of any review of the contract.

It was explained that as a result of the World Bank, concerns surrounding the parent company, meetings were held with various officials to clear the air on that issue.

There has been no official word of a review communicated to the contractor by the Guyana Government.

…deal took 10 months to work out - CHEC Officials Tang reminded media operatives that as a result of the World Bank rancor, CHEC gave the CJIA Board of Directors, the Ministry of Works, and the Government of Guyana explanations of the issues.

Tang said too, that China Harbour also met and had open discussions with some civil society groups including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Guyana Private Sector Commission.

He committed to having the company “continue to be

engaged with various groups of the Guyanese society, including residents living near the airport in particular, and the Guyanese public in general, as the project moves forward.”

Tang told media operatives that it was CHEC that approached the Guyana Government with a proposal to upgrade the airport after he would have visited the country.

This negated any instance of a public tendering process, given that it is

Chinese money being made available to Guyana on the basis of using Chinese Construction Companies, he said.

He said that not one single meeting in relation to the project was ever held in Jamaica. All were held at the Ministry of Public Works in Kingston, Georgetown.

It was explained that Jamaica’s only involvement stems from the fact that its Regional Office is based there and the Company would have given the Jamaica Observer the information when the deal was finalized.

The officials sought to say that the project was never negotiated in secret and it was just a case where CHEC released the information on the contract signing before the Guyana Government.

Tang told media operatives that CHEC funded all of the studies required for the proposal to be formulated which would include feasibility and engineering studies among others.

As it relates to how the company arrived at the US$150M price tag, Tang sought to explain that during the 10 months of negotiation Guyana did manage to have an input.

Citing confidentiality arrangements, the CHEC officials refused to identify any of the Guyanese who would have been a part of the negotiations. Only the venue for the meeting was confirmed by the CHEC Officials.

Tang reiterated that the original proposal was modified on more than one occasion based on the input from the Guyanese team until the scope was found to be acceptable to all and “affordable.”

Speaking to the alternatives available on the way forward given the rancor raised, the CHEC Officials explained that the line of communication is always open with the government but stressed that the Guyana Government has the prerogative to pull out of the project.

It was pointed out that several hundred million US dollars to be channeled to Guyana for infrastructural developmental works is now at stake.

While the officials could not give a definitive position on the status of the loan from the China Exim Bank, they did indicate that details would not be forthcoming from the Company on that issue.

It was made clear by the officials that CHEC is a commercial entity doing business and that it is for the Guyana Government to provide the necessary clarifications being sought.

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

East Bank student among Guyana’s top performers

T

welve-year-old Ricardo Singh, of Providence Primary, East Bank Demerara, is one of the top students at this year’s Grade Six examination, Ricardo gained 536 marks.

“I feel excited and I am thankful for the support of my teachers from my school and also from my lessons and my family,” said Ricardo.

He has gained a place at Guyana’s top secondary school, Queens College.

He added that for him his toughest subject at the exam was social studies, while he felt that he excelled in science, which he said is his favorite subject.

The aspiring doctor said

Ricardo Singh that he is fully prepared for all of the challenges that this new chapter of his life may entail. Nothing comes without hard and dedicated efforts, he said.

Mazaruni prison inmate protests ill treatment

A

s inmates of the Mazaruni Prison cultivate crops as not only a means of “recreation” but in an effort to be fed what they produce, their hard grown crops are being reportedly sold in Bartica as pocket money for the administrators of the prison.

This was according to 20-year-old Ronald Charles, an inmate who explained that making complaints is a waste of time, since all the persons in authority are related to each other.

“Complaining ain’t making sense, because everybody in authorityis family.

Somebody marry somebody,” the inmate pointed out.

He further noted that for the past few months, the prisoners are being fed

nothing but peas and rice.

“Split peas, black eye, channa, and all kinds of other peas is all we getting with rice”. He also lamented that the cooks would give the prisoners milk mixed with flour to drink.

The young man who was incarcerated in December for a simple larceny charge, is calling on the authorities to look into the situation as soon as possible, since he has been abstaining from food for a few days now, as the peas gives him “burn stomach”. “Even a prisoner like myself ain’t deserve this; we are people too. And I am only in here because of circumstances”.

The lad says that he is certain that an investigation will reveal major corruption in the prison.

An overjoyed Richard Singh, Ricardo’s father, told Kaieteur News that he is not surprised at his son’s success since the boy has always excelled in school.

He added that Ricardo has always aimed for Queens College and he has full confidence in his son that he will continue to perform to the best of his ability at his new school.

Richard said that he is grateful to the support from the teachers at the Providence Primary School and the teachers of the Success Elementary where Ricardo took extra lessons in the afternoons.

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Ministry of Housing dismantles property while woman sleeps …breaks woman’s hand

The man and his wife stands among the woods and household items minutes after their home was dismantled

A

woman is now suffering from a broken arm after workers from the Ministry of Housing dismantled her house while she was asleep.

During the demolition,

one of the pieces of wood which was above the woman’s head, reportedly fell and hit her on her right arm.

The injured Seebie Khan, 44, and her husband, Nandran Persaud, 40, have squatted at Lot 699 Good

The bus in which the family spent some of their nights Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Without notice, workers from the Ministry of Housing walked in the people’s house and started to dismantle it.

According to Persaud, he and his wife have been living

at a rented property for the past few years but they could not afford the rent and were forced to move. He, however, claimed that he saw the empty swampy land and talked to a few neighbours, who told him

that the land was empty for the past 15 and more years.

Persaud said he then used the last cent in his pocket to construct a little frame, where he and his wife spent three days. During the building process, the family was forced to sleep in an empty old bus, which was parked in front of the yard.

Ye s t e r d a y m o r n i n g however, while Khan was asleep, three workers from

the Ministry of Housing entered the house and walked out back towards their vehicle and collected a crow-bar and started to break the shack.

According to Persaud, he pleaded with the men to give him a day’s time but instead, they threatened to call the police if he raised his voice.

His wife was sound asleep and did not hear the noise from outside but when the men “fired the first crow-bar, the whole front came crashing down on her.”

“I beg them a lot and they just threaten me, I couldn’t say anything, one of them was some Lord and when the wood fall on my wife I couldn’t say anything.”

In 2009, a fire destroyed the family’s house and they were told that their house was built on Government reserve. “Since then I have been applying to housing on numerous occasions for a house lot but up to now they can’t help me.”

Calls to the Ministry of Housing for a comment were unanswered.

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Forms (1-5)/ lessons/adults classes, flexible hours.

Affordable fees Call: 2277627, 683-5742 Private Custom Brokerage Certificate Course for all importers/exporters and other learn how Call:6091824,681-7567 Academia : Summer classes and courses July 9thAugust 24th,entire package $4500, age 8-18 Call: 600-3775 SUMMER CLASSES, Reading, Phonics, Language, Mathematics, Art, Games, lots more!! Roxanne Burnham call: 619-4355, 218-2076

Live in small family handy man duties,driving an asset Call:227-1830

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One able-bodied man to do field work,salary $20,000 weekly Call :231-0199 or 2318053

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Carpenter to work in Linden,must be able to work with limited supervision Call: 647-8040,609-3281,694-3058 Handyman to clean yard,must have knowledge of dogs Call:227-5500 Experienced hair dresser needed at Xpressions Salon call 226-7268 1 Excavator operator to work in interior Call:684-7516,2263799 Experience dispatcher for taxi service 227-1200,225-1111 1 house keeper, must be good with kids Call: 677-7123 Two maids, attractive salary.

642-9299.

Drivers / Salesman with clean lorry record, Guards for land of Canaan location, accommodation available call 676-6700.

Sales girl to work in the Vendor’s Arcade Call: 6952172, 225-5434 R.A Soda Factory,Manager for Good Hope Band & Driver Call: 330-2399,623-5920

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Results Guarantee Call: 6396054 or 691-7070

Roofing shingles Call Mr. Skepmire 227-5195 (8AMto5PM) NARS lipgloss, eyeshadow & Clinique Chubby Stick. Tel: 669-8374.

One 15HP Yamaha long foot Call: 689-5254,643-0332 15-15-15 Fertilizer Call: 2662711,609-4594 One wooden boat, just cork, sand & paint ,53-9-5 ½, excellent condition Call: 2620316 Pure breed Rottweiler puppies,8 weeks old,fully vaccinated & dewormed Call: 602-5541 5 acres fully developed farm Pearl,E.B.D,16,000 chicken pens capacity,bearing fruit trees Call: 689-9991,227-5362

Page 15

FOR SALE

VACANCY

1 ERF Hauler,1 45 ft Trailer Call:653-4455

Bilingual representatives.

Must be fluent in Portuguese and English.

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1 Cabin Cruise Boat 43x8x5,1 in board boat Hull 50x13x6 at Soesdyke E.B.D Call: 6225500 Stainless steel meat saw,meat grinder,display freezer,walk in freezer Call: 233-6161,651-8870 Pure Doberman pups Call: 670-2653, 220-9548 Honda ATVS 4X4 500,2012 LIC Dealer Call:622-5762 or 691-3851 1-50 Gallon, electric water heater (brand new) Call: 647-1773 Moulders,multirip saws,resaws,cross cut saw and genset. Call Rodney 616-5595 3 Tractors,1 new Holland,1 massy Ferguson,2 welder generators (diesel),2 marine generators,4 perkins engine,1 Honda ATV Call: 641-2905,665-4003 Office chair with filing cabinet $35,000 Call: 627-7835 Slate pool table, merry-goround,music set Call: 2282098

Used laptop computers $40,000 to $55,000 Call: 2270095

Dell computers complete with 17 & 19 inch LCD from $50,000 Future Tech 2312206

MAC POWDERS $7,900, SACHA 2in1 $2,000 MAKE UP – top Brands Tel :647 -1773

Brand new 2700 PS1 Honda Pressure Washers Call: 6148564

Games for PS2 $900,PSP $900,PS3 $2,600,Xbox $2,600 Call Junior 672-2566,265-3231

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1 2007 R1 Candy Red at a reasonable price Call: 2272027,623-4045,227-5500 Bulldozer D6 for sale $2.5 million, serious enquiries only. Call: 622-1957 8Ft Pool table, deep fryers, popcorn machine brand new Call: 622-1957 2009 Seadoo jetski 18 ft 6 inch x 7 ft 6 inch fiberglass speed boat with 175 Yamaha 2336161,651-8870 1996 T 100 V6 4X4,2002 Tacoma V6 4X4,2005 Tacoma 4 cylinder Call:651-8870,2336161 Earth delivery on spot also bobcat & excavator rental Call: 626-7127 Prime Property @ Corriverton Opposite Skeldon Estate with metal workshop on 5.5 acres land for business Call: 335-3347/ 626-6245 One Hitachi Excavator EX 200 LC (Long Boom) Call: 624-9149,699-8382 Printer ink cartridges $2,500,Power inverter $20,000 Call: 650-7699

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All accessories included. Prices negotiable 680-1722 Cheap model M cab & 1400x2 tyre & 1200x20 new tyre Call: 648-2413 1 CAT D379 Marine Engine 700HP, 2 CAT 399 Marine Engine (Parts),3 Rebuilt Cummins KTA19 600HP,4 Cummins NTA 855 400HP Call: 623-7498 Wine cooler, pressing & curling comb set, hair, nails & skin products E.B.D 6694511 Just Arrived!!American Finest Brands Computers,Desktop & Laptop $85,000 Call:253-3426 or visit our store Goed Fortuin Acer laptop 500 GB Brand new $100,000 Call:681-2111 3 Yamaha outboard engines,(2) 225 HP $1.1M,(1) 150 HP $950,000,Prices Negotiable Call:699-1711 Pontoon 200x50x12 as in,no reasonable offer refused Call:227-2027,623-4042,2275500

Be part of our World Class customer care team. Send CV to: 64 Industrial Site Beterverwagting ECD Call: 220-0401-3 IT Technician & Occupational Health & Safety officer. Please send CV to: 64 Industrial Site, Beterverwagting ECD. Call: 220-0401-3 or email: recruitmentguyana @qualfon.com.

Guards,salesboys/girls Apply : Avinash Water Street 226-3361/227-7828 Now hiring outgoing young women for Agency 18 years & older, flexible hours and great pay Call: 698-4522,6454690 3 Handymen to work in the interior Call:684-7516,2263799 1 Mature pleasant & experience general domestic to live in at Parika Call:2269492 Mon-Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm DRESS MAKING 6 weeks course in designing and sewing Call Sharmie 225-2598,641-0784

FOR SALE Live meat birds Call:650-4421 Tibitean pups Call:2254780,663-3407 1 Ship 67 metre in length selling as scarp Call:2272027,623-4045,227-5500 GOLD PROSPECTING TOOLS CALL:6097625,675-7292 IMB Lenouo Thinkpad laptop $75,000 Brand new Call:681-2111 Hp Compaq laptop 250 GB Brand new $110,000 Call:681-2111 Toshiba laptop 320 GB Brand new $125,000 Call:681-2111 T u r k e y, C r e o l e Chicken,Ducks (French & Peeking) Call:668-9113,6974555 2 Kubota Model 2482,two cylinders diesel engines 14.5 HP $200,000 each 6884270,225-8230 2-60-180 Leyland DAF dump truck in working condition Call:228-5655,628-1756 (Continued on page 20)

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

Husband takes stand Husband 70, remanded in wife’s rape trial Body found buried in house….

Durant being escorted back to prison

The husband of the security guard who was raped at Bare Root, East Coast Demerara, as she walked home from work on the night of June 11, 2009, testified yesterday before Justice Roxanne George and a mixed Demerara Assizes jury as the trial continued.

On trial for rape is Devon McFarlane, called ‘Kang.’ He is represented by Attorneyat-law, Ronald Burch-Smith while Prosecutors, Judith Gildharie-Mursalin and Renita Singh are appearing on behalf of the State.

The woman’s husband, a soldier, said that on June 10, about 2:30pm, his wife, who was dressed in her uniform, left for work as she was scheduled to work the 4:00pm to 12 midnight shift. He

Dead: Joan Durant Gordon Leslie Durant was yesterday remanded to jail after making his first appearance before Magistrate Nayasha Williams-Hatmin at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court. Durant is accused of murdering his wife, Joan Durant.

The police stated that between June 26 and June 28 at Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, Durant murdered the 50-year-old woman. He was not required to plead to the capital offence of murder.

It is alleged that the woman was killed by her husband on June 26, last. It is unclear under what circumstances the murder was committed, but it is believed that her death may have stemmed from a heated argument the couple had the

same day.

The woman’s body was found two days later buried in the sand, in what appeared to be an unfinished bathroom in the three-bedroom singleflat house.

Police ranks were directed to the shallow grave late Thursday afternoon by Durant, who had been in custody since the 50-year-old woman was reported missing by her son on Tuesday night.

In court, the man wept when the Magistrate set his next court appearance for July 30.

(Romila Boodram)

remained at home with the couple’s three children, aged six, four and one-year. He said that he expected her to return home by 1:00 the next morning as was the norm when she worked that particular shift.

According to the husband, the security firm with which his wife was employed would provide a bus to take her from her site location to the bus park and from there, she would join a minibus which would drop her off at the Bachelor’s Adventure Public Road. She would then have to walk about 45 minutes to reach their home at Bare Root.

When she failed to arrive home at the designated time, the man said that he was wondering where she was as

he waited on the landing for a while, then he went into the house and watched television. He had also fed the baby and put her to sleep.

He subsequently saw a person walking towards his home and he realized it was his wife. She was crying and he observed that her pants were rolled up to her knees, her shirt was out of her pants, she had no hat on and there was mud on her.

He said that he asked her three times why she had come home looking like that but she did not answer him. When he asked her a fourth time, then she told him that if he had been looking out for her that would not have happened to her. She then proceeded to tell him that she had been raped (Continued on page 19)

ImmigrationTALK: Questions & Answers By: Attorney Gail S. Seeram Through this “Question & Answer” column, our goal is to answer your immigration questions. Many of you have questions on backlog time and eligibility – we seek to clarify these issues and more. We appreciate your comments and questions. If you have a question that you would like answered in this column, please email: Gail@GailLaw.com Question #1: I am a green card holder. I live and work in Guyana and travel to the United States every six months, do I have to pay taxes in the U.S.? I never filed a tax return in the U.S. Answer #1: As a green cad holder or permanent resident, you are supposed to file a federal tax return in the U.S. if you have earned income in the U.S. or outside the U.S. There may be certain credits you are eligible for if the income was already taxed abroad. Failure to file or pay

federal taxes in the U.S. may be a ground for removal/ deportation and a ground to deny further citizenship applications. I advise you to consult with a U.S. accountant or tax preparer to determine your tax liability, if any.

Question #2: I am a green card holder and live and work in Guyana. I am waiting on my wife paperwork to be approved at the U.S. Embassy.

We have about a year more to wait. I travel to the U.S. every 5-6 months and spend 2-3 weeks in the U.S. I am worried about my next reentry into the U.S. and being questioned about the amount of time I spend outside the U.S. Answer #2: Yes, you should be worried. Custom and Border Protection officers are increasingly getting tough with green card holders or permanent residents who spent a greater amount of time outside the U.S. than inside the U.S. Remember, you lose

your green card automatically if you spend more than 1 year and 1 day continuously outside the U.S. However, any time less than 1 year spent outside the U.S., then the officer has the discretion to take away your card if he determines you have abandoned your residency based on travel history or lack of property and employment ties to the U.S. Question #3: I was deported from the U.S. in 1995 for illegal entry. A few years back I applied for a visitor visa and was advised I was permanently banned. Is this correct?

Answer #3: A ground for denial of a visa (or ground of inadmissibility) to the U.S. is fraudulent misrepresentation to gain entry into the U.S. If you gained entry into the U.S. in 1995 illegally through fraud (whether it was a fraudulent passport or visa), then this is a ground to deny issuance of a visa. When you apply for a

Gail S. Seeram tourist visa, make sure you disclose your prior illegal entry or else you will be committing a fraudulent misrepresentation again.

Question #4: I entered the U.S. with a tourist visa and overstayed for 8 years. I returned to Guyana after getting tired of being in the U.S. without status. What are my options for returning to the U.S.?

Answer #4: If you overstayed in the U.S. illegally for more than one year and leave the U.S. then you face a ten-year ban from returning to the U.S. Once the ten years have passed and you remained outside the U.S. for ten years, then you can benefit from a family-based petition filed by a spouse, child, parent or sibling.

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Kwame McCoy’s witnesses a no show Local Government Yesterday’s trial before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, was scheduled for Information Press Liaison to the President Kwame McCoy to present witnesses in the assault matter made against him by the complainant Clifton Stewart.

The government official’s witnesses were however a no show. The matter was adjourned until July 20.

McCoy is alleged to have wounded Stewart during a discussion about the erecting of photos of the presidential candidates for the two major political parties, vying in the 2011 elections.

McCoy was also charged with threatening language.

He was present with his lawyer, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, and he indicated that the witnesses

had not yet received information that they were wanted in court. McCoy is now leading the defence in the matter and he is supposed to present the witnesses whom he alleged were present on the day of the incident.

In his defence McCoy alleged that he never touched Stewart. He said that he never saw or had an exchange of words with the complainant on the day in question. He further alleged that the assault charge with a firearm was absurd since his firearm had been lodged at the Brickdam Police Station long before the incident.

He even stated that while erecting the posters of the presidential candidate a police vehicle had escorted him on his duties. He presented two police witnesses and none of the above could have proved McCoy’s allegation.

Kwame McCoy One rank said he did not receive any firearm from McCoy and he could not determine when the weapon was lodged or retrieved from the police station. The other said that he never escorted McCoy during his duties of posting the photos. The rank said he was a senior member of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and his job did not entail following the defendant

along his duties.

McCoy was later ordered by the court to get the relevant persons to verify his story. He is expected to do so on the next occasion.

On November 12, a few weeks before the General Elections, McCoy allegedly lashed Stewart across the head with a firearm at D’Urban Street. The man sustained bodily harm. The threatening language charge came when McCoy reportedly told Stewart that he was a “marked man” and that he should “watch himself”.

McCoy is also charged for the alleged assault of Natalie Ross. Under the same circumstances he allegedly ran the woman down with his sports utility vehicle. She had to be hospitalized overnight.

That matter will be heard following the trial involving Stewart.

Victim of giant tree crash feels threatened The fallen tree on the fence

Three days after a giant tree came crashing down on a North East La Penitence home, the owner, Sandra Garraway, is still traumatized.

Garraway in an interview with Kaieteur News yesterday expressed fear of a recurrence of what she described as a near death experience. She said that she is lucky to be alive.

“I don’t sleep anymore.

The last time the tree fell right over my bedroom at one in the morning. The sound woke me up screaming so every time I hear a sound I wake up and check.”

Garraway explained that the other trees pose a threat to her safety and that of her family because they are old and frail and can fall at anytime.

“These trees are more than 80 years old and most of them are leaning. The roots of some are showing because the soil can’t hold them. It is too swampy.” Garraway said.

The woman said that she made calls to the Mayor and City Council to have the trees removed but nothing was done.

After the recent incident the woman said that workers from the city council came and removed the tree from her yard but left the others, even though she asked them to remove them.

She said that the workers told her that they were instructed to only remove the fallen tree from her yard.

Garraway stated that an official from city council and team came to survey the property and went away.

“They just came and looked around they didn’t tell me anything. People just keep coming but nothing is being done.”

Garraway claimed that someone from the Guyana Relief Council paid her a visit and saw the damage done to the property.

The woman said that the estimated cost of the damage done to her home is in excess of $400,000. She said that the fallen tree damaged her roof, fence, washing machine, windows and other equipment.

That tree damaged my fence I paid $20,000 to have my fence fixed. Who is going

to repay me? I need to be compensated.”

However the woman said that her main concern is the safety of her family. She noted that last year October another tree fell on a house in the area and killed a child while injuring both parents.

Garraway said that another woman’s entire kitchen was destroyed due to a fallen tree and there were other similar incidents.

She said that she is pleading with the relevant authorities to act swiftly and sever the decaying trees.

“Right now I hoarse from the other night when I woke up shaking and screaming, I want to know whether someone else have to die first before something is done. We paying taxes and we need these trees to be immediately removed.”

One of Garraway’s neighbours told this paper that two months ago two trees fell and one damaged her roof. The neighbour said that the incident caused her to become afraid but she never made a complaint.

“I just wait until my

brother-in- law come home and he cut the tree, because this is not the first time, auntie does call them all the time to come and cut down the trees but nobody don’t ever come.”

Meanwhile in a telephone interview, Mayor Hamilton Green told Kaieteur News that he had been meeting with his staff to have the problem rectified. Green said that the council and the Ministry of Works would have collaborated to have the area cleared by yesterday afternoon. However this was not done, because Garraway who was on the lookout for the team, said that they were a no show.

This was approximately around 5 pm. When another call was made to the Mayor, he then stated that he is unclear when the work will start but that the council is in the process of mobilizing the equipment to have the job done.

A giant tree came crashing into Garraway’s home on Wednesday last and damaged sections of her home.

assessing Town Clerk’s response to fraud accusations The Ministry of Local Government said that it is currently at an assessment stage as it relates to the recent discoveries of fraud within the Mayor and City Council.

The Minister, Ganga Persaud, said that there must be a comparison between the findings of the recently concluded investigation to the Town Clerk’s response before any further actions can be taken.

Recently, an investigative team headed by Keith Burrowes discovered that the Council is indebted to the tune of more than $1B including an over draft from an unauthorized loan. Ramon Gaskin spent three months on a subsequent investigation.

A copy of the findings was sent to the municipal officers and an “informed response” was requested by the Ministry. The response was submitted to the Ministry on June 20.

On June 18, the Council held a meeting and voted for three officials — the Town Clerk, Treasurer and City Engineer —to be sent on vacation leave to facilitate a thorough in-house investigation.

The Council wrote the Minister of Local Government, Ganga Persaud, seeking his approval.

However, during the recent statutory meeting the council expressed disappointment in that Persaud hadn’t responded to its request. At the meeting only one of the three officials against which the allegation were made was present.

Yesterday, Persaud said that his Ministry has not yet responded to the request of the council simply because it is currently at the analysis stage of the M&CC fraud saga.

Persaud said that his team is comparing Gaskin’s findings to the Town Clerk’s response. “After that, we will make a decision as to what is the next step…whether or not anyone will be sent home,” said Persaud.

He said that the Ministry seeks to follow the “natural justice” procedure.

Mayor Hamilton Green previously voiced concern at being left out of the communication system between the Ministry and M&CC. Green said, “They leave me completely out.” He said that the protocol is for the Minister to correspond with the Mayor and the Permanent Secretary with the Town Clerk. However, over the past few years, this has not been the trend.

Yesterday, Persaud did not deny the allegation; however, he said that he is unaware of such protocol cited by the Mayor. He said that what he normally does is speak to the Town Clerk relating to matters arising from an administrative aspect and to the Mayor for Policy matters.

He said that the law does not speak to the Permanent Secretary but the Minister.

However he can instruct the Permanent Secretary to correspond with which ever officer he wishes.

NCN’s Mohamed...

From page 2 respond to some of the observations contained in the report, to which they did on Monday last.

Sattaur, who is also the administrator of a number of the ruling PPP’s entities including Red House and Heritage House, was suspended by the NCN board of directors headed by Dr. Prem Misir, following claims of insubordination some time ago.

However, he was rein-

stated by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo who had intervened in the matter.

There are reports that some of the revenue such as production costs cannot be accounted for. In fact, while the NCN charged the telephone company production costs, somewhere in the vicinity of $7M, staff members who worked on the production are alleging that they were not paid.

Page 18

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

Accused committed to High Women murder accused Court in Doobay’s murder further remanded The preliminary inquiry (PI) into the death of Shewraney Doobay, the now dead wife of prominent physician, Dr. Ramsundar Doobay, concluded yesterday with the surviving accused, Shakir Mohamed, of Lot 127 Latchuni Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara being committed to the High Court to stand trial for the woman’s murder.

The ruling was made by Magistrate Hazel OctiveHamilton at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

The Magistrate said that after perusing the evidence and reviewing the submission laid over by the defence and the prosecution, that she had found that enough evidence existed for the accused to answer the charge of murder at the next appropriate sitting of the Supreme Court.

The murder accused who has been appearing for the murder PI for almost a year now seemed clueless and in a daze when the ruling was made.

It is alleged that he along with the number one accused, Mark Singh, of Prince William Street, Plaisance, who is now deceased, murdered the 58year-old victim Shewraney Doobay on May 24, 2011, at Echilibar Villas, Campbellville.

It was reported that Singh took ill while housed at the Camp Street Prison. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he later succumbed to acute asthma.

It is alleged that Singh, who was the dead Doobay’s nephew, was the main player in the crime while Mohamed

Shakir Mohamed

Mark Singh

played a role in cushioning the act. On June 4, after the evidence of 12 prosecution witnesses, special prosecutor Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Fazil Karimbaksh closed the case against the accused.

Attorney-at-law Vic Puran who represented Mohamed, made no case submissions.

Puran argued on the admissibility of statements provided in the PI. He also spoke about a voir dire (a trial within a trial) and argued that the prosecution would not be interested in such for various reasons.

DSP Karimbaksh returned yesterday and laid over submissions based on the arguments of Puran. He related that there was adequate evidence as to why the accused should be committed to the Supreme Court.

He provided authorities for such and the court saw it fit to uphold the senior police officer ’s submissions.

On May 24, 2011, the deceased was found in her

home reportedly bludgeoned to death at around 16:30 hrs in the bottom flat of her twostorey home. Police said that the body of the 58-year-old woman was lying in a pool of blood near to the kitchen.

Reports were that she had been struck at least four times in the head with a blunt instrument.

Police sources said that one of the wounds was to the back of the head, another at the side, and two at the top of the skull. The victim was fully clothed.

Detectives said that they found no signs of forced entry. A substantial sum of cash was found on the premises, as well as the physician’s licensed 9mm Glock pistol. The murder weapon was not recovered at the time.

Later reports also stated that Singh had reportedly confessed to hammering his aunt to death. This caused his arrest and investigations into the murder led to the other accused being arrested and charged.

Wife of slain US-based Guyanese Abdool Shakeel Majid and another woman have been further remanded to jail.

The women, Hemwattie Abdulla, called Anita Nazeema Khan, 37, and Surojinie Tirmaul, 43, of Belvedere New Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice, made another court appearance on Friday June 29, 2012 before Magistrate Krisendat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. They were not required to plead and will make their next appearance on July 12.

The women, who are being represented

by Attorney at Law Mursalene Bacchus, are charged with killing Abdool Shakeel Majid.

The man’s body was found on April 28, last, on the Number 56 Beach.

Police were able to crack the case when the man’s wife returned to the United States after he went missing. She then returned to Guyana from the United States and reported

to the New Amsterdam Police Station to identify her slain husband’s body. She was promptly arrested.

On April 28, the body of a man was found with his scalp missing and other injuries at the Number 56 Village, Corentyne foreshore around 07.40 hrs.

Bloodstains and sand were found in the car trunk that the couple had rented. Detectives had also retrieved the driver’s permit from the car.

The remains were only identified on May 16 last, when a brother visited Guyana after becoming suspicious about the wife’s behaviour.

He subsequently travelled to New Amsterdam, Berbice and positively identified his brother’s body at the mortuary.

Meanwhile, detectives were alerted that a car that the victim usually rented while in Guyana had been used to transport the body.

It is understood that the car had sand and bloodstains inside.

Conman captured by police The accused confidence trickster, Gopaul Tiwari, also called “Onkar” who has been travelling around the country fleecing people was yesterday captured by the police.

According to information, Tiwari was spotted by the police somewhere in Grand Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

When the police approached him, he drove away but was eventually captured by the policemen, who followed him.

Tiwari of Lot 73 Second Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara is now in police custody at the Brickdam Police Station.

Over the years, Tiwari,

according to reports, has been going around obtaining money from people under false pretense. Police have tried numerous times to capture the man but he had always managed to escape.

Two remanded for gun possession The two hunters, who were caught by police in possession of two unlicenced 12-gauge shotguns in their boat at Orealla stelling on June 20, have been granted bail in the sums of $199,000, each.

Dwayne Mc Intosh, 27, and Sylester Alphin, 20, of the Corentyne River appeared before Magistrate Krishendat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

They are represented by Councillor Mursalene Bacchus and will return to court on July 14, 2012.

Berbice hosts grand Jamaica jails Guyanese drug Auto Show today smuggler for five years

A Guyanese man, who was caught with 21 pounds of cocaine in an X-box game and in packets of biscuits during a stopover in the country, was on Thursday slapped with a five-year prison sentence in addition to a J$1.5 million fine, which if not paid will see him spending another five years in jail.

According to the Jamaica Observer, 42-year-old Ivan Noel, an electronic trader of a Georgetown address, was sentenced in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court following his previous guilty plea for possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, and importing cocaine.

He was fined $500,000 on each of the charges or serve five years in prison.

However, the sentences are to run concurrently to the mandatory five-year

sentence if the fines are not paid. Noel was also charged for conspiracy to import cocaine but pleaded not guilty and no evidence was offered. Before the sentence was passed, his attorney Jacqueline Cummings told the court that Noel fell on hard times and was recently diagnosed with cancer.

She said that he had an operation to do which costs $30,000, which if not done could result in dire consequences.

Also, Cummings said that Noel was having problems supporting his daughter who is in school, and as a result agreed to do a carriage for a man whom he met in Curacao.

She then pleaded with the judge not to impose a custodial sentence on him so that he could return to Guyana to receive treatment.

But Senior Magistrate

Judith Pusey said that she was not impressed by Noel’s medical condition or his problems with his daughter as he knew the situation before he agreed to import the drugs.

The magistrate then expressed doubt about her ability to sentence Noel, saying that the amount of the drug was too much and that he needed to go before the Circuit Court where they had more powers.

“Five years for 21 pounds of cocaine is a joke,” she said, before handing down the sentence.

Noel was caught at the Norman Manley International Airport on June 11 when he arrived on a flight from Curacao. He was destined for Panama.

Police said he was held with US$1,900 and told them that he was given US$5,000 to deliver the drugs.

Today, Berbice will host the much anticipated Auto Show in Berbice. The venue is the Canje Welfare Ground.

Plans are running smoothly according to the organising committee of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce. The event which promises to be one of a kind ever promoted in Guyana will see three phases of events all unfolding on one day at the same venue.

The earlier segment (11:00 hrs) will be the Auto and Trade Show; the later evening segment (17:30 Hrs) will be the Car and Bike Show; and the night segment (19:00 hrs) will be the grand chutney concert featuring Shakti Strings Orchestra in action with top local artistes.

Several agencies have confirmed their participation for the trade event and includes Pan American Auto Sales, Danzies Auto Sales, Asheik and Sons Auto Sales,

Gopaul Tiwari

Y2K Auto Sales, Trans Pacific Auto Sales, Ramchand’s Auto Body, Mara and Sons Motor Cycle Store , A Ally and Sons, Ainlim Motor Cycles, Jialing, Marics -Honda, Roger Greenidge Refrigeration and Auto Air Condition Technician, Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, Hand in Hand Insurance, Demerara Mutual Life and Motor Insurance, Caricom Insurance, GTM , Banks DIH, DDL, Ansa Mc Al Trading among a host of retail and other traders.

Several customized vehicles have been registered for the Car and Bike Super show and Exhibition. They are coming from New Amsterdam, Corentyne, Skeldon, West Coast and Georgetown and are all expected to add glamour and flavour to the day’s activities.

Several categories of judging will be done amongst superbikes, cars, SUVs and buses with the top prize being

a return ticket for one to the United States of America, donated by Caribbean Airlines Limited.

The top prize will be for the best looking customised and most flashy looking automobile on display.

Trophies and other incentives will be awarded in the other categories. Major players like the Allys, the Ramchands, the Zai’s Garage, the Lewison Brothers and the New Amsterdam Bikers will be all vying for top spots.

Patrons will also enjoy fabulous prizes including the grand gate prize of a return airfare to Miami USA, compliments of Caribbean Airlines. Entrance to the venue is free before 14:30 hrs and after that a fee of $500 will be charged for adults.

Canje Welfare Ground is in excellent condition and patrons are urged to come out and support this first of a kind event in Guyana. Patrons from Georgetown and out of town areas can also come down to Berbice as hotels etc. will be offering special rates etc. to accommodate this grand event.

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

The Abigail Column Woman wants to set limits Dear Abigail, I am an attractive woman.

I am at university, and quite frankly, many men are all over me (or at the least are constantly around me and in my face). I am not used to this because in high school I could go home and get away from such stuff, but in university it is non-stop.

I have trouble telling men to leave me alone, so I end up being very hostile towards them in the hopes that this will

drive them away. It does, but unfortunately I am developing the image of a rather mean individual. What can I do to be left alone without coming off with such a bad reputation?

Troubled Dear Troubled One might wonder what you mean by having boys “... constantly around me and in my face.” Perhaps this could be interpreted in two ways: these boys either WANT you (in a sexual way), or just want to get to know her.

First years are often enthusiastic to be living on

campus, and may concentrate on getting to know everyone.

This could actually be a wonderful chance for you to make lasting friendships. It does not hurt to be friendly and sociable; you may even find that you enjoy their company.

Think about what you want, and then practice putting your thoughts into words. You can be clear and firm without being hostile and most people will appreciate your straightforward, honest statements. In addition, chances are that your selfrespect, as well as your reputation, will increase.

Saturday June 30, 2012 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Look into joining groups that can give you hands-on advice about business. Lay your cards on the table regarding your personal direction. Find out exactly what's expected of you and you'll be surprised to find out how capable you are.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Involve yourself in group endeavors. You may have the energy to clear up that mound of paperwork facing you. Don't let situations get out of hand.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Listen to the problems of others and offer suggestions where possible. Sooner or later your partner will have had enough.

Travel will enhance romance and adventure.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Red tape could be impossible to clear up today. It's time you let your true feelings out. Don't be afraid to say what's on your mind.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Opportunities for new and exciting relationships will be yours if you get out and join groups.

Your best results will come through business trips. You may be frustrated by the way situations are being handled in your personal life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Get more involved in group efforts at work. You may find yourself in a heated dispute with a friend if you try to change your mind. You can get ahead if you work diligently behind the scenes.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You will find yourself tied to the phone. Do not overexpand if you have your own business. Sit tight. Be careful while traveling.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Think before you act if you wish to avoid friction. You may have difficulties with family members if you get involved in petty arguments.

Sudden changes regarding colleagues may surprise you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Start sending out those resumes. Renovations or purchases made for your home will payoff. Concentrate on your career and on making money.

CAPRI. (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) The great outdoors will allow you to teach youngsters some of the things you learned when growing up. You can bet that situations will get out of hand if you allow others to interfere. Problems with financial investments could make you nervous.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)

Don't make excuses. You will be able to make favorable changes in your living quarters. You will meet new friends and enjoy a multitude of new activities.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Entertainment should include the whole family or a lot of your friends. Children will be of major concern if you haven't kept the lines of communication open.

Page 19

Husband takes stand...

From page 16 by a man with a gun.

He said she explained that she was heading home when the man rode past her and “their eyes make four.” Then he rode off and shortly after, she saw the same man on his bike in a street she was approaching.

He came up and placed a gun to her head and told her not to scream or say a word, after which he led her to a” half-done concrete house” where he told her to take off her clothing.

She told him she had a little baby that was nursing but he told her to obey his orders. He then proceeded to rape her, while the weapon was placed at his feet.

After he had “completed his mission,” the husband told the court, the man then told his wife to put on her clothes which she did.

He then asked her if she had any money at home and she said no, then he asked her if she had gold and she said yes. He took her to her home and as they approached it, he asked her if her husband was at home and she said no.

But the alleged rapist looked through a window and observed the woman’s husband on the bed with the baby and he said to her, “How yuh tell me yuh husband ain’t deh home? He sitting on the bed wid a baby.”

He then led her back to the road where he told her not to say anything or he will come back for her in the morning. He then left.

According to the witness, he conducted “investigations” by asking his wife to describe the man who had raped her and she said that he was dark skinned, about 5 ft. 5 inches tall, with “knotty” hair to his neck, full eyes and she described the clothing he was wearing.

He said he told her they would wait until “day clean” to go to the police station since, if they walked, it would have taken them about one and a half hours and they had three small children and they had to consider also ,that there was a man with a gun in the darkness out there.

At about 7:30am, he took his wife to the Vigilance Police

Station where they reported the matter.

They were then placed in a Patrol vehicle and taken back by Ranks where his wife pointed out the unfinished house. Two men were standing on a nearby bridge and she identified one of the men as the person who had raped her. That man is the accused.

The VC was later escorted first to the Enmore Clinic but there was no doctor there.

She was then taken to the GPHC where she was examined and a medical certificate issued by the doctor.

On Thursday, the virtual complainant had testified that a confrontation was held by the police between her and the accused during which she had repeated her story. At the conclusion, the accused had said, “I is a married man. How I gon do that to you? I know yuh husband.”

Both the VC and her husband testified that the wife of the accused is the cousin of the VC’s husband.

The VC maintained that it

was the accused who had raped her as she was able to see his face clearly because on the Bachelor’s Adventure road there were street lights as well as lights from nearby houses.

The woman had told the court that as the accused led her at gunpoint to the house, he had thrown his bicycle in a drain.

She also testified that as he sexually assaulted her, it was a very painful fifteen minutes for her and all sorts of things were running through her mind, foremost was whether he had any diseases and what would happen to her after he was finished.

Under cross-examination, she denied that she had told the police the man who raped her had beads on his penis.

She declared that the only beads she knows of are the ones that are put in a person’s hair and she had never known that men cut their penis and insert beads.

She also denied telling the police that the man who raped her “was a bald head.”

Page 20

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Kaieteur News

EOIN MORGAN SETS UP ENGLAND WIN AT LORD’S

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Eoin Morgan hit a blistering unbeaten 89 off 63 balls as England beat Australia by 15 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match oneday series. The left-hander timed his assault to perfection on his home ground, blasting four sixes as England took 72 runs off the last seven overs to lift their total to 272-5.

A muscular half-century from opener David Warner kept Australia in the hunt, but a flurry of wickets in the middle overs checked their momentum.

Captain Michael Clarke did his utmost to haul his side back into the match, but when he was trapped lbw by Tim Bresnan for 61 the game was effectively over and England comfortably held on to seal their seventh one-day win in a row.

There were two wickets apiece for England’s quartet of seamers, who to a man bowled with relentless accuracy and discipline on a surface that offered just enough assistance throughout.

Their efforts would have been in vain, however, without Morgan’s brilliant late salvo. The Dubliner, dropped from the Test side after a miserable series against Pakistan earlier this year, delivered a reminder of what a devastating limited-overs player he can be.

He struck five fours and four huge sixes as he and Craig Kieswetter tore into the Australia attack to transform an ordinary total into an imposing one. The second game of the series will take place at The Oval on Sunday (tomorrow).

Gayle wants Windies to win...

From page 22 Digicel T20 is 3 pm (2 pm Jamaica Time). First ball on Sunday is 2 pm (1 pm Jamaica Time).

Squads WEST INDIES: Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi

Rampaul, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

NEW ZEALAND: Ross Taylor (captain), Martin Guptill, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Flynn, Ronnie Hira, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Guyana takes on D.C...

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From back page 6'7” for forwards.

Before now because somehow that admiration has changed to competition, and when Guyana go into their first game against the D.C Jammers tonight they will feel that they can beat a team that will certainly take some extra skill, expertise and effort to overpower.

The National Community Basketball League (NCBL) inaugural International Weekend jumps off tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 7pm when the Brooklyn/ Queens Bulldogs face the NCBL All-Stars team in the first game and D.C Jammers take on Guyana.

The event was launched yesterday at the Princess Hotel where a number of basketball buffs and enthusiasts gathered to officially usher in the event that will have the patronage of NBA Legend, Walter “Wali” Jones, who will be conducting a workshop from 11am today.

Jones has worked for 17 years as a member of the Miami Heat Organisation. The NBA Legend said he is in Guyana for the youths, and he is all about discipline. He added that 'team work can make dreams work,' giving some insight into his usual

motivational demeanour.

He emphasised the importance of education, adding that through basketball, coaches should have it in them to motivate players to read extensively. Jones said that is one of the only ways that the players can continue to improve their skills that will holistically benefit the sport.

Meanwhile, Director of Sports, Neil Kumar, lauded the efforts of NCBL and thanked Jones and the foreign teams for coming to Guyana. He appealed to the public to come out and support the event, which he said was a good step in the development of basketball.

EZjet Operations and Customer Service Manager, Rosalinda Rasul, said youths getting involved in sports is one of the best ways to keep them off the streets, highlighting that many distractions face youths today and sport is one of the ways of keeping them positively engaged.

Coordinator of the event, Kwame Mentore, stated that the event is an effort to elevate basketball at the national level in Guyana. He hopes it will produce a level of competition that will enhance and further propel the sport to greater methods of development in Guyana.

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 21

GCANA LAUDS GCF New tournament CHAMPS key to development ROAD RACE - rewards them financially

St. John’s, Antigua, CMC – West Indies Cricket Board President Dr Julian Hunte has labeled the inaugural WICB Under-17 tournament that bowls off Sunday (tomorrow) as “another pillar of development” in regional cricket.

The historic 50-over tournament, which will be played in Tobago, will last a week and feature six teams playing through five rounds. “We are delighted to have finally begun our regional Under-17 programme.

This tournament is another pillar of our development structure as it offers the young

players a bridge between Under15 and Under-19,” Hunte said.

“We continue, with increasing intensity, the WICB development programme as we ensure that every phase in a cricketer’s life he has meaningful competition which will cause greater levels of preparation, training and development.”

The WICB already has in place the flagship Under-19 tournament which has served as the major conduit for players into the West Indies Youth team and ultimately, the senior West Indies squad.

There is also a WICB Under15 tournament scheduled for next month in Trinidad and an annual Under-13 championship in St Kitts which is supported but not hosted by the WICB. “This Under-17 Tournament now completes a full package of youth development tournaments which we believe will result in better quality cricketers and better quality cricket at all levels,” Hunte added.

Traditional sides Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago and Windward Islands will battle for the title.

The Guyana Cycling Association of North America (GCANA) on Sunday last rewarded the Guyana Cycling Federations (GCF) Road Race champions for the year 2012.

Through its Secretary, Gavin Lowman, the GCANA lauded the respective champions for their outstanding performances in

in the history of the event which saw riders having to traverse the hilly terrain of Linden Soesdyke Highway to and fro for the first time.

When eth dust was settled, 22 year-old Lindener Orville Hinds claimed the top spot among the senior riders;

bettered her opponents with Junior Niles retaining the veteran top spot.

Lowman in brief remarks before handing over the envelopes said that the GCANA started to reward the Road Race champions last year and they will continue to do so noting that

Basketball Community plunged into mourning...

LIVERPOOL DIES IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH

Damian Liverpool The basketball community was plunged into mourning last evening following the news that former national forward, Damian Liverpool, was killed in an accident. Liverpool a former student of Queen’s College and member of the

Ravens Basketball Club reportedly met his death while on his way to Suriname aboard his CBR Superbike.

The Guyana national senior male basketball team that competes against the Washington D.C Jammers tonight is expected to honour Liverpool’s contributions before the game. Kaieteur Sport would like to join the basketball community, the family and friends of the late Damian Liverpool in extending condolences to the bereaved family of the basketball player.

It was also reported that reigning Superbike champion Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira was injured in the crash, but was in a stable condition and is expected to return to the country in a couple of days. Vieira according to reports suffered broken

GCANA Secretary Gavin Lowman (centre) pose with GCF 2012 Road Race champions from right, Claire Fraser-Green, Orville Hinds, Junior Niles and Raynauth Jeffrey. the race which was held for the first time, in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden.

It was the toughest route

Stephen Vieira bones and facial injuries, but is anticipated to make a full recovery.

Details of the incident are still sketchy and Kaieteur Sport will make very attempt to get the full facts pertaining to the cause of the accident in a subsequent issue.

Forest from 10:00hrs.

On Monday from 09:00hrs the winner of FarmA/Winsor Forest game will clash with Farm C in the lone semi final that is left to be played.

From 11:30hrs the lone semi final will come up against Grove in the 3rd place match while from 14:00hrs MYO will oppose the winner of the semi final encounter in the championship match. The presentation will follow immediately after the final is concluded.

GSA selects 14 for Caribbean...

From page 23 to hold his own in the Under-13 category. Guyana has won the last seven consecutive overall titles at the CASA Caribbean Junior Championships and even though the team this year is without some of the players that helped win most of the seven titles, GSA remains confident in its chances of extending the

streak. Among the players who are no longer eligible to compete at the junior level are five-time Caribbean champion Keisha Jeffrey and twin sister Kayla, along with Ashley Khalil and Alex Arjoon.

National Coach Carl Ince said that although the present team is not as strong as the 2011 overall champion team, he

this is their contribution towards the upliftment and encouragement of the athletes.

Top players on show as Chess Federation take sport to rural communities

Bakewell/MYO Inter Jamaat cricket to end on Monday

The annual Bakewell sponsored Muslim Youth Organization of Guyana Inter Jamaat 15 overs round- robin softball cricket competition is set to conclude on Monday July 2nd at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue.

On Sunday the lone quarter final match will be played between Farm A and Winsor

18 year-old Raynauth Jeffrey emerged as the junior champion; UK based female cyclist Claire Fraser-Green

is confident that the current crop of players will be able to produce a high standard of squash good enough to win again this year.

Ince said that the players are very committed and have been training continuously. He did confess that they are a bit behind schedule in training but is confident that the team should shift into gear by next week.

The commitment taken by executives of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) to take the sport into the rural areas is rapidly picking up pace and close on the heels of a tournament in Linden recently, chess officials are now heading to Bartica to battle for honours in the Malta Supreme One-Day Rapid Tournament, billed for tomorrow at the Bartica Secondary School.

Several of the country’s top players are scheduled to match wits and national champion, Taffin Khan is in ripping form and tipped to come out on top of the heap.

In the absence of his predecessor, Wendell Muesa, Khan has had to stave off strong challenges from his dad, David, and Shiv Nandalall, who has been recently coming into his own.

Tournament Director, Irshad Mohamed has also improved tremendously and may very well pose some problems for the top players.

The tournament consists of seven rounds with a junior and senior category and is sponsored by beverage moguls, Banks DIH Ltd. On Wednesday afternoon last, Malts Brand Manager, Clayton

Mc Kenzie handed over a large sponsorship cheque to Secretary of the GCF, Vishnu Rampersaud in the presence of Communications Manager, Troy Peters, at the c o m p a n y ’s T h i r s t P a r k complex. He lauded the efforts of the organizing committee of the GCF in the decentralization of the sport while reiterating that his company will continue supporting their efforts. He noted that his company Communications Manager, Mr. Peters, issued brief remarks and pointed out that the beverage company has been established in that region for many years and has enjoyed massive support from the Barticians. As such,

the company felt obliged to support the young players of that region as they hone their skills.

“We expect a highly competitive tournament under since the Malta Supreme brand, one of excellence, and is the label under which you are competing,” concluded Mr. Peters. Mr. Rampersaud expressed gratitude to the company for supporting chess and by extension the Federation’s efforts to spread the sport to all ten administrative regions. The players are battling for trophies, medals and chess sets among other lucrative prizes.

The action gets underway at 10:00hrs sharp.

GBTI continues sponsorship...

From page 23 upcoming International tours.

Categories to be contested are as follows: Boys U18 Singles, Girls U-18 Singles, Ladies Open Singles, Men's Open Singles, Men's 35 and Over Singles, Ladies Open Doubles, Men's Open Doubles, Men's 45 and Over Doubles, Mixed Open Doubles and Novice Medley.

In the Novices category, the format will be a best of

three super tie-breaks sets and matches will be played with the ITF green ball.

The tournament will kick off with an opening ceremony on Thursday July 12th. Tennis players are asked to submit entrance forms by the July 9 to coordinators of the tournament Andre Lopes, Shelly Ramdyhan or Jeremy Miller.

Forms are available at the GBTI Courts, from Clubs and Coaches.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 30, 2012

Gayle wants Windies to win TCL sponsors RHTY&SC for Caribbean-American fans Cricket Academy

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Chris Gayle flashed his characteristic smile on Friday morning as he embraced several West Indies fans at the Central Broward Regional Park. Gayle and the West Indies team had just arrived for training and as they got off the bus fans were on hand to “show some love” to the home players.

The strongly-built sixfooter admitted that the atmosphere in south Florida reminded him of the prematch hype back in the Caribbean. During his time in the batting cage, Gayle deposited a few balls into the stands and onto the grass mound to give supporters a taste of what they can expect this weekend.

“This is an important series. The people here have come out to support us and are making us feel very relaxed and at home. It is a chance to get some wins under our belt as we look forward to the T20 World Cup [in Sri Lanka in September].

We are looking for a good start in these two T20 games before we move on to Jamaica for the start of the One-Day Series,” Gayle said.

“The first game of any tour, of any series, is always important and hopefully come tomorrow we can get that kick-start that would be so vital no matter where in the world you are playing. We have a lot of supporters here and it is clear they are excited to see us come and play in America. It would be really nice to start with a win for them, for the people back home, and all our fans.”

There is great expectation as the Windies prepare to play their first official match in the United States. They face a well-rounded New Zealand team in the two-match Digicel T20 Series on Saturday and Sunday. Although the matches are being played away from the Caribbean, the West Indies are seen as the “home team” and can expect massive support from the crowd of over 15,000. South Florida is home to one of the largest Caribbean communities in the United States.

“The conditions here are great ... it’s warm, but we are all natural West Indians and we can handle the heat. The guys have been training really hard and we are

confident of doing well. It is good to be back among this great group and I’m enjoying it,” the Windies Number 45 said.

“I have been hitting the ball well. I had a half century in England and since I have come over to America I am enjoying it. When the time comes around tomorrow, I will just look to go about the business as I usually do - that is try to get a start and push on from there.”

The powerful 32-year-old is preparing for his 22nd T20 International. He has also played 91 Test matches and 229 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, making him the most experienced member of the 13-man squad.

“This is a new venue.

Most of us have never played here before, so you have to be sensible in your approach and give yourself every opportunity to be successful.

It is always good to have confidence and part of that confidence comes from your preparations, so we have to prepare mentally as well as physically to take advantage of any situation.”

First ball in Saturday’s first Continued on page 20

New Amsterdam Secondary School cricket Team currently preparing for the Sir Garfield Sobers School’s tournament in Barbados received a boost on Wednesday last when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) contributed $20,000 towards their expenses.

Last year the team appeared at the international tournament for the first time and did fairly well against

bearing the name of the greatest all-rounder to have played the game of cricket.

With the level of the game being very high in Berbice, Beharry expressed confidence that the New Amsterdam Secondary would make the County proud.

He urged members of the team to be proper ambassadors for Berbice and Guyana while in Barbados and to promote Guyana’s

coming from the Board if the school wins the tournament.

Coach of the team Julian Moore in accepting the donation expressed gratitude to the Board stating that the team was determined to make all their s u p p o r t e r s p r o u d b y at least reaching the semifinals and then to go and become the first Guyana school to win the tournament.

The team which consists

BCB assists NA Sec. School for upcoming Sir Garfield Sobers Tournament

As the year continues to be a productive one for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), which was formed in 1990, Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) Guyana Inc. on Thursday morning officially came on board to sponsor the upcoming Cricket Academy,

the players to understand their roles as sports ambassadors and positive role models.

Foster reminded that Esuan Crandon, Royston Crandon, Assad Fuddain, Delbert Hicks, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Renwick Batson, Dominic

be held to honor the outstanding participants attending the academy.

Foster expressed sincere gratitude to the sponsor, especially Mark Bender, TCL Plant Manager and Eric Whaul, Marketing Representative, for investing in the future of RHTY&SC.

Member of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Ronson Lawson (left) receives the sponsorship cheque from TCL Guyana Inc. Plant Manager, Mark Bender in the presence of Marketing Representative, Eric Whaul. which begins on July 6 and concludes on July 20.

Public Relations Officer of the Club, Hilbert Foster, in his remarks at the presentation, stated that the club has always pursued a policy of planning for the future and to ensure that every plan is put into action.

“The main aim of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club is to remain as the leading cricket club in Guyana and as such we are in constant planning to identify new cricketing talent,” Foster said.

The PRO indicated that the club has hosted a Cricket Academy during the month of July over the past fourteen years to instill the importance of discipline and education for

Rikhi and Shawn Pereira were all successful cricketers from the academies that were held over the last fourteen years.

The next Academy caters for 100-120 young players, both male and female, between the ages of 8-18 years.

Foster disclosed that several coaches including, Micheal Hyles Franco, Winston Smith and Delbert Hicks will be the resource persons at the academy.

Topics including HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse, Role of a Sports Ambassador, Public Speaking, Personal Hygiene and Peer Pressure will be discussed.

He added that a graduation ceremony would

“Please be assured that the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club will use your finance for its intended purpose, well promote TCL as never before in Berbice and starting today your company will receive widespread media coverage.

We at Rose Hall Town Yo u t h a n d S p o r t s C l u b strongly believe in the pursuit of excellence and nothing less,” he concluded.

TCL Plant Manager, Mark Bender, in his remarks, said that he is pleased to be a part of such a venture with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and hopes that the club is successful in everything they do.

Rudolph Mitchell starts as favourite in CS&TC Caricom racewalk meet

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff hands over the donation to the NASS Team more seasoned opponents.

BCB Treasurer Anil Beharry said the entity was pleased that a team from the Ancient County would be playing in a tournament

youths as disciplined and committed individuals.

Beharry committed the Board towards assisting the team on future tours while a special incentive will be

of several Berbice and Guyana junior players has been training on a daily basis for the last month and is in top shape both mentally and physically.

Rudolph Mitchell

Rudolph Mitchell has dominated the local racewalk scene and despite the efforts of other top walkers, continues to distinguish himself among the lot.

The prolific athlete has so far compiled an unbeaten record of 118 victories on the trot and will be out to improve that figure when the Cavalier Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC) stages the CARICOM Day race on Monday July 2 next.

The race is expected to attract the local cream of the crop and gets underway at the

Plaisance Market, Railway Embankment ECD and proceeds west to the Caricom headquarters, Liliendaal ECD. A release from the CS&TC informs that members of the Caricom Secretariat will also participate in the race.

Participants are asked to convene at the starting line at 06:00hrs for a prompt start half an hour later.

Once again, walkers will vie for prizes donated by members of the business community including trophies and medals.

Saturday June 30, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

GSA selects 14 for Caribbean Junior Squash Championships A 14-member team including seven former Caribbean junior champions has been selected by the Guyana Squash Association to represent Guyana at the 30th Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Caribbean Junior squash Championships in Jamaica, July 20-26.

Rebecca Low, Taylor Fernandes, Larissa Wiltshire, Victoria Arjoon, Akeila Wiltshire, Ashley DeGroot and Mary Fung-AFat make up Guyana's Girls team, while the Boys team comprises Shomari Wiltshire, Ben Mekdeci, Patrick Fraser, Nyron

Carl Ince Joseph, Jean Claude Jeffrey, Steven Xavier and Jason Ray Khalil.

Former Southern Caribbean Champion Garfield Wiltshire has been chosen as the Team Manager and stated that the athletes were chosen based on their performances in all locally held tournaments as well as previous performances at Junior CASA. For overseas players such as Arjoon and Jeffrey, Wiltshire said that GSA also relied on results submitted from their tournaments abroad. Arjoon, who attends St. George's High School, reportedly played undefeated in the Independent School League in the USA.

GBTI continues sponsorship of Tennis

GBTI Customer Care and Business Development Officer Mrs. Roma Narayan-Singh hands over the sponsorship cheque to GLTA President Ramesh Seebarran in the presence of GLTA officials.

The annual Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry (GBTI) Tennis Open is set to start on July 12th at the Bank's Recreational Center, Bel Air as the bank continues its support to tennis with sponsorship of the tournament for the third consecutive year.

The event which is the marquee tournament on the G u y a n a L a w n Te n n i s A s s o c i a t i o n ' s ( G LTA ) calendar attracted over 120 entrants last year and will run for two weeks with matches being scheduled on

the weekends and from 17:00hrs daily at the club's courts.

In the main categories last year Anthony Downes captured the Men's title from Jeremy Miller whilst Aruna Ramrattan carted off the Ladies equivalent.

According to Customer Care and Business Development Officer Mrs. Roma Narayan-Singh, the Bank is committed to supporting tennis development and the association in ensuring that the game is played at all

levels. She looks forward to a successful tournament.

New President of the Guyana Tennis Association Mr. Ramesh Seebarran who collected the sponsorship cheque thanked the Bank for its continued support and assured Management that he GBTI's tournament is very important in the association's calendar of events. The GBTI's tournament is being looked forward to by many players and it will allow the juniors to get in shape for their Continued on page 21

Five other juniors, Daniel and Anthony Islam, Sarah Lewis, Andrew Peroune and Alec Melville who did not make the cut will also make the journey to Jamaica to compete in the individual category.

Of the 14 that will be competing in both the team tournament and individual category, seven have won at least once at these junior championships. Joseph and Akeila Wiltshire captured their maiden titles in the

boys and girls under 15 categories last year but both will be making their debut in the under 17 category this year.

Arjoon, who already has four junior titles and FungA-Fat who has three will be competing in the Under-17 and Under-19 categories respectively for the second straight year.

Mekdeci, who is the reigning Caribbean Under13 champion, will also be moving up to the Under-15

category, just as current Under-17 champion Khalil, will be debuting in the Under-19 division.

Overseas based Jeffrey, who won the Under-15 title two years ago, will be trying to return to winning form this year in the Under-17 category.

Eight-year-old Shomari Wiltshire, who competed in the individual category last year received his first call to national duty for team Guyana and will try Continued on page 21

t r o Sp

Ansa Mcal/EDFA launch Stag Beer Senior League B e v e r a g e c o m p a n y, Ansa Mcal continues to demonstrate good corporate citizenship when officials of that organisation joined forces with Executive members of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) to launch the Stag Beer Senior League which will kick off at the Betterverwagting Community Centre Ground ECD on July 7th next.

Yesterday morning, several Executives of the beverage company joined Executive members of the EDFA at the Ansa Mcal Betterverwagting office to unveil the sponsorship package while briefing media representatives of the details pertaining to the sponsorship deal.

Ansa Mcal was represented at the forum by Stag Beer Brand Manager, John Maikoo and Public Relations Officer, Darshanie Yussuf while the First Vice President of the EDFA, Eton Moses, represented his organisation. President (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation, Franklin Wilson

was also in attendance.

M r. M o s e s e x t e n d e d gratitude to the sponsors and intimated that their kind gesture will not only facilitate the effective running of the tournament but it will support the projections of the officials of the EDFA in molding the skills of young ball weavers along the East Coast corridor. The EDFA official explained that his Executives have incorporated an Under-13 tournament into the senior competition where the young players will share the experience of practicing their trade before large crowds.

He noted that the initiative is of historical importance and will serve to prepare the youngsters for such eventualities as they grow in the sport.

Meanwhile, the gesture coincides with the Beverage Company's 20th anniversary celebrations and Ms. Yussuf said that apart from acquiescing to the sponsorship deal, Ansa Mcal has broadened their input

Company committed to continued growth of football in East Coast

Members of the head table at yesterday launch pose with some footballers attached to East Coast Clubs.

Seated from right, Ms, Darshanie Yussuf (PRO), GFF President (ag) Franklin Wilson, EDFA First VP Eton Moses and Stag Beer Brand Manager, John Maikoo. and has adopted the Betterverwagting Community Centre Ground.

She said that the initiative has already been approved and works would soon commence.

The Beverage magnate would be installing bleachers, installing washrooms and conducting

general rehabilitation works to the facility. “We regard this gesture as an integral aspect of our corporate input,” said Ms. Yussuf. She remained adamant that her organisation's role extends further than just residing within the community. “We are also integrally involved in the activities of the

community,” she concluded.

Mr. Wilson was high in praise of the Beverage Company and extended profound gratitude for their input. He noted that Ansa Mcal has always responded positively to requests for assistance and he expressed confidence in the acquisition of similar packages towards

football's development. He further complimented the teamwork exhibited by officials of the EDFA. Mr. Wilson joined Ms Yussuf in appealing to the members of the participating clubs to exhibit the high level of discipline necessary for the efficient running of the tournament.

Guyana takes on DC Jammers tonight

By Edison Jefford It was supposed to have been a run-of-the-mill tour aimed at giving local players some exposure against guys that played college ball in the United States and now play professional basketball in other parts of the world, but somehow the rationale changed for Guyana.

The Washington D.C Jammers have always given local ballers the right exposure of playing with players who have knocked on the doors of the NBA. Before now, Guyana has stood in awe of an immensely talented team that has an average height of Continued on page 20

- NCBL officially launches series

IT'S HERE!!! Director of Sport, Neil Kumar joins the NCBL, Miami Heat's Community Liaison, Wali Jones (fourth, right), officials from Princess Hotel, EZ Jet, Brooklyn/Queens Bulldogs and Washington D.C Jammers in ushering in this Weekend's International series.

Liverpool dies in motorcycle crash Pg. 21

Basketball Community plunged into mourning...

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