Wednesday June 08, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Six detained in KN grenade attack probe - 19-yr-old driver among suspects Police appear to be close to identifying the mastermind and motive behind Saturday night’s grenade attack on Kaieteur News, following the arrest of six people yesterday. The suspects include the 19-year-old driver of the grey Toyota Spacio, PSS 5252, that police found abandoned near Norton Street and Mandela Avenue, shortly after the device was thrown. The driver is from Kitty and ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken said that those in custody are from Georgetown and Sophia. Commander Hicken said the driver had first claimed that he was the victim of a carjacking. On being further questioned, he said that he had lent the vehicle to someone. “We questioned him and this led to two others.” Three other individuals were then detained. Hicken declined to say whether investigators believe that the impounded car is the same vehicle that was used in the attack. But he assured
A side view of the impounded car that the Force is “working assiduously” to crack the case. “Fifteen detectives are working as we speak…we want to ensure that we tie everything up,” the Commander said, adding that members of the public have also provided investigators with information. Kaieteur News observed that the left bumper of the impounded car has a dent,
while the rear number plate was smeared with mud, as if to conceal the numbers. The front number plate is missing. The words “Dream Chasers” are engraved on the front windscreen. A source said that the vehicle belongs to a Kitty businesswoman. Kaieteur News understands that some time after the grenade attack, the 19-year-old driver had told ranks at the Alberttown Police
No. 28 Village affected by flooding The El Nino phenomenon has come to an end and Guyana is now experiencing frequent rainfall, in some instances lasting for prolonged periods. This has increased the risks of flooding in vulnerable areas across the country. One such community feeling the brunt of the increased water levels is No. 28 Village, West Coast Berbice. Speaking with Kaieteur News, a resident and farmer within the rural community expressed dismay at the efforts of the Mahaica
Mahaicony Abary – Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) to remedy the situation. The concerned farmer complained that persons are losing their livestock and water levels have invaded residents’ bottom houses. He blames the disastrous situation on the dysfunctional sluice located at No. 27 Village, WCB. It was reported to this newspaper that the problem has been persistent for more than six weeks. The concerned farmer reported that the sluice that should be doing the work has
been blocked for the past two years. According to Chairman of MMA-ADA Aubrey Charles, the main sluice causing the problem is located at Trafalgar Village. Charles informed this publication that during the El Nino season, the silt at the sluice had built up and has blocked the outflow of water from the land. He stated that just last month, a pontoon and an excavator loaned to the authority by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) (Continued on page 21)
Station that he was driving south along Albert Street, Alberttown, at around 22.30 hrs, when two men on a CG motorcycle rode up to him. He claimed that the pillion rider drew a handgun, forced him to stop, and then forced him out of the vehicle before driving away with it. The vehicle fits the description of the grey Toyota Spacio from which an individual tossed a fragmentation grenade at Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall’s vehicle. When the device was thrown, Mr. Lall and several staffers were in proximity, outside the Kaieteur News premises, where a wake was being held for Kaieteur News Assistant Editor Dale
Andrews. It was at around 22.00 hrs on Saturday that a security staffer heard an unusual sound near Mr. Lall’s vehicle, which was parked on the western side of Saffon Street. Thinking at first that someone had shattered one of the windows, the staffer checked the vehicle, but observed no damage. However, on checking the front of the vehicle, the staffer spotted the grenade lying near one of the front tyres. The police were immediately notified. Video footage from a Kaieteur News CCTV camera shows the grey-coloured vehicle, which is heading north, slowing as it approaches Mr. Lall’s vehicle.
The occupants then accelerate after the device is thrown. According to a source, the grenade differs from those that are used by the Guyana Defence Force. Kaieteur News was told that the grenades in stock at the army have detonators that can be removed. The grenade that was thrown outside Kaieteur News reportedly had a builtin detonator, which necessitated the experts having to explode the device. Experts have said that it was nothing short of “a miracle” that the device didn’t explode when it was thrown. When fragmentation grenades explode, the fragments are hurled with great force in different directions. The source also said that the explosion would not have only caused extensive damage to Mr. Lall’s vehicle, but could have also triggered explosions to other passing vehicles. United Kingdom High Commissioner, James Quinn, Government officials and the Guyana Press Association (GPA), among others, have condemned the act of terror against Kaieteur News.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 08, 2016
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Nothing will deter this newspaper Crime in Guyana is big business. Criminals have invested heavily in technology and weaponry and have established very lucrative networks in the trafficking of drugs and guns. Some crimes are politically motivated, orchestrated by those who resent criticism and will go to any lengths to silence their opponents. The grenade attack on the publisher of this newspaper is a heinous crime. It has all the markings of persons whose goal it is to suppress freedom of the press. What the perpetrators fail to understand that nothing of this nature will deter the publisher and by extension, this newspaper. The publisher has time and again proven his toughness under relentless fire, and will do any and everything to keep the public duly informed of wrongdoing by anyone - in or out of the government – that affects this nation. Kudos to the police for their swift action, and there is the hope that the story will unfold for the country to learn the truth. The barbarians should know that they can run but cannot hide. People are indeed living in fear of being robbed or murdered; and many believe that their only option is to have a gun to defend themselves. Over the years, Kaieteur News has been facing numerous death threats, not from the public, but from those who the paper had exposed for their corrupt practices and theft of the state resources. The Publisher, Editor-in-Chief and the staff have played a major role in getting rid of many of the elements that were responsible for the steady decline in the country’s economy as well as its image. We reiterate that after a year in office, the current government has not found it possible to reinstate the newspaper’s firearm licences which were maliciously revoked by the Jagdeo administration. Today, the police force is far more effective in solving crimes than in the past. And while there seems to be hardly any political interference by the government, the police and intelligence agencies are screaming out for technological advancement in their efforts to make a serious dent in crime. The government has to stop playing games; people’s lives are at stake. For example it was pitiable to watch the brave bomb expert remove the grenade with his naked hands. He had no protective outfit, not even a pair of gloves or an explosion proof box to store the device. It is shameful that the bomb squad is not even equipped with the most basic protection, which begs the question: How prepared is the country to deal with terrorism? The onus is on the Minister of Public Security to properly equip the force. Further, the current economic climate is ripe for recruitment of young criminals and terrorists. The high unemployment among youths, real or perceived, has created disenchantment and hopelessness, with survival and desperation driving them to become criminals. Many are gullible and would do anything in an effort to escape poverty, or simply to put food on the table. It is disturbing that when it comes to matters concerning the well-being of the people, politics always keeps getting in the way. It seems that the ruling elite are incapable to adequately put measures in place to deal with critical issues affecting the masses. The government must understand that a war on crime is essentially turning into a war on the people. It must urgently inculcate a new thinking in dealing with the people, especially misguided youths. The nation’s survival depends on the collective responsibility of all to build the country and provide a better life for all. Time to declare war on the corrupt and greedy; those among us who have pilfered or are continuing to pilfer the country’s resources, and are destroying the hopes and aspirations of the people.
Justice has finally been served DEAR EDITOR; There should have been a national outrage and perhaps a stampede among Guyanese for the brutal murder of Crum-Ewing last year. For the police to file charges against someone whom they knew could not have acted alone is in of itself criminal. And for the former president to even suggest that the opposition might have a hand in his death was awful, offensive and silly. But knowing Jagdeo, he has been able to maintain his ghettostyle politics beyond stupidity. He is considered the worst President of Guyana and the worst head of state in all of the Caribbean. He is not a statesman but a crude and snobbish politician who saddled Guyana with the highest level of corruption in all of the Caribbean. Yet, he has the audacity to speak ill of this government. It appears that it was a deliberate attempt by some in the former administration not only to smear Courtney Crum Ewing but also to sabotage the police investigations into the assassination of this young man who was cut down in the prime of his life. The former administration was callous to say the least.
The saying that justice delayed is justice denied holds true in many instances, but it is not the case in the assault against Freddie Kissoon. It seems as though justice will be finally served. It is a case that had many ups and downs since the assault on Kissoon on May 24, 2010, but now the evil monsters who committed such dastardly act have finally been charged. It took the Police Force which is now allegedly free of political interference to conduct a thorough investigation and eventually file charges against Opposition Executive, Jason Abdulla, former government Liaison Officer, Kwame McCoy and self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds. It is a refreshing day for the people and a remarkable day for the justice system. However, there are many questions still lingering that need answers: Were there other persons involved in the planning and execution of the assault on Freddie Kissoon? Were there higher-ups in the previous government who ordered the police not to intervene? These are relevant questions because Kissoon was and still is a staunch critic of the vindictive and brutal PPP administration,
which had wanted to silence him as they have done with many others. The Kaieteur News columnist is finally getting his day in court, but for the PPP to say that the charges against the three accused are politically motivated is absurd and utter foolishness. What was politically motivated was the conspiracy by those in authority to assault Kissoon? Sooner rather than later, the parents and three young children of the late CrumEwing will also get their day in court. It was very disappointing that the former administration did absolutely nothing to find the perpetrators who had committed such atrocious act against Crum-Ewing. But as the saying goes, no bad deed goes unpunished for long. If what is being reported in the media is correct, then it will only be a matter of time before the real murders of Crum-Ewing will be brought to justice. Despite the DPP’s advice not to file charges against the three accused, the police has to continue their investigation. Even though he lay dead, the last government had brought the country to its lowest ebb in terms of decency by smearing at him.
How could a government deface the character of a dead citizen whom it was sworn to protect? They were so cruel and ruthless not to realize the hurt and pain their inhumane statements would inflict on the family who had already suffered a great loss of their son and father. It was sadistic to pour more salt into the wounds of the relatives of Crum-Ewing. There can be no denying that the murder of CrumEwing was a political act committed by those whom he had opposed. By accusing him of being a criminal, the former government had missed a great opportunity to use the occasion to sooth the hatred that had existed and heal the wounds of the nation. This should have been the vested interest of the last government and not the tearing down of the late CrumEwing’s character. It was very sad that even in death they have tortured him. However, Guyana is a nation of prayers and it seems as though its prayers will be answered the police continue to look for his murderers. He has made the ultimate sacrifice, so the nation must come together to fulfill his dreams. May he rest in peace? Dr. Asquit Rose
I am beginning to miss Dale Andrews already DEAR EDITOR; As a trained journalist, I quickly connected with Dale when we first met at the Kaieteur News, newsroom, in 2010. I was pointed his way by the security when I went to discuss a matter I thought was newsworthy. We hit it off immediately. I shared with him the names of media houses where I had worked and he knew several of the editors I mentioned to him. We exchanged numbers and that was the beginning of a very fruitful friendship. I will miss calling him with story ideas. From time to time I would call him and share tips I thought were newsworthy. Like this one. One May 10th 2016 a young lady name Dian Patterson from Jamaica, traveled to Guyana on the invitation of a man she had only known briefly. He too is from Jamaica. She is 22, he is 29. He contacted her in Jamaica, promised to show her around his new-found home – Guyana – and he even paid for her ticket to travel here. What she did not know
is that the man she was befriending is a drug dealer. Neither did she know that he is possibly HIV positive. She did not also know that he is well known to the police in Guyana and is currently on $1,000,000 bail for trafficking in drugs, here in Guyana. So on May 10th she went to the airport in Jamaica, collected the ticket he had purchased for her, and traveled to Guyana. On arriving in Guyana, a taxi collected her and took her to a home just off of Nelson Mandela Avenue, in West Ruimveldt. Early on the 11th of May she was told by the young man that he was taking her to neighbouring Suriname. They boarded a vehicle and were transported to Skeldon where she was told that she would be crossing into Suriname through the “backtrack”. She was carrying her backpack containing her laptop and personal items. He was carrying a suitcase containing their clothing. Unknown to her, the suitcase also contained a quantity of marijuana. As they made their way through the strategically placed customs
area at the landing, the drugs were unearthed. She was not carrying the suitcase. She did not know he had placed the drugs in with their clothes. Additionally, he admitted to the arresting officers that the drugs were his. They were both arrested. At the initial court arraignment, he pleaded not guilty, thereby placing Dian is a very problematic situation. They were both remanded to prison. Sometime around the middle of May I got a call from someone who knows the work I do and they asked if I could look into the case and offer some assistance. I was later contacted by the family of Dian, who have been in touch with me ever since. I traveled to the Berbice prison and had a meeting with Dian. It turns out that Dian is from a single home family and a final year nursing student, who took time off from her studies to travel to Guyana. She told me that she does not have any father/ daughter relationship with her dad and that she grew up with her mom. She explained to me that she always thought of traveling, so when she was offered a ticket to travel, even
thought it meant interrupting her studies, she jumped at the opportunity. Dian also told me that she never believed that her friend would have done something like that to her. She lamented with uncontrollable tears that she came to Guyana one day and was in prison the very next day. After I asked Dian some very pointed questions, I decided to assist with securing her freedom. On the 30th of May I was there in Skeldon court with her. There was a mix up with the evidence and the case was rescheduled to be heard on the 14th of June. The young man was present at the hearing also and I took the opportunity to speak with him. I asked him why he was refusing to admit that the drugs were his, knowing that he is complicating the case for Dian. He told me that if he admits it is his drugs, he will be sentenced to the statutory three or four years in prison. He said that he was buying time, hoping to secure a lawyer. As we were speaking, he was busy making calls to Continued on page 5
Wednesday June 08, 2016
Kaieteur News
Tacuma Ogunseye is outraged at the attack on Kaieteur News DEAR EDITOR; The report that a hand grenade was thrown at the parked vehicle of Kaieteur News owner and publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, is unsettling and a reminder that the Guyanese society since the rise of the criminal state under the PPPC’s 23 years of rule, is vulnerable to criminal conduct. Given the interlocking relationship between economics, politics and crime, which is the legacy the PPPC bequeathed to Guyana, this becomes even more difficult to decipher. Whatever is the motive behind this attack on Mr. Lall and the Kaieteur News, the nation must register its collective abhorrence and condemnation of this criminal act, and express our solidarity with Kaieteur News, which has evolved as a national institution. In the past, Kaieteur News has been subjected to several heinous criminal attacks that
resulted in its employees being shot and killed at its printery in Eccles some years ago and an arson attack directed at its Saffon Street operations. When these attacks took place the general consensus of the public was that these incidents were organized, targeted attacks on the newspaper for its aggressive exposure of wrong doings in the society. A point to note is that all of these previous attacks took place under the PPPC government. This most recent assault on the paper and its owner occurred under the APNU+AFC administration. This fact alone makes it imperative for the regime to request that the Guyana Police Force do everything in its power to solve this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice. Grenades have long been tools in the arsenal of the organized criminal/political
underworld in Guyana. For some reason these grenades have failed to explode when used. The frequency which this has happened creates the impression that they came from the same batch and the same supplier. All this pre dates the present government. It boggles the mind that the PPPC when in government never seemed eager to get to the bottom of this new and potentially dangerous development. The PPPC in its attitude to the use of grenades by the criminal elements in society radiated confidence that they were all dummies. The APNU+AFC government has to treat this matter as a national security emergency. Since this recent attack could very well be a test run for something more dramatic, the intention being to make the administration appear incapable of dealing with security of the country. Tacuma Ogunseye
Local investors are at a disadvantage DEAR EDITOR; Please permit me some space in your very informative news paper. Mr. Editor Guyanese who are born here, work and contribute to the development of our dear country are treated as last citizens. Some Guyanese live in very inhuman conditions yet they work, pay taxes and contribute to our GDP while they struggle to make ends meet with low wages and high cost of living, and cannot have even one duty free vehicle in their whole life time. The foreigners come here under the name (investor) harvest our natural resources and when they are finished, they pack up and leave the emptiness behind, but when
they arrive here they are given all kinds of tax breaks, duty free concessions for vehicles, building materials etc etc. Take for instance Omai. Now we have Bai Shan Lin. When they came here ten years ago they promised to go into value added wood business and employ Guyanese but instead they were allowed to denude our forest and ship the logs to China. They harvest our gold, compete with our businessmen, and do not pay VAT. The Chinese enjoy the world of concessions while they compete with Guyanese who pay all kinds of taxes and duties. The BSL is competing in water transport, trucking, housing and they are planning for our oil which is yet to begin pumping from
our reserves, just look at huge installation they have constructed. If a Guyanese have a house and lot and he/she applies for another house lot because they have a son/ daughter coming up they are denied an allocation but Bai Shan Lin can have as much as they want because Mr Chu Hongbo is a Guyanese citizen above the born Guyanese. I think if anyone is given citizenship here and he/she breaches our laws, tax or otherwise that citizenship should be revoked, I have never seen a Chinese attend driving school but they have drivers licenced to drive. I strongly feel we can carry on without the Chinese because they are not INVESTORS they are HARVESTERS. I am told the Chinese exportl their monies earned here. Harri P. Beharry
I am beginning to miss Dale... From page 4 some person who seemed unwilling to speak with him. I could hear him pleading with the person to get a lawyer for him. I reminded him that it was very unlikely that he will secure bail on this charge, inasmuch as he is already on bail for a similar charge. He was unrelenting in his stance of maintaining that the drugs were not his. Frustrated, I went into the court yard and asked an attorney, who had appeared in court earlier on another matter, to give me an idea of what it would cost to represent Dian. He told me that the cost would depend on the stage of the case. I was later told that the cost would range for $75,000 to $600,000. Dian’s folks cannot afford that. So if
we don’t secure an attorney to stand for Dian, I am advising that she explains her situation to the Magistrate with the view of appealing to his better judgment. The prosecution is well aware of the merits of her case. I am also asking that the media houses send representatives to cover the case. Editor, the law is not an ass. It will be a travesty of justice for Dian to spend one more night in prison, when everyone connected to this story knows full well that the only thing she is guilty of is naivety. This is a case that Dale would have been interested in. I am beginning to miss him already. May his soul rest in peace. Pastor W. P. Jeffrey Practical Christianity Ministries
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The offensive remarks of Juan Edghill DEAR EDITOR, A little over a week ago on Sunday evening (May 29th) I was casually browsing the television channels looking for something interesting to relieve my boredom when, by chance, I came upon a program that was just about to begin on TVG Channel 28, titled “The Factor” hosted by Mr. Neaz Subhan. My attention was immediately drawn to the program because of the personalities being interviewed by Mr. Subhan, namely Mr. Ravi Dev, Mr. David Hinds, and Mr. Juan Edghill. It is not often that one gets to see the likes of Dev and Hinds together sharing the same space discussing the salient ethnic issues that are negatively affecting the country’s development, so I thought to myself that it was going to be worth my while to listen in, especially since they were going to discuss the interrelated vogue issues of race, ethnicity and national unity. Predictably, the exchange of ideas and opinions amongst the discussants was invigorating and thought-provoking and had me glued to my television set. However, coming down to the tail-end of the program, what was up until then an engrossing discussion was spoilt by remarks made by Mr. Edghill. In sum, he stated that Afro-Guyanese believe that they have the God-given right to rule and this belief is being fostered by the Christian charismatic churches. I couldn’t believe my ears. I actually pinched myself to ensure I wasn’t having a surreal experience. Editor, I encourage you to view the program to confirm what I’m reporting here is true, accurate and correct. Better yet, I implore you to make contact with any of the other persons who were on the program to validate that what I’ve stated herein is factual and not fictional. The statement made by Mr. Edghill was unambiguous, unequivocal and pellucid. There can be no misinterpretation of what he said. I’ve patiently waited a whole week to see if the wider society would have zeroed in on Edghill’s remarks and use the formal media or social media to roundly condemn it, but having not seen any movement in this direction, I decided to pen this missive. First off, I wish to state that as an evangelical Christian, I take extreme umbrage at Mr. Edghill’s unflattering misrepresentation, traducement and denigration of the charismatic community here in Guyana. Worst still, that he would seek to controversially infer that the church propagates and executes a racist agenda is palpably slanderous and mischievous This is a most mean-spirited and diabolical attack on the church by an apostate that I’ve ever encountered in my Christian life so far, and
should not go unchallenged, since reticence on the matter can embolden him and others of his ilk to make even more scurrilous allegations against the evangelical movement. Here, I pause to advise that I have not, by any stretch of the imagination, appointed myself as the evangelical representative on this matter; I am just responding as an aggrieved member. Hopefully, my more spirituallygrounded and informed brethren in the evangelical churches will take this issue on board and give it the serious attention it deserves. Secondly, the callous assertion made by Mr. Edghill that Black people think that they have the God-given right to rule over all the other races, though risible, is also racially inciting. Every Guyanese knows that racerelations in this country, especially between Africans and Indians, are being skillfully balanced on a knife’s edge; it’s a powder-keg waiting to explode at any time given the right conditions. In the circumstance, Mr. Edghill’s remarks are akin to throwing gasoline on a smoldering fire. I guess, right now, he is probably smugly sitting back waiting for the conflagration. Without prompting, I take the position that Mr. Edghill, the politician, knows what he is doing. He is deliberately fanning the flames of racial hatred, bigotry and discord in this country, in an undisguised attempt to ingratiate himself with the PPP’s Indiansupport base. The public will recall that it was only last year during an event organized by the Indian Arrival Committee to commemorate the anniversary of the Lusignan killings which occurred on January 26, 2008, that he made similarly racist remarks for which he was pilloried in the media. So, this is not the first time that Mr. Edghill has publicly espoused racist demagoguery. For the good of this nation and in the furtherance of the goals of social cohesion, unity, and the peaceful coexistence of all the races, more so, Africans and Indians, someone has to put a muzzle on Edghill, and all the other racial entrepreneurs who seek by their pronouncements and actions to create racial strife in this country. Where is the Ethnic Relations Commission? Is it still hibernating? Based on his pattern of behavior, I am strongly advocating for Juan Edghill to be summoned before the ERC and banned from all political activity in this country. This man is divisive and dangerously so. In conclusion, I would like to use this afforded opportunity to posit the view that the powers-that-be need to get their act together and fast. There must be no further hesitation in dealing condignly with the racebaiters in our society, lest we unwittingly recreate the Rwanda experience right here. God forbid! Osafo Lynch
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 08, 2016
Relatives of Goed Fortuin accident victims call for action
The back of the vehicle that was smashed into.
The Nissan Bluebird where it finally came to a stop; in the trench. A little over a week after being struck down by a car on the West Bank Demerara Public Road, thirteen-yearold Shemar Henry and forty-
four-year-old Wazir Ali are still hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). Henry sustained a
fractured skull and severe internal injuries and is still hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of GPHC. Ali, who is employed as a
driver with Non Governmental Organization (NGO) World University Canada, was reportedly visiting a relative on the West Bank of Demerara and was awaiting a bus on the road when the accident occurred. As a result of the accident, Ali’s left leg had to be amputated and he is still in the male ward of GPHC. The driver of the vehicle that slammed into the two persons is said to be a pastor. The accident was caught on surveillance cameras from nearby buildings. This publication acquired a video which clearly shows that the driver of the aforementioned
motor vehicle was going at a fast rate when he struck Henry and Ali, ran into the back of a parked car (PLL 7887) and ended up in the trench. Footage from a nearby bar, shows the driver of PLL 7887 parking and then walking into a store, a mere five seconds later it shows three young men walking in the corner of the roadway, two of the youths managed to evade the oncoming vehicle, while Henry was struck and flung into the air, landing on a nearby vehicle. The car continued on its deadly path and smashed into Ali who was standing at a bus stop.
According to sources, despite video evidence the errant driver continues to deny any wrongdoing, one person said he even got children to lie and say that the driver of PLL 7887 was driving off when the accident occurred which is contrary to what the video footage clearly shows; that his car slammed into the two persons and the parked vehicle. The mother of the injured teenager speaking to this publication stated that the driver initially gave her $40,000 but it has been over a week since her son was hospitalised and that money has since finished. The visibly shaken woman noted that the man has not visited her son or the other victim, Wazir Ali to date. The relatives of both victims are appealing to the relevant authorities to take action; they maintained that they need justice. Henry’s mother noted that to her knowledge police have not detained the driver and no charges have been levelled against him.
Wednesday June 08, 2016
Kaieteur News
In boost to Paris climate pact, India says it aims to join this year
President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their remarks to reporters following a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. yesterday. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Reuters - India has agreed to work toward joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year, India and the United States said yesterday, giving a jolt of momentum to the international fight to curb global warming. At a time of heightened tensions in Asia over China’s assertive pursuit of territory, the two countries also pledged to expand military cooperation and outlined principles for cooperation on cyber issues. President Barack Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House for their seventh meeting since Modi took office in 2014, underscoring the warm relationship between the two leaders and the world’s 0largest democracies. Modi is to address the U.S. Congress today. “We discussed how we can, as quickly as possible, bring the Paris Agreement into force,” Obama told reporters during talks in the Oval Office. India’s potential entrance into the agreement this year would help accelerate its enactment, perhaps years ahead of schedule. India is the world’s third largest greenhouse gas emitter after China and the United States. Obama and Modi are both committed to fighting climate change, which is a legacy issue for Obama, who leaves office in January. The two countries also welcomed preparations that could lead to the building of six nuclear reactors in India by U.S.-based Westinghouse. The United States, in a joint statement with India, said it now recognizes India as a “Major Defense Partner” and would
work on technology sharing. The text of an agreement allowing the countries’ militaries to use each other’s land, air and naval bases would also be signed soon, a U.S. official said. Tensions between the United States and Pakistan as well as regional concerns about China served as a backdrop for the agreement on increased security cooperation. The joint statement said India and the U.S. Export-Import Bank were working to complete a financing package for the project to build six Westinghouse 1000 nuclear reactors, the culmination of some 10 years of work to resolve civil nuclear issues. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. and Westinghouse had confirmed engineering and site design work would begin immediately. Westinghouse and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India would work toward finalizing the contract by June 2017, a year later than Westinghouse’s chief executive, Daniel Roderick, said he hoped for in an interview with Reuters in late March. The two sides agreed to work together on an “ambitious” amendment to an international pact known as the Montreal Protocol to reduce hydro fluorocarbons, or HFCs, a particularly potent
greenhouse gas. The two countries said India would take steps to join the Paris agreement this year. “India and the United States recognize the urgency of climate change and share the goal of enabling entry into force of the Paris Agreement as early as possible,” their joint statement said. “The United States reaffirms its commitment to join the agreement as soon as possible this year. India similarly has begun its processes to work toward this shared objective.” The agreement, forged in 2015, will take effect when at least 55 countries representing 55 percent of global emissions ratify it. By late last month 17 small countries had ratified it, according to the United Nations, and many others including the United States and China have pledged to do so in 2016. Environmental groups had hoped Modi would say that India was ready to ratify the agreement during his Washington trip to cross that 55 percent threshold. “With India now on board, a growing chorus of countries are seeking to bring the Paris Agreement into full effect as soon as possible,” said Andrew Steer, president of the World Resources Institute, in a statement.
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Guyana can solve its own problems I am not too concerned about drug use in our school system. I have reservations about the findings of a survey done last year which suggests that drug use is prevalent in our school system more so in the private schools than in the public school system. My reservations are based on the methodology. If you are going to use a
questionnaire to ascertain drug use in our school system, you are likely to have exaggerated findings. There will be some school children, particularly boys who will boast that they use drugs when in fact they have never smoked even a cigarette. It makes them seem manlier if they admit to using drugs and therefore there is
Dem boys seh...
Shake de Bax should end up in jail Yesterday dem boys tell de world how Rohee stupid. Wha dem didn’t tell de world was how stupid he stupid. Jagdeo de scamp like to eat out and he love New Thriving food. New Thriving use to cook every day for him. He eat deh till he get fed up. Then he hear dem boys talk bout another restaurant name Kamboat. Dem boys hear he order five Kamboat special and he send Rohee to pick up de Kamboat special. Rohee walk to New Thriving and tell de cashier he come fuh pick up de five Kamboat special wha Jagdeo order. Then you got this other one. He name Shake de Bax. He was a Minister like Rohee. He had nuff scheme because he think he smart. Jagdeo move him from de Ministry and put him to head de water plant because he hear de man is a better hustler than him. What Jagdeo didn’t know was that anywhere he put Shake, de man shake up. De man provide receipt fuh travelling to place ee never been. In de mix up de man even produce rent receipt fuh cover travelling expense. When a man can do that, he smarter than Jagdeo because he can’t be stupid like Rohee. Dem boys will never forget him when he tell de nation he spend $45M to renovate a few schools. De Waterfalls boss man ask a reporter, Kneel de Marks, to track that story down. Kneel ask Shake a simple question. “Let us know de schools and what renovations was done fuh $45M.” He promise Kneel to provide all de information in two days. Kneel call him a few times within a month. De words Kneel hear from that Minister mek Kneel tun a full-fledged Christian. “Is wha de mudda@#*&t yuh boss want to know?” Kneel seh is not de words mek he tun a Christian; is how de man pronounce those last words to him. Dem boys hope jail man don’t have to pray for he tail in Lot 12. Talk half and let him know Kneel praying fuh him to go to jail too.
going to be bias in the results provided. I am not going to accept that we have a serious druguse problem in our schools. Teachers have always been able to know when students use drugs. They see it in their eyes and in their behaviour. The drug-use problem I suspect is more prevalent in the post— school years. But I do not believe that it is as bad as it is being painted. I have never seen a junkie in school. I have however seen junkies in most communities around Guyana. Yet we have not had any survey about drug-use in communities but we are learning about persons from as young as 12 years old using drugs in school. That is hard to believe. It is more likely that one 12-year-old admitted to drug use on a questionnaire. In an area in Berbice called Canefield, Canje, young men are openly smoking marijuana. All you have to do is to stand on any road corner any evening, and young men will ride pass you leaving behind the pungent smell associated with the smoking of marijuana. These are not
school boys, they are young men and they have access to marijuana. The problem is in the communities. It is not as bad as it is being made out in the schools. There are drughouses where drugs are sold. The police are not doing a good job of moving against these drug-houses. If they were doing a better job, the young boys would not be so brazen. It is hard to comprehend why the police are not moving more swiftly against the drug dealers within communities. I n t e r n a t i o n a l organizations have a vested interest however in representing that there is a problem with drug–use in our schools. Such a diagnosis paves the way for them to initiate some initiative action. These initiatives are what allow these international organizations to show their donors that they are serving some useful purpose. They know that it is easier to have an intervention done in a school rather than taking on the more arduous task of solving the drug use problem in communities. I am more concerned
about school children having sex than them using drugs. I am more concerned about gangs in schools. I am more concerned about the safety of teachers in the school system. I am more concerned with the spread of infectious diseases in school than I am about drug-use. These are the problems that need immediate attention. These are the problems that should be absorbing the attention of local educators and those international organizations that exist, simply because they can represent to their donors that poor Third World countries need help to deal with social
problems. Guyana can solve its own problems. The first step in doing so is to keep these international organizations out of the country’s business and allow the local authorities to solve these problems without all these fancy studies and surveys whose findings are highly questionable. Let some of them go and solve the problems in their own country before attempting to do so here.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 08, 2016
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
Hello, I’m Dolly! Vote for me!
Dr. David Hinds wrote recently that Mr. George Abraham, an overseas-based Buxtonian, opened a small business in Buxton and invited four Ministers to attend the ceremony but none did. In angry tones, he intoned that many Ministers have graced the ceremonies of newly-established big businesses. To verify this, all you have to do is Google Giftland Mall, Farfan and Mendes etc., and you will see the Ministers did attend the opening of those expensive establishments. Obviously, you cannot blame these entities for requesting the presence of Ministers. You have to blame the Ministers for not showing a little recognition to small
entrepreneurs. This is what David did. So why not one of the four Ministers turned up? The answer lies in the song, “Hello Dolly.” Ministers will not show respect for villagers who do not respect themselves. Politicians will not show respect to vendors who don’t have dignity. Politicians will not bestow recognition on poor people who do not display common sense. In the end these categories of people will always be treated shabbily by the corridors of power because the power establishment thinks they are Pavlovian creatures and they may be. I point you to my column of March 16 titled, “Charles Barkley on the stupidity of poor people’s politics.” That column looked at the
way basketball icon Charles Barkley perceived of the politics of poor people. Barkley believes that they are stupid to allow politicians to use them. The story of Guyanese East Indian is a terrible lesson in the Pavlovian world of poor voters. Rural folks complained to critics of the PPP about everything under the sun. As soon as I touched down in any area, you were greeted with complaints. Some of them were heart-breaking. Two women told me how their menfolk were killed in car accidents and there wasn’t even a preliminary probe by the police. In one incident, the driver was from a well known Berbice business place, the other driver was the then officer in charge of Berbice. For more details of this incident and the complaints of Berbicians over mistreatment by the then PPP Government, see my column; “Face to face with evil in Berbice last Saturday evening,” KN, Frederick January 19, 2015. I subsequently found out that these two women were openly seen at PPP rallies during the May 2015 general elections. What rural folks need to understand is that if you embrace selfish, elitist politicians, what psychological motive do they have to listen to your plights and help you? Analysts lost their patience with East Indians since the 2006 elections because they are mentally paralyzed to act against the power madness of Jagdeo. What happened between the PPP Government and rural Indians for over twelve years during the oligarchic excesses of Jagdeo and Ramotar is set to repeat itself with African Guyanese and the PNC. The only glimmer of hope was the voting pattern at the last local government elections. Independent Black groups with overt Black leadership pulled substantial votes. One would have thought with the PNC back in power and the upright figure of
President Granger, APNU-AFC would have devastated those Black Independent candidates. But that was not to be. In Bartica, APNU-AFC were suffering bouts of apoplexy when an Independent entity named BIGA, challenged APNU-AFC for the loyalty of Barticans. The ruling coalition prepared the war machine. During the campaign, three Ministers for each week leading up to polling day visited Bartica. One Minister threw away protocol and referred to himself as a Minister at two of the public meetings. Ministers by protocol should not put on their Cabinet hat when they are speaking at political campaign rallies. One Minister told the crowd, “You have heard my Cabinet colleagues address you, now it is my turn.” He did not say, “My political colleagues.” Come 2019 and 2020, the prodigal sons and daughters who did nothing for Black people, will return to Buxton to Kissoon collect votes. The employees of Mr. Abraham will welcome the beautiful Black woman by the name of Dolly from APNU-AFC, who, with her long African print dress and floral tiara, will smile and wave to the ecstatic crowd. Mr. Abraham will strike up the band with the song below; I said hello, Dolly, Well, hello, Dolly It’s so nice to have you back where you belong You’re lookin’ swell, Dolly I can tell, Dolly You’re still glowin’ You’re still crowin’ You’re still goin’ strong I feel that room swayin’ While the band’s playin’ One of your old favourite songs from way back when So take her wrap, fellas Find her an empty lap, fellas Dolly’ll never go away again
Wednesday June 08, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Firms bid to supervise Water Conservancy dam reconstruction During yesterday’s session at the National Procurement and tender Administration Board (NPTAB), there were bids to provide supervision services for the reconstruction of the North Eastern dam of the East Demerara Water Conservancy. Three engineering firms submitted bids. Three months ago, a contract had been put out for the dam to be reconstructed. The project is under the Ministry of Agriculture. The rebuilding of this dam has been on the agenda for years, with Government advertising for consultants last year.
This multi-million-dollar project was funded by the World Bank, under the Flood Risk Management Project. It is understood that the terms of reference entail works reaching three metres high and at least four kilometres in length. The notice had listed the main tasks of the consultants as the general administration of the contract and the supervision of works, in accordance with the requirements of the Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance Plan. It is expected to last 30 calendar months.
Under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for Region six, there was a multi-milliondollar contract for provision of security services.
A contract was also put out for the construction of a science laboratory at the Canje Secondary School. The engineer’s estimate was $15.9M.
There was also a tender for the construction of a science laboratory at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam. The engineer’s estimate was $15.9M.
Meanwhile, under the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) there were bids for printing, folding and delivery of brochures, booklets and posters to the Agency.
And finally, there was a tender for the supply and delivery of tea, janitorial and stationery supplies, also under GEA.
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Wednesday June 08, 2016
Kaieteur News
CULTURE MINISTRY DEPOSITED $57M INTO SPECIAL BANK A/C …INSTEAD OF CONSOLIDATED FUND - AUDIT The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is found to have been breaching the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003. This was highlighted in the recently released forensic audit report on the Ministry. When the coalition (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) assumed office, the Culture Ministry was made a department within the
Ministry of Education. Forensic auditors noted that the Ministry, on many occasions, violated laws and other accounting procedures. Further, auditors found that the Ministry retained a lump sum that was supposed to be returned to the Consolidated Fund. It was reported that a Bank of Guyana cheque for $56.7M was prepared by the Ministry in favour of Industrial Fabrication Inc and
Consultancy Services. Kaieteur News understands that the cheque was prepared some time in 2013 but for some unstated reason, the Ministry never handed it over. The cheque was then deposited to the Project Special Bank Account on May 20, 2014. During this time, Frank Anthony, was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. Auditors pointed out that the
amount being the unexpended balance of the public moneys issued out of the Consolidated Fund, should have been returned and surrendered to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the Fiscal year, December 31, 2013. This should have been done as prescribed Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003. The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act requires that any unexpended balance of public moneys issued out of the Consolidated Fund at the end of each fiscal year be returned and surrendered to the Consolidated Fund at the end of each fiscal year. Auditors said that the deposit of $56.7M
Former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Frank Anthony into the Project Special Bank Account is therefore a breach of Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003. No explanation was given to auditors as to why the unexpended balance of the public funds was not returned to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the Fiscal year. And or why the amount of $56,714,082 was deposited to the Project Special Bank.
PUC goes on E’bo outreach The Public Utilities Commission in its continued drive to educate the public about the Commission’s work will be visiting Essequibo Coast (Region Three) this month. As part of its attempts to lift the profile of the PUC, apart from annual appearances on radio and television, advertisements and infomercials on television in Bartica, Essequibo and Berbice, the Commission has over the years been engaged in consumer awareness and schools education programmes and outreaches. This has served to bring to the attention of the Commission, issues that affect consumers. These range from electricity, telecommunications and water to sewerage sectors. For this year to date, the Commission has visited Number 51 and Number 19 Villages, Manchester, and Rose Hall in Berbice, Stabroek Market, Guyoil Gas Station, Sheriff Street, the Ethnic Relations Commission and the Queenstown Secondary School, Georgetown. In May the Commission had a successful awareness programme at the Giftland Mall and through the courtesies extended by the Management of the Mall, the staff was able to make use of a booth and interact with patrons and staff at the various outlets in the Mall. This was well received by the public. The Commission’s outreach for June will be on the Essequibo Coast from June 9 to June 11. The team will visit Parika, Supenaam, Suddie, Anna Regina and Charity. The Staff plans to meet with students of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary, the Cotton Field Secondary and Charity Secondary Schools, and members of the Anna Regina Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Charity Neighbourhood Democratic Council. There will also be visits to the Anna Regina Market and to a number of business places. The Commission will also appear on the popular Ravi D programme on RCA Channel Eight. The Commission continues its public awareness drive in the hope of making Guyanese aware of the work of the Commission and also to receive feedbacks on areas that are of concern to consumers so that we may better regulate utilities for efficient services.
Wednesday June 08, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Terror attack on Kaieteur News must not go unpunished – GPSU urges The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) last night condemned the “despicable” terror attack against Kaieteur News which occurred on Saturday while staff members attended a wake for one of their colleagues, Dale Andrews. The GPSU said that it upholds Freedom of the Press and any attempt to suppress investigative journalism and the dissemination of information will be vigorously condemned. With this in mind, the entity said that the tossing of a fragmentation grenade at the vehicle of Kaieteur News publisher, Glenn Lall and in the vicinity of others can only be seen as an act of terrorism and cannot be condoned in any society. “This act, by cowardly person(s), to intimidate and cow the newspaper into silence should not be tolerated. Kaieteur News should continue to expose wrongdoing wherever and whenever they occur.” The GPSU is of the view that this type of behaviour should not go unpunished and called for the Guyana Police Force to “work strenuously in finding the architect(s) of this heinous act and bring the perpetrators to
justice”. The coalition administration has also condemned the wicked and dastardly attempt by certain “intellectual authors” to cause grave harm and terror against the newspaper. The Government in a strongly worded statement said that it is alarmed by the act of domestic terrorism which was attempted against the newspaper and it stands resolutely in defence of press freedom in Guyana. The Government noted its relief that no one was hurt or damage caused to any property. The Government noted nonetheless that such a cowardly attack must strengthen the resolve of the citizenry that evil, in all its forms and incarnations, must not be allowed to prevail and must be relentlessly and uncompromisingly conquered. The coalition administration said, “We do not believe that the dropping of a grenade, even if a fake device, alongside a newspaper publisher’s vehicle could be considered a joke or a hoax. It was grave and an undisputed act of terror designed to intimidate, harm and create fear.”
Security guard feared dead after boat capsizes A 24-year-old security guard is feared dead after the boat in which he was a passenger, collided with an object in the Mazaruni River and capsized. The incident reportedly occurred around 21:00 hrs on Sunday. Up to press time, a team was still searching for the body of Boris Blair. According to information received, Blair was working with the owner of a dredge as a security guard and left his employment site to go to a shop some miles further up the river with three workers when
tragedy struck. A police source said that based on reports, the boat collided with a tree that was floating in the river and then capsized. The workers reported hearing Blair screaming in the rough waters and swimming towards a tree, but when they managed to swim there, he was nowhere to be found. Police suspected that Blair might have been injured when the boat capsized and he drowned. Blair ’s employer said while it is strange that the man left the compound, she does
MISSING: Boris Blair not suspect foul play. The woman, whose name has not been given, noted that she would usually warn her employees about being in the river late at night.
The APNU+AFC administration said that it commits its full support to the Guyana Police Force as it investigates “this sickening attempted act” of terrorism. It also looked forward to the perpetrators and possible intellectual authors being identified, pursued, arrested and placed before the court and being dealt with to the full extent of the law. “Kaieteur News is one of Guyana’s leading independent media organizations that have a proud and zealously guarded reputation for fearlessness in reporting government excesses, corruption and abuse of power, particularly under the previous administration.” “Most recently, the newspaper has been at the forefront of aggressively and
relentlessly reporting on the findings of the many audits of state agencies, the revelations that have oftentimes been explosive. This attack comes against the background that Kaieteur News, its staff and its owner have been subject to relentless assaults under the previous regime.” The Government recalled that on several occasions, this newspaper had been a victim of terrorism under the previous regime. It reminded that it was under the previous administration that five Kaieteur News pressmen – Eion Wegman, Richard Stuart, Mark Maikoo, Shazim Mohamed and Chetram Persaud – were heartlessly slaughtered in August 2006 in what was the worst attack on Continued on page 14
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Wednesday June 08, 2016
Kaieteur News
$35M rent uncollected by MMA- Fly Jamaica donates ticket to ADA due to poor management mom of teen killed in B’klyn
Instances of irregularities that transpired at the Mahaica Mahaicony AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMAADA), have continued to surface following a forensic audit and review into the agency for the period – January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2015. The audit was conducted by TSD LAL & Co., which found that some $35M was owed to the agency. The report revealed that the agency might have been unable to retrieve its monies due to poor management which has cast doubt on the entity’s ability to collect monies from tenants. Further, the report stated that an aged analysis was not done; however, upon investigation many of the amounts were over one year. The auditors recommended that the entity should take legal action to recover this amount. It was also revealed that the Authority did not update the files for tenants regularly. Also, instances were found where agreements were missing also; many agreements that had expired were not renewed. For every premises rented, there must be
a signed copy of the rental agreement in relation to the premises. Also, the agreement must be updated and filed securely, TSD LAL & Co. recommended. There were no pages in the rent ledger book related to several tenants. The ledger book was the Authority’s main method of recording rent receipts and rent outstanding from tenants. The auditing entity recommended that there should be designated pages in relation to the rental of properties. Also, the pages must be updated regularly. The MMA-ADA is a semi-autonomous agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, governed by a Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the formulation of policies for the efficient functioning and operations of the agency. The MMA/ADA was established in 1978 by Act No. 77 of 1977. The Authority was formed as the executing agency for the construction of all drainage and irrigation works in Region No. 5, Mahaica/Berbice. The agency is also responsible for the allocation of State Lands between the Berbice and Mahaica Rivers among other things.
Lovern Williams (centre) is flanked by two Fly Jamaica representatives. Fly Jamaica has once again come to the rescue of another Guyanese in need. This time, the airline has donated a round trip to the mother of 16-year-old Shemel Mercurius, who was shot dead in her Brooklyn apartment two Wednesdays ago.
By Friday, the mother of six, Lovern Williams will be on a plane to the United States of America to attend her daughter ’s funeral in Brooklyn. “Fly Jamaica is a humanitarian airline and Mark Benschop always knows about these things (people in
Terror attack on Kaieteur... From page 13 the media in the history of this nation. The Government recalled that Kaieteur News’ leading columnist, Fredrick Kissoon had faeces thrown at him in a case which recently had a major breakthrough. The administration also recalled that the Kaieteur News publisher was targeted by the tax authorities and it was later exposed that the said authorities were under political direction to so do. Vehicles attached to former government officials were also seen casing or scoping and videotaping the Kaieteur News premises in the past. The government reminded that the former regime had at one time banned all state ads from being printed in this newspaper. Also, the Government said that a former government official was heard on audio recording issuing threats of a violent and deadly attack on Kaieteur News. The statement said that the nation has emerged from those times of oppressive press intimidation and attacks and all must ensure that Guyana does not plunge back into those dark and evil days.
difficult circumstances) and we do our best to assist,” a representative from the company told reporters. In tears, Williams thanked Fly Jamaica for coming to her rescue. She is also thankful to the US Embassy in Georgetown for understanding her situation and granting her the visa so that she can bid her daughter goodbye. Williams last spoke with her daughter two days before she was shot dead by a man who is now in custody. The teen left Guyana four years ago. Yesterday, the woman said that when she received the news of her daughter’s tragic death, she was devastated and could not come to grips with the fact that her daughter is now dead and she would not be speaking with her again. The woman thanked the Benschop Foundation for assisting her when she really needed the help and for guiding her.
Wednesday June 08, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Bus conductor accused Sole sourcing prevailed of cell phone robbery at MMA-ADA – audit shows A father of four, who police say has been running away from serving a jail sentence, was yesterday brought before the courts and charged with the offence of robbery with violence. Romel Hoppie appeared before City Magistrate Alex Moore yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was released on $50,000 bail. It is alleged that on May 28, at Plum Park, Sophia, Hoppie of 215 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, robbed Mario Eversley of a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone valued $110,000 and made use of personal violence at the time or immediately before or after the robbery. Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Gillian Simons strongly opposed bail for the defendant on the ground that he is currently wanted by police to serve a jail sentence. She explained that Hoppie was sentenced in absentia to two years’ imprisonment at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. However, Magistrate Moore opposed the bail objection and said that a warrant should have been issued for the defendant. Prosecutor Simons also said that the defendant is currently under investigations at several police stations including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Eve Leary, Georgetown, in relation to similar offences. Hoppie who had no legal representation sought to defend himself against the accusation. He told the court that he did not rob the complainant. The 33-year-old route 41 bus conductor argued that the complainant had “jammed” one of his lights and gave him the cell phone.
Romel Hoppie But he did not specify whether the complainant gave him the item as compensation or for any other purpose. Hoppie claimed that the only reason why he was locked up is because Eversley has “police family”. The defendant told the court that he had been in custody since last week Thursday. He said that police arrested him on the bus park and took him to the Providence Station. He added that he was later taken to the Sparendaam Station by CID officers. Initially, bail was set at $75,000 for the defendant. After telling the Magistrate that his bus was impounded by police and that he had owed one month installment, Hoppie pleaded with the court for bail reduction which was granted. The matter has been adjourned until June 28, for statements.
A Forensic Audit into the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA), during the period – January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2015, has revealed several irregularities that transpired within the agency including contracts for the procurement of goods and services over $1M not being placed for tender. According to the auditor – Rames h L a l , t h e Managing Partner (TSD Lal & Co.), contracts for the procurement of goods and services over one million dollars were not being approved by the Board of Directors, neither were they sent to the Ministry of Finance for tender board approval. Further, contracts under $1M were not being awarded based on a three quote system of goods and services. The auditor pointed out that there was no system for public tendering or requesting quotes from suppliers for works carried out for the Authority. These works were awarded on sole sourcing basis, whereby a few suppliers were awarded
large contracts. The auditor stated that instances were noted where sole sourcing occurred and it is possible that better quality at cheaper prices could have been obtained if contracts were advertised for tender. Under the heading “implication”, the auditor stated, “This revealed the possibility of collusion and/ or misappropriation of the Authority’s funds. Additionally, it affects the Authority’s ability to achieve value for money” The auditor recommended that the guidelines for the procurement of goods and services should be followed. Management, did not justify the means by which sole sourcing was implemented. In fact, they stated, “We accept the findings and recommendations were put in place effective July 2015.” The auditor also found that many payments were based on amounts requested by departmental heads and no invoices or quotations in support of such payments. Also, purchases were
made at the discretion of departmental heads and may not have been based on value for money principle – the three quote system. Under the heading “implication” the auditor stated that this action may lead to items not being purchased in an economic manner and hence, at the expense of the Authority. The auditor recommended that the Authority should request quotations from various suppliers in order to ensure that supplies are procured in an economical way. Also, all payments should be supported by invoices. He also noted that a list of approved suppliers was not in place and the absence of these controls would increase the probability of purchases not being made in the best interest of MMAADA. In this regard, the Authority should establish an approved list of suppliers to procure items, the auditor stated. Management has agreed to set the implement the recommendations put forth by the auditor.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 08, 2016
City Hall gets support from EU, China Areas in the capital city that were previously prone to flooding were free of excess water following recent rainfall. This observation was made by European Union (EU) Ambassador, Mr Jernej Videtiè. The Ambassador during a visit to meet with City Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, commended the efforts of the City Council to restore the drainage system. The EU will be working with the Government of Guyana and by extension the City, to upgrade the outfall channels. This, Videtiè said, would help to maintain the integrity of the drainage system. The Mayor and City Council is responsible for the maintenance of 11 outfall channels. Videtiè, during discussions with the Mayor, promised to reopen bids for contractors to submit tenders for repairs to the buildings at City Hall. The EU Ambassador said that the tenders received from a previous advertisement placed in the print media were not successful. Hence, the EU would give interested parties another opportunity to re-tender. Also, during the interaction with Mayor Chase-Green, the
The Mayor shares a moment with the Chinese Ambassador Ambassador said that there are other areas of support that the Council can benefit from including climate change, training in financial management and taxation, and the promotion of sustainable cities. Mayor Green said that the Council is grateful for collaboration with the Diplomatic community in the
area of drainage and restoration of the City Hall Building. Meanwhile, Zhang Limin, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of China, also paid a courtesy call on the Mayor, during which he congratulated her on her promotion. Ambassador Zhang said that he hopes the good relationship between
the City Council and Government of China would continue, and added that the Chinese Government would like to collaborate with the Georgetown City Council on several projects that would help to advance the City. He further noted that during the cleanup campaign that was held by the City Council, the Chinese
City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green in the company of the EU Ambassador Jernej Videtiè Government contributed $8 million to help with the exercise. Also Ambassador Zhang extended an invitation to Council for a special exchange visit between Chinese and the Georgetown Municipality. Mayor Chase-Green said that the Council is grateful for the assistance provided and would work with the Chinese
Government to realize the vision of the City of Georgetown. She noted that the Council can benefit from the advancement of China in a number of areas, particularly science and information and communication technology. The Georgetown City Council has shared a sister city relationship with Fuzhou City since May 2006.
Wednesday June 08, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Barry Dataram trial…
272 pieces of cocaine admitted as evidence
Barry Dataram
Anjanie Boodnarine
Two hundred and seventy-two pieces of cocaine were tendered and marked as exhibits when the Barry Dataram cocaine trial continued before Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that on April 16, last, at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Dataram had 129.23 kg of cocaine in his possession for the
purpose of trafficking. However, Dataram, of 13 Vriesland, West Bank Demerara, is not facing the charge alone. His 19-year-old reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, of 79 Patentia Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, and their friends Komal Charran, 20, of 265 Belle West, West Bank Demerara, and Trevor Gouveia of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, were all slapped with the charge.
When the matter continued yesterday, Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson made an application for two boxes containing cocaine pieces to be admitted as evidence in the trial. One of the boxes contained 92 cocaine pieces while another contained 180. However, before the items were admitted into evidence they were viewed and counted by the defendants in the presence of CANU Officer Andrew Yarde. This was due to the absence of defence counsel Glenn Hanoman who is representing the quartet. Before trial commenced, Dataram had requested an
GMC Board covered fraud by... (From page 17) manager and the Accountant. “However, the directors failed to highlight the blatant poor quality of work performed by the contractor. There is no documentation to show that the board acted to prevent the fraud that was perpetuated against GMC by the contractor.” In 2012, GMC’s Board of Directors
consisted of approximately 14 individuals. From 2012 to February 2015, GMC was headed by Nizam Hassan as general manager (GM). In 2015, Mr. Hassan was named the acting General Manager of the GRDB, while Ms. Ida Sealey-Adams became the acting General Manager of GMC. They have both since been confirmed in their respective positions.
No. 28 Village affected by... (From page 3) were on the site trying to de-silt the area. However, since the pontoon had to be reassigned to other areas facing similar problems, the blockage has not been fully cleared. Due to the excavator having to leave, the slush has since “washed back” to where it was. The MMA-ADA Chairman added that the release of water from the conservancy to irrigate rice lands has made the flooding worse since it has nowhere to go.
When asked what other plans are in place to get rid of the excess water, Charles said “…we have a pump pumping water out, since there is no natural drainage…” Despite this intervention, he noted that the pump has proven not to have the capacity to handle the volume of water from increased rainfall and irrigation. To this end, Charles said that “…an additional pump is being sought from the NDIA to double up with the pumping.”
adjournment date since he was unaware of his attorney’s whereabouts. Magistrate Latchman had stood down the matter for about 10 minutes before returning and proceeding with the trial. Latchman pointed out that the lawyer gave no notice to the court and efforts made by her clerk to contact him proved futile. The trial was subsequently adjourned until June 27. According to court facts, Dataram and Boodnarine share a common law relationship at the Diamond address. While Charran and
Trevor Gouveia
Komal Charran
Gouveia claimed to be friends of the couple. On the day in question, ranks from CANU swooped down on the house and conducted a search in the presence of the defendants. During the search they unearthed the illicit drug. The defendants were then told of the offence, arrested and
charged. It was reported that some of the cocaine was stuffed in frozen seafood, while the remainder was found to be bricks of raw cocaine. As a result, Barry Dataram who was in the house at the time of the bust with his reputed wife and three other persons were arrested.
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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHINGINC–TEL:6004212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Ramdass Visa application & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
I.A.E Classes for CSEC January/June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742 Computerize Diploma in IT: 9 courses -$20,000 – discount for CXC students @ Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop, Parika Highway. Call: 264-3057 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 6895997
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
WANTED
Rotweiler pups - 622-6646/ 652-8511
Republic Park family needs an experienced caregiver between ages 45-55, live in, 1 week on 1 week off$13,000. Call: 667-2535
1 Complete cabin cruiser, excellent condition also top catch seines. Call: 654-2817; 622-2958
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic – Call: 223-7500 Monday –Saturday between 8:15am-4:15pm FOOD WHOLESALE COMPANYLOOKINGFOR SALESPERSON WITH EXPERIENCED AND VEHICLE, POLICE CLEARANCE A+. CALL: 231-8529/ 231-8344 Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must be educated and know to cook. Between 25-55 years. Call 1868- 683-1528 Dispatcher & contract carsCall: 622-6413; 655-5338 Live in waitress –Call: 6454543 Delivery clerk between ages 25-30 years must have driver’s license & police clearance. Call: 223-0090 1 Cook, 1 Assistant Cook, 2 Girls to work in Bar, 1 girl to work in internet @ Interior Location. Call: 665-5812; 2332186; 661-0532 1 Male to cook in the Backdam. Call: 678-0565 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 1 Driver for East Bank area, 1 female cleaner for office. Call: 233-2745 Experienced professional cook/pastry maker, cashiers with computers skills @ Annabel Bistro, 36 Public Road La Grange W.B.D –Call: 678-3400
EDUCATIONAL
Wednesday June 08, 2016
Kaieteur News
One male & female general worker to work Shift Systems. Call: 218-1400 One driver for RZ minibus, route 42- Call: 223-6059; 6544219 WATCHMAN WANTED FOR COMPANY IN RUIMVELDT. POLICE CLEARANCE & FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS, WEEKENDS & NIGHTS. CALL: 231-8529; 231-8344 20,000 BM Purple Heart, 20,000 BM Green heart, 20,000 BM Karakalli, Large quantities of Nibbi furniture. Call: 651-1969; 681-8897 We pay cash for land in La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling. Call:651-1969; 681-8897
Husky Pup. Tel: 699-7077/ 619-6086
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2009 ALLION -$2.8M, 2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2010 IST$2.6M, 2009 FIELDER $2.5M, 2011 AXELA $2.6M. CALL: 617-2891 Unregistered new model Toyota Spacio -$1.9M- Call: 227-5950; 681-7117 Gold Runx Car, HC series, price negotiable. Call: 692-0335 Sale: CAT 324, Doosan 175 Excavator Dump trucks TM & Scammell 8X6, Crusher, jackhammer, wash plant, conveyors- Call: 626-7478 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 1 Leyland DAF LF HIAB truck 5 ton HIAB new, hardly used GTT 2960 -$4M. Call: 622-6746 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull, Pajero Junior, Spacio: Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 1 FUSO Crane GTT 20 $4M; 1 HINO ranger wrecker GVV1890 -$4M, 1 HIAB Canter GTT 7140 -$3.5M. (negotiable) Call: 622-6746 Toyota AT212, AT192, LTouring Wagon, Solid Def pickup 4X4, RZ, Runx, Canter, Honda CAPA. Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 1 Toyota Runx, 16" mag flair kit, excellent condition $1.250M, PMM series. Call: 626-1423; 220-8350
1-45 Leyland DAF (blue) $2.2M. Contact 260-4018/6619096 Muscovy Ducklings-Call: 602-7203 German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix pups for sale. Call: 6411771 or 654-0388 518C CAT Skidder tyres 95% winch working, CF Hauler triple axel trailer, Bedford TL dump truck, JCB 4X4 Forklift. Call: 626-0352 125 Yamaha Riva Scooter, 1 Fridge, 1 Stereo set. Call or Text: 668-9180; 618-9035 Pure bred German shepherd puppies for sale. Call: 6253918 1- Cat 320 BL excavator, 1 Cat 428 Back Hoe, 1-930 Cat loader, 1-Cat D44 bulldozer. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 1-Pneumatic Roller 9 wheels, 1-55 Leyland Daf Truck. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 1-spring filled mattress, queen bed, double door wardrobe rugs, fridge LG music set, water dispenser, etc. Call: 690-7859 1-light tower-$850,000, 1-928 F loader-$7.3M, Cat 3406 engine-$1.3M, Cat 3116 engine-$1.1M-Contact #6500402, 661-9096 Cat 3208 engine-$850,000, Diesel welder with deutz engine-$1.2M Perkins welder-$950,000- Contact #650-0402/661-9096
Reduce Prices- unregistered 2005-2007 Allion $2.3M$2.7M, 2003 Sports Model Mazda -$2.3M, 2006 Bluebird -$2.250M. Call: 626-7478 TM Truck with Winch & Led light, as is -$3.5M negotiable. Call: 616-7635
Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572
American Citizen, 40, Indian, looking for female 21- 40, for relationship, marriage, send photo to johnny singh952@yahoo.com
Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 I.T Network Technician, Email CV to jobs@awngy.com
House and land for sale (river side) @ Patentia W.B.D $12.5M negotiable. Call: 6712689; 644-8681 Newly built property for sale, Block 8 MonRepos, E.C.D $14.8M.Call:654-4312;657-5530
1 Experienced baker, 2 experienced pastry makers and 2 security personnel, apply at Humphrey’s Bakery. Tel: 225-7864; 227-8607
House & land for sale @ Kuru Kururu. Call: 664-2576 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities -$41M –Call: 6629335; 612-3244 Well built 2 family houses at Lot 32 Ann’s Grove H/ Scheme. Call: 623-5423 2 Storey house, 5 bedrooms semi-furnished, 65 Palmyra Village, East Canje Berbice, price negotiable. Call: 6706688; 621-2066 Enmore: Hope West, 1-two storey 3 bedrooms wooden building, overlooking FoulisCall: 602-2818; 649-1434 1-3 rooms flat concrete house, fully grilled, large shed 20X15 @ Belle West, Canal #2, price -$10M negotiable. Call: 643-0202 (Vet) One 4 bedroom house @ 80 Daisy Street, South Ruimveldt Park-$15M. Call: 652-1234; 668-3056 House & land for sale by owner at Plantation Peter’s Hall E.B.D –Call: 617-6015 2 Storey 5 bedrooms residential property @ Republic Park asking -$35M for serious inquiries Contact: 675-2325 or 6497558 (Anna) 50X100 Land with structure at South Ruimveldt asking $6.5M for serious inquiries – Contact: 675-2325 or 649-7558 (Anna)
PEN PAL Overseas (US) based Guyanese male seeks female friend for serious friendship 25-40yrs & possible LTRText: 668-9180; 618-9035
VACANCY Female housekeeping staff, male security guard. Call: 225-0198 or visit 233 South Road, Lacytown.
House & Land @ Uitvlugt $4.5M. Call: 642-1252
7000 Sq transported residential land @ LBI East Coast Demerara, asking $14.5M, for serious inquiriesContact: 675-2325 or 649-7558 (Anna)
One 19 Seater pit-bull, high top minibus, immaculate condition. Call: 692-9374; 643-4188 Ford F350 4X4 35’rims + tyres, lift kit 2005, diesel fully loaded auto. Call: 610-5370
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
TO LET New self-contained 3 bedroom house, upper flat, security cameras; security lights, window screens @ Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 2260880; 603-0067
RA Soda Factory Rosignol, Berbice: bond & billing clerks, experienced accountants, machine operator with mechanical ideas. Call: 3302399/623-5920 Hopetown Gas Station (Guyoil): Pump attendants for night and day shifts. Call: 330-2399 Carnegie trained chef/cook. Call: 600-7388; 225-7933 or visit us at 173 Sherriff Street. Experienced bartender, chef, live in/out waitresses & bouncers needed @ Eden Bar & Lounge @ Garden of Eden, E.B.D. Call: 652-0074 Exist for porters, cashiers, salesgirls; apply @ Lot 16 Vlissengen & Duncan with application & passport size picture. Hair/nail & barber stations for rental, discounts for new comers @ New Market St. Call: 638-1106 Cashier 6am-3pm & 3pm12pm. Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg@gmail. com Experienced female accounts clerk 20yrs & older, preparing ledger, payroll, NIS, VAT etc. Preferably from W.C.D- Call: 260-4239; 665-1064
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 6435122, 656-0087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO. COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 (Continued on page 23)
Wednesday June 08, 2016
The opaque ideas of President Granger DEAR EDITOR; It is with much vagueness that the Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and A Partnership of National Unity (APNU), President of Guyana, David Granger, for some time, has been caressing the media circuit and public events; intimating and advocating for a more inclusive kind of government and governance but does so without providing any specific feature of this idea. Many are of the belief that Granger’s apprehension to delve deeper into his “own” idea may be due to his inability to come to terms with his own history and that of the PNC’s and understanding where it all fits into an ever changing, ever evolving 21st century reality. One may even venture to say that his reason for not expanding beyond the banner of “National Unity” and “Social Cohesion” to offer a draft of its framework or road map is, perhaps, because he cannot or does not know what it is or how to get us there. Moreover, there is reason to suspect that the President intelligently avoids developing and conveying specificity out of fear of society rejecting such ideas not on the basis of newness, rather society’s rejection might be based on its familiarity and personal experience had with the kind of divisive politics practiced by his idol, Burnham, and by other PNC leaders. Furthermore, while in opposition, successive PNC leaders had sermonize various concepts intended to camouflage and or
accompany another agenda; whether it be “shared governance”; “national unity”; or “social cohesion”, are ideas that are put forward in conjunction with a kind of obstructionist adventurism and or counterproductive campaigns against the State. Consequently, now that power has been achieved and they have successfully taken control of the State such false consciousness and mystification will in turn be employed as representing the interests of the whole of society and act as justification for any and all aggression on the Guyanese populace, including their political representatives. In the minds of PNC upper- echelon concepts of national unity, shared governance, and social cohesion are only servants of a conniving political agenda to secure and maintain power. It is a rebrand of Burnham’s ‘One Nation’ concept, an idea that died with its architect; an idea that failed because there was never any substantive effort to ensure its success. Besides, Guyanese are, for the most part, a unified people, who gleefully embraces each other’s culture and aspirations of human development and financial prosperity to such a great degree that we have come to rely upon one another for the realization of those aspirations. Therefore, it is not that we are without flaw, but to suggest that social unity and economic prosperity can be attained simply by offering lip service to murky political notions is preposterous. Cleon Maughn
Who really build Guyana? DEAR EDITOR; Please allow me a space in your paper to give my expression on a most important topic “ Claims About Guyana Slavery Reparation”, a matter for the people in Guyana and the world to learn and know the truth. I am a regular reader of your paper. I know most paper will not want to take this up because of the racial insensitivity in Guyana. But people must know and learn the truth. INDIANS are here in Guyana from time memorial. INDIANS are in Guyana, South America and all over the world for more than 50,000 years. They were tribal people, slaves and servants since the Portuguese explored PINDO-RAMA later called BRAZIL of which the Indians were latter called AMER-INDIANS and INDIGENOUS-PEOPLE, which means living naturally in a particular region. PINDORAMA is an Indian name, RAMA is an Indian God. These Indians are the people that are really responsible for the making and building Guyana, before the African slaves came. Reparation claimed for African Slaves by Dr. David Hinds, Dr. Eric Philips, Dr. Norman Ng-A-Qui, the Guyana Reparations Committee and 12 CARICOM countries instigated by the America Black Muslim Leader Louis Farrakhan, for African Slaves in Guyana and all CARICOM countries are all false. They say INDIANS were not here before SLAVERY. Anthropologists and archaeologists recorded that Indians are here for more than 50,000 years. In South
THE ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE HARDLY EXISTS DEAR EDITOR; Pastor Wendell Jeffrey is correct in his letter entitled “Constitutional reform will not happen soon” SN 1/6/2016. I would like to take his analysis of the AFC a little further. It is my belief that prior to the May 2015 elections, the AFC as a political party held a very strategic position. This position could have been used effectively in a bargaining scenario and also could have served as a check and balance against the excesses of the PPP or the PNC. Leading up to the elections, the AFC squandered this opportunity. Led in part by Minister Trotman’s unbridled ambition, and Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s chronic opportunism, the party negotiated away all of its political currency and buried it in the Cummingsburg Accord. The architect of this agreement was none other than Alston Stewart, a friend of Minister Trotman, no friend of the AFC. The Cumingsburg Accord was the AFC’s Swan Song. Its last act before retiring, and as
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such it is all symbol and no substance. The Guyanese people were deceived once again. Let’s take a look at this strange bargain. In exchange for its betrayal of the Guyanese people, the AFC got the following - six ministers and the Prime Minister’s slot. Let’s examine these in greater detail. Minister Trotman, the Manchurian candidate of the AFC, some will argue that he never really left the PNC. Minister Gaskin, he’s the president’s son-in Law, no favor to AFC. Minister Holder, not an AFC member but husband to the late AFC founder member Shelia Holder. Prime Minister Nagamooto he has little or no constitutional authority and at any rate he is subordinate to the Minister of State Joe Harmon. This leaves Ministers Hughes, Patterson, and Ramjattan, (Vice President in name only). It also leaves the AFC a severely damaged party in search of an identity. This was the most shameful con job perpetrated on the Guyanese electorate. Yvette Short
America, including Guyana, the Caribbean, North America and all over the world. Dr. David Hinds, is a Professor in “African Studies only” at the University of Arizona; Dr. Eric M. Philips, is a Professor in African Studies at University of Guyana with other specialties and Dr. Norman Ng-A-Qui, professor at the University of Guyana specializing in African studies. They focus their claims on saying that “EAST INDIANS and others were not in Guyana before Africans Slaves 1623-1834” and only African Slaves developed Guyana, THIS IS NOT TRUE. For their Reparation claims from the British and other European Countries, they said that only the Africans Slaves dug all the water ways, only they built the sea and rivers defense and cleared and cultivated all the lands on the plantations and the country. They claimed that only the African Slaves develop the Sugar Plantations and all infrastructures, and there were no Indians and others in British Guiana at that time. This is not true. “Therefore selfdetermination”, Dr. Ng-A- Qui urged, “has to be done and totally managed by Africans because the rest of the people were not here; no East Indians, no Chinese. Remember they came to a slavery free environment which was paid for by the blood of Africans who built the foundations of this country, and all the economic foundations including sugar plantations and so forth between 1638 and 1838. From the inception of introducing Africans Slaves in joining other Indian slaves by the Portuguese in 1530 to help in cultivating the land including sugar canes in Brazil which was their main source of revenue, these slaves started to run away, especially in Guyana. Remember, the African Kings were capturing Indigenous Africans for slave trade. At that time in Brazil, Indians cultivated maize, beans, squash, gourds, peanuts, cotton and sugar canes using irrigation from the rivers. The Europeans captured these Tribal-Indians enslaving them, form communities and try to build a new society. Tribal-Indigenous Indians along with Indenture Indians made and built Guyana. The history of Guyana has been shaped by the participation of many national and ethnic groups, as well as the colonial policies of the Portuguese, Spanish, French, Dutch and British.
The Indians later called Ameer-Indians, mainly Caribs and Arawak’s, were used by these national groups in rendering invaluable assistance to the Dutch in helping quell “slave revolts and capturing runaway slaves”. The Amerindians, tribal people acted not only as allies and soldiers of the Dutch but also ‘their servants’, being employed as boatmen, pilots, guides and field laborers. Many were also employed in established fisheries along the coast from the Essequibo to the Orinoco, including the mouths of Wayne, Baima and the Amacuro Rivers. History shows that the early Dutch planters, Indians laid the foundation for “Guyana’s sugar industry”. They started “cultivating sugar-cane” on a small scale around 1630 near KYK-OverAL. With the passage of time, sugar became the most important and profitable crop. The sugar industry has endured to this day as one of Guyana’s main foreigncurrency earners, which was managed by the Dutch and the labor of Indians. Later, when Dutch sugar planters moved their estates from KYK-OVER- Al to other locations towards the coastal belt, they had to spend large sums of money and organize an army of manpower on “sea defense, drainage and irrigation”. Dutch are the best in the world in managing all types of water ways. To say that only African Slaves built Guyana, by digging all the water ways, building the sea
defense, the sugar plantation and everything else and no one else was in Guyana before African Slaves is just “FABRICATION”. It is just not so. Most of them were runaway slaves and was revolting against working in the field. How could they build Guyana? It is a false claim for African Guyanese Reparation advocates. Indians are progressive people who helped to build Guyana. S. N. Singh Florida, USA
From page 22
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Fully furnished 2 storey house with 3 AC bedrooms, security & sensor lights, etc at Gated Community. Call: 685-5845; 668-8714; 612-3400 2-2 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ Eccles. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536 1-2 Bedrooms apartment in close proximity to University of Guyana & Teacher ’s Training College. Call: 685-9127
LAND FOR SALE Houselots @ De Grout Scheme, Uitvlugt -$2.5M, Tuschen -$1.2M, Zeelugt$1.2M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M &1.2M. Call: 642-1252 Lease or for sale: 5 acres organic fruit bearing land on Demerara River Timehri (coconut). Call: 261-2988/ GZPLAYTER@AOL.COM Land at Plantation Tuschen Scheme, East Bank Essequibo. Call: 261-2988/ GZPLAYTER@AOL.COM Zeelugt -$1.6M, Uitvlugt $2.2M, Eccles -$5.5M, Herstelling -$3.2M, Farm $2.2M, Parika -$2.8M. Call: 651-1969; 681-8897
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Wednesday June 08, 2016
THE VOICE OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS...
A governance system of inequality over 50 years By Sase Singh INTRODUCTION Over the last 50 years, the majority of politicians clearly lost their moral compass on more occasions than not. This situation has caused the leaders to singly and collectively not deliver on the dream of equality of opportunity for all. The divide between the ”haves and the have nots” is at an alltime crisis level because of poor political executive decisions for sustained periods between 1966 and 2016. Over the last 50 years, our chance at the “good life” was always under severe pressure, mainly because the political class recklessly squandered the wealth of the nation. There is enough evidence that the financial wastage has not stopped, even after the 2015 elections. Once such conditions exist, we remain entrapped and enslaved in a broken system created by the former colonial masters, and is still in use today as some misguided politicians seek to get ahead. But who really is getting ahead and at whose expense? I will attempt to answer that question. WHO REALLY “PUN TOP”? The portion of the population (90 percent) that is considered as the poor, the working class or the middle class (the masses) is certainly not “pun top”. For emphasis, the latest dataset I have seen out of the World Bank illustrates that the wealthiest 10 percent of the population owns half the wealth generated in Guyana. If one looks at the dataset from 1980 to 2014, it has been mixed. There was a period of serious decline in wealth for this 90 percent at the bottom between 1980 and 1990, and then a mixed recovery since then to 2014. After that, the official dataset went dead. While I was in Guyana earlier this year, I conducted a mini-survey and it clearly confirmed that another period of expansion in
income inequality has been in play since 2011 poopa and mooma” granted them legal rights to February 2016, when I did the second set over the people’s cash. Today in 2016, we have the same situation of interviews. The PPP lost the 2015 elections principally because of this issue; too many in emerging. Hundreds of millions - of the that 90 percent lost too much wealth to the 10 people’s money - were recklessly diverted and wasted on D’Urban Park, which we were percent in that period. However what is most shocking today, is originally told was an exclusive private that many of these attitudes that contributed donation project only. What was done at D’Urban Park could have to the PPP electoral defeat in easily be done much better at 2015 are alive and well in 2016, the National Park or the and are being exercised by National Stadium, with the people who ought to know savings being used to better. To what end? Today, financially empower the less than 500 persons, (most old youths. men), are the reapers of most of This thoughtless waste of the wealth of the nation, while taxpayers’ funds over the last the youths and the women in 50 years by successive their hundreds of thousands, governments has directly have to settle for the caused a situation where today, crumbs. But, even the crumbs some 40 percent of our people are not forthcoming in a timely live in abject poverty and some manner, if you observe the 45 percent of the youths are on lethargic attitudes towards the the breadline. cries by the workers’ unions What better gift to have with respect to the collective bequeathed to Guyana on its bargaining process. Sase Singh 50th anniversary than to have STIFLING THE 90% TO announced that 5,000 youths PROTECT THE 10% This situation did not start in May 2015 were taken out of the breadline permanently, but has been with us for most of our because the government spent G$600 million independent life. Remember the empty on capacity building programmes for them promise of “yuh want hydro or $14 a day?” with a stipend? Instead, those sorts of cash Remember the period when many people were were redirected to “jump-up, jubilee, and suffering from “white mouth” but according J’ouvert” over the last year. Do not get me wrong, I love my “parade, to Father Morrison’s book, the rulers then were using valuable foreign currency to buy booze party and palance”; but not when 40 percent rather than medicine, as they commandeered of our people are living in poverty and on the the now defunct Guyana Airways and made financial edge. MACRO-ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES wild demands for a long list of luxury liquors When you think about it, the 90 percent including Rémy Martin Grande Fine Cognac and Dom Pérignon Brut Imperial Champagne? of the population at the bottom, carries more Then remember how a small cabal diverted than a fair share of the tax burden. The poor billions of dollars of the people’s money into and middle-class people pay more taxes per a parallel treasury totally circumventing the dollar earned, simply because they have to Parliament, between 2005 and 2015 like “dem spend in most cases all of their incomes just
to cover their costs. To compound this skewed act of financial oppression, our inequality is already high because of the low minimum wage, the weakness of the trade unions. and very high levels of compensation at the top for the chosen few. Remember “50 percent for me, but you got to wait for your 5 percent when I feel like giving it”. So there are few incentives for the 90 percent to work harder. It is unfortunate that the Granger administration has not acted with more alacrity on the workers’ compensation issue. The time for infantile excuses is over; pay the workers and reap the economic benefits from their private consumption and enhanced productivity. If anyone is advising otherwise, they have to be at best an national development dummy, and clearly do not have a clue on how to grow an economy. As another example, the enforcement of property tax is extremely lax in Guyana. Who owns most of the properties and lands, if not the 10 percent? But property tax collected in 2015 was $3.2 billion vs. PAYE from the workers being $19.9 billion. So if we want more taxes, why are we not more effectively taxing the “landed class”? You see, after 50 years, the system is still rigged. The biggest macroeconomic consequence of this policy anomaly translates to the fact that the growth in the tax revenue (in real terms) will be constrained, because the workers are not incentivized to become more productive and thus does not produce more value per capita. CONCLUSION It is imperative that we accelerate the timetable at executing tax reforms to generate the right balance so that we can pay for the essential projects that are directly related to enhancing the productivity and wealthgrowth of our people. We cannot allow the nation to drift for much longer. Please feel free to share your feedback at sasesin1@yahoo.com.
Wednesday June 08, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Three-year Radiology Residency programme set for September A three-year Radiology Residency programme is slated to commence in September. Information about this development was yesterday released by the Ministry of Public Health. The venture will be fast-tracked with support from United Statesbased charitable organization – RAD-AID International. RAD-AID is an international aid organization focused on increasing and improving radiology for poor and developing countries. The organization has committed to working with the Public Health Ministry to develop radiology services in Guyana with the first major step being the introduction of the aforementioned programme. On Monday, team members of the charitable organization met with Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton, to discuss the way forward. Also present at that meeting was Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Zulfikar Bux. It was Dr. Bux who initiated the collaboration with the organization, since it is his belief that radiology services in Guyana are not as developed as they should be. RAD-AID is a group comprising radiologists, technologists, nurses, and other supportive staff who work in radiology, and are dedicated to improving radiology services in developing countries. Director of RAD-AID Latin
Dr. Zulfikar Bux (left) and Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton (second from right) in the company of representatives of RAD-AID International. America, Dr. Gillian Battino, said that the charity’s goal in Guyana is to improve radiology services by bringing Guyana up to speed with what is available, in order to improve health outcomes. Dr. Battino noted, though, that the most important step in developing these services is the development of the three-year Radiology Residency programme in Guyana. “There are other examples of
programmes that are built between a US institution and the Georgetown Public Hospital, and we’re mimicking that, so there are internal medicines, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and now we will add radiology to that, so that Guyanese doctors are trained to work in Guyana as radiologists,” she explained. Dr. Battino highlighted that Guyana needs approximately 80 radiologists to serve the population and three persons will be trained
each year during the three-year residency. “We plan to utilize the educational system in place at the residency programme in the States and to have the residents spend three to six months in the States to get a foundation and then do the rest of the training in Guyana, with US physicians coming to Guyana to train,” she stated. She said that the idea is to build a sustainable programme which will
continue for as long as possible. Their work in Guyana, she noted, is not limited to physician training, since they also plan to improve nurses training, with attention to radiology and technology. According to the Director, improving the technology available to perform radiology procedures by adding electronic storage for x-rays, which will include reporting systems, is a major part of their efforts in Guyana. She said too that they hope to put a system in place where an xray can be obtained in Bartica and read in Georgetown, using the internet. RAD-AID International will be donating an ultra sound machine to the Emergency Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital. The Charity also received four CT scanners from Phillips Corporation and will be handing over two of them to Guyana, with the remaining two going to Haiti. The two CT Scanners, which are valued at US$200,000 each, will be placed at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and the Bartica Regional Hospital in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni). Minister Norton thanked the team for their efforts and told them that he is looking forward to their support in the future. He was especially happy about the residency programme, since he is a strong advocate for Continuing Medical Education.
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Cameron accuses rivals in EU While Sanders vows to keep fighting, Clinton wraps up nomination referendum campaign of lying Reuters - Prime Minister David Cameron accused those campaigning for Britain to leave the European Union of lying, saying yesterday he had to challenge their views after watching TV news bulletins. The prime minister called an unexpected news conference at short notice during which he tried to move the focus away from immigration in an increasingly heated campaign before the June 23 referendum on whether to remain in the 28-member bloc. It was a tactic that Cameron, who is leading the “In” campaign, also used in a television debate with anti-EU campaigner Nigel Farage, whom he accused of wanting to turn the country into “Little England” rather than Great Britain. Opinion polls have suggested that the “Leave” campaign may be gaining momentum. “It is irresponsible. It is wrong. It is time that the Leave campaign was called out on the nonsense that they are peddling,” said Cameron, appearing on a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the London skyline and the Houses of Parliament. He dismissed suggestions from the Leave campaign and some local media that he was worried he was losing. He said he was concerned that “people are being told things that aren’t
David Cameron correct”. “I was watching the news last night and it just came over to me so clearly that there is such a contrast between the weight of independent expert opinion ... and a series of assertions from the Leave campaign that just simply aren’t right.” Cameron, keen to get the focus of the campaign on the economy, cited recent warnings on the economic impact of an EU exit made by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Hitachi’s chief executive and the head of the WTO. His last-minute decision to hold the news conference signalled a break from what has so far been a carefully choreographed campaign. “The In campaign is in a blind panic,” said Vote Leave spokesman Douglas Carswell, a lawmaker from the anti-EU UK Independence Party. Late yesterday, in front of
an audience on ITV television, Cameron pressed his criticism of those campaigning to leave the European Union. He accused Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party and a leader of one of the groups wanting a British exit, or Brexit, of wanting to damage Britain’s economy. “I hope that when people go to vote on June 23, they think about ... the sort of country that we want to build together and they vote to say that we don’t want Little England of Nigel Farage. We want to be Great Britain,” he said. Cameron had previously held back from criticising the main figures in the official Leave campaign, many of whom are senior members of his Conservative Party, including former London mayor Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove. But yesterday, he cited several arguments made by Johnson, Gove and others and dismissed them. “It’s so important to say to people: ‘don’t take a decision to leave the EU and damage our economy on the basis of clearly false information that you’re being given,’” he said.
Reuters - With the Democratic presidential nomination effectively wrapped up, Hillary Clinton’s campaign is hoping to bring the party together for the general election battle and persuade rival Bernie Sanders to bow out of the race. Clinton secured enough delegates to win the nomination before Monday’s voting, U.S. media outlets reported on Monday night. But Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said the campaign was pushing supporters and volunteers to “stay at this” for the contests in New Jersey, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and New Mexico, as well as the biggest prize, California, where she still risks a loss to Sanders. “We’re on the verge of making history, and we’re going to celebrate that tonight,” Mook told CNN. “There’s a lot of people we want to make sure turn out today. We do not want to send a message that anybody’s vote doesn’t count.” A former first lady, senator and U.S. secretary of state, Clinton would be the first woman to become the presi-
dential candidate of a major U.S. political party. Clinton will highlight the historic nature of her nomination at an event in Brooklyn on Tuesday night. Her campaign has compiled a video tying her to women’s rights movements in American history. She wants to move beyond the primary battle and turn her attention to presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and the Nov. 8 election. But despite growing pressure from party luminaries for him to exit the race, Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has vowed to stay in until next month’s party convention that formally picks the nominee. If Sanders, who was trailing in opinion polls in California until recently, wins the primary in America’s most populous state, it would not be enough for him to catch
Clinton in the overall delegate count but could fuel his continued presence in the race.”We will look forward tonight to marking having reached the threshold of a majority of the pledged delegates,” Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon told CNN, referring to delegates won in primary contests. “And at that point, Bernie Sanders will be out of our race.” Sanders has commanded huge crowds, galvanizing younger voters with promises to address economic inequality. But Clinton has edged him out, particularly among older voters, with a more pragmatic campaign focused on building on President Barack Obama’s policies. Steven Acosta, a 47year-old teacher living in Los Angeles, voted for Clinton on Tuesday, saying that was partly because he believed she stood a better chance of winning in November.
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Jailed Venezuela leader says WP wins election in St. Lucia; Anthony steps down as SLP leader he won’t negotiate freedom CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The United Workers Party (UWP) led by Allen Chastanet has convincingly won Monday’s general elections, securing 11 of the 17 seats in Parliament and sending the incumbent St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) into Opposition. And on the heels of his party’s loss, Dr. Kenny Anthony announced that he is stepping down as SLP leader, but will serve the Vieux Fort South constituency he won in the polls. His was one of the six seats won by the SLP. In a statement issued after the results were announced, Anthony conceded defeat and congratulated Chastenet on the win, saying it was “a convincing victory”. “It is clear there was a major national swing against the St. Lucia Labour Party. I wish the people of St. Lucia the very best as we embark on this new journey,” he said. “As to my future, I do not intend to serve as the Leader of the Opposition and indeed, Political Leader of the St.
Dr. Kenny Anthony
Allen Chastanet
Lucia Labour Party. I will, however, continue to serve my constituents of Vieux Fort South and support my other Parliamentary colleagues in their various constituencies as they seek to protect the interests of their constituents.” The former prime minister said he was deeply grateful for the honour of serving the country for nearly three terms and gave special thanks to Vieux Fort South residents for electing him as their parlia-
mentary representative for the fifth time. Shortly after the UWP was declared the winner of the 2016 general elections, Chastanet promised that the party would deliver on the promises it made during the election campaign – including a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) – and return the country to economic growth. He is also expected to announce his Cabinet soon. (Caribbean360)
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s mostprominent jailed opposition leader said he won’t negotiate his own freedom if it means abandoning the effort to recall President Nicolas Maduro. The charismatic hardliner Leopoldo Lopez was sentenced to nearly 14 years in jail for inciting violence at antigovernment demonstrations in 2014. He met with Spain’s former prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Saturday as part of a diplomatic effort to defuse Venezuela’s escalating crisis. It was the first jailhouse meeting of its kind in more than two years. Lope z ’s w i f e L i l i a n Tintori on Sunday posted messages to his Twitter account saying Lopez had told the Spanish politician that Venezuela’s freedom came before his own. He said he would not abandon the recall effort in exchange for anything, the jailed leader told his family.
Lopez’s defiance comes as government and opposition representatives traveled to the Dominican Republic for a second round of informal meetings under Zapatero’s mediation. It’s not clear what is being discussed at those talks and both sides are downplaying the chances of a breakthrough. The opposition is de-
ma n d i n g f r e e d o m f o r Lopez and others it considers political prisoners as well as government commitment to hold a recall referendum this year on whether to cut short Maduro’s term. Yesterday, the opposition plans protests nationwide to demand electoral authorities allow the process to go forward.
PM Says It’s Time To Make Spanish Jamaica’s Official Second Language The Gleaner - Prime Minister Andrew Holness says it’s time for Jamaica to make Spanish its official second Language. He made the declaration yesterday while providing a report to Parliament on recent bilateral talks with the Cuban President, Raul Castro. According to
Holness, there are many opportunities Jamaicans could exploit with the opening of the Cuban economy. He said a commitment was made for the provision of language training on both sides, especially since Cubans will need to learn English to facilitate increased interaction with tourists.
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Even with 2-0 Finals lead, Warriors say... (From page 28) defense that we’re doing and individuals will shine along the way, and that’s what we’re about.” Andre Iguodala agreed. “We’re seeing film and there’s a lot we can improve on,” the 2015 NBA Finals MVP told reporters. “We made some mistakes in the first half (of Game 2). We had nine turnovers, which was what we had total in the first game. We know we can improve upon that. We gave up 20 points off of our turnovers, so we got to stick to the same defensive intensity and close out on their shooters tight. And offensively, we feel like there’s still a lot of room to grow and we’re going to continue to try to push for that.” As did Andrew Bogut.
Stephen Curry reacts during game 2. (Photo: Kyle Terada, USAT) “We still have a lot of work to do in this series,” Bogut said. “We don’t want to coast into Game 3 on the road in a tough building. So, the margin tonight doesn’t matter.” Game 3 is set for June 8 at
9 p.m. ET, but if the aforementioned improvements are made to a team already playing at such an elite level, this highly-anticipated series could fall far short of the nailbiting affair that the NBA world once envisioned.
Wednesday June 08, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Relatives may play an important role in your personal life. You can make major accomplishments while on short trips. You can help them more than they can help you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Do your own thing. You may find that your anger stems from lending or borrowing money. Red tape could be impossible to clear up today. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Problems with ear, nose, or the throat are likely. Acceptance will be necessary. You will be too quick to point your finger at your mate. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Uncertainties regarding your love life will surface if you have neglected your mate. Don't reveal anything about your personal life to those who may use such information against you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You can make money if you're willing to push your ideas on those in a position to support your efforts. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You should get into programs that will enhance your appearance and help you to be the best that you can. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Travel will promote new romantic encounters. Keep your mind on your work and stay away from situations that could ruin your reputa-
tion. Romantic opportunities are evident if you get involved in large groups or organizations. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Encourage the youngsters in your family. Empty promises are evident and deception probable. Balance is required if you want stability. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You will not be able to contain your emotions today. Finish off old projects before starting something new. Today is not the day to try to comer people by giving them ultimatums. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your sensitivity toward those you love will capture their hearts Your irritability will lead to family squabbles. Emotional deception is evident. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Prove your worth; concentrate on getting the job done and steer clear of office politics and gossip. Opportunities to go out with clients or colleagues will be in your best interest. Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be diplomatic but stem when it comes to giving of yourself. Rewards, gifts, or money from investments or taxes can be expected. You can clear up important legalities and sign contracts today.
Wednesday June 08, 2016
Decisive action by Regional... (From page 29) participation of Leeward Island in the Women’s Cricket without any sanctions, and where the Prime Minister of Antigua is reported as saying that dissolving the WICB will create chaos. Interestingly Antigua /Leewards Islands have been occupying the cellar position at all levels of regional cricket for quite a number of years and cannot even field a female team. What could be more chaotic than the present situation with WI cricket? Maybe that’s why Curtly Ambrose, Richie Richardson and Stuart Williams were appointed as Technical Officials to the WICB Senior Team, although they are not known to work with the Antigua or Leeward Islands Teams, in preference to other qualified technical. Mr. Cameron’s recent whimpering constitute another feeble attempt to fool the people of the Caribbean, the usual bluff, with a lot of rhetorical promises of development without any real substance or serious attempt to fulfill them. The recent triumph of the Women’s, Men’s and Youth cricket teams have been achieved more by determination, spirit and commitment on the part of the players rather than any meaningful contribution from the WICB. The players and not the Board therefore must be congratulated for their accomplishments against all odds. Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Mr. Gaston Browne is now the new Chairman of the Caricom sub-committee on cricket and his obscure posture on the recent Eudine Barriteau report disappointingly spoke volumes of certain politicians within Caricom and the optical illusion of regional integration. The creation of jobs for associates and affiliates, the elitist private merrymakings, the old boys’ club coterie and the narrow self-centered political agenda have apparently being given priority over the gentleman’s game which is
KPL Softball cricket set to resume on July 17 The KPL softball cricket tournament is set to resume on July 17 at the Carifesta Sports Complex with action in the final preliminary round, games starting from 09:00 hrs. The quarterfinals will be played on the said day starting at 13:00 hrs. Teams are asked to be at the venue on time to facilitate a prompt start.
the principal component that has kept regional integration alive. The head office of the WICB situated in Antigua maybe his reason for not wanting the dissolution of this antiquated and obsolete private company that has choked the development of regional game for the past two decades. Mr. Browne vociferously announced that the dissolution of the WICB will cause chaos. Is the Honourable Prime Minister insinuating that WI luminaries Ms. Eudine Barriteau, Sir Dennis Byron, Mr. Dwain Gill, Mr. Deryck Murray and Mr. Warren Smith, Dr. Ian Mc Donald, Mr. Patrick Patterson, Sir Allister McIntyre, Dr. Keith Mitchell and Dr. Ralph Gonslaves have been presenting obscure reports? Certainly not! I rather suspect it has more to do with self -interest. Prime Minister Browne must see the bigger picture and rise above the fray. Maybe he could advise the West Indian Public of his proposals to halt this runaway train (WICB) that has
no regard for order, democracy or fair play, rather than to challenge the ‘proven’ intellectual capabilities of these luminaries before the opportunity is lost. I therefore urge that Caricom, Caribbean Governments, the current players the past players, business persons and indeed all Caricom people must now unite against the tyranny of a shameless and incompetent West Indies Cricket Board and use every possible means at their disposal to rid our cricket of these individuals who feel that they own WI cricket. The region as a whole must ensure that the critical issue of making the WICB accountable to the Caribbean people is not overshadowed by a desire to have international cricket played in the West Indies regardless. Too much is at stake and Caricom must act objectively, urgently and decisively to deal condignly with the WICB in the interest of the game we love so dearly. Claude Raphael
Wednesday June 08, 2016
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New York warm up cup West Front Road crush MoH set to commence July 18 as tournament heats up MoH ‘Stop Gener-based Violence’ Soft Shoe Football Competition
The wet conditions failed to put a damper on the second night of action in the Petra Organisation- organised Ministry of Health sponsored Soft Shoe Football Competition which continued on Monday with some exciting matches providing plenty of entertainment for the large turnout of spectators. Played under the ‘Stop Gender-based Violence’ theme, at the Ministry of Health ground on Brickdam and Vlissingen Road, North Ruimveldt and Alexander Village battled to an enthralling 4-4 stalemate despite both teams struggling to maintain their footing in the wet conditions. Alexander Village snatched the lead after seven minutes courtesy of an own goal off the boots of Linris Carrington, who sliced the ball into the goal following an attempt to curtail a run from Leon Yaw. North Ruimveldt responded with immediacy through Anthony Sancho, who hammered a fierce shot following a partial save from the opposing custodian from an earlier attempt at goal to level the proceedings one minute later. However, veteran Shem Porter restored their ascendancy in the ninth minute with an accurate freekick taken from the right side that hit the upright, before landing in the goal.
North’s talisman Gerald Gritten, another expert in this format, reacted right away with his effort sliding through the legs of the goalkeeper to nestle in the back of the goal after eleven minutes. The two teams attacked with menace for the lead and as they had done all night, Alexander Village regained the lead through Sheldon Fletcher, who unleashed a thunderous strike to beat the keeper to his right two minutes later. Jamal Hamilton’s 15th minute screamer from a free kick restored parity once again as the clocked ticked to full time with the teams deadlocked at 3-3, before Sancho returned to hand North Ruimvedt the lead for the first time in the encounter in the 22nd minute. However, Ryan October salvaged a point for Alexander Village in the dying moments of the game hitting a right-footer past the keeper, before the final whistle sounded. Randolph Wagner recorded a brace in the 15th and 18th minutes while Michael Pedro, Nathaniel Nagaloo and Jermin Junior scored in the second, 13th and 17th minutes respectively as West Front Road crushed debutant Ministry of Health 5-0. Leopold Street made a positive start with a 2-1 win over Festival City with Akeem Rajkumar and Rondell
Williams netting in the eighth and 11th minutes respectively, while Jamal Brown’s 18th minute strike was the lone response for the loser. In other results, Campbellville provided the first major upset after beating West Back Road 2-0 through a brace from Ozeal Small in the 14th and 20th minutes. North East La Penitence and Albouystown showdown ended in a 1-1 draw with Calvin Moore’s 8th minute effort giving North East La Penitence the lead, before Devon Dooker equalised in the 23rd minute for Albouystown. Channel-9 Warriors gained a walkover from Back Circle. The event will continue on Thursday at the Parade Ground with six more games scheduled. In the opening fixture at 19:00hrs, Campbellville oppose Channel-9 Warriors; Back Circle and West Back Road square off from 19:45hrs; Leopold Street engage North Ruimveldt, while title holders Sparta Boss battle Holmes Street of Tiger Bay at 21:15hrs; Queen Street of Tiger Bay go up against Ministry of Health from 21:45hrs and Kitty take on Globe Yard from 10:30hrs. Other sponsors of the event include GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel’s Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.
GVF / Samaritan Sports Support System team up The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) has partnered with the Samaritan Sports Support System in an effort to introduce volleyball to primary schools through teachers. The programme which commenced on Monday, 6th June is scheduled to last for one week and it is aimed at targeting 30 primary schools throughout Georgetown. The course, which will be facilitated by Federation coaches, runs daily at the National Developmental Center on Woolford Avenue and the National Gymnasium on Mandella Avenue, will see teachers learn the basic theoretical and practical aspects of the game to a level that they are able to begin programmes in their respective schools. President of the Guyana
Volleyball Federation, Mr. John Flores, expressed that his Federation was extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to take the game to the primary schools because he understands that for proper long term development to occur, children need to start being exposed to the sport from a tender age. Flores explained that the Samaritan Sport Support System which is led by Mr. Robert Sam is a local Christian body that has been partnering with various sporting federations in an effort to help alleviate depression and the exposure to negative activities through sports in schools, communities and religious groups. The connection was made through the National Sports Commission, whom the Samaritan group made initial contact with be-
fore they were directed to the GVF. The GVF is currently engaging in international competitions for players as young as 14 and Flores expressed that the introduction of the game at this level will definitely be a boost to a school programme already started by the Demerara and Berbice Volleyball Associations. The programme is expected to continue with the inclusion of more schools in the near future as the newly formed partnership intends to take volleyball throughout the length and breath of Guyana in an effort to help youths to utilize their energies in a more positive avenue, the primary aim of the Samarian Sports Support System and to help develop the game of volleyball as is the primary mandate of the GVF.
Organiser Samuel Kingston (left) accepts the cheque from Davindra Gangaram of Dave’s Groceries and Variety Store. Six teams are expected do battle in the New York Warm up Cup which will be played on June 18, 25 and 26. The competition is in preparation of the Independence Cup that is slated to be held from July 13 in New York. The softball contest is an Over-40 event which will be played at the
Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue. The winning team will walk away with cash prize of $100,000 while runner up will pocket $50,000. These prizes are sponsored by Trophy Stall and Dave’s Groceries and Variety Store of Sixth and Albert Street, Queenstown. Guyana Softball Cup
champions, Regal Masters and Albion have already registered. Teams desirous of entering the competition are asked to register soonest since there are only four spots available. Participants can contact Samuel Kingston on telephone number 6195103 for more details on registration.
Pre-Independence Heroes British Guiana humble Barbados in Soccer Series 1953 Barbados led by Aston Villa’s amateur Graham Wilkes toured British Guiana in August 1953 and lost a five match soccer series 3- nil. The Bajans goalkeeper was West Indies Cricketer Cammie Smith. The tourist opened their British Guiana campaign on a positive note defeating GFC 2 -1 at GFC Ground. Skipper Graham Wilkes of Aston Villa scored both goals. First international test played at football headquarters GFC, British Guiana came from behind to win 3-2. The tourist scored first when Winston Drayton beat custodian Ted Nurse with a thunderbolt. The host equalized in the second half through Reggie Moses, the Bajans went ahead 5 minutes later when Lucas beat Nurse to his left. Debutant Drakes made it two all with a dagger that Barbados custodian Cammie Smith failed to hold. Lewis ‘ Wa t e r B o a t ’ We i t h e r s magic kick sealed victory for British Guiana just before full time. Second Test GFC Ground, British Guiana led by a double from Victoria’s Herbie Jordon won 2-nil. Thirds Test draw, one all
GFC Ground. Barbados scored early in the second half. Hubert ‘Senor’ Braithwaite saved the day for British Guiana with a rocket like shot that give Cammie Smith no chance in the Bajan goal. Fourth Test drawn one all at GFC Ground. Again Barbados were denied victory with only 10 minutes to full time and leading one –nil courtesy of a ‘Brickie’ Lucas’ goal late in the second half. British Guiana got the equalizer through George Ferguson just 10 minutes from full time. British Guiana wrapped up series with a onenil victory at GFC. Reggie Moses was the British Guiana marksman. The Victorious British Guiana 1953 Team Mickey Dasouza, Captain – GFC ‘Man-Man’ DaSilva- GFC Rudolph Critchlow –St. Barnabas Ian Searle- GFC Hubert ‘Senor’ Braithwaite- Police
Reggie Moses- St. Barnabas Cecil ‘Bruiser’ ThomasInfantry J. Drakes –Berbice Maurice Moore- Victoria Lewis ‘Water Boat’ Weithers- Infantry Herbie Jordan –Victoria Ted Nurse- Victoria George Ferguson- YMCA W. Rawlins R. Sheriff S. Bennett John Embleton The 1953 Barbados National Team Graham Wilkes- Captain Keith Bowen Freddiie Hutchinson Winston Grant Winston Browne Paul Mandeville Ivan Smith Cammie Smith Reginald Haynes Algie Simmonds Michael Simmonds Winston Drayton C.O. Gittens H.M. Cadogan R.C. Hutchinson N.S. ‘Brickie’ Lucas
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President Granger accepts invitation - receives WIFCSC to become patron of GNRA championship trophy Georgetown, Guyana – (Ministry of the Presidency) President David Granger, yesterday, received the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Short Range trophy, which was presented to him by members of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA), during a courtesy call at the Ministry of the P r e s i d e n c y. T h e t e a m recently retained the coveted trophy, having won it in 2014. The Head of State also accepted an invitation to become the patron of the Association. President Granger described rifle shooting as a sport of pure skill, which is developed over a period of time and assured the GNRA of his Administration’s support. “Shooting should not be regarded as an elite sport for a few people. I would like to see people in other regions becoming involved in R e g i o n a l R i f l e Associations… I would like to recommit myself to supporting this sport. It is an area in which Guyana has achieved prominence in the Region and further afield
President David Granger being presented with the championship trophy by the GNRA’s Captain, Mahendra Persaud, while members (from L-R) Ryan Sampson, Dylan Fields, Lennox Braithwaite, Terrence Stuart, Paul Slowe and Brigadier General Mark Phillips look on. and I would like to see more people involved in shooting at targets rather than shooting at one another,” President Granger said. Meanwhile, army Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mark Phillips, who is also
the president of the GNRA, said that having the President as patron of the Association is a tradition as it is a position that every past president of Guyana has accepted. The local shooters, who
scored an overall total of 11 2 0 . 7 0 p o i n t s a f t e r competing at the 300, 500 and 600 yards categories, dedicated the win to the country on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee of Independence Anniversary.
South Africa stun World... (From page 29) Providence which is 98 by the West Indies against Pakistan in 2013. A boundary from Finch off Tahir and sweep for four from Nathan Lyon saved A u s t r a l i a t h a t embarrassment before Finch fell to Phangiso at 113-9. A short shower and a 29run last wicket stand between Lyon (30) and Hazelwood (11) frustrated the South Africans before Lyon fell to Phangiso. Earlier, South Africa opted to bat in brilliant sunshine and watched by a small working day crowd began cautiously on the same track on which Australia beat the West Indies on Sunday. Quinton deKock stroked Nathan Coulter-Nile for the game’s first boundary before Hashim Amla elegantly slapped him to the point boundary. deKock punished Coulter-Nile over midwicket for six when he overpitched on leg-stump before
edging the pacer to the third man for a fortuitous boundary. Hazelwood made the break-through in 7th over when deKock (18) was LBW after a successful review by the Aussies to leave the score on 29-1. A strong breeze produced a cooling effect in steaming hot conditions and stretched out the Guyana, Australia and South Africa flags in the Party Stand as Amla and Rilee Rossouw, who made 68 in the first match, carried their team to 41 before Nathan Lyon trapped Rossouw (7) LBW in the 10th over. The 32-year-old AB deVilliers quickly adapted to the surface and played the ball late. He manipulated the ball into the gaps with ‘soft hands’ and ran hard and along with Amla, also realizing this was not a ‘boundaries’ track, batted intelligently and brought up the 50 in 69 balls. The pair continued to accumulate runs instead of
going for the ‘big shots’ and displayed impressive shot selection. But when the partnership had reached 40 and the score 81 in the 19th over, Amla (35) was run out after facing 46 balls and reaching the boundary just twice. With 24 ODI tons to his name and 201 matches of experience the Australians knew deVilliers was then man for ‘testing conditions’ and when he had his offstump knocked out by Coulter-Nile, the Aussies were standing a tall as Kangaroos. At 97-4 in the 23rd and deVilliers gone for 22 from 38 balls, the South Africans had their backs against the wall. Coulter-Nile produced a beauty to dismantle JP Duminy’s stumps before Wayne Parnell (2) was bowled eight runs later with one that crept from Hazelwood and at 112-6 the vocal gathering of fans in the stands, being entertained by pulsating music, was in
danger of being robbed of the game going the full distance. Berhardien and Aaron Phangiso revived the position with a dogged 37run stand in 13 overs before Phangiso (9) ran out of patience and tried a big shot off Adam Zampa and was taken at long-off as the commitment, skill and intensity of the Australians never dipped. On a pitch which made batting a nightmare and slow outfield, no team in this series has made more than the West Indies’ 191 when Kerion Pollard clobbered six sixes in 67 and South Africa knew if they could get as close as possible to the 188 they made against the West Indies their three spinners would have a chance. Berhardien, who lofted Zampa for six in 18th over was bowled in the last over at 188-8 and his innings was as valuable as Guyana’s Gold The second leg in St Kitts starts on Saturday before ending in Barbados where the final will be on June 26.
The team’s coach, Mr. Paul Slowe said that the trophy is a symbol of shooting supremacy in the Caribbean, noting that in the last 10 years Guyana has only lost twice. He expressed the GNRA’s gratitude to the Government and sponsors whose support is vital to the Association, particularly since shooting is not a spectator sport. “We boast that of all the sporting disciplines in Guyana, none can compare to us. Every event that we go to, whether it’s at the international stage at the
Commonwealth Games, where we are the top Caribbean team or regionally, there is no team that can bring back as many trophies and medals as we do,” Mr. Slowe said. Next year, the GNRA will be celebrating its 150th anniversary and to commemorate this milestone, a major competition is being planned for October 2017 with participating teams from the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, the Caribbean and elsewhere.
Even with 2-0 Finals lead, Warriors say there’s still room for improvement USA Today Sport - The Golden State Warriors — who have outscored the Cleveland Cavaliers 214166 on the way to a commanding 2-0 NBA Finals lead — have proven to be the far superior team in just about every aspect of the first two games. The scariest part? They could be playing better.Particularly, there’s been a drop-off in offensive production from the AllNBA backcourt of Stephen Curry (Game 1 and 2 averages of 14.5 points, 5 assists, 7 rebounds, 42.3% shooting) and Klay
Thompson (13 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 40% shooting). Nothing to frown upon by the standards of your typical NBA player, of course, but these two aren’t your typical NBA players. Thanks to such a complete roster from top to bottom and two consecutive games of hard-nosed defense, it hasn’t mattered.“The crazy thing is we can all play better,” Curry said in his postgame press conference after a 110-77 Game 2 victory. “So we’ve got to continue to play the (Continued on page 26)
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Ballr Tri Nation ODI series
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Letter to the Sports Editor
Decisive action by South Africa stun World Regional Governments could Champs at Providence resolve WI Cricket woes
By Sean Devers On a low and slow Providence pitch, South Africa demolished World Champions Australia by 47 runs in the third ODI in the Ballr Tri-Nation series last evening to join Australia at the top of the points table with five each. West Indies, the other team involved are on four points from their win against South Africa in the opening match. Kagiso Radaba (15) added 39 for the eighth wicket with Man-of-theMatch Farhaan Behardien whose resilient 62 from 82 balls with four fours and two sixes helped South Africa to a challenging 189-9 from 50 overs. Hashim Amla stroked two fours in a 46 off 35 at the top of the order. Such was the slowness of the pitch that the entire innings included only nine fours and two sixes at a time when t20 games regularly produces 200 plus totals. Pacers Josh Hazelwood (2-20), Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-38) and Glenn Maxwell (2-15) were the most successful bowlers for Australia who were bowled out for 142 in 34.2 overs despite a one man show from Aaron Finch. His 11th ODI fifty yielded72 runs from 103 balls with six fours and three sixes. Pacers Kagiso Radaba (3-13) and Wayne Parnell (223) had prized out David Warner (1), Usman Khawaja (2) and Skipper Steve Smith (8) as the mighty Australians stumbled to 21-3 and never recovered despite Finch’s heroics. Imran Tahir (2-39), Aaron Phangiso (2-26) and Shamsi (1-36) spun webs around the batsman as only three South Africans including Hazelwood (11*) reached double figures. S o u t h A f r i c a strengthened by the inclusion of debutant leftarm googlie bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, would have backed themselves to defend 190 and when Parnell trapped Warner LBW in the second over with just a run on the board the lads from down under could not have had a worst start. Parnell soon trapped Australia’s most consistent batsman Steve Smith (8) LBW at 21-3 after Khawaja was bowled by Rabada (1) 11 runs earlier.
With South Africa in the ascendency Finch fought fire with fire and hammered Parnell for six and smashed him past cover for four. He then danced into Tahir and stroked him for four through cover and effortlessly deposited Phangiso for six. Maxwell (3) provided Tabraiz Shamsi his first ODI wicket but Finch pushed Phangiso into the Green stand to move into the 40s and Finch was batting like a one man army. Finch genuflected and swept Shamsi for a murderous four, while
Mitchell Marsh (8) was caught behind off Tahir. Finch, who has never played Test cricket, soon reached his fifty off 58 balls but Shamsi and Tahir continued to befuddle Matthew Wade. Radaba ended Wade’s misery when he edged the pacer to the Keeper at 83-6 and Coulter-Nile (0) did not last long and was bowled by the lively Radaba. Finch sweep Tahir for four but when Zampa was LBW to Tahir at 90-8, Australia were in danger of registering the lowest total at (Continued on page 28)
Dear Sports Editor, Director Conde Riley’s recent castigation of the Cricket Legends support for the special Committee’s recommendation to dissolve the WICB was in my opinion insensitive, insulting and clearly depicts the arrogance and disdain of that group of persons on the WICB who believes that they are the owners of Caribbean Cricket. It must be noted that the Special Committee was appointed by both Caricom and the WICB with the clear understanding that both parties will accept and carry out all decisions of that Committee. Mr. Riley has promptly discarded the globally respected exploits of the legends and the quality of the combined group that decided on this important aspect of We s t I n d i e s c r i c k e t Administration. To suggest that Sir Gary Sobers, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Wes Hall, Sir Andy Roberts, Deryck Murray, Desmond Haynes, Charles Griffith, Roger Harper along with Dinanath Ramnarine, Darren Sammy were being used to achieve a political desire is utterly nonsensical. The Legends and other notable luminaries of the Caribbean have been expressing their concerns over the poor administration of our cricket for the longest while. Sir Gary shed tears in Sri Lanka approximately two years ago over the decline in WI Cricket long before the entry of Caricom on the scene. Director Riley’s position is not surprising as it was the very Conde Riley who observed the 2013 GCB elections, and pronounced it free and fair although there was no quorum, (only one of the three constituent Boards attended; one was injuncted and the other did not attend). Also, it was the very Conde Riley who resigned from the WICB during President Hunte’s leadership citing incompetence but came back to support President Cameron who was Vice President under Hunte. So much for “birds of a feather” and the resulting lack of quality in the
directorship of the WICB. A l s o t h e W I C B ’s President’s recent whinings on the proposed dissolution of the Board serve as another attempt to hoodwink the Caribbean People, giving the impression that the WICB has implemented most of the recommendations of the Review Committees. The President declared that the WICB must be doing something right for the WI to have won the U19 50-overs and the Women’s and Men’s T20 titles this year. He suggested that these victories are the results of the well prepared High Performance Development Programme that began two (2) years ago. Mr. Cameron must now explain to the people in detail these fantastic programmes since the public is totally unaware. How sustainable are they and how he has been able to plan to such fine details that allowed Carlos Braithwaite to score four consecutive sixes in the last over to win the game? Also what is the programme for ensuring victory in the future Test and Fifty- (50) over tournaments for both male and female in the future? He (Mr. Cameron) must justify or support his stated claims by explaining the following: 1. Why is his Board supporting Constituent Members who have not held free and fair elections for years and are therefore operating dishonestly, and against the ICC rules, like the Guyana Cricket Board for instance. 2. What payments are being made to Board Members, staff etc.? : Why is the Board disbursing annual subventions to Constituent Members who do not have to account for same (as stated by Mr. Cameron at the Town Hall Meeting held in Guyana? 3. How were the funds received from the “sell out” of our voting rights to the Big three at ICC utilized for development as previously stated by Mr. Cameron who promised better days for our cricket. With specific reference to Guyana, why hasn’t the Director of Cricket, Mr. Richard Pybus, investigated or at least met with all the local cricket
Administrators given the much publicised years of chaos/conflict within the cricket fraternity here? Further, how could this great development programme function when there is no academy, no organized sustainable cricketing programmes viz coaching/seminars etc for batters, bowlers, (especially f a s t b o w l e r s ) , wicketkeepers, fielding etc, no coordination of grassroots cricket at schools, clubs and associations to provide a smooth transition from the schools to the test level. N o C o a c h i n g programmes, no pitch improvements, no three (3) day cricket for youths. No Regional T20 Tournament. How does the WICB account for the annual CPL funds disbursed to them? For what specific purpose are those funds being utilized? How could there be any proper programme when the U-19 cricketers during the season leading up to this year’s triumph had their regional tournament played in two zones of three (3) teams with each team playing only twice before the top two teams engage each other in the finals. Also, the U15 teams were relegated to play their tournament on a one-day basis instead of the usual two days effectively reducing the amount of the cricket they played instead of ensuring that the youngsters play as much cricket as possible. What action was taken against the GCB for the two youngsters who were left stranded in Guyana because the administration of the GCB was incompetent in handling their travel arrangements. As a matter of fact what is the method of supervision employed by the WICB on its constituent members with regards to cricket development? With regards to Ladies Cricket, what preparation is the WICB referring to when: 1. T h e r e i s n o domestic cricket being played in any of its six territories thereby minimizing the experience, and competitive engagements necessary for their improvement. 2. T h e r e i s n o (Continued on page 26)
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Wednesday June 08, 2016
Interesting twist as aspiring Chess Maximum Sports TV Federation President suggests programme to showcase Normalization Committee Muhammad Ali By Michael Benjamin
Several mercurial twists continue to characterize the race for the Presidency of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) and attorney-at-law, James Bond is the most recent aspirant to signal his intention to contest for the coveted post. Kaieteur Sport had been informed that National Senior Champion, Wendell Meusa, had thrown his hat in the ring and was also preparing a slate even as he outlined his objectives. When this newspaper contacted Meusa yesterday morning he gave another twist to the scenario and hinted that while he is very much interested in the position, he has decided to dress down a mite to allow Mr. Bond to contest the post. He feels that he could serve the Federation from a Vice President position even as he continues to coach other young players to stardom. “Mr. Bond has been a key figure in chess development over the past two years and there is a wide belief among affiliates that the sport is in need of capable administrative hands to move forward so naturally, we nominated Mr. Bond whose involvement, though short, has been very fruitful,” exhorted the senior chess champ. He admitted that Bond’s two years involvement in the sport had been inspirational and he (Meusa) is confident that the attorney-at-law has the necessary acumen to enhance the fortunes of the players. Speaking of his personal ability and enthusiasm Meusa said, “I am involved in chess development ever since my return from Barbados 7 years ago and felt
James Bond
Wendell Meusa
that I had the acumen and verve to lead the Federation in a productive and developmental process.” He said that he has identified several other individuals with similar alacrity and ability to occupy other key executive positions. Those names that have been bandied around to comprise the James Bond slate are Yolande Persaud, Ron Mootilall, Ronuel Greenidge, Davion Mars and another whom he identifies as just Krisanand. These individuals have been nominated to function in several executive positions including vice president, technical director, assistant secretary/treasurer and treasurer among others. Meusa said that along with any other position to which he is nominated, he will also serve as the Federation’s coach. The aspiring (chess) executive said that his group is restricted by a limited constitution that is in urgent need of thorough revamping if the new executives are to function meaningfully. He said that the current constitution only caters for one year terms; hardly enough to get any meaningful work done. He also said that his shadow executive is currently
examining the constitution and has already drafted several necessary reforms for ratification when the new body is installed. Meusa also said that discussions are also underway to appoint Woman Candidate Master, Maria Verona Gonsalves as the Ambassador for women’s chess “She has the acumen and drive to fulfill those responsibilities and this is in keeping with our objective of b r o a d e n i n g w o m e n ’s participation in the sport,” Meusa explained. Meanwhile, Kaieteur Sport engaged Mr. Bond and while he is enthused with the idea of being the chess president, he feels that there is need for urgent reforms even before the Annual General Meeting is convened. “I do not believe anyone should aspire to ascend the (presidential) throne as just a status symbol so I believe that constitutional reforms are necessary even before the AGM is convened,” he said. Mr. Bond believes that an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) should be called to flesh out the ramifications and install a Normalization Committee, with the blessings of the parent body FIDE, to restore a semblance of order to the fraternity. “The NC should comprise current executives and other stakeholders and should seek the blessings of the parent body,” opined Mr. Bond. Meanwhile, Mr. Mohamed is enthused by the idea of a Normalization Committee to regularize the sport but said that such a decision cannot be arrived at arbitrarily. He said that he would have to engage other executive members before such a decision could be made and has committed to do so soon.
Max Massiah stands beside a poster of Muhammad Ali at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports on Main Street where a book of condolence has been opened. Maximum Sports Combat and Strength Programme hosted by Max Massiah on National Communications Network (NCN) Channel 11 every Friday from 9:05pm will this week focus on the late great boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Ali died last Friday, June 3, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States after a brief illness. He was 74
years old. T h e f o r m e r Wo r l d Heavyweight Boxing champ was Flambouyant in and out of the ring and proved that he was indeed one of the best talents in the ring that ever lived. Maximum Sports will look at his life and will show clips of his fights in a special documentary on his life. Host Max Massiah has promised to show some
never before seen footage of the legend. Among some of the sponsors responsible for Friday’s programme: Fitness E x p r e s s , J e r m a i n ’s Enterprise, Guyana Karate College, Nexgen Global marketing, Hand-in-hand Insurance Co., special sponsor Giftland Mall and A. Ally and Sons; to whom Massiah is extending gratitude.
More Mayor’s Cup action set for Sunday at Victoria ground Play in the Annual Mayor ’s Cup football tournament rolls on, on Sunday with a triple header card at the Victoria Ground on the East Coast of Demerara. Last Sunday’s games were not played due to the inclement weather pattern. However, the tournament will resume on Sunday and three games will be played to make up for the rescheduling. Sunday’s action will see BV Triumph taking on Cougars from 5:00pm in the curtain raiser, while in game number 2 from 7:00pm, Ann’s Grove challenge G r o v e H i Te c h . T h e nightcap from 9:00pm will feature a clash between home side Victoria Kings against Federal Winners Connection of Linden in a
meeting of the respective area champions. The tournament is down to its last 16 teams. The other teams in this stage are Camptown, Santos, Pouderoyen, Beavers, Cougars, Riddim Squad, We s t e r n Ti g e r s , D e n Amstel, Uitvlugt and Eagles of Linden. One new sponsor has come on board with Top Brandz of High and Broad Streets Charlestown, distributor of the popular Interstate battries, lending valuable support. Aruwai Resort of the Essequibo River is one of the main contributors to this tournament with notable help from Ansa McAl, Minister of State Joe Harmon and his ministry, John Fernandes, Ricks and
Sari and AH&L Kissoon. Coordinator Lennox Arthur, former National footballer and later Coach, who has been behind this tournament for 22 years, has expressed gratitude to the sponsors and fans who have supported. The teams are competing for the Mayor’s Cup and a first prize of $700,000 donated by Aruwai Resort, second $300,000 and the Ansa M c A l t r o p h y, t h i r d $200,000 and the John Fernandes trophy and fourth $100,000 and the Ministry of State trophy. Ricks and Sari has also donated hampers which will go to the winning team. The tournament’s top goal scorer will get a three piece suite compliments of AH&L Kissoon Furniture Store.
Wednesday June 08, 2016
GAWA scheduled to participate in Pan Am Championships -express congratulations to Winston Bentham
Dillon Mahadeo during a recent training stint in Brooklyn, New York ahead of the Pan American Championships in Columbia this weekend. The Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) will participate in the Pan American W e i g h t l i f t i n g Championships, scheduled for June 3-11 in Cartagena, Colombia with lifter Dillon Mahadeo scheduled to lift in the 94kg Class. M a h a d e o a n d Manager/Coach, Deion Nurse, were in the United States for a one-week training camp in Brooklyn, New York ahead of the Pan Am Championships. The two-man GAWA team left on June 5 for Colombia. While there, the two will attend a World Anti-Doping Agency Seminar. General Secretary of the G AWA , S e o n E r s k i n e expressed gratitude for the sponsorship received from the National Sports Commission and Guyana
Olympic Association. Meanwhile, Erskine, on behalf of GAWA that is in its 76th year as a national sports association, took the opportunity to express “heartfelt congratulations to former National Lifter and Honorary Life Member, Winston Bentham on being awarded a Medal of Service”. The GAWA said that this comes “in recognition of his unselfish support to Weightlifting and to sports in general”. The President and members of the GAWA is hoping that his recognition to service offers an inspiration to the young people of the country and to all Guyanese, a signal of the rewards that t r u e d e d i c a t i on and unwavering determination can bring.
Kaieteur News
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t r o Sp Ballr Tri Nation ODI series
South Africa stun World Champs at Providence
Farhaan Behardien hits through the off-side during his top score. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
MoH ‘Stop Gener-based Violence’ Soft Shoe Football Competition
West Front Road crush MoH as tournament heats up
Part of the second night of action in the Ministry of Health Soft Shoe Football Competition. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210