Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

Making a mockery of independence There was a time when people in the civil service knew that when they joined the system all they had to do was to work assiduously and promotion would be merited. Those were the days when the civil service was seen as the doyen of all jobs. It was a career. However, things were not always what they seemed. People soon realised that their colour played a part in their promotion. Some people knew that they could only aspire to a certain level in the system, because of their colour. They readily acquiesced that people of the lighter complexion would hold the highest office. It was the same in the Guyana Police Force. The reality was that an expatriate would always head the force; that the lower rungs would be occupied by locals. And were we to go further back, we would have found that locals who did not secure a high school education knew that they would be promoted no higher than sergeant. With independence it became clear that anyone could aspire to the highest office in the land. Even before May 26, 1966, locals began to head the Guyana Police Force. The mould had been broken. From then on people in the public service did their job and gained promotion as they deserved. Some gained accelerated promotion and were pitch-forked ahead of their more senior colleagues. However, the administration had to write copious notes explaining the reason for the supersession. Such things were not done according to the whims and fancies of the people in power. Things began to take a turn when the administration began to reach across organisations in instances where the powers that be felt that whoever was in line was not suitable for the higher office. This saw a policeman being transferred to head the Guyana Defence Force, the head of a security guard agency being called back to head the Guyana Police Force, a senior police rank being transferred to head the prison service and things like that. Judges were duly appointed on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission; head teachers on the recommendation of the Teaching Service Commission; and senior public servants on the word of the Public Service Commission. There was also a time when Permanent Secretaries were above the political fray. They came through the ranks of the public service and that station was the highest they could attain. They were often transferred in keeping with the exigencies of the service, but beyond that they were outside the scope of the politician. Things have changed. Permanent Secretaries are now political appointees. In the post-1992 era the opposition parties did make a fuss about the radical movement of permanent secretaries on political grounds. The then President Dr Cheddi Jagan insisted that his government had the right to appoint its permanent secretaries. There continues to be the politicisation of the public service. It is now a widely held belief that people with the right political connection are appointed to key positions. It would seem that competence and ability have been sacrificed at the political altar. It is also the case that anyone who offends the political directorate can expect to be stymied. The involvement of the head of state in certain appointments and removals from office is fully understood. The President has that right. As Commander in Chief of the armed forces he has the right to appoint his military officers. The Ministers of Government have no such right. The nation learnt over the years that independent organisations such as the service commissions would not take action unless there is concurrence with the subject Ministry. This makes a mockery of the issue of independence. Employment and promotions should not be at the whims and fancies of the politicians. In a country plagued by ethnic insecurities, the worse thoughts may cross the mind of an employee when it is promotion time.

Friday March 14, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

Opposition should hold meetings on the importance of a strong anti-money laundering bill DEAR EDITOR, Leader of the majority opposition Mr. David Granger ought to be congratulated for his strong and justified position on the form and substance of the anti-money laundering bill. He must not budge until Guyana has a strong bill that will allow the competent institutions and agencies the scope, latitude and competencies to nab those culprits, who continue to indulge in money laundering, and corruption which is affecting community and national development. Guyana is on the watch list of many countries, and every law-abiding Guyanese is understandably ashamed of this new negative national status. As a nation, we can no longer afford to continue with a bill that has been in existence for a long time without any real efficacy. The PPP/C has had the bill in its possession even when it had the majority in the National Assembly but did not work to correct its short comings. Now, they are running around, holding meetings, blaming the opposition for not passing it. Even the ordinary man in the streets does not believe them because he knows the truth. The question is why did the government fail to tidy up the bill when it had the majority in parliament?

Something is indeed wrong with their sudden approach to rush such an important bill through parliament, without the vital input from critical stakeholders. However, they have managed to influence the private sector, in believing that the opposition have been stalling. The Private Sector is calling on the opposition to pass the bill but it has not been calling on the government to ensure that APNU amendments are properly included in the bill, to give it substance and make it effectual. The Private Sector appears to be gullible and knowingly taking a soft position against the PPP/C government. It took a similar position with the Amelia Hydro Project, which has since been deliberately played down by its promoters. Sometimes, I wonder if the Private Sector is an arm or extension of the government or an authentic body that is fair and just, that is not only concerned with the bottom line but also the interest of citizens, the consumers who support these corporations and who are responsible for the very existence of these businesses, in communities. The leader of the majority Opposition, in Parliament, Mr. Granger has been doing a very good job. He must be encouraged to keep up the fight so

that all Guyana can win. Regardless of the noise coming from the camp of the PPP/C government, he must not flinch; he must know that all of us are depending upon him. However, I wish to suggest that, the APNU and AFC hold public meetings in local neighbourhoods and explain to the people, why it is important for them to support a strong anti-money laundering bill. Also, they should use flyers, leaflets, the independent media and other channels to tell the people the facts about the bill. I am aware that the combined opposition has been reaching out to the public but more can be done and should be done by our representatives in parliament. It is important that our young people understand and appreciate the value and meaning of a strong antic-money laundering bill in circumstances where our national frontiers are not properly managed because of inadequate resources available to our army, and law enforcement agency. Now, is a good time for the leaders of the opposition to tell their side of the story and to enlist the support and commitment of all citizens in their struggle to change the image and reputation of Guyana. Winston Munroe

Mr. Mentore not injured as a result of negligence on the part of GT&T DEAR EDITOR, The Management of GT&T has noted with disappointment and concern an article captioned “Man, 21, almost had head severed,” which was published in the March 11, 2014 issue of Kaieteur News. Management wishes to take this opportunity to publicly extend its sincere sympathy to Mr. Tareque Mentore for any injury he may have sustained in an incident on Bent Street on Monday. Mr. Mentore visited our Head Office at approximately 13:00hrs on Monday, March 10, 2014 to report the accident which had reportedly taken place an hour earlier. The company immediately

took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for examination and possible treatment. He was advised to return to our Head Office after seeking medical attention. Mr. Mentore has not made contact with GT&T since. We were surprised and disappointed to learn that this accident was publicized by a reporter apparently without verification of the facts and definitely without inviting a comment from the company, since Kaieteur News like other media houses, has access to our Public Relations personnel. Our records indicate that no contact was made with our Public Relations Officers. Our investigation reveals that while

there was an incident in Bent Street, Georgetown involving an individual who became entangled with a telephone cable, it is not true that the cable suddenly fell, as suggested by the media report. The eyewitness report obtained by our security personnel indicates that the cable in question was ripped from the utility pole by a passing truck and that Mr. Mentore who was immediately behind the truck became entangled by the cable. Mr. Mentore was not injured as a result of negligence on the part of GT&T nor its employees. Allison Parker Public Relations Officer

When human beings abandon their parents in a hospital DEAR EDITOR, Your article captioned: “Abandoned elderly patients overwhelm GPHC” is very disturbing and elicits the belief that the base instincts of lower animals are sometimes just under the skin of humans. I am reminded of the bee colony. How else can it be interpreted when human beings abandon their parents in a hospital, or wherever, and never show a care thereafter for them? It would be folly of me to debate whether (those) parents may have done their duty to their children in earlier years. But a basic truism in life might be worthy as a reminder to those who are parents and who have parents: “What goes around comes around”. The

anecdote below is appropriate. A son, tired of his wife’s tirade about his sick and useless father, placed his feeble father on his shoulder and headed into the jungle. The father kept asking the son where he was being taken, but the son remained quiet. Troubled, pained—but quiet. The father’s uncertainty left him as he was taken deeper and deeper into the jungle. His questions became chuckles and then loud laughter. This puzzled the son, who asked his father why he was laughing. The father told the son: “What goes around, comes around sometime”. The father then told the son that he had, many years back, taken his own

sick father into the jungle and left him to die. So he recognized that his son was now going to leave him in the jungle to die in like fashion, and he harboured no ill feeling against his son. He told his son, however, that he could let the cycle continue or he could stop the cycle. The choice was his son’s. It didn’t take long for the son to decide that he would not want his son to take him to the jungle and leave him to die. So the son took the father back home. The wife raged and raged. And the son said firmly: “I will have only one father in this lifetime, but I can have more than one wife”. The interpretation is the reader’s. Taajnauth Jadunauth

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Kaieteur News

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

This new regulation will create We seem to have lost our tremendous economic hardship sense of value for tidiness DEAR EDITOR, I have been in the trucking for hire business for over 20 years. I have had an excellent safety record and take my responsibility seriously and in compliance with the law. I was always permitted to carry two persons (owner of goods) with me in the front seat and five porters as deemed necessary in the tray. It was brought to my attention during the renewal of my goods transportation permit that no vehicle will be allowed to carry porters in the tray. The new regulation states:“Except with the written permission of the prescribed authority and in accordance therewith, there shall not be carried in any motor lorry any persons other than such number as the seating accommodation in the cab of

such vehicle would permit.” I inquired about criteria for written permission and who could be entitled to such permission. The senior officer of the traffic division of the Leonora Police Station declared that his instructions are no one will be permitted to be in the tray of any motor vehicle. What this new regulation is saying is that farmers must get a taxi to take farm workers to the farmland, and fishermen and vendors must do the same in relation to the market. What this new regulation means is that there will be no more Mashramani, Indian Immigration, and Deepavali motorcades, just to name a few. What this new regulation will create is more avenues for corruption in the Guyana Police Force. In times like these when the world is

struggling to cope with high transportation, fuel and energy costs, Guyana is heading backwards. This new regulation, I believe, will create tremendous economic hardship and difficulty for this entire country. It will definitely have adverse effects on commerce and our traditions. The Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and the Guyana Manufacturers Association have all been advocating that businesses maximize their resources and become competitive. This is the time for these organizations to provide proper representation and ensure that in future any such regulation is properly scrutinized. C Woolford

Derelict vehicles dumped on church property DEAR EDITOR, Respect, tolerance and concern for other people’s property are just a few of the civic tenets which were taught in public schools in the days when social order existed in Guyana prior to the 1970s. Having pursued these “skills for daily living,” it now cuts against one’s grain when disrespect, intolerance and unconcern become evident at all levels in these times of social disorder. Members of St Agnes Church in Grove, East Bank Demerara, have

been enduring gross disrespect for months from an auto repair business opposite their place of worship. Old, derelict vehicles and sundry parts are heaped on the parapet of the very entrance to and along the fence of the Church’s property. (See photograph) Several pleas were made to have the situation corrected. Complaints have been made by the parish priest and members of the congregation to both the operator of the business, the NDC and

community officials but the insult remains in place. It was also ascertained that the operator of the business has connections to a senior law enforcement official and so has therefore ignored the pleas and requests to correct the situation. A check in the wider community revealed that no such illegal encumbrance exists in or near the premises of any Mosque, Mandir or Temple. S. Scott Regular churchgoer

DEAR EDITOR, Permit me space to share my opinion on the Topic title “Health and Safety is everyone’s business”. First, Health and Safety must be the business of every Guyanese. My fellow countrymen there is no doubt removing waste is the responsibility of the Mayor and City Councils and Town Councils, but bad disposal of waste is one of the many factors for our country being untidy and we are faced with many dangerous situations when it rains heavily. We as a people seem to have lost our sense of value for tidiness. Part politics and racism have caused many of us to forget the true meaning of being a Guyanese. There are many unchangeable things in life, let us change what we can and forget the rest. I am a Lindener, and I’ve travelled all over Linden town and I must say, there are heaps of garbage everywhere and most of our school compounds are filled with food boxes, plastic bottles, plastic bags, juice containers and many other disposable items. There is no perfection in man, but homes are the first

places to start teaching tidiness. Schools must reestablish prefects where there are none in order to bring about a change in students attitude towards their environment, also establish health and safety departments where none exist and have regular conversations with students and teachers as it relates to garbage disposal among other things. Many years ago, it was said by a former USA President “It is not what your country could do for you, it is what you could do for your country”. Secondly, our Mechanics and sanitation workers seem to feel they must appear greasy and unkempt in public, even when they are not working, giving members of

the public the right to feel it’s okay to look untidy. It is my opinion that every mechanic (shop) and repair establishment and the sanitation department of the Mayor and City Council and Town Councils must provide bathrooms and lockers for all staff members attached to the sanitation department for them to tidy themselves before going into transportation and public places. It is necessary to bring about changes in our and people’s lives and in Guyana as a whole. We boast frequently about the appearance of mechanics and sanitation workers in North America. Why don’t we bring a change to our situation? Let’s start now! B. Winslow Parris

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Caucus of female parliamentarians closer to reality Parliament is several steps closer to establishing a caucus of female parliamentarians. Of the three Chief Whips written to make this a reality, two have already responded positively to the idea. This development was revealed by Raphael Trotman, Speaker of the National Assembly, yesterday at a function held to honour women who have contributed significantly to the functioning of Parliament and by extension the country. “I recently wrote the Chief Whips of the political parties, all of whom are women, reminding them of this outstanding milestone that waits to be attained, and as of yesterday (Wednesday), two have responded positively, that they are ready,” he said. Trotman indicated that following approval by all the political parties, he will make arrangements for the convening of a meeting of female parliamentarians. However, he will withdraw himself from the process and leave the women to handle their own affairs. “In fact, I am one who believes that in our present atmosphere of gridlock that women, seeing the issues that confront the nation differently, will do a better job at forging consensus and bridge-building, and should begin to position themselves not as appendages, but as originators of ideas and sources of solution to our myriad man-made problems,” he added. Trotman made those comments at Parliament’s

(from left) former PPP Parliamentarian Shirley Edwards; Minister of Amerindian Affairs and PPP Parliamentarian Pauline Sukhai; First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar; Philomena Sahoye-Shury; Natasha Backer; and Eleanor Coddett third International Women’s Day honouring ceremony, which is seemingly becoming an annual event. It was held at Duke Lodge, Kingston. The outstanding women honoured were: Eleanor Coddett, Pauline Sukhai, Philomena Sahoye-Shury, Shirley Edwards, and Deborah Backer, who was unable to uplift the award personally because of health i s s u e s . H e r d a u g h t e r, Natasha Backer, received the award on her behalf from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. He reflected that on March 8, Guyana joined the world in celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme “Inspiring Change”.

Trotman said, “The women being honoured today are not only being recognised for their long service, but just as importantly, because they have inspired change. I have worked with each of them and can say that I both respect and admire them immensely for their contribution to our nation...even those who are my political opponents.” According to him, women have been making tremendous strides in the arena of politics and more importantly, in the promotion of good governance and democracy worldwide. And, Guyana, is no exception with efforts made by Janet Jagan,

Jesse Burnham, and Jane Phillips-Gay as early as the 1940s and 1950s. The works of these former women leaders continue unbroken today by the women who straddle the political, socio-economic and ethnic divides to firmly establish their places in the

firmament of the National Assembly, he said. The Speaker boasted that Guyana’s Parliament comprises 34 percent female members. This gives it a commendable ranking of being 22nd in the world in terms of the ratio of women to men who are Members of

Parliament. “Despite our achievements, I don’t believe that day has fully come and that we should rest with a false sense of assurance that women’s place is cemented in the decision-making processes of our nation. There is much more work to be done,” Trotman said. Dr. Nicole Giles, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana who delivered the feature address recognised Guyana’s strides in involving women in the decisionmaking process of the country. She pointed out that although women constitute half of the world’s population, in politics they occupy only 21 percent of Parliamentary seats worldwide. However, Guyana is a welcome exception, where the gender quota in the unicameral legislature is over 30 percent. “Guyana deserves recognition for this accomplishment. Please join me in giving Guyana a round of applause”, Dr. Giles said. She noted that in order to fully appreciate the accomplishments of those women being honoured today, it is perhaps useful to reflect on the particular challenges faced by women (Continued on page 16)

A section of the audience at the ceremony

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Malaysia jet sent ‘pings’ after going missing, sources say

KUALA LUMPUR/ WASHINGTON (Reuters) Satellites picked up faint electronic pulses from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 after it went missing on Saturday, but the signals gave no information about where the stray jet was heading and little else about its fate, two sources close to the investigation said yesterday. But the “pings” indicated

that the aircraft’s m a i n t e n a n c e troubleshooting systems were switched on and ready to communicate with satellites, showing the aircraft, with 239 people on board, was at least capable of communicating after the jet lost touch with Malaysian air traffic controllers. The system transmits such pings about once an

hour, according to the sources, who said five or six were heard. However, the pings alone are not proof that the plane was in the air or on the ground, the sources said. An international search is under way over a vast area in the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and on both sides of the Malay Peninsula. The United States, which has sent ships and planes, said the

Photos show ‘trail of blood’ in Pistorius’ home

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Blood on the stairs, walls and furniture, a cocked 9 mm pistol, bloody towels, fallen wall tiles. Like pieces of an unfinished puzzle, the photos of the bloodsplattered interior of Oscar Pistorius’ home gave a fragmented picture yesterday of his girlfriend’s violent end. One of the first police officers to arrive at the scene testified at the athlete’s murder trial that he followed a “trail of blood” when he got there. Recounting what he saw in macabre detail, former police colonel G.S. van Rensburg said he traced spots and bigger blood marks downstairs where Reeva Steenkamp lay dead from three gunshot wounds, then followed them across the floor, up the stairs, through a small lounge area and into Pistorius’ bedroom. Ultimately, he reached the bathroom where the doubleamputee Olympian shot his girlfriend in the early hours of

Covers Valentine’s Day last year. There, van Rensburg said he found Pistorius’ gun, its hammer back and safety off, lying on a mat. Nearby were

spent bullet casings, cellphones and a bloodsoaked towel, as well as the cricket bat Pistorius says he used to smash open the toilet door to get to the fatally wounded Steenkamp. In the toilet cubicle, a dark pool of blood was on the floor as well as wooden splinters from the broken door. The mat the gun lay on was clean, in glaring contrast to the blood stains all around it, head prosecutor Gerrie Nel noted. The 27-year-old Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of murder, and also faces three firearms charges.

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Venezuela says death toll from protests rises to 28 CARACAS (Reuters) Ve n e z u e l a ’s state prosecutor said yesterday the death toll from a month of violent protests had risen to 28, after the nation’s top court ordered opposition mayors to dismantle barricades set up by street protesters. State prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz, speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, also said 1,293 detainees had been released and 104 remained in custody accused of serious crimes during the anti-government demonstrations. “We need to ensure there is no impunity and it must be fully investigated to determine whether those people held in jail are the authors of those homicides,” she said. President Nicolas Maduro, a former bus driver elected last year to succeed the late Hugo Chavez, has declared victory over a “coup” attempt and does not look in danger of being toppled. The proteste r s , s o m e of whom have vowed to stay in the streets until he quits, are demanding political change, and an end of high inflation and crime rates, as well as shortages of basic goods

such as milk, flour and cooking oil in stores. Ortega said the authorities were investigating 27 complaints against individuals from law enforcement agencies, adding that there may have been “isolated incidents” of abuse by police and National Guard troops, which would be punished. Three fatal shootings on Wednesday in central Carabobo state were the latest fatalities from daily clashes between opponents of Maduro, his supporters, and members of the security forces. More than 300 people have been injured in the unrest. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ordered two opposition mayors in Caracas to remove barricades and other obstacles placed across roads in their municipalities by opposition supporters. The barriers have frequently become flashpoints for violence between those who set them up, and government supporters - or just frustrated neighbors - who try to dismantle them. The ruling, published by state media on T h u r s d a y, said the barricades contravened Venezuelans’ right to free movement.

One of the mayors, David Smolansky, said on Twitter the ruling sought to create confrontation between his office and residents of his up-market El Hatillo constituency. “I will never confront our neighbors,” Smolansky said. “We don’t practice repression here.” S e p a r a t e l y, the information minister said Maduro had ordered the detention of “snipers” who killed three people in Carabobo, as well as raids to capture alleged financiers of violent protests. The minister did not elaborate. The government says its rivals are “fascists” who are trying to paint a picture of chaos and repression to discredit Maduro and trigger a coup d’etat or some form of foreign intervention. Other nations around Latin American, though worried, have taken a relatively standoff approach to the crisis. Foreign ministers from the regional Unasur group of governments issued a statement in Chile on Wednesday condemning the violence, calling for dialogue and creating a committee to try to promote talks in Venezuela.

PAHO concerned about rising kidney disease in seniors with diabetes and hypertension WASHINGTON – CMC – The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) has expressed deep concern about the rise in kidney disease among seniors with diabetes and hypertension in the Caribbean. Noting that diabetes and high blood pressure, together with aging, are “the main risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects an estimated one in 10 adults globally,” the Washingtonbased health care organization on Wednesday called on Caribbean healthcare providers to test high-risk patients for signs of kidney disease. PAHO said this should be particularly done for those with diabetes and hypertension. It also called on individuals to maintain healthy lifestyles. Chronic kidney disease and aging is the theme of this year’s World Kidney Day, celebrated on Thursday and promoted by the International

Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations. PAHO said CKD is the progressive loss of kidney function over months or years. In its early stages, the disease produces no symptoms and is treatable. But, in more advanced stages, it said patients can require dialysis and even kidney transplants. In the last half-century, PAHO said life expectancy in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased more than 20 years. “People are living longer, including those with one or more chronic diseases and risk factors,” said Enrique Vega, PAHO regional advisor on aging and health. “This allows the effects on organs such as the kidney to accumulate in older people,” he added. “So we need to pay more attention to the problem.” In Latin America and the Caribbean, one in three older

adults suffers from one of the six most common age-related chronic diseases: hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, arthropathy (joint disease), or chronic lung disease. To detect CKD, experts recommend blood and urine tests, and blood pressure checks, especially in highrisk groups, including people with diabetes or hypertension; those over 65; people who have suffered a heart attack; those with relatives who have had kidney disease; smokers; and sedentary people. “Simple, low-cost treatments are available that can slow the progress of kidney disease and reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke, while improving quality of life,” PAHO said. PAHO said it is working with its member-countries in the region to reduce premature deaths from these diseases by 25 percent by 2025.

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

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The PNC was rebuilt with help from the imperialists Supporters of Forbes Burnham believed in him. They saw him as a political saviour. Most believed his every word. They were prepared to follow him to the ends of the earth. Even when he decried imperialism and condemned capitalism, his supporters believed in him. Little did they know that, behind their backs, Burnham was in bed with the imperialists. In fact, it was CIA funds that helped to rebuild the People’s National Congress after the 1968 elections. Burnham’s fingers were also extremely sticky. The Americans asked him to stop siphoning off monies from the sale of flour. In return for a monthly subsidy from the CIA, he promised then he would stop tapping off the funds from the flour sales, but the Americans knew that was no assurance. These are just some of the revelations that emerged from declassified documents on US Foreign Policy covering the period 1969 to 1974, released by the Office of the Historian, Department of State of the United States of America. These documents have also confirmed that the CIA again financed operations leading up to the 1968 elections so as to keep Cheddi Jagan out of power. This support was significant since, according to the documents, the funds

were exhausted. Given that adequate funds were normally set aside to finance covert operations, the fact that these funds were exhausted, testifies to the large sums that must have been received by the anti-PPP forces in the run-up to the 1968 elections which were rigged to keep Burnham in power. The declassified documents revealed that in 1969, Burnham approached the Americans and requested a monthly subsidy of US$10,000 for two years to help fund his party, the People’s National Congress. The US agreed that it was necessary to finance Burnham so as to build effective party machinery, and they provided this socialist with some US$5,000 per month, first for one year, and then renewed it for another year. In all, Burnham received two years of financing from the CIA for the PNC. The money was to be used to fund a small group of paid

PNC organisers; for essential sections of the PNC’s central office and for the dissemination of party information. The assistance began in July 1969 and was extended in June 1970 for one year. It was concluded in 1971, after which it was determined that no further assistance would be offered. As earlier mentioned, recent declassified documents also indicated that the Americans asked Burnham to stop siphoning off funds from the sale of flour. It was estimated that through this arrangement Burnham was raking in more than US$28,000 per year. The means by which he did this, and the concessions that he gave to facilitate this skullduggery, are also revealed in the latest declassified reports from the Office of the Historian. Yet, this was the same Burnham who, while in bed with the CIA, was laying the foundation for the creation of a socialist society which

involved the nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy. Other declassified documents revealed what a weakling he was in giving in to US pressures after he had so boldly announced that he was nationalising the bauxite industries. The US company, Reynolds, got what it wanted. The industries were nationalised, but Reynolds was paid handsomely. The agreement is now available for the public to read. And there is no fine print. Tens of thousands of Guyanese cheered Burnham when he condemned

imperialism. Yet, all along he was on the CIA payroll. He was bankrolled into power by the CIA; he was supported again by the CIA in retaining power through rigging in 1968, and he rebuilt the PNC with funds from the CIA. Based on what has already been made public, we will learn a lot more about Burnham and the CIA, during a period when he had begun to build his socialist utopia. Next year will be thirtyfive years since the assassination of Walter Rodney, and declassified documents on his death are likely to be released by then.

Those who have procrastinated and played politics with the formulation of the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry, and who are now condemning the establishment of a commission of inquiry, may one day find themselves in an awkward position in having to answer to why they are in bed with the party that may have murdered Rodney.

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Friday March 14, 2014

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Did the AFC and APNU rig the 2011 elections or get votes from Freddy Krueger? I refer readers to my column of March 5 captioned, “Understanding the epistemology of the PPP.” Here is a reminder of the definition; “Epistemology is the study of the source and meaning of knowledge and the ultimate nature of knowledge.” Then I went on to state that once the PPP accepts a certain meaning of knowledge, that knowledge is the source of truths. The PPP then will be unshakeable in their beliefs that they have discovered the meaning of knowledge. I went on in that March 5 piece to assert that when the PPP leaders speak about politics in Guyana, it is from the perspective of this claim to discovering how knowledge comes about and what is its real meaning. I gave an example of

President Ramotar’s understanding of Guyana’s political culture, by quoting him as saying that Guyana needs a new political culture. By that, he means a change in the attitudes of the opposition, not the PPP. The PPP’s epistemology would not allow it to see its political culture as far more in need of changing than the opposition’s. Four days after that column on epistemology was published, Clement Rohee proved me right about the PPP’s epistemology. No other example can be more graphic than what Clement Rohee said about the 2011 general elections at the death anniversary of Cheddi Jagan last Sunday. I will quote him and after you have read his statement, juxtapose it against the contents of that March 5

column of mine. Mr. Rohee boldly proclaimed; “They (the opposition) want us (the PPP) to do their bidding, they are behaving as if the PPP is the executive arm of the one-seat majority of the parliament…We want to remind them that this PPP government was democratically elected.” To comprehend the ugly epistemology of the PPP, one must pay attention to the conspicuous juxtaposition in Rohee’s delivery of the derogation of the parliamentary majority of the opposition and the bold exclamation that the PPP was elected. In other words, elections are truthful things when they bring a PPP victory; when they do not then such knowledge is flawed. It was definitely no accident that Rohee put the

election of the PPP alongside the denunciation of the opposition. In this man’s mind, the PPP is more legitimate than the opposition because it was elected. Here is a simple example of how sickening is the PPP’s approach to epistemological categories. Four persons contested the presidency of their football club, facing a hundred voters. The count was A- 22; B- 23; C- 24; D- 31. The results commonsensically showed that D cannot command a majority of the club’s membership. After the vote, A, B, C had an argument with D, and D got angry. He then said, “Let me tell you something; you want to bully me but I was elected president.” D becomes a fool, because out of a hundred members, all he got was 31. This analogy with the 2001 election stops here because in the case of the football club, Mr. D can still call the

shots, even though he only got 31 votes. There is no higher body than the club president. In the 2011 general elections, the voters put the most important source of power in the hands of APNU and the AFC – Parliament. Mr. Rohee and no doubt all the PPP leaders do not see this process as legitimate, thus cannot see the foundation of Parliament as resting on a majority vote. As Rohee puts it, the PPP was elected but he stopped short in saying, “So was Parliament too.” The votes the opposition got did come from a democratic election but from Elm Street at Freddy Krueger’s home or maybe they rigged the thing. As I have written several times before, it is this backward epistemology of the PPP that holds so much danger for Guyana. After Rohee’s speech at Jagan’s death anniversary in which only the PPP was referred to as an elected body,

Frederick Kissoon there is no imaginable way the PPP is going to recognize the power of Parliament. Even though the business sector is crying out in fear everyday about financial sanctions from the world over the failure to have a proper anti-money laundering Bill, the PPP is not going to accept changes to the legislation from the opposition, accept that Bills from Parliament must have presidential assent and recognize past and upcoming parliamentary motions in the House tabled by the opposition. One can simply imitate Roger Luncheon and say to the opposition; “Comrade, yuh talking to the ruling party which was elected; who elect you, Mr. Granger?

Dem boys seh...

Ah Kneel sleep in out Uncle Adam and Glennie use to go to church steady in dem young days. Dem was de days when de Waterfalls paper was one time a week. When it tun daily de two of dem nah had time fuh go to church. Dem had to wuk every day till de wee hours of de morning. If dem don’t do that nobody can get newspaper. Dem two go to church and see nuff people. Dem use to see Donald, Sam, Hoyte, Reepu, and dem other old heads. These days dem got nuff of de young heads who does go to church steady. Brazzy de fat crook is one. Granger, Ah Kneel and Rob de Earth does still go, but not often. Sunday gone, Ah Kneel and Rob de Earth been to church and hear a sermon. When dem go home dem lift dem wife high in de air then put she down. Was up and down, up and down. Dem wife smile and blush. Then dem two talk to dem husband. “You really showing a lot of love today. Y’all should go to church

more often. All two woman continue to ask, “Wha really happen in church?” Both of dem tell dem wife how de pastor seh that “when we get home we must lift all our problems to God.” Since then, Ah Kneel sleep in out of de house. Rob de Earth sleep in out, too. Ah Kneel sue de Waterfalls paper, de boss, de heditor, down to de janitor. Dem boys want he know that dem prepare to climb court step till dem get magga from de up and down. Dem gun get suh magga that when and if ever de judge give Uncle Adam and Glennie a jail sentence, de two of dem guh pass through de cell bars, not de door. And it look like Ah Kneel want that more than Jagdeo, Bobby and Brazzy, although dem boys don’t give dem three no rest. Only de Creatah know where and when dem two gun get prappa rest. Talk half and watch how some big man does end up bad.

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Shortage of medication...

Liliendaal fatal accident…

Lack of communication a bogus excuse - Dr. Norton

Hotel employee’s family, accused seek financial settlement

Shadow Minister of Health, Dr. George Norton believes that the real reason behind the shortage of pharmaceuticals in the country lies with its sourcing. He is of the opinion that the excuse of lack of communication between regional health services and the Ministry of Health’s storage bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, is one that is bogus. “It can’t be that, let’s face it. We have drugs going around with short shelf lives, then we suddenly end up with an abundance of expired medications that can’t be used, and the Ministry then has to ration what they have, so that there is the underlying problem,” Dr. Norton asserted in an invited comment on Wednesday. “This has to stop. The Ministry of Health needs to stop playing around with people’s lives, and create a level playing field for pharmaceutical suppliers, so that people don’t have to die like this.” Norton was at the time reflecting particularly on the death of a six-year-old boy at the Leonora Cottage Hospital due to the lack of oxygen at the facility. The child, Henesh Ramlakhan, was suffering from a heart condition, and according to

APNU’s Dr. George Norton his mother, Vidya Persaud, all he needed was a supply of oxygen, and “he would ah been good to go.” Instead, the child was pronounced dead at the hospital, about 30 minutes before the arrival of an ambulance from the West Demerara Regional Hospital. Persaud told this newspaper that she did not want to risk taking her son to as far as Georgetown, and therefore opted to rush the child to the nearest health facility so that he can get a quick supply of oxygen, which she suspected that he needed. “…Like I couldn’t even believe it. Dah really shocked me,” the irate mother said. In addition to not having in store the basic supply of

oxygen, the facility at Leonora has also been short of other essential drugs. But this is not the only location that has been experiencing such shortages. Over the past months, there have been continuous reports of health centres and hospitals across the country, which have been operating without an adequate supply of medication. These include saline, strips to aid the testing of diabetes and eye drops among others. Just recently, Indra Chandarpal, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services told this newspaper that the shortage is as a result of poor communication between Regional Health Authorities and the Ministry of Health’s bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Chandarpal explained that the health centres on the West Demerara would have to send their request to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, which would in turn request the drugs from the national bond. She noted too that the shortage of medical supplies at health facilities should not be a regular feature, since the Regional budgets cater for health services. Meanwhile, this (Continued on page 31)

The family of accident victim Lovina Tull and relatives of the driver accused of causing her demise while driving drunk last February, are attempting to reach a financial settlement that should result in all charges being dropped against the accused. An attorney for 25-yearold pickup driver, Hafraz Mangru, has confirmed that both parties are trying to reach a settlement, and this was confirmed yesterday by a relative of Tull. However, Kaieteur News understands that while Tull’s relatives are seeking some $6.5M in compensation, Mangru’s relatives have indicated that they are unwilling to give the family more than $2M. Mangru is reportedly scheduled to reappear in court on March 25, and both parties hope that a settlement is reached by then. Lovina Tull, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, had just left work at the City Holiday Inn, located at Liliendaal, at around 21.30 hrs on February 5, when a pickup, allegedly driven by the accused, struck her. She was hurled into the Ocean View Hotel’s compound. Hafraz Mangru, of Lot 176 Sparendaam (‘Pradoville 2’), East Coast Demerara, was

charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence. He was also fined $75,000 after pleading guilty to driving an unlicenced vehicle. Police allege that he was found to be 200 percent over the allowable alcohol consumption limit for motorists. The accused was remanded during his first court appearance but was subsequently released on bail. Over the years, the relatives of fatal accident victims have opted to seek financial settlements rather than go through with lengthy court cases. In January, 2012, relatives of security guard, Ronville Roberts accepted a $2.5M settlement from truck driver Sahid Ali, who was accused of causing Roberts’s death in an accident on the Soesdyke/ Linden highway. The 29-year-old driver was on charges of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to render assistance. The accused had made an initial payment of $200,000 to the dead guard’s family, and, in the presence of

Lovina Tull a magistrate, handed over a further $500,000 to the dead man’s reputed wife, Ingrid Schmidt. Ali, who had been placed on remand, was then released on $100,000 bail. The matter was then dropped. Other ‘compensation packages’ to families have ranged from $5M for the death of a young mother, $600,000 for the death of an eight-year-old girl, and $300,000 for a seven-year-old girl killed on a pedestrian crossing. All the accused drivers were before the courts on causing death by dangerous driving charges.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

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Kaieteur News

Friday March 14, 2014

GTU supports early nursery registration despite concerns The ambitious move by the Ministry of Education to introduce early nursery registration has been lauded in many quarters. However, officials within the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), while supportive of the development, are convinced that there could be some looming disadvantages. “My question, while it is seemingly a good idea, is ‘are all children in Guyana of that age ready for such a programme?’” was the query from GTU President, Colin Bynoe. He speculated that although some children may be “well off” whereby they are able to matriculate and have no difficulty at the nursery level, even at an early stage, there are others who live in poverty who may not be able to so cope. “We need to find out if all of these children are ready in terms of potty training, knowing base colours, knowing the alphabet...A lot of the children are indeed intelligent, but how many

GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald children of that age in Guyana are ready?” Moreover, Bynoe asked whether the revision to the nursery entry age is a move designed to cater to a certain social class. “Is it that we are propagating a new system for the rich or those who are ‘well-off’?” However, he noted that the move could be strategic in the quest to ensure that the academic development of

children is not stymied. But there is no denying, the GTU President noted, that teachers will be affected in some way. “I see this as a move that will affect my teachers...My teachers will have to deal with more crying children, runny noses and children who are not properly potty trained; that in itself could be an added burden to teachers.” Although the GTU is prepared to analyse the situation over time before making a conclusive decision, Bynoe disclosed that the body has started its own discussions with teachers. Any concerns brought to the Ministry, he noted, will be based on the experiences of teachers, even as he intimated that “if they bring the necessary evidence to prove that the classroom sizes (for instance) need to be reduced, then we will fight vigorously for that, because these threeyear-olds, they are not all ready for class.” Bynoe is convinced that smaller classes of these

young children could be the defining tactic to aid the early entry development. “With smaller classroom sizes, teachers would have more time for individual attention,” said Bynoe, who believes that a national consultation should have been held ahead of the early entry implementation which is set to begin when the new school year commences in September. Previously, a child had to be three years old by March 31 in order to enter Nursery School in September of the same year. However, with the revised nursery registration programme, children born on or before June 30 are now eligible for placement at a Nursery School in the year they would have turned three. And this is definitely an advantageous aspect of the revised programme, as according to GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald, “there were children who were left behind; they had to wait until the next year to start nursery because they were born at a certain time...” McDonald observed though that it would be remiss of the Education Ministry to not put systems

GTU President, Colin Bynoe in place to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme. In addition to the downsizing of classes, the General Secretary is optimistic that special attention should be given to those nursery trained teachers so as to enable them to better deal with the younger children in their care. “We would want to request that while the Ministry is embarking on this, that systems are in place to train teachers to deal with these children at this early stage...These teachers will now be required to have a whole lot more patience, lots

more tolerance and it would require teachers to do a lot more than just adhere to their timetables during classes.” “So when you have to teach and are still expected to do a certain amount of work coupled with changing pampers and feeding it would take away from the time you are spending teaching the children the skills required at the first year level,” added McDonald. Early entry into the education system, McDonald noted, could lend to children inculcating the right attitude to education from an early stage. “This is a feeding machine...it is being fed from nursery to primary to secondary and if the right attitude is not inculcated coming from the nursery level then when they get into the primary schools we are likely to find lots of confusion where children can’t write, they can hardly hold a pencil, they can’t sit among their peers, they have not learnt the skills of sharing and associating with friends,” McDonald considered. As such, she disclosed that the GTU, despite some concerns, is supportive of the new registration programme.

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

“Brassington is not spending his own money, he must provide answers” - Harmon “Ramotar is in charge; he must insist that he does”

APNU’s Joseph Harmon

Khemraj Ramjattan

Winston Brassington

O p p o s i t i o n parliamentarians are adamant that it is time that the President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, instructs public officials as to how to respond to the media when being questioned about pressing national matters. This call comes on the heels of the “blatant” disrespect shown by Chairman of Atlantic Hotels Inc, (AHI) Winston Brassington, in relation to his refusal to answer questions about the controversial Marriott Hotel. APNU’s Joseph Harmon said yesterday that he believes that public officials who spend taxpayers’ money should operate in a transparent manner. “”Brassington is not spending his own money, he must provide answers! Donald Ramotar is in charge; he must insist that he does. In the Jagdeo days these people were allowed to operate in such a contemptuous manner. We

would hope that the current president is not condoning such disrespect. He (Brassington) is not in his private capacity….The press has a right to ask questions and he is obligated to answer,” Harmon stressed. “It’s the media who keep the public informed when it comes to matters of public interest.” “His failure to respond, as he should, is basically Brassington saying that he is not obligated to the public and this is something that the President needs to address quickly. One would expect that this attitude was something of the past, but it needs to be addressed by the hierarchy of the PPP, particularly the President,” Harmon told Kaieteur News. Harmon also opined that such behaviour stems from Brassington not being held accountable or subjected to scrutiny. “Brassington doesn’t have to come to parliament as do Ministers of

the government and answer questions about the country’s finance, which in some cases is bigger than the budget. So he probably feels he’s above the fray so to speak,” Harmon opined. Meanwhile, Leader of the Alliance for Change Khemraj Ramjattan said that Brassington’s actions show his obnoxious attitude towards anything concerning transparency and the Marriott Hotel. “His attitude shows that there is neither transparency nor accountability for the project. What he needs to understand, and remember, is that the money which is being spent does not belong to him, but its taxpayers’ money and he ought to show more courtesy,” Ramjattan said. “Guyanese should demand better from these officials who hold these high offices. The pack of them in the PPP have become numb to the demands of the Guyanese people.”

Director of the University of London Postgraduate Laws Programme for International students, Dr. James J. Busuttil, is set to visit Guyana today. According to a media release issued yesterday Dr. Busuttil is slated to make a presentation at 18:00 hours today on the LLM programme offered by the University of London at Nations University. At present, the Law Programme at Nations University offers the LLB from the University of London. Dr. Busuttil holds an AB (Harvard), JD (New York University School of Law) and DPhil (Oxford) and is also a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. The University of London’s Postgraduate Laws Programme for International students consists of the Master of Laws (LL.M.), Postgraduate Diploma in Laws (PG. Dip.Laws) and the

Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PG. Cert. Laws). Over 3,800 persons from 150 countries study on this programme, usually while working full-time. Dr. Busuttil has been Associate Professor of International Law and Organization at the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands; Director of the British Institute of Human Rights at King’s College London; and Lecturer in Law at the University of Essex. He has also worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and the Legal Adviser’s Office of the U.S. Department of State. He is an attorney admitted to practice before the courts of New York State and the District of Columbia, as well as numerous Federal Appeals Courts.

Dr. Busuttil has also been Co-Rapporteur of the International Law Association’s Committee on Islamic Law and International Law, and a member of the Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, of the Council on Foreign Relations, and of the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law. He was appointed a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, based in The Hague, in 2007. He has had a number of articles and books published. A growing number of students are studying the University of London’s LLB programme through Nations University. Moreover, Dr. Busuttil’s visit is to further familiarize students holding an LLB of the benefits of studying for the LLM through the University of London. All are welcome to attend, the media release said.

Distinguished academician to hold law talks today

Page 13

Govt. guilty of strangling sugar industry - AFC The Alliance for Change (AFC) yesterday vehemently denied that the party ever proposed that the country’s sugar industry should close down and accused the government of strangling the industry. Moses Nagamootoo said yesterday that government continues to peddle misinformation about the sugar industry when in fact the AFC wants and is calling for a transformation to ensure the survival and sustainability of the industry. Nagamootoo said that there should be the complete sacking and replacement of the Board of Directors with competent persons. He stressed that “there is the need for a commission of inquiry into the Skeldon Factory, where $44 billion of taxpayers’ money went into modernizing this ‘white elephant’”. According to Nagamootoo, government continues to be hard-headed

and cannot understand the difference between transformation and closure. He said that after some 21 years in power, it is the PPP government that has brought the sugar industry to its knees through mismanagement, cronyism and downright disregard for the livelihoods of sugar workers. Nagamootoo said that while government accuses the AFC of supporting the closure of the sugar industry, it is in fact the government that is slowly tightening the noose around the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)’s neck by “continuing to place square pegs in round holes” to manage the industry. “The government is also guilty of siphoning off billions of dollars from the EU that could have been spent to turn the industry around, but instead used much of the EU funds intended for sugar to prop-up the economy, while it allowed sugar to slide

into further failures,” Nagamootoo asserted. He said that the position of the Alliance For Change is that GuySuCo must be transformed to make it economically viable and this can be done by ensuring better management of the corporation, retooling the industry to ensure better production and moving towards meaningful diversification and integration of other byproducts such as ethanol production. “At the end of the day, it is the livelihoods of thousands of ordinary workers that are being threatened as the government continues to fool around with the sugar industry” Nagamootoo said.

We are life savers, you should be one too! Donate blood today!!

Page 14

‘Weeder’ finds pistol, accidentally shoots self A weeder received medical treatment on Wednesday after a gun he removed from a clump of bushes discharged, hitting him on the index finger. The police said in a press release yesterday that around 17:00 hours on Wednesday while the man was weeding at Hill Foot Soesdyke/Linden Highway, he stumbled on a .32pistol with a round in the breech. “While handling the firearm, the round was discharged and he was hit to his right index finger. The firearm was handed over to the police and he was treated at the hospital and sent away.” Kaieteur News understands further that the weapon was found on a parapet located on a property which houses a private school. The owners of the property; who wished not to be named, explained that the weeder was contracted to clear the grass on the property and was asked further to clean the “government parapet” since it would look untidy. The female owner said that the man had commenced working and it was noticed that he had abandoned the job, and did not return for the day. The next morning, she said, the man returned to work, and questioned him about what had occurred since it was the neighbours who had informed her that the man had found a gun. “I found it very strange that he said nothing to us, especially with us operating a school here. He turned on to work today (yesterday) and still did not say anything to us. I had to ask him what had happened, and then he told us everything.” The woman said however, that following Mash Day, the police and soldiers hosted a massive search exercise in the said area where the gun was found. She suggested that, “it is possible that it could have fallen from one of the ranks.”

Kaieteur News

Friday March 14, 2014

CARICOM hopes for June forum in Europe over slavery reparations By Zena Henry Leaders of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have unanimously accepted a broad plan to seek slavery reparations from Europe for the negative effects left behind by the Atlantic slave trade. In their quest for reparations for native genocide and slavery, the Community is hoping that come June, they will be able to hold talks with Europe to clarify their position. Chairman of the 15member regional body; St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, told reporters in St. Vincent that “good progress” was made on the issue, “and before the end of June, some approach is going to be made to the European countries in relation to this matter of reparations.” The Vincentian PM was stated as saying that focus was also being placed on a budget for the regional commission on reparations for African slavery and native genocide, while a 10-point reparatory justice framework, presented by head of Caricom’s Reparations

Commission, Professor Sir Hillary Beckles, involving an apology from Europe and organization with African countries, among other interests, was adopted. A Communiqué from this year’s Intersessional meeting noted that, in keeping with the decisions of the ThirtyFourth Meeting of the Conference in July 2013, eight Member States developed National Reparations Committees and others are in the process of establishment. The Regional Reparations Committee, comprising chairpersons of National Committees has prepared a Draft Regional Strategic and Operational Plan for a Caribbean Reparatory Justice Programme (CRJP). “Among the major elements elaborated in the Plan were those related to the request for a Full Formal Apology by the Governments of Europe involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade; the establishment of Caribbean Cultural institutions through which the Caribbean experience could be scientifically told; an Indigenous Peoples Development Programme; Technology Transfer; and Debt Cancellation. The Action Plan is to be discussed in greater detail by the Prime Ministerial Sub–Committee (PMSC) on Reparations, chaired by the Prime Minister of Barbados.” Caricom has also encouraged Member States

to, “continue the necessary research and documentation in order to ready themselves for addressing reparation claims.” It was noted by PM Gonsalves that some 16 million people, with a huge diaspora, are being represented in this claim, and are satisfied that the law and the act, ‘is on our side.” British law firm, Leigh Day, was already identified to lead the region’s legal battle against Europe. Caricom heads have also taken “a decision in principle,” that for medical purposes marijuana should be decriminalized. Trinidad and Tobago’s PM Kamla Per-sad-Bis-sessar had pointed out however that no decision would be taken without looking at all the factors su r r o u n d i n g t h e i s s u e a n d w i t h out the relevant consultation with the peoples. On this issue, it pointed out that intense discussions were held on marijuana, “including its medical use and aspects of the decriminalising small quantities for recreational use,” while exploring the economic benefits deriving from the cultivation of the herb. It was mentioned however, that concerns were raised about the potential public and mental health aspects of the plant’s use. “Heads of Governments recognised the need for careful in-depth research of

the various implications of the measures contemplated and mandated the establishment of a Regional Commission to address the issues identified and any others deemed relevant in order to provide clear guidance with regard to decisions to be taken.” A report on the matter is expected at the Regular Meeting of the Conference in July 2014. Caricom chairman, PM Gonsalves, has been very vocal on the issue of marijuana decriminalization, pointing especially to its medical and economic value. He had pointed out financial benefits of several states that use the drugs for medicinal purposes. In the meantime, here in Guyana, law enforcement has pointed out that any decision in favour of medical marijuana would mean a change in legislation. A senior police officer told Kaieteur News that the position on marijuana and a ganja-free society remains the same until a chance in policy. It was stressed that the benefits and difficulties of that issue would have to be discussed, since the issue may have its pros and cons. In the meantime, the officer stated, “our job is to enforce the policies and laws that are in place.” Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had made it pellucid in late January that until legislation is changed in relation to “ganja” use, “the government of Guyana is to pursue a zero tolerance policy in respect to trafficking in narcotics, possession of narcotics, and any other form of activity in respect to drugs that are deemed illegal according to the laws of our country and according to the treaties and conventions of an international nature which we have signed on to”.

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

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AFC notices “dip” in Bank of Guyana’s int’l reserves Alliance for Change Executive Member, Moses Nagamootoo, said yesterday that he was not at all surprised by the reported rude reaction by Chairman of Atlantic Hotels Inc, (AHI) Winston Brassington to an issue of national importance. Brassington on Wednesday afternoon dodged Kaieteur News on the Marriott Hotel issue. So rude was the official that when he answered his mobile phone, he drew (sucked) his teeth and hung up. According to Nagamootoo, his party is being kept in the dark with regard to details about the Marriott Hotel and the identity of the US$8 million private equity investor (s). “What we have noticed is that there is a “dip” in international reserves and we are wondering whether any money has been transferred to NICIL in order for further financing at the Marriott Hotel,” Nagamootoo told Kaieteur News yesterday. The parliamentarian explained that his party is now studying the third quarterly report from Bank of Guyana on the state of the country’s finances. “There are quite a few alarming revelations in that report,” Nagamootoo said. It has been almost six months since a commitment by Brassington to disclose who the US$8 million equity private investor would be.

- wonders if money was used to finance Marriott

Winston Brassington Brassington had made several assurances that the public would know the investor. However the identity remains a mystery. The construction rate at the hotel seems to have slowed down. One source explained that the “slow up” in construction was probably due to the fact that the project has not been able to secure financing from Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. That bank was approached to prepare an investor-friendly package to source U$S27M for the project. The Guyana Government is, to date, the sole investor in the Georgetown Marriott Hotel, given that AHI is yet to have financial closure for US$39M of the US$58.5M required for its completion. NICIL has already injected its US$20M, which it had committed to the project, so it is unclear what the source

of financing is for the works currently being executed. Prior to the NICIL funding, Government had given a US$1M contract to a local company for the rerouting of the sewerage system in the Kingston locale. That contract was pulled after more than US$700,000 was paid over. It was then given to an overseas company, this time for a further US$2M. AHI also leased the prime seven acres of shorefront property, on which the Hotel rests, for a measly US$120 (G$24,000) per month with the option to buy.

The Food and Drug Department which had a building in the location was removed and that property was dismantled. Brassington, last September, held a special media briefing on the project and told reporters that while the AHI would have executed a number of agreements with Republic Bank and the private investor, whom he is still to name, there is no definitive financial closure for the money as yet. He said, then, that AHI was looking to have this aspect of the deal concluded by year end (2013), so that the hotel could be completed and

opened this year. “We haven’t closed, but we have every confidence it will close soon,” Brassington had said. That unnamed private investor is expected to put US$8M in the project and will have majority ownership of AHI, equivalent to 67 per cent shares in the company, while government will own 33 per cent. US$4M is to be invested by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). The remainder of the money will be in the form of debt/loans. Republic Bank has been asked to solicit a total of

AFC Parliamentarian Moses Nagamootoo US$31M, to be repaid at an interest rate of 8.9 per cent, while NICIL will be lending US$15.5M with zero per cent return.

Supenaam stelling sees reduction in larger vehicles Due to the limited market currently available for the exportation of rice, the deteriorating Supenaam Ferry Stelling has seen a reduction in vehicular intake, especially in the larger vehicles (trucks) that usually transport rice to Georgetown for export. Reports are that the stelling has seen a lull in the intake of trucks during the Spring Crop. It has been indicated that only two rice millers have been utilizing the ferry services at Supenaam, while one ferry accommodates almost forty vehicles, including trucks, canters and cars on a daily

- limited rice market likely cause basis. Meanwhile, a local contractor it is believed has since effected recent repair works to the defected sections of the ramp, which is aligned with pieces of metal plates. While no report pertaining to the cost of the recent repairs was made available, it has been revealed that despite repairs, the metal

plates were replaced. Queries were made by PPP councillor, Farouk Khan, at Tuesday’s Regional Democratic Council meeting (RDC) in the Region Two Administration Boardroom. Khan was told that repair works are ongoing to the defected areas of the deteriorating stelling.

Reports have indicated that the Supenaam Ferry Stelling makes a “reasonable” daily profit. The structure came into effect sometime in 2009 at a cost of over $500M. To date, while all operations at the old Adventure Stelling have been abandoned ,continued repair works have been the trend, ever since the switch was made by the Ministry of Public Works.

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Kaieteur News

Friday March 14, 2014

UG to offer degree in aeronautical engineering The University of Guyana is gearing to offer a degree in aeronautical engineering in partnership with the Art Williams and Harry Wendt School. Arrangements for this initiative are expected to

wrap up by June. This was confirmed by Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Vice Chancellor of UG, during a brief interview with this publication yesterday. He initially made the

announcement on February 6 last at the Ministry of Public Works and Communications’ Engineering Conference. Professor Opadeyi said that the two entities are currently working on the

documentation aspect of the arrangement. He had previously said that after completing the three-year stint at the Art Williams and Harry Wendt School (located at Ogle

Airport), students desirous of pursuing a degree in aeronautical engineering would be able to do so at UG. A representative of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt School echoed that the initiative is in the planning stage. Students are now required to spend three and a quarter years at the school before writing the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority examination to get a basic licence to work on aircraft. It was noted that the completion certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority allows students to work on aircraft, only under supervision. However, students are always encouraged to further enhance their knowledge to become expert engineers. The representative said it is hoped that the degree

Professor Jacob Opadeyi programme would add to the students’ skills and the aviation industry as a whole. Currently, the school has 22 final-year students, 44 second-year and 56 first-year students.

Caucus of female... From page 6 in politics. “Women in politics worldwide face a double standard, with their lives being subject to greater scrutiny than those of men in equivalent positions. For example, women politicians often get asked by journalists how they will properly do their job as Minister or Premier while simultaneously raising children. Male politicians are rarely asked the same questions,” she explained. According to Dr. Giles, “In an era where governments face a multitude of complex and competing challenges, it is imperative that we do not lose sight of the long-term strategies required to bring about gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

She noted that investments in women and girls are critical to the achievement of these goals, but are equally important to sustainable economic development and poverty reduction. These investments are undoubtedly essential to advancing the cause of women and are at the core of basic human rights. They include access to affordable health-care systems, enforcement of gender-based violence legislation, equal pay and the right to an education. Some of the attendees at the function included First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar; APNU Chief Whip Amna Ally; Leader of the Opposition David Granger; and Leader of AFC Khemraj Ramjattan.

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 25

MACORP signs third MoU to assist UG The Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) yesterday signed its third Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would allow the company to assist the University of Guyana (UG). The agreement, which was initiated in September 2009, seeks to mostly benefit the university’s Faculty of Technology. During the MoU signing at the company’s Providence, East Bank Demerara location, it was explained that the entity is looking to provide continuous opportunities for further national development through enhanced tertiary education and training. The agreement will last for a period of two years, with the option of renewal. MACORP is also looking to establish a professional workforce, as the company itself relies on its human resources. With the renewal of the MoU, the Faculty of Technology would continue to receive $850,000 annually, with this amount being applied to sponsorship of final-year projects, sponsorship of research, and acquisition of capital items a Laptop Computer, Printer, Projector and Projector Screen. In addition, students will also be allowed to utilize MACORP’s services,

including the company’s laboratory and other testing facilities. According to the company’s Product Support Manager, Guillermo Escarraga, the renewal of the MoU is consistent with the company’s mission to become the undisputed leader in supplying sustainable integrated solutions to customers. He explained that to accomplish this, the company relies on, and sees human talent as most important. It is to this end that the entity has moved to invest in the development of a strong workforce. “We need young engineers that can hit the ground running; that can deliver from day one,” he said, adding that the company has seen results from the four years that the MoU has been in place. The official noted the company is enthusiastic about the continuous collaboration with the University. “Our country requires a skillful workforce today more than ever,” Escarraga said. He also encouraged other private sector organizations to follow MACORP’s lead. Meanwhile, UG’s Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi told the gathering of MACORP employees, UG officials and members of the media, that the university is

(From left) Jorge Medina, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, and UG Lecturer, Elena Trim during the signing of the MoU

thankful for the partnership with MACORP, especially given the fact that the institution was only able to school engineers, and not properly train them.

Opadeyi also challenged other industries to do the same, which he said will help to compete at the international level. Also speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer

of MACORP, Jorge Medina, noted that apart from bringing the latest technology on the market, the company is also looking to enable and assist the Health and Education

sectors. He stated that the company’s motto ‘Let’s build Guyana together,’ and the entity is prepared to work with other stakeholders in developing the country.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Friday March 14, 2014

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR RENT

VEHICLE FOR SALE

LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Toyota Forklift - Excellent condition, 4,000lbs capacity, 117” Lift, Solid Wheels, Automatic Transmission, 4 Cylinder LPG Motor. Call: 6046108. One glass-case 5ft X 4ft. Call: 647-1773

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Toyota Fun Cargo, RZ minibus, IST, 4X4 Hilux pickup - Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453

COMPLETE SAWMILL with all new industrial machine, going business with contract - (Wanted Kabukalli Logs) - Tel:6845868.

MOVE IN ready fully furnished two bedroom upper flat apartment @ Atlantic Gardens - US$1,000 dollars negotiable - Call:600-9981

Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933 One Cabin Cruiser 30ft length, 6½ft width and 3½ft depth, 15HP Tohatsu engine Tel: 697-0648. Desk, wardrobe, dining table, antiques, brass plants, radio set and more – Tel:6735882 Now Arrived @ Fabric World 140 Regent & Light St Bourda. New & Used Story fixture e.g Four arms (Clothes Rack) Car Alternators / Starters & Amplifiers – Tel:227-8519 Pure Rottweiler pups - Tel: 650-8496 One farm at Yarakabra and 1 house and land - Call:6178369; 265-3586 Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call:672-2566

Fishing boat, 5" nylon Seine, 40 Hp Yamaha $1.6M - Tel: 267-1563; 6913501 / 4162667627 Tacoma Tundra lights & Parts - Tel: 641-1127 Blow out sales on Steel Rods: ¼”, 5/8", ½”, 3/8" Call: 657-4072 Lumber Locust, Tatabu and mixed hardwoods - Contact: 600-5872; 600-1329 1 Music system, 3 crown amps, Numark CD player crossover & mixer, 2 base box with 15" Mid range & tweeters - Call: 619-2800 1 Frigidaire Fridge - 12.5 Cubic - Good Condition - Call: 668-1319 One 6 Base music set in parts – Call:641-2088; 2662503

1 – 36ft Flat bottom boat Tel: 604-0038

1 Stall @ Stabroek Market – Tel:658-0115; 718-757-8031

One hardly used cradle $20,000 with accessories & one brand new play pen $33,000 - Call: 670-2343

1 Toyota Raum fully air conditioned – Tel:678-6108, 692-8419, 266-2771

1 Stall In La Penitence Market - Call: 691-7886 Organic Herbal medication for all Chronic and Genital sicknesses and diseases. Call: 671-1518 Brazilian Virgin hair sale Top Grade 18"&16" body shapers Top Brands, Low prices - Call: 626-6335; 600-2220 Concrete Bourda Stall - Call: 692-7888; 610-0227 Compressor, Generators winch, Fridge & many more Tel: 227-8519 Tractors: MF285 $2.8mil (neg) Ford 5000 $3.2mil (neg),Both Good Condition -Call 257-0212, 628-8487 Almost new gas 6500 Watts, Honda generator on wheels $430,000, the other 1 is a 4300 watts Honda Call: 407-599-3775 1 Yamaha Guitar AC3R and 1 fender blues deluxe tube AMP 40 watts – Tel:643-5182; 669-8803 Black & white photocopy and colour copy - Tel:6268586

1 Used Model M Truck with winch. Price:$5M negotiable Contact: 601-0763 New Vendor Mall – Tel:6154775 Original Games - Call:6722566 Greenheart Piles - Tel: 6393450 One Massey Ferguson 3 Dish Plough @ Canal W.B.D Price:$350,000 negotiable, excellent condition - Call: 611-9297 One treadmill – Contact:6718100

One 2 Bedrooms bottom flat Tel: 613-6402

5 Acre land with house to lease - $95,000 for month Email: gzplayter@ol.com Tel: 407-599-3775 Hair station to rent, professional hairdresser with client -$7,000 weekly - Call: 645-9266

Toyota Tundra bubble back fully loaded with 22" Chrome Rims -Tel:643-5182; 669-8803 AT192, Good condition, must see – Price - $850,000 – Tel: 616-1671 Toyota Hilux Surf 3RZ engine fully loaded with 20’ Chrome rims -Tel:643-5182; 669-8803 1 -1RZ, 15 seater, automatic mini-bus, BNN 3760 - $1.7M Negotiable. Good condition, never used for public transportation – Tel:6280310 ; 672-5429 EP-82 Starlet – Call:685-9696

Barbers and hair stylist station for rent @ Prime Location – Tel:663-5964 Wings Two bedrooms apartment – Tel:643-1131 One bottom flat Apartment with 2 bedrooms – Call:6870835 GT TOOLS RENTAL: TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098 Newly constructed furnished\unfurnished apartments, with & without A/C. Parking available, LBI East Coast. Call: 603-0000.

LAND FOR SALE 2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at Parika- Call: 226-7968 House lots for sale on the West Bank of Demerara Harbour Bridge in Harbourville Schoonord- Contact:650-0402

1 Lower Flat 2 bedrooms located at Diamond H/ Scheme, 2nd Bridge - $45,000 negotiable – Call:625-3695; 663-6479

One Transported large Lot at Zeelught EBE - $2.2M – Tel:617-4439

Executive 5 bedrooms house @ Bel-Air Park, automatic gate, garage & generator, A/ C, semi-furnished- Contact: 223-8479;647-3768 - www. spaceseek.gy

Parfaite Harmonie With foundation (30ftX20ft) $1.5M - Tel:675-7292

2 One bedroom apartment, fully furnished @ Lot 4 Henry Street, Werk-en- Rust, Georgetown – Contact:6606446; 644-6030 House in Diamond/Grove – Tel:692-8513 FOR HIRE Bush Truck for hire - Tel: 660-3400

Romrima Trust Versailles @ W.B.D - Tel: 652-3707

Herstelling - $3.2M (110ftX60ft) - Call: 675-7292 Schoonord - $2M - Tel: 675-7292 25 Acres land @ Mouth of Bonasika Creek - Tel: 626-7212 50 Acres transported land at Grant Belfield, Lower Pomeroon – Tel:671-8100 House lots in Friendship. Tel: 692-8513

New Japan Parts & Batteries in stock with a 10% d i s c o u n t @ R a y ’s Motor Spares - Tel: 2272322; 227-2330 Canadian rebuilt Perkins Duetz engine, Lincoln generator welder, model M with winch, 320 excavator Call: 691-2921 1 Inboard boat 215 HP Perkins engine, 52 Feet length , 50-50 gear box, working condition, price negotiable - Phone: 6470699; 220-5271

VEHICLE FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

LF / DAF truck in working condition, 1 super custom diesel bus – Price Attractive for Both – Call:681-5988; 6755448

Toyota Premio- Dark interior with TV, mags, spacio. Tel: 697-0294

One Toyota Tacoma 2006, 12ft Aluminum Boat, Tacoma : rims & tyres – Call:641-6162; 220-1981; 222-5671 2 Ton Canter with power gate, unregistered - Tel:6172891

Soman Son & Outar Driving School @ Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 Ultravoilet Driving School – Contact:231-2372;6022583;658-4015

MASSAGE The Gents Spa: Deep tissue, Swedish massages, sport massage, aromatherapy, body scrubs Call:657-5979 American Style massage services- Call:678-7499 FOR SALE/RENT American pool table – Tel: 227-0578; 685-9714

2008 Fielder & Axio, fully loaded with bodykit, rims, TV/DVD unregistered - Tel: 617-2891

2004 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 2700 CC – 4 Cylinder @ 31 Grove Housing Scheme EBD Call: 665-8933; 416-836-1466

First Class Auto: Avensis, Allion, IST, 212, Premio, Spacio, Raum, Passo, Fielder, Verossa -Call:6098188; 602-6307

Toyota Marino AC, mags, CD, recently sprayed over $750,000 – Tel: 618-1047

Unregistered Toyota Premio $2.450, Toyota Spacio - $2.250 Tel: 616-3001; 628-4284

Chevy Cargo Van, Ford 150 & Toyota Tundra - Tel: 227-8519

1 Toyota Rav4 old model , good condition (Selling cheap) – Tel:687-1392

1 Nissan laurel Car - $350,000, 1 American made Saturn Jeep L-hand drive, stick gear – $2.5M – Call:677-3406

Tundra GPP, fully powered, AC, 4 wheel drive – Price: $1.6M – Call:654-3389

1 – F150, 1 – New Model 212 – Call:621-8129

1 Toyota RZ for sale – Price : $1.2M – Contact:616-5310; 692-3028

1 Toyota Minibus pit-bull, BRR Series, immaculate condition, owner leaving country – Tel:629-3663

110 Corolla new model, crystal Lights, CD, AC, good condition - $850,000 – Tel:618-1047

Madza 2 PLL series; leathered upholstery, BMW 318i PMM series, Toyota Corolla Axio PRR series. Excellent condition - Contact: 600-1329

1 -212 - $1.3M negotiable, 1 grand Cherokee - $1.5M, Two 250 night hawk & one 750 night hawk – Call:2653024; 265-4454; 663-8639

AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super customs. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Cheap Deals on all English & Japanese Vehicles Online Call: MRR Imports on 6917475; 626-9590 1 Toyota Hilux Single Cab 4X4 solid Axle pickup $2.7M Tel: 658-5193; 6382525; 648-4374

LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869

Nissan Titan 4X4 , fully loaded, Tray cover, GMM series, R-I Candy Red – Call:227-2027

1 Freight liner hauler with sleeping cab, 1 -48ft trailor with treated wood – Call: Rakesh 613-6979 1 DAF 4X4 Bush Truck Winch - $3.8M - Tel:6585193; 638-2525; 648-4374 Toyota RZ mini-bus BPP series excellent condition, hardly worked - Price: $2.5M Negotiable Contact: 694-8825

Toyota Mark 2 for sale: very good condition - $1.5M negotiable – Call:641-6725 One Raum – PMM series $1.2M – Contact:671-6051 AT170 Corona, automatic EFI, SV10 Toyota Camry Tel: 676-8475 1 RZ minibus, stick gear, BKK series (working Condition) – Tel:693-2174 AT192 - Call: 602-0236 Corona AT190, PHH Series . Contact: 217-0138; 686-0251 Toyota Carina PGG 5408, AT150 Car, Good driving condition - $170,000 - Tel: 654-4635 Toyota Raum, Spacio, AT212, AT192, AT170, NZE and L- Touring wagon, Nissan E24 Caravan – Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 Toyota Raum PNN series about 118,000 K/M price: $890,000 negotiable. Owner leaving country – Tel:2170380; 621-9604 (Continued on page 31)

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Lack of communication a bogus excuse... (From page 11) newspaper was told by Region Three Councillors that during a recent statutory meeting, the Regional Health Officer, Nadia Coleman, declared that she was no longer prepared to deal with the region’s health struggles, since the shortage of drugs cannot be pinned on her. It was explained too that it is not the case where communication between regional authorities and Ministry is bad. According to at least two of the councillors, Coleman explained to them that whenever she requests four or five oxygen cylinders, the region would receive two or three. “I was made to understand that they does be telling her that the supplies are wasting, so they only providing what they thing would be used, so that’s the situation,” Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor, Harry Deokinanan said. He claims that when the region’s administration receives the short stock of oxygen, Coleman is forced to make the call as to which one of the hospitals and health centres should benefit from the supply. Meanwhile, in addition to the inadequate supply of drugs, there is also a possibility that the existing supply of medications is expired. According to Alliance for Change Councillor, and member of the Region Three Health Committee, Dr. Kamal Narine, whenever health centres and hospitals request drugs from the storage bond at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, protocols are often not followed, and instead of being lodged at the bond of the requesting hospital for inspection, the medications are sent directly to the individual departments. “This is a mad, mad situation. In situations like this, you even got people being treated with wrong doses. Then there is no proper audit of the drugs, so I am sure that many are expired,” Dr. Narine said during a recent interview. Because he is a member of the region’s health committee, who has insights on the health issues facing the district, he does not utilize the services offered. “It’s frightening. I would prefer to go to a private institution,” Dr. Narine declared. In January, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud had said that shortage of essential medicines can be as a result of many scenarios. These include the situation where supplier(s) fail to comply with the

recommended delivery schedules. Dr. Persaud had acknowledged also, the relatively short shelf life of the medication, noting that caution remains in the procurement process of the drugs. In light of the many challenges facing the health sector, APNU’s George Norton also made the call for Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, to resign. “It goes without saying, he should just do the honourable thing and leave,” Dr. Norton said. His call was seconded by AFC Councillor, Dr. Narine. “We have the Minister doing nothing. Before, we used to have problems, yes, but this new Minister…I don’t know what he’s doing,” Dr. Narine said. FOR SALE/RENT Vacant corner lot 58"X30" @ Garnette & Republic Streets, Newton Kitty – Tel:645-0616 FOR HIRE Large enclose canter, double axel Hiab truck – Call:6945460, 662-8884; 266-5771

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 2332008; 675-4959 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Online shopping just got easier. Now Open! Cybertron ,Vreed-En-Hoop – Call 2643057/ Email for quotes @ micro.gteck@yahoo.com Masons seeking job work – Tel:678-9043 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL: 694-9843 /227-2766 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

VACANCY

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

1 Driver must have a valid Tractor Licence. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek

Design Team Neher: Professional, trustworthy, prompt landscapers, we can create your dreams– Tel: 6481821. We are @ your Service!

Salesgirls to work in store: $20,000 weekly Contact:223-0595 One experienced taxi service dispatcher, excellent salary Call: 611-1018 or 642-6564 1 Heavy duty mechanic; 2 handyman to work in the Interior - Contact:627-6416

Repairs to refrigerator, washing machine, gas stoves, A/C units – Call:6411086; 694-2202; 227-8907 Painters available, job work prefer – Tel:694-6823 Florida to New York Road Trip – Tel:675-7292

Need a job? No Qualification needed! Do Gardening with us! Call: 648-1821

Barbers – Contact:683-1534; 609-4983 Sales Executive, experienced in corporate computer supplies and accessories – Cal:223-1556 One experienced hairdresser – Contact Magic Touch Beauty Salon – Tel:225-6492

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

Lot 52 Bella Dam, Pouderoyen W.B.D. Call: 615-4775

WANTED WANTED

2 Income properties at bargain p r i c e - $ 4 0 M negotiable - Tel: 686-4899; 684-3718

Urgently needed 2 plots of land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie – Tel:675-7292

Property for sale - Call:6275416

Taxi Drivers – Apply at Gems Taxi – Call:667-9013

3 Storey wooden concrete building situated @ Broad & Charles Sts, Charlestown – Tel:677-3406

Salesgirls & Porters. Apply with written application at Lot E Dennis & Middleton Street, Best Buy Food Supplies.

Diamond- Close to public road. Spacious 3 bedrooms, 2 family properties -$20M. Jewanram: 227-1988/ 623-6431. Near Regent Street -$37M, Campbellville (2 buildings) $25M, Lamaha Gardens $55M – Contact Diana:2272256; 626-9382 2 Storey concrete building, 7 bedrooms: 4 upstairs & 3 downstairs @ Paradise $5M negotiable Tel:6796377; 667-0064 House and land @ De’ Edward W.C.B - Tel:689-2973 1 Newly built 2 storey concrete house @ Canal No#2 Belle West - Tel:6153333; 648-9428

Experienced Babysitter, age: 20-40yrs, Contact:223-5273-4 Experienced Carpenter - Call: 668-9863; 625-0930

EDUCATIONAL Balloon decorating classes – April 05 - Call: 225-3133; 6137513 for more information and to register. Do you want to live & work in Canada? Train as a live in caregiver, Canadian Standards - Tel:592-2274881; 416-674-7973

Study in Canada: Any Career. Email:micro.gteck@ yahoo.com

Wallaba posts, greenheart and bullet wood lumber (milled sawn preferably) Tel: 600-5872; 600-1329 Sawmill workers - Tel: 6539752. Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 CHAINSAW LUMBER: Kabukalli, Shibadan, Silverballi, Simarupa, etc – Tel:653-9752

Live in , live out babysitter Tel: 225-6070 TO LET One furnished studio apartment to rent - $50,000 per month: electricity & water include – Contact:227-3168 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6193660,639-4452

1 -4 bedrooms house at Happy Acres, $300,000 per month – Call:231-7839 Campbellville -$90,000, Queenstown -$US800, BelAir - $US900 & Many More Contact Diana:227-2256; 6269382 Fully furnished rooms for foreigners in Diamond – Call:687-1392 2 Bedrooms apartment to let on ECD – Tel:684-8906

2 Experienced salesgirl $15,000 per week - Call: 2239677 Rangers. Must have experienced reading maps and using GPS - Contact: 223-5273/4 Live in waitress- Call:6439007/ 697-2978 Hire car driver need - Contact: 611-2414 or 693-8176 One female cook for home in the interior contact: 681-6044 One mechanic must know about Perkins and Cummings to work interior Contact: 681-6044 Pump attendants and cashier @ Shell Mc Doom Gas Station - Call: 627-2550; 699-7782 Attractive Live-In waitress Tel: 228-5129; 604-8277 Attractive waitress and experienced cooks - Tel:6227201/ 622-0494 1 Domestic to do cleaning – Tel:227-2027

CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807

DRESS-MAKING Courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake - decoration Tel: 670-2653; 618-1706

Office worker wanted! Must be computer literate, friendly and speak well – Call:642-2028

One Domestic to do general domestic work - Age 4550yrs to work at Montrose Tel: 600-5253

Ruimzeight Garden – 3 bedroom house: toilet, bathroom, fully furnished – Tel:269-1277; 667-2338

Experienced hairdresser, must know to do hair & nails, experienced barber for interior location – Call:6655812; 233-2186; 697-6726 Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD Tele:265-4138,6525800 specialized in everything for women

(From page 30)

One three storey business property @ Middle street, Georgetown, 2 business Property on Whim Public Road Berbice - Tel: 619-7134; 225-6481

9 Courses Diploma in computer studies - $30,000. Individual teaching: limited space. Micrographics Technologhy –Vreed- en Hoop – Tel:264-3057

Cashiers and porters vacancy at Marcos Trading, experience would be an asset Tel:225-9445 1 Experienced Nail Technician (preferably Air Brush) @ Nalline Beauty Salon, Vreed-En-Hoop Junction – Contact:604-2900; 625-3899

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Premio, vitz call:6797139,639-4452 Wings Car Rental - Call: 643-1131

Experienced Cashiers to work @ supermarket on the East Coast, Age 25-50yrs Call: 642-1141 Do you need excavator operator 12 years experienced in mining , I’m Available Call:Tel:696-2510; 254-1874 Experienced Roti, Puri cooks, cashier, counter servers, pastry makers, handyboys. Apply @ Hacks Halaal, Lot 5 Commerce Street. One maid – Tel:612-9570

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Germany warns Russia of further EU sanctions if Moscow doesn’t step back BUDAPEST (Reuters) Germany said it assumes that Sunday’s referendum in Crimea will be followed by steps to absorb the region into Russia and warned the EU will be forced to consider further, financial sanctions if Moscow does not change course. Speaking to reporters yesterday after meeting counterparts from central Europe in the Hungarian capital, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Russia had so far rebuffed all European proposals to defuse the standoff in Crimea. He said European states would draw up a list over the weekend of Russians who will be subject to visa restrictions

Frank-Walter Steinmeier and asset freezes as part of a second stage of measures against Russia already agreed within the European Union. On another round of sanctions he said: “This is not

anything we will want to see but if the situation continues in a way that we have seen it continue, and if we witness an interest of Russia that extends beyond Crimea and if Russia continues to refuse to cooperate in attempts to deescalate the situation, there will be a third stage of measures to be considered.” A third stage is likely to involve financial sanctions on Russian firms and entities, as opposed to measures targeted at individuals. Steinmeier said European Union countries did not want the third round of sanctions “at any price” but will be forced to consider them if Russia continued to reject efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Rebels, Islamists form dangerous alliance in Pakistan’s unruly southwest (Reuters) - One is a band of separatists fighting for independence from Pakistan. The other is a feared group of Islamists bent on killing Shi’ite Muslims whom they see as infidels. The two could not be more different in their goals and tactics. But in Pakistan’s volatile, resource-rich province of Baluchistan, separatists have teamed up with radical Sunni Muslims in their fight against the Pakistani government. The unlikely but dangerous alliance poses a new, unexpected challenge for Pakistan, already plagued by a growing Taliban insurgency on its western Afghan border. “There is definitely coordination,” said Baluch Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti. “Both militant groups share the common goal of fighting against the state.” The separatist rebels are considered less hardline compared with other groups, focusing on their political goal

of independence. They do not use religion as a rallying cry but accuse the government of stealing the province’s gas and mineral wealth to the benefit of richer, more powerful provinces. They also accuse security forces of widespread rights abuses and cracking down on any forms of dissent. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), on the other hand, is a hardline group that specialises in attacks against minority Shi’ite Muslims. It believes Shi’ites deserve to die and should be exterminated. “The two militant groups have been sharing tactical coordination in carrying out major attacks,” a senior security official in Baluchistan told Reuters, requesting anonymity. He said the LeJ had been spotted recruiting fighters among ethnic Baluch. It operates bases in the same area as the separatist rebels, an arrangement which has

helped turn them into natural allies. Baluch separatists have also adopted an LeJ tactic of deploying small children to infiltrate difficult targets and place bombs. In a recent example of a coordinated attack, a bomb struck a security car on January 10, creating a diversion for a subsequent blast in a Shi’ite enclave which killed more than 100 people. “It’s not a formal pact or alliance, but tactical cooperation,” the security official said. “They help each other to coordinate attacks and extend logistical support, for instance by providing cars to carry out explosions.” Baluch pro-independence activists have dismissed any link to the LeJ as state propaganda designed to tarnish their image. “No such evidence has ever been provided,” said Malik Siraj Akbar, an activist and journalist who now lives in Washington.

Friday March 14, 2014

Kartel, three co-accused found guilty of murder

A section of the crowd near the Supreme Court earlier in the day - Carl Mitchell photo

Jamaica Gleaner Dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel and three of his four co-accused have been found guilty of the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams yesterday, marking the end to a keenly watched trial that has lasted for 65 days. The elevenmember jury began deliberating at 3:45 p.m. Initially, the elevenmember jury deliberated for 1 hour and 53 minutes before returning a 10-1 verdict. They were sent back to reconsider because the verdict was not unanimous and was reached under two hours. The jurors then went back to consider the matter before again returning to the courtroom. Adidja Palmer – GUILTY Shawn Campbell – GUILTY Kahira Jones – GUILTY Shane Williams – Not GUILTY Andre St John –

Vybz Kartel GUILTY The convicts are to be sentenced on March 27. Kartel, 38, whose real name is Adidja Palmer and his co-accused went on trial on November 20 in the Home Circuit Court. They had been in custody since September 2011. They were charged with the murder of 27-year-old

Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, of Waterford, St Catherine. The Crown represented by senior deputy director of public prosecutions, Jeremy Taylor, and Crown Counsel Leighton Morris alleged that on August 16, 2011 ‘Lizard’ was beaten to death at Kartel’s house at 7 Swallowfield Avenue, Havendale, St Andrew over two missing guns. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence and common design to prove its case against the men. Those found guilty are to return to court for sentencing on March 27. Kartel and five other men had been charged with William’s murder, but at the start of the trial in November last year, the fifth co-accused, fashion designer, Calvin Haye, was freed after the Crown offered no evidence against him.

IPI renews call for criminal charges against Barbadian journalists to be dropped VIENNA, Austria - CMC – The Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) has called on the Barbados authorities to drop criminal indecency charges against three journalists, whose cases have been adjourned to July 21. Vivian-Anne Gittens, publisher of the Nation newspaper, as well as Nation editor-in-chief Roy Morris and senior journalist Sanka Price face up to five years in prison in connection with the newspaper’s publication in its October 26 edition of a photograph that appeared to show two minors engaging in a sexual act in a classroom at a rural Barbados school. Gittens, Morris and Price appeared in court on Tuesday for the preliminary hearing on

the charge that they allegedly violated Barbados’ Protection of Children Act. The prosecution however informed the court that it was not ready to begin, resulting instrong criticism from the defence lawyers Alair Shepherd and Ezra Alleyne. “I don’t understand how the Crown can simply say, we are not in a position to start, without explaining . . . the prosecution is treating this court with discourtesy,” said Shepherd. IPI executive director, Alison Bethel Mckenzie urged the authorities to drop the charges. “The drafters of the Protection of Children Act specifically contemplated instances in which the publication of images that

might otherwise violate the act should not lead to criminal liability. Those exceptions include cases where there was a ‘legitimate reason for distributing or showing’ such material. “Here, it is clear that the Nation believed that a news story with great impact on the community—a perceived failure by school administrators to adequately supervise students in their charge, and the resulting consequences—was in need of being told. “Opinions may certainly differ widely on the tastefulness and propriety of printing this photo. But the decision to do so does not merit prison time. We urge authorities to end the criminal proceedings against these journalists,” she said.

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RHTYSC Busta champion of champions

RHTGG and Albion win semifinals easily - to meet in yet another final The cast for the final of the RHTYSC Busta champion of champions cricket competition was decided on Saturday and the two favourite teams were left on the stage once again to battle it out for championship honors. Playing at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town, defending champions RHT Gizmos and Gadgets crushed Young Warriors by a massive margin, while Albion cruised past a lackluster Port Mourant by seven wickets. RHTGG won the toss and

elected to bat first, and got an opening partnership of 24 in six overs between former national player Delbert Hicks and former national under 19 Dominic Rikhi before Rikhi inside edged medium pacer Royden Phil into his stumps for 10. Phil then struck with his next delivery to trap Jason Sinclair LBW for nought to leave RHTGG 24 for 2. Hicks and West Indies ODI player, Royston Crandon, then added 16 runs for the 3rd wicket before former national junior player

Shaquille Williams had the big hitting Hicks caught for 20. National Player Rajiv Ivan and Crandon repaired the damage by adding 85 for the 4th wicket before Crandon 35 and Ivan 40 were dismissed by off spinner Balram Samaroo to leave RHTGG 127 for 5 in the 24th over. Former National Under 19 player, Clinton Pestano then blasted 77 with 10 fours and two massive sixes and received support from national under 19 captain Shawn Pereira 55 not out (3x4)

Friday March 14, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Children or possibly some close friends or a love interest could be upset today, Aries. The financial coffers aren't full enough to afford something they think they absolutely have to have right now. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Worry about a family member may be on your mind today, Taurus. This person could be all wrought up over work, money, or possibly a love affair that's broken off. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Uneasy feelings may be plaguing you throughout the day, Gemini. There could appear to be no valid reason for this. Everything seems to be going well for you, and no one close to you has anything heavy going on. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A friend, perhaps a woman, could well be upset or even angry with you today, Cancer. Money might be involved in some way. There may be nothing you can do to reassure her at this time, so it's best to give what reassurances you can and then back off. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Is your boss a woman, Leo? If so, stay out of her way today. To put it mildly, she isn’t in a good mood. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Travel may cause more problems than it's worth today, Virgo. You may forget some vital items when packing or there could be too little time to get everything ready.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Finances may cause an upset between you and a friend today, Libra. Perhaps this person owes you money and can't pay it back, or vice versa. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A social event could put you in touch with someone who's carrying around a lot of bitterness and anger, Scorpio. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) The workplace could be very hectic today as a colleague prepares to leave on an important business trip, Sagittarius. Nerves could be strained and tempers short. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may have a wonderful day today, Capricorn. Your imagination, intuition, and creativity are all high, and inspiration for new artistic works could be filling your heart and brain. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your home could be a very busy place today, Aquarius. Visitors could come and go throughout the day, probably annoying you at times. You might also find yourself having to soothe angry outbursts on the part of a member of your household PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Someone you work with might need a sympathetic shoulder to cry on today, Pisces. Stresses on the job extend beyond everyone's capacity to endure, so don't be surprised if at some point a colleague sheds a few tears. You might find your patience pushed beyond its normal limits.

as RHTGG reached a massive 285 for 9 off their allotted 47 overs. Bowling for Young Warriors, Samaroo had bowling figures of 10-0-45-2 and Williams 10-1-49-3. In response, the visitors found themselves tottering at 9 for 4 in the fourth over as RHTGG opened with spin at both ends. West Indies Under 19 opener Shimron Hetmyer was bowled by off spinner Troy Mathieson for 01, while Vishal Mohabir 01, Kassim Khan 05 and Ishwar Singh 00 were all dismissed cheaply. Kevin Ramdeen and Shaquille Williams then laboured to take the score to 82 in the 20th over before Ramdeen was trapped LBW by Ivan for 29 with a boundary and one six. The rest of the batting quickly folded as only Williams with an impressive fifty offered any resistance. Sasenarine Sukhdeo who surprisingly batted at No.10 was left unbeaten on 13 as Mathieson took 4 for 21 from 8 overs, Ivan 2 for 27 from 6 overs and Pereira 3 for 9 from 3.4 overs to bowl out the visitors for 135 in 27.4 overs. At the Port Mourant Ground, the home club, on a reorganizing drive, was brought down to earth by a severely depleted Albion ,missing five national cricketers. Batting first, Port Mourant were well placed at

67 for 1 in the 20th over after opener Andre Lyght JNR was earlier dismissed for 06 by medium pacer Satesh Dwarka for 6. Joshua Ramsammy and Devendra Thakurdeen added 56 for the 2nd wicket before Thakurdeen in a careless piece of cricket was bowled by Jonathan Foo for 27. The dismissal of the talented Ramsammy for 25 engineered a massive collapse as PMCC folded for 122 all out in 42.3 overs as only Chandrasekhar Arjune with 12, reached double figures for the remaining batsmen. West Indies Under 19 left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie claimed 3 wickets for 17 runs from 10 overs, Foo took 2 for 19 off 8.3 overs, while Sharaz Ramcharran had 4 for 15 from 7 overs. In response, Albion found themselves in trouble at 12 for 2 in the 3rd over as Balchan Baldeo was caught at cover off medium pacer Yogindra Harrinarine for 06, while fellow medium pacer Manoj Looknauth dismissed

national Under 15 player Adrian Sukhwa for 00. National player Jonathan Foo then took over and together with Sharaz Ramcharran took the score to 56 in the 10th over before Ramcharran was dismissed by left arm spinner Gregory Crandon for just 02 as Foo took the attack to the PMCC bowlers. Berbice under 19 player David Latchaya joined Foo and together they saw their team home with an unbroken 4th wicket stand of 67 runs as Albion reached 123 for 3 off 21.1 overs. The talented Foo blasted 81 not out with 8 boundaries and four massive sixes, while an impressive Latchaya scored 20 not out (2 boundaries). Bowling for a clearly disappointed PMCC, Yogendra Harrinarine, Manoj Looknauth and Gregory Crandon took one wicket a piece. The final of the tournament is scheduled for the Port Mourant Ground on a date to be announced.

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Hadi Worldwide Incorporated Golf Tournament fixed for tomorrow Following a successful Morris Solomon Accounting Firm golf tournament last weekend, this weekend will see local golfers tee off for the inaugural Hadi Worldwide Inc. Medal Play tournament tomorrow at the Lusignan Golf Club. Hadi Worldwide International, part of the Mohammed group of companies and active supporter of social programmes in depressed communities, is pleased to sponsor this week’s event. The CEO of the Company, Mr. “Shell” Mohammed said his company focuses on poverty alleviation but is happy to be associated with sporting activities as well. Players will be competing for first, second, third best net as well as best gross and nearest to the pin. There will also be a special prize for the best female player. G i v e n t h e e x c e l l ent weather conditions, and course condition, the field is wide open with last week’s winner Brian Hackett, Colin Ming, and Mark Lashley expected to do very well. Keen competition is expected from Gavin Todd, Clifford Reis, Alfred Mentore, Ian Gouveia, Munaf Arjune, Pur Persaud, Bholaram Deo, Andre Cummings, Roy Cummings, Matti Weslin,

Brian Brackett wins Morris Solomon Accounting Firm tourney

Winners and officials after the conclusion of the Morris Solomon Golf Tournament. Jack Harry, Sam Harry, Naro Dhanpat, Troy Cadogan, George Bulkan, Kishan Bacchus, David Mohammad and Jerome Khan. Fierce competition is also ex p e c t e d a m o n g Christine Sukhram, Joaan Deo, Shonella Webster and Juliet Prince for the special prize for the best female player. Meanwhile, as expected it was a keen contest for the Maurice Solomon Accounting Firm Stableford Golf Tournament last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf

Club. After eighteen holes, Brian Brackett emerged the winner with 36 points followed by veteran Colin Ming with 35 points and former West Indian Test player Joe Solomon also with 35 taking 3rd place. Ming and Solomon had the same score but using a count back system Colin Ming had a better back nine and was adjudged the winner of the second place. David Mohamed was not far behind, scoring 33 points for the fourth place.

East Bank whip West...

From left Mark Ramsammy, Paul Thomas and Anthony Antonio

From page 40 in the game and Chukiram Outar, halted the fall of wickets with a seventh wicket stand of 62. Jitlall eventually departed for 59

while Outar went for 16. Basir and Daneshwar Kowlessar were the other batsmen that showed fight with 14 each. Anthony Antonio grabbed

4-28 off nine overs including a hat trick while Bhojnarine Singh captured 2-33. The competition continues today.

The best female player award went to Christine Sookram while Mark Lashley won the nearest to the pin. Terrence Jaikarran, representing the Accounting Firm, said that their Principal Maurice Solomon was an

avid golf player and their firm was pleased to be part of such a huge turnout of 44 players promising to repeat the same sponsorship in 2015. Club President Jerome Khan expressed his gratitude

for the sponsorship noting that it is very challenging to maintain over 90 acres of land with a small membership and every cent that comes into the Club is utilised for maintenance and infrastructural works.

BCB Golden Jubilee Celebration 1939-2014

BCB and GDF host successful first aid clinic for clubs and schools The Berbice Cricket Board, as part of its Golden jubilee programme, on Sunday last hosted a successful one day first aid clinic for cricket clubs, schools and other sporting organisations in the ancient county. Over forty individuals representing the top cricket clubs in Berbice, the Berbice Football Association, Berbice Volleyball Association, St. Francis Xavier Youth club, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary, Manchester High School, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club among others attended the clinic which was conducted by medical personnel of the Guyana Defence Force. President of the Berbice Cricket Board Keith Foster in declaring the clinic open,

stated that the Board wanted to make sure that each major cricket club in Berbice has atleast one member who has knowledge of first aid, in case of any emergency on the cricket field. Noting that the BCB was fully committed to the all round development of cricket at all levels, he urged the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as possible and to educate other members of their organization on first aid. Head of the Golden Jubilee Committee, Hilbert Foster, expressed gratitude to the administration of the Guyana Defence Force for their support of the first aid clinic and expressed the hope that the relationship between

the BCB and the army would be strengthened in the future. The first aid clinic was conducted by a three man team headed by Sgt. Seon Duncan, Senior first aid instructor of the GDF and participants were also exposed to public demonstration of how to administer first aid. Each club was also provided with a comprehensive first aid package on the necessary information on first aid. Representatives of the different clubs, schools and organisations at the end of the clinic expressed gratitude to the BCB for organising the programme as they are now better educated about first aid and how to respond if someone is injured.

Correction on statement attributed to Griffith Kaieteur Sport wishes to make a correction relating to an article in Wednesday’s issue of the papers headlined ‘Chanderpaul is back’ written by Sean Devers. The sentence, ‘He added that bringing forward the match by a day due to the Holiday on Monday takes away some of the recovery time from the players’ was inadvertently attributed to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith. It was in fact the GCB who asked for the game to be brought forward because of the anticipated noise from the planned Phagwah Day activity on the tarmac of the stadium on Monday. This newspaper apologizes for creating the impression that an official of the GBC was against the rescheduling of the match and any damage caused by the article.

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Friday March 14, 2014

GSCL Inc. commences Federer, Djokovic advance registration for Independence Cup as Murray, Wawrinka fall

After successfully staging the inaugural Republic Cup tournament earlier this month, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL) has commenced preparations and registration for the hosting of the first-ever Independence Cup. This tournament will see teams battle in three categories; Masters, Open and Female, is set for May 3, 4 and 5, at various venues in the city, culminating with the finals at the Everest Cricket Club. The registration process has commenced and can be done by contacting Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the GSCL Inc. Russell Jadbeer on 225-4802, 226-4205 0r 6268228, while the launching of the tournament will be held at the GNIC Sports Club on a date and time to be announced. The final is expected to be broadcasted live on NCN’s Voice of Guyana and teams desirous of competing in the Open and Masters category for which the first 12 teams of both categories will be

accepted, are asked to pay an entrance fee of $110,000 and $100,000 respectively, while the GSCL Inc. is looking at accommodating six female teams who are asked to pay an entrance fee of $25,000 each. The victors of the Open category will pocket $800,000 with the runners-up receiving $200,000. For the Masters, the winners will take home $500,000 and the runners-up $200,000 while the female winners will receive $100,000 and the losing finalists $50,000. Teams are asked to note carefully that GSCL Inc. will be providing balls for all three categories of the competition and also look after the umpires’ fees, hence all teams are charged with providing their own water and meals, throughout their participation in the tournament. The GSCL Inc. will be providing the Supreme balls to be used by teams competing in the Open and Female categories, while for the Masters category the big

ball will be utilized, even as round hand and wrist bowling will be tolerated. Added information will be provided at the team briefing. Some of the grounds identified to be used for this tournament, which promises to be an annual affair, are Demerara Cricket Club, Ministry of Education, Carifesta Sports Complex, Muslim Youth Organisation, Guyana National Industrial Corporation, St Stanislaus and Everest. Meanwhile, the GSCL Inc. will be holding an Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) next Tuesday at the GNIC Sports Club from which a date, time and venue will be set for the hosting of their Annual General Meeting (AGM), wherein the elections of Office Bearers for period 2014 to 2015 will be held. All interested clubs are asked to take note of this OGM and also make a special effort to attend same, since their input will be of importance and vital to the continued success of the GSCL Inc.

(Reuters) - Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic cruised into the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Wednesday after Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and Australian Open winner Stanislas Wawrinka both fell in the fourth round. In a tournament full of surprises, Federer and Djokovic struck a blow for the old world order with Federer beating Germany’s Tommy Haas 6-4 6-4 and Djokovic coming back to down Croatia’s Marin Cilic 1-6 6-2 6-3. Federer and Djokovic are the only players ranked in the world’s top 10 to reach the quarter-finals after Wawrinka and Murray joined the bigname casualties when they both crashed to lower-ranked opponents on another day of upsets in the Californian desert. Wawrinka suffered his first loss this year when his 13-match winning streak came to a shuddering halt as he was beaten 7-6(1) 4-6 6-1 by South African Kevin Anderson. “It wasn’t really on my mind that he had won Australia,” said Anderson, whose next opponent is Federer. “It feels great to beat somebody who obviously has just won a grand slam.” Murray was blown away by Canada’s Milos Raonic, one of the biggest servers in men’s tennis. Despite winning the first set, the Scotsman was unable to contain the raw power of Raonic, who triumphed 4-6 7-5 6-3 in a little over two hours. Raonic blasted 15 aces past his bewildered opponent, who is one of the best returners in the game, and won a staggering 83 percent of points when he landed his first serve. Murray did break Raonic’s serve in the opening set and again in the deciding third to lead 2-1 but lost the next four games in a row against the 6ft 5in (1.96 meter) tall Canadian. Raonic’s next opponent in the quarter-finals will be Ukrainian giant killer Alexandr Dolgopolov, who followed up his upset victory over Rafa

Roger Federer (SUI) during his fourth round match against Tommy Haas (not pictured) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) Nadal on Monday with a comprehensive 6-2 6-4 drubbing of Italy’s Fabio Fognini. Already a four-time champion at Indian Wells, Federer is now on a ninematch winning streak after taking the title in Dubai before heading to Indian Wells but said he was wary about Anderson, who has reached a career-high ranking of 18 after making the final of his last two tournaments. MEANS A LOT Djokovic had won each of his previous seven encounters with Cilic but his perfect record was in danger after he lost the opening set to the towering Croatian, winning just three points on return. But the Serbian quickly got his act together, and broke Cilic twice in the second set then once in the deciding third to safely advance to the last eight. John Isner kept American hopes alive with a 7-6(3) 3-6 6-3 win over S p a i n ’s Fernando Verdasco, while Latvia’s E r n e s t s G ulbis defeated Roberto Bautista of Spain 76(0) 4-6 6-2. A third Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez, was sent packing by unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau, losing 6-3 7-6(4).

In the women’s draw, second seed Agnieszka Radwanska booked her spot in the semi-finals after a twoand-a-half hour slugfest with Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic. Radwanska looked to have regained control when she led 4-0 in the third set but only sealed the win by reeling off the last two games when Jankovic drew level at 4-4. Jankovic actually won two more points than Radwanska overall but still finished behind in their floodlit thriller. Radwanska’s semi-final opponent on Friday is Romania’s Simona Halep after she cruised into the next round with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Australian qualifier Casey Dellacqua. Halep only needed an hour to wrap up a lopsided victory and is poised to become the first Romanian woman to break into the top five when the updated world rankings are released on Monday. The only other Romanian woman to make the top 10 were Virginia Ruzici, who won the French Open in 1978 and made it up to number eight in the world, and Irina Spirlea, who climbed as high as seven.

KMTC Phagwah meet set for March 23 The Kennard Memorial Turf Club Phagwah meet is slated for March 23 at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice. Among the events carded for the day are D 3 and Lower W/A with the winner

pocketing $400,000, J 3 and lower W/A ($150,000), I and Lower W/A ($250,000), G and Lower W/A ($300,000), three years Guyana and West Indies Bred ($400,000), J 1 and Lower W/A ($200,000), A and Lower W/A ($1,000,000)

which is the main event and three year old Guyana bred ($250,000). The races will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and entries close on March 17; no late entries will be accepted.

Friday March 14, 2014

Kaieteur News

Ambris’ debut ton highlights opening day as Windwards reach 289-6 against Guyana By Sean Devers Twenty-year-old Sunil Ambris fashioned a brilliant debut 114 to spearhead the Windward Islands to 289-6 by the end of the first day of their third round Regional FourDay cricket match against host Guyana yesterday at the National Stadium in Providence. Ambris, from the Island of St. Vincent, faced 208 balls and batted for 238 minutes; reaching the boundary 17 times to become the first and youngest Windward Island batsman to score a century on debut. A handful of diehard fans watched as he shared in a 156run fifth wicket partnership with his Skipper Liam Sebastien, who finished the day unbeaten on a responsible 60. Sebastien, the 29-year-old Dominican, has so far batted for 231 minutes, faced 134 balls and hit eight fours in his innings after Devon Smith (28) and Tyrone Theophile (42) put on 65 for the first wicket. Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (3-63) and medium pacer Chris Barnwell (2-42) were the most successful Guyana bowlers. Ambris, who played in the 2012 under-19 World Cup in Australia, said he was delighted to be the first and youngest Windwards player to register a ton in his first innings at this level. “Words cannot express how happy I feel to achieve such a feat. The pitch was one that you had to be patient on and pick your shots since the spinners got slow turn. Once you did not try to play too many shots too early I think it was a good pitch to bat on,” Ambris said. The Windwards won the toss and opted to bat on a dry track which began keeping low from the first session but Smith and Theophile batted without much worry against

the new ball attack of Keon Joseph and off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine. After the first hour the visitors had progressed to 48 without loss as the ploy to use Deonarine against Smith, who is usually susceptible to quality off-spin, failed to bear fruit. Smith pulled Joseph for four and Theophile hooked the West Berbice fast bowler for six with nonchalant ease, while the left-handed Smith used his feet nicely to Deonarine and dumped him over the head of mid-on for another boundary. Smith, who has a century and five fifties from 33 Tests, pushed forward to Permaul and was snapped up at short leg for 28 from 83 minutes with four fours to leave the Islanders on 65-1. Permaul struck again when he had Theophile LBW for 42 just when he was beginning to look dangerous as the Windwards slipped to 78-2. Permaul then had Keddy Lesporis caught behind for a duck without addition to the score and by Lunch it was 853 from 36 overs. Nine overs after Lunch Guyana made another breakthrough when Romel Currency (15) was caught behind off Bishoo and the Windwards, the only Regional team without a title, were 107-4. Ambris, who turns 21 in nine days, cut Joseph viciously for four before whipping him elegantly off his legs for another boundary in the same over to gallop to 45. But he slowed down as he approached his half-century. He reached the landmark off Deonarine with his seventh four from 115 minutes and 107 balls and then celebrated with a ferocious pull off Bishoo which reached the boundary like a bullet. Sebastien joined Ambris and the pair took their team to Tea to 186-4 with an

unfinished 79-run fifth wicket partnership with Ambris on 63 and his Captain on 29. Guyana surprisingly left out Raun Johnson, who bowled impressively on debut in the last game, and Amir Khan from their starting X1 and toiled in sultry contributions after Tea as Sebastien and Ambris grew in confidence on the sluggish track. Ambris swiveled and pulled Joseph with disdain to the square-leg boundary before reaching his ton with an edge to the vacant third man ropes. He celebrated his century with a pugnacious pull off a Joseph ‘long-hop’ as the pacer conceded 45 runs from seven overs. His hundred took 221 minutes, 192 balls and was decorated with 15 fours and the celebrations of his Captain was even more animated than Ambris’, who punched the air in delight. Ambris batted intelligently and when the bearded Assad Fudadin replaced Joseph, the treatment from the right hander was the same; a thunderous pull to the midwicket boundary. Ambris was eventually trapped LBW to Barnwell, who removed Lyndon James for a duck next ball as the Islanders, who have beaten Guyana five times in their last six meetings at this level, slipped to 263-6. Alston Bobb averted the hat-trick ball before Sebastien got to his ninth fifty at this level with an audacious lofted drive, back over the bowler’s head when Barnwell pitched up. His half-century took 187 minutes, 117 balls and included seven fours. Bobb stayed with his Captain for 33 minutes to ensure their team, which beat Guyana at this venue by 151 runs in 2008, did not lose another wicket heading into the second day today.

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West Indies Team for Women’s World T20

Windies ladies will hope for continued good performances. WICB - ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies selectors announced the 15member West Indies Women’s squad for the upcoming ICC World T20 Tournament in Bangladesh. The team will again be led by inspirational captain Merissa Aguilleira, who has been at the helm since 2008. The squad includes several members who featured in the ICC World T20 in 2012 when the Windies reached the semi-finals – Stafanie Taylor, the two-time ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year; Anisa Mohammed – one of the most successful wickettakers in women’s cricket history; and Deandra Dottion – who holds the world record for the fastest century in a T20 match. FULL SQUAD: Merissa Aguilleira (captain/wicket-keeper)

Shemaine Campbelle Shanel Daley Deandra Dottin Chinelle Henry Stacy-ann King Kycia Knight (wicketkeeper) Kyshona Knight Natasha McLean Anisa Mohammed Subrina Munroe Shaquana Quintyne Shakera Selman Tremayne Smartt Stafanie Taylor MANAGEMENT Sherwin Campbell (Head Coach) Pat Greenidge (Manager) Ezra Moseley (Assistant Coach) David Bernard Sr (Trainer) Oba Gulston (Physiotherapist) Trent Sargeant (Analyst) Ayana Cooper (Player Relations Officer) Philip Spooner (Media

Manager) SCHEDULE Warm-ups March 18: vs South Africa at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothistan, Savar March 20: vs Australia at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothistan, Savar Tournament Matches March 24: vs England at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium March 26: vs Bangladesh at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium March 28: vs Sri Lanka at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium April 1: vs India at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium April 3: 1st Semi-final at at Sher-e-Bangla, Mirpur April 4: 2nd Semi-final at Sher-e-Bangla, Mirpur April 6: FINAL at Sher-eBangla, Mirpur

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Friday March 14, 2014

Chris Jordan prevents... Orin Joseph Memorial From page 39 stand, and three balls later brought up his third Twenty20 half-century for England from only 27 balls. The Nottinghamshire pair had put on 98 for the first wicket in 10.5 overs when Lumb skied a delivery from debutant Sheldon Cottrell which was well held by West Indies captain Darren Sammy. Hales departed for 38 in the 13th over, caught by Simmons at long-on off Cottrell (2-37) with the score on 112, and England’s innings faltered as they failed to build on the platform laid down by their openers. Morgan (18) struggled for fluency before he picked out

deep midwicket off Sunil Narine, and Krishmar Santokie (2-27) then accounted for both Jos Buttler (3) and Ben Stokes (0). And when Moeen Ali was run out by a sharp piece of fielding by Santokie to leave them 138-6 with 11 balls left, it looked unlikely England would reach 150. However, Jordan seized his moment to haul England to a competitive total with some devastating hitting off Dwayne Bravo in the final over as he made 27 from just nine balls. England then made a perfect start to the West Indies innings when Jade Dernbach bowled Dwayne Smith with the first ball. Jordan reduced the hosts to 4-2 in the second over as he took a caught-and-bowled chance off Johnson Charles, who got a leading edge as he tried to work the ball to leg. The former Surrey man then removed the dangerous

Marlon Samuels (15) when he dragged on to his stumps in the fifth over with the score on 28. West Indies recovered but England kept the run-rate under control as Ravi Bopara (228) bowled a tidy spell in the middle overs. Bopara removed Bravo (16), caught in the deep by Jordan with a diving onehanded effort, and Russell for a duck to leave the hosts 67-5 in the 11th over. Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin (33) combined well with the impressive Simmons to take the score to 140-6 before the former’s stumps were cleaned up by Jordan as England looked to close out the game. Home captain Sammy gave England a scare with 15 off 11 balls but with six to win off the last ball Dernbach, having bowled a wide off the previous delivery, saw Sammy fail to clear the boundary. Scores: England 165 for 6 (Lumb 63, Hales 38, Jordan 27*) beat West Indies 160 for 7 (Simmons 69, Ramdin 33, Jordan 3-39) by five runs.

Dominoes underway

Members of the coordinating committee at the launching, from left GDA President Faye Joseph, William Boston, Barbara Marshall, Colin MC Ewan, Cedrick Fortune and Mark Wiltshire. The former president of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, Orin Joseph, million dollar Memorial dominoes tournament got under last night at Faye Joseph residence, Gaulding Place with teams battling in zone one of the Georgetown leg. The competition, which was launched on Wednesday night last, is being played nation wide. Entrance fee is $9,000. The play offs will be held on April 25 and 26 and the finals on April 27. The corporation segment (six teams per zone) will be played on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Transport Sports Club. The open

segment will consist of nine teams per zone. The first and second place teams in each zone will qualify for the playoffs while the zone winners will receive prizes. Arrangements for out of town teams will be made including accommodation. Among the venues that will be used for the competition are Dynasty, Turning Point, R and R, Blue Birds, Faye Joseph residence, La Belle Hotel and bar and Transport SC. The tournament is being sponsored by the wife of the late Orin Joseph and president of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye

Joseph. The winning team will take home $500,000 and a trophy, the runner up $300,000 and a trophy, third place $100,000 and a trophy, fourth place $60,000 and a trophy. The most valuable players (male and female) will be given $7,500 each, the player that shared the first double love $5,000 and the best uniformed team $30,000. For more information teams can contact William Boston on 6310 5016/6817629, Mark Wiltshire 665-5855, Faye Joseph 625- 9941/ 6851009, Colin MC Ewan 6427502 or Barbara Marshall 6638280/617-0493.

Kaieteur News

Friday March 14, 2014

Page 39

Final Four refuel for Sunday -‘Road to Mecca’ continues

The ‘Road to Mecca’ National Basketball Club Championships has succeeded in returning the interest to the sport. The Final Four Playoffs of the competition will be played on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

By Edison Jefford Social networks have been abuzz ahead of Sunday’s much-anticipated National Basketball Club Championships Final Four as teams refuel to continue the journey on the ‘Road to Mecca’ which is the official name of what is a nationwide competition. From 16 teams drawn from the Berbice, Georgetown and Linden sub-associations for basketball, the tournament is down to four teams, Amelia’s Ward Jets and Retrieve Raiders from Linden and Colts and Dyna’s Ravens from long-time nemesis, Georgetown.

The two Linden teams will clash in the first game Sunday night from 6pm with Colts playing the indomitable Ravens in the featured game. With both number one seeds from the Georgetown and Linden blocks out of the competition, it means that an underdog team will become 2014 National Champions after the March 23 Grand F i n a l e . A f t e r S u n d a y ’s showdown, the two teams that renew the Linden vs. Georgetown rivalry will be known with two more teams exiting before the final; which two teams are likely to play for what will be a coveted title which has

sparked debates among pundits. Forward Neil Marks has not yet had a dominant game for Raiders and will have to be at his best to assist Dwayne Roberts and guard, Keon Cameron. Roberts racked in a mammoth 20 rebounds to beat Linden’s best, Kings, in a nail-biting two-point win. Roberts had 20-plus points to support his rebounding column. It speaks volumes of the amount of work Roberts had to do to get his team over the line. The work load will have to be divided in equal parts if Raiders are going to beat the very talented Jets.

Marks has to come to the party for Raiders to have a chance against Jets that has flown through the tournament untested. Jets’ Centre, Shane Webster among four others in the paint, will be too much for Roberts to battle alone; they will overwhelm him. Jets’ guard Rodwell Pelew has had a good tournament as well and is a handful in the backcourt with veteran, Kevin Joseph. On Paper, Jets seemed the more balanced and talented team on-court and on the bench, but Raiders beastmode is very threatening. Ravens seemed the clearer cut team to reach the

final, but Colts cannot be made to be underdogs in their contest; after all, Colts are ranked higher at number two opposed to Ravens fourth seed in Georgetown. But Ravens have proven that ranking means nothing after knocking off the top seed in the City, Pacesetters last weekend with a three-point win. Colts running game with Shelroy Thomas, who is the leading scorer in the tournament, and Dave Causway, have proven a difficulty for many teams. They have strengthened their inside with Steve McSeen and will have to play forward, Dane Kendal

GMR&SC March 23 Race Meet

Hand-in-Hand back on board Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Companies, with a reputation of being a reliable sup p o r t e r a n d sponsor of motor racing, has once again come forward and offered its support to the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Meet scheduled to be staged on March 23, at the South Dakota Circuit. Yesterday, during a simple ceremony conducted at the

Company’s Head Office on Avenue of the Republic, Navin RamlochanInspector of the Direct Sales Department handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Club Supervisor / Race Secretary Desiree Lee. Lee in response thanked the Company on behalf of the Club for its continued support towards the sport, adding that the entity has over the years constantly affirmed its

obligation to assist in the development of motor racing. Lee disclosed that thirty (30) races are carded for the day and competitors will line up in all the different categories in what is already being touted to be a day of keen rivalry among the best in the business. The first race is set to begin at 09:00 hrs with the line-up of competitors set for 08:30 hrs.

Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Company’s Navin Ramlochan-Inspector of the Direct Sales Department presents the cheque to Club Supervisor/Race Secretary Desiree Lee yesterday.

against Ravens. However, the brand of basketball Ravens have unleashed over the last few months has had very high standards and will challenge Colts to be at their very best. After all, to be the best, you have to beat the best, and that will be the theme of Sunday’s contest. Everything is on the line from Sunday for four teams. The crowds have been steadily increasing at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine have provided the right environs for entertainment. The ‘Road to Mecca’ continues Sunday night.

Page 40

Kaieteur News

Berbice River Bridge renews sponsorship with BCB

Friday March 14, 2014

Fistic fury anticipated as Guyanese pugilists take on Jamaican counterparts Dexter Marques

CEO of the BRBC Omadatt Samaroo (third from right) presents the sponsorship cheque to Julian Cambridge while, from left, junior selector Rabindranauth Saywack, BCB administrative officer Alisa Moonsee and Malcolm Peters display the exhibition posters. The Berbice River Bridge Company (BRBC) yesterday renewed ties with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB). The company will be sponsoring a 50 overs tournament for the second successive year. The competition will be played on a knock out basis by fourteen first division teams with the winner taking home $80,000 and a trophy, the runner up $40,000, while the man of the match in the final will receive $10,000. The tournament is

expected to be of the highest standard with teams such as Albion, Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets, Young Warriors, Port Mourant, Blairmont, West Berbice, Upper Corentyne and D’Edward taking part. The likes of Assad Fudadin, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Raun Johnson and Narsingh Deonarine are expected to represent their clubs in the tournament. First vice president of the BCB Julian Cambridge said that they are proud to have

the entity on board once again and expressed gratitude to the Chief Executive Officer of the BRBC Omadatt Samaroo. Samaroo said they are pleased to be associated with the BCB and wished the teams well. The BRBC will also donate two trophies for the board’s annual awards ceremony scheduled for March 22 and will sponsor a Golden Jubilee Exhibition which will be held in every secondary school in the

Mark Austin

county and would feature players from Berbice who represented the West Indies in tests, ODI including the female ODI match played at Albion, administrators of the BCB and a Berbice all time XI. The main aim of the exhibition is to educate the youths on the history of cricket and to promote cricket as an avenue for them. The exhibition will be taken to the general public once it completes the tour of the schools.

DCB Inter Association U-15 tourney

East Bank whip West Demerara by 104 runs Thomas, Jitall hit 50s By Zaheer Mohamed East Bank whipped West Demerara by 104 runs when play in the Demerara Cricket Board Inter Association U15 50 overs tournament continued yesterday at Everest Cricket Club. East Bank posted 259 all out in 49.4 overs batting first before restricting West Demerara to 155 in 48.2 overs. Paul Thomas top scored for East Bank with a stroke filled 70 which included eleven fours. He shared in a third wicket stand of 119 with Sagar Hathiramani who slammed one four in scoring 35 after East Bank were reduced to 21-3. Mark Ramsammy

stabilised the middle order with 47 including six fours before Bhojnarine Singh and Rawle Douglas added 63 for the seventh wicket stand to help their team to a challenging total. Singh made 21 (1x4) and Douglas 14; extras contributed meaningfully with 61 inclusive of 57 wides. Aftab Basir snared 3-51 from six overs, while Retesh Samaroo claimed 2-43 off 10 overs. West Demerara lost their first wicket at five before Ahamad Sattaur (13) and Troy Persaud took the score to 30, but after Persaud was dismissed for six West Demerara lost two more wickets with out addition to

Ganesh Gitlall hits through the off side

the score. Consistent bowling by the East Bank lads ensured there was a steady procession to and

from the pavilion until Ganesh Jitlall, who stroked eight fours and the only six (Continued on page 35)

F o r m e r l o c a l bantamweight champion, Dexter Marques will go after the World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBCCABOFE) flyweight title when he opposes Jamaican, Rudolph Hedge over 12 rounds when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control presents the ‘Jamaican Showdown’ at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Saturday March 29 next. The card comes at a time when four other Guyanese boxers are currently in Jamaica competing for honours in ‘The Contender,’ series against their Jamaican and other Caribbean counterparts, and will be

bolstered by three other bouts involving Jamaican and Guyanese pugilists. Guyanese, Quincy Gomes will also oppose Jamaican, Toriano Nicholas in a 4 rounds lightweight bout while local pugilist, Romeo Norville, fights Jamaican, Kemahl Russell in the super middleweight division over four rounds. Junior/middleweights, Mark Austin (Guy) and Devon Moncrieffe (Jam) will then battle over 8 rounds. The card gets underway when David Thomas and Richard Williamson go after each other in an all Guyanese super/lightweight affair over 4 rounds.

Kaieteur News

Friday March 14, 2014

Page 41

Guyanese boxers commence trek for big Winston George into 400m final bucks as Contender boxing series commences South American Games 2014 Santiago Chile

The Guyanese athletes got into action Thursday starting with the athletics programme at the National Stadium in Chile at the South American Games 2014 and Winston George stormed into the finals of that event. The 400m saw two Guyanese athletes, George and Wayne Harlequin in action. George went through to the finals, while Wayne Harlequin did not qualify. Ande Freitas Henriques won the heat in 45.57 followed by George in 46.57 and Alberto Aguilar in 46.91 being the top qualifiers in the first semifinal. The other qualifiers in the other semi were: Jhon al Perlaza Zapata in 46.54, Freddy Mezones in 46.83 and Hugo Balduino de Sousa in 47.63. The events for today will see both Guyanese athletes and boxers in action. In Athletics: Wo m e n ’s 1 0 0 m Semifinals features Alisha Fortune; Men’s 400m finals will see Winston George battling for the gold and the Men’s 1500m Finals features Cleveland Thomas and Cleveland Forde in the hunt. The Boxers start their competition today at 7:00pm with Dennis Thomas and Eon Bancroft in action, while Theresa London begins her quest tomorrow. All the bouts are quarterfinals. Thomas fights

Local welterweight pugilist, Revlon Lake, will begin his quest for an eventual purse of more than four million Guyana dollars when he opposes Jamaican boxer, Sakima Mulling when the curtains go up on the Jamaican Boxing Board’s ‘Contender’ boxing series, Wednesday, March 19 next. Activities got underway when the boxers attended the opening ceremony yesterday afternoon and according to local referee, Eon Jardine, the local crew of Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman, Gladwin Dorway, Derick Richmond and Lake, is bursting with confidence and rearing to go. Jardine said that the boxers have been placed into two categories, the Green a n d Ye l l o w Te a m respectively, with the local pugilists placed in the former group. Other boxers placed among the Guyanese pugilists are, Prince Lee I s i d o r e ( Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o ) , C h r i s t o p h e r ‘Shaka’ Henry and Gardial Roberts (Barbados) with Anthony Osbourne being the only Jamaican comprising this group; the Jamaicans

Winston George (left) with coach Lyndon Wilson will hope for glory in today’s final. Vivas Palacios Jorge Luis of Columbia, while Bancroft against Maestre Gabriel of

Venezuela and London against Tereza Figueiredo Flavia of Brazil.

EBDCA/Sarjoo Memorial T20 tourney continues this weekend The East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA)/Neville Sarjoo Memorial T20 tournament continues this weekend with several matches. Tomorrow at Laluni, Nandy Park will play the

host at 09:30 hrs before clashing with Sand Piper at 13:00hrs, while at YMCA, Ruimveldt will take on Diamond at 09:30 hrs and Herstelling will face Combined United at 13:00hrs.

On Sunday, Laluni will host Farm at 09:30 hrs and Eccles at 13:00hrs. Uprising will match skills with Ruimveldt at 09:30 hrs and Diamond will challenge Herstelling at 13:00 hrs at YMCA.

have been grouped in the yellow category. The four local boxers left Guyana for Kingston just over a week ago and are scheduled to match gloves with their Caribbean counterparts in the 3rd edition of ‘The Contender,’ a tournament conceptualized by the Jamaican Boxing Board. The local team is accompanied by coaches, Joseph Murray, Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers and Mark Thom. While each coach is responsible for a particular boxer, they will all unite to prepare the team for the rigorous tournament ahead. The boxers will remain in the Island for approximately four months, during which time, they will engage their counterparts in the host country, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados for a chance to clinch a lucrative purse of US$20,000. The tournament is dubbed, ‘The Contender’ and is similar to the local Guyana Fight Night but with a slight difference. When it started some 3 years ago, the organizers had pitted the skills of the best

middleweights on the Island in a module that was copied from a similar series staged in North America under the auspices of the World Boxing Council (WBC). Having ascertained the best middleweight, the promoters have now broadened the scope to the welterweight division and were hopeful of participation from other countries in North America and Europe. They have just managed to attract those aforementioned Caricom countries and this segment will see boxers out of Jamaica (8), Guyana (4), Trinidad and Tobago (2) and Barbados (2) going after the top prize. Kaieteur Sport was informed that once a fighter loses, he will return home but during their stay in Jamaica, the team will receive a weekly stipend to sustain them while all related expenses will be offset by the promoters. Other than the top prize, the runner up receives US$5000 with the boxer occupying the 3rd place receiving $2,500 and the boxer occupying the 4th place spot receiving $1,500.

Chris Jordan prevents series whitewash BBC Sport - Barbadosborn Chris Jordan inspired England to a five-run victory against West Indies in Bridgetown in their final match before the World Twenty20. The all-rounder hit 27 not out, including four sixes off the last over of England’s innings, to take the total to 165-5 after a middle-order stutter. Jordan then took over with the ball as he collected 3-39 from his four overs. Lendl Simmons (66) took Windies close but England

held on to end the series which they lost 2-1 - on a high. They certainly needed some positives to take to the Wo r l d Tw e n t y 2 0 i n Bangladesh having already lost the first two T20 internationals in the Barbadian capital. And Sussex all-rounder Jordan, 25, provided it - with bat, ball and in the field - in only his second T20 international as he staked a claim to be in the England team to face New Zealand in their opening match in Chittagong on 22 March.

England’s top order had struggled against the West Indies in their previous two matches, but after winning the toss at the Oval, Eoin Morgan’s side got off to a flying start. Openers Michael Lumb and Alex Hales peppered the boundary as they cracked 52 in just four overs. Lumb cleared the ropes off the bowling of Andre Russell in the seventh over with a six that bounced off the roof of the GreenidgeHaynes (Continued on page 38)

t r o Sp

Chris Jordan prevents series whitewash Darren Sammy reaches for the final ball of the match, which would have been a wide. (AFP)

Chris Jordan was ecstatic after removing Marlon Samuels. (Getty Images)

P.41

Ambris’ debut ton highlights opening day as Windwards reach 289-6 against Guyana P.37 Sunil Ambris drives through the covers yesterday.

Veerasammy Permaul in action yesterday.

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