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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
Consumed by corruption The culture of corruption has permeated every level of our society. We assume that things would only get worse, because many who are not yet corrupt are beginning to realise that the wrongdoing is significantly enhancing their lifestyles. But those persons represent a select few. The masses suffer as a result of the transgressions. This notion was expressed by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, when he declared corruption “public enemy number one” in developing countries, and told participants at an anti-corruption forum, “Every dollar that a corrupt official or a corrupt business person puts in their pocket is a dollar stolen from a pregnant woman who needs health care; or from a girl or a boy who deserves an education; or from communities that need water, roads, and schools. Every dollar is critical if we are to reach our goals to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to boost shared prosperity.” That in essence presents the picture as clearly as it could be depicted. Studies have shown that countries greatest affected are those with “nationalized economies, authoritarian governments and recently democratized societies. Scholars perceive corruption as not a cultural flaw but a symptom of a sick state. Some believe that corruption helps “grease the wheels” of an otherwise inefficient bureaucracy and economy. Companies that do business in places where corruption exists often say they have no choice but to pay bribes and kickbacks because that is the way business is done”. In the World Bank Group’s “Helping Countries Combat Corruption: The Role of the World Bank,” the following is observed: “The government benefits purchased with bribes vary by type and size. Contracts and other benefits can be enormous (grand or wholesale corruption) or very small (petty or retail corruption), and the impact of misinterpretation of laws can be dramatic or minor. Grand corruption is often associated with international business transactions and usually involves politicians as well as bureaucrats. The bribery transaction may take place entirely outside the country. Petty corruption may be pervasive throughout the public sector if firms and individuals regularly experience it when they seek a license or a service from government. The bribes may be retained by individual recipients or pooled in an elaborate sharing arrangement. The sums involved in grand corruption may make newspaper headlines around the world, but the aggregate costs of petty corruption, in terms of both money and economic distortions, may be as great if not greater. Theft of state assets by officials charged with their stewardship is also corruption. An extreme form is the largescale “spontaneous” privatization of state assets by enterprise managers and other officials in some transition economies. At the other end of the scale is petty theft of items such as office equipment and stationery, vehicles, and fuel. The perpetrators of petty theft are usually middle- and lower-level officials, compensating, in some cases, for inadequate salaries. Asset control systems are typically weak or nonexistent, as is the institutional capacity to identify and punish wrongdoers. Theft of government financial resources is another form of corruption. Officials may pocket tax revenues or fees (often with the collusion of the payer, in effect combining theft with bribery), steal cash from treasuries, extend advances to themselves that are never repaid, or draw pay for fictitious “ghost” workers, a pattern well documented in the reports of audit authorities. In such cases financial control systems typically have broken down or are neglected by managers. Corruption within government can take place at both the political and the bureaucratic levels. The first may be independent of the second, or there may be collusion. At one level, controlling political corruption involves election laws, campaign finance regulations, and conflict of interest rules for parliamentarians. At another level corruption may be intrinsic to the way power is exercised and may be impossible to reduce through lawmaking alone. In the extreme case, state institutions may be infiltrated by criminal elements and turned into instruments of individual enrichment. Corruption is systemic (pervasive or entrenched) where bribery, on a large or small scale, is routine in dealings between the public sector and firms or individuals.” It is quite disconcerting that all of the above are familiar to us and continue to consume our society after almost 50 years of independence. To combat this state of affairs may take generations.
Friday March 20, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
As the nation laid Courtney Crum Ewing to rest, all must heed his call for justice DEAR EDITOR, Courtney Crum Ewing was murdered and is now buried. His death is a serious blow to all Guyanese, far and wide. It shocked the nation. It was a heinous crime; perhaps the most barbaric act committed against a human being by the enemies of democracy-the dictators who do not believe life is sacred. Their killing knows no boundaries. It was a well written scrip in a violent country plagued by unsolved murders and crime. But there is hardly a country that is not plagued by crime, be it major or petty. Despite that reality, the ideal of the majority of Guyanese, we
believe, is for Guyana to be crime-free or, at worst, have negligible crime. Guyanese must never forget the evil that entered their lives when Courtney Crum Ewing was cut down and they should not rest until the perpetrators are caught and prosecuted. Indeed, all Guyanese should remember and mark the atrocities that have touched their lives and that of Courtney on that sad evening and must rigorously strive to prevent recurrence. His death was like the falling of a giant tree. The late Courtney Crum Ewing was an original young man; an extraordinary, fearless and creative
person. He fought against an unjust and corrupt society. In his own way, he was a private man who brought a sense of propriety to his public duties. His style was unique. Home spun, he relied on his intelligence and his skills to highlight injustice and the woeful inadequacies of the crumbling PPP regime. His life and work is a timeless testament of dedication, discipline and selfless service to the people who must never allow his record and legacy to be tarnished or besmirched. His untimely demise, however, mired in debate and controversy, still (Continued on page 31)
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
May is stock-taking month since Independence, and decision-making month going forward DEAR EDITOR, A few years ago, I wondered aloud in the letter pages whether anyone had done a survey of former colonies to determine how many have achieved promised socioeconomic and political goals since gaining political independence, and if those that failed miserably should be re-colonized. It was a survey that would require poring over volumes of data, whether provided by governments or by international organizations that had access to those countries’ data, but I have not read any compiled reports. Interestingly enough, some countries that have not been de-colonized have deliberately chosen not to be de-colonized, perhaps after having had the benefit of observing the utter failure of other countries that gained independence. If we forego analyzing distant lands and stick right in the Caribbean and neighboring environs, we can find some countries are still under foreign rule of some sort, and deliberately by popular choice. Whereas most Caribbean nations, made up primarily of Blacks, have attained independence, a handful of others have not. Take the British Virgin Islands, for example, where the 2010 Census shows 83.4 percent of the population are Blacks, with Guyanese being 7.2 percent, the folks there prefer to remain a British Overseas Territory. The US Virgin Islands, with a 76 percent Black population, is still a United States territory. The Turks and Caicos
Islands are 88 percent Blacks and still a British Overseas Territory. In 2011, a poll in Bermuda – a British Overseas Territory - showed 70 percent of the people were against independence. Martinique and Guadeloupe, with majority Black populations, remain overseas regions of France. Today, I am wondering aloud if it is the general failure of countries that attained independence that is goading citizens in those still under foreign rule to retain their status quo. More specifically, has anyone done a survey of Third World leaders, including the Caribbean, to determine whose leadership produced success stories and whose did not? Was winning independence extrapolated into winning socioeconomic and political battles for locals? Whereas locals have been informed and educated by their own leaders about the perils of imperialism and colonialism, including
denial of rights and freedoms and social and economic injustice, it has turned out that some of our own Third World leaders were no better than the colonialists and imperialists. Without itemizing cases of political oppression and failed economic experiments that are pretty much widely known, from Africa to Asia to Latin America and the Caribbean, it does appear that some political leaders, who became very popular with their peoples, converted their popularity into permission to do anything they wanted. While some emerged from the military via coups, others rose through their party organizations via elections. Among this latter group were some that became the embodiment of their parties, or around whom party activities revolved, creating such a dependency syndrome that no one and nothing could be done without their approval. A cult-like syndrome of
leader worship developed. Tragically for some countries, the demise of such leaders tended to create a vacuum as a struggle then ensued over who should lead. In Guyana, Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan could easily be described as fitting the description of iconic embodiments of their respective parties. When Burnham died in 1985, there reportedly was a bit of an internal struggle in the PNC between Desmond Hoyte and Hamilton Green over the direction and decisions the party should take, and even though Hoyte would prevail, residual effects of the embodiment concept remained right up until Hoyte died in 2002 and Robert Corbin took over and the concept resurfaced in full effect. When Cheddi Jagan died
in 1997, there was some sort of confusion over who would succeed him, and it was only recently that we learned from former PPP e x e c u t i v e , M r. R a l p h Ramkarran, some details about the nature of the
confusion and power struggle. But in the ensuing period, Bharrat Jagdeo emerged as the embodiment of the PPP, and both his recent remarks at Babu Jaan and his contemptuous (Continued on page 31)
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Free education can’t continue Daily Nation - Government does not plan to reduce the opportunities for people to advance by education and other means, but in the future Barbadians should expect to carry “a little more of the burden” of the cost of such projects. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart made this point yesterday evening, while defending his Government’s decision to have Barbadians studying at the University of the West Indies (UWI) finance 20 per cent of the cost of their education. He was making an “intervention” in a discussion on the $489 million budget for
education in the financial year 2015-16, as the annual debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure continued in the House of Assembly. “I just thought I had to make this final intervention, my final intervention, that there was a time when there were no opportunities, there was a time when there were opportunities that were on the surface, free, and that the time is coming when, while the opportunities will not be abridged, those persons who have been empowered are going to have to be asked to carry a little more of the burden than
Freundel Stuart has been the case in the past,” Stuart said.
CDB to improve data collection on poverty in the region BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Barbadosbased Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it will be working with stakeholders and other partners over the next five years to improve the collection of data regarding poverty in the region. The CDB said an injection of US$7.06 million will help advance the reduction of poverty, by equipping countries with tools to better extract critical data needed for decision making and analysis. CDB said the
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission will receive a US$2.78 million grant to conduct MPM through implementation of a Sustainable Data Programme (SDP) and to develop an integrated OECS Geographic Information System. CDB said it would also provide US$1.38 million for MPM enhancement support to non-OECS borrowing member countries and for management of the programme and that counterpart funding totaling US$2.90 million will come from BMCs, the OECS
Commission, UNDP, UNICEF, ILO and World Bank. CDB’s CPA programme was implemented in 1995 to assist countries to identify and plan for the needs of men, women and children in rural and urban areas who experience poverty in the ways that are characteristic in the Caribbean. The CDB said poverty in the Caribbean is more extensive in rural and marginal areas where the poor are engaged in primary production occupations such as agriculture, fishing, mining and timber extraction.
Venezuela seeks 10 million signatures in anti-US petition CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Supporters of President Nicolas Maduro have launched a petition drive to end what they consider to be U.S. aggression. The goal is to round up 10 million letters and signatures demanding that President Obama repeal an order freezing the assets of Venezuelan officials accused of violating human rights during anti-government protests. Maduro has blasted Obama’s move as an attempt to undermine his socialist rule. The Venezuelan president was the first to sign the petition before government supporters yesterday began fan-
ning out across the South American country to canvass for more. “Obama is crazy,” said German Pacheco, one of about 300 people who lined up at Plaza Bolivar in downtown Caracas to support the initiative. “All he wants to do is to take ownership of the country’s oil wealth.” Opponents say Maduro is trying to distract attention from a deepening economic crisis and have denounced what they say is an attempt by educators to force children to draw anti-US pictures as part of the government campaign. The government denies it’s pressuring anyone into signing the petition.
Nicolas Maduro
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Friday March 20, 2015
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Brother maintains accused were among mob that attacked sibling Mash Day murder trial…
Navindra Mohabir, the brother of murdered businessman, Kumar Mohabir, has maintained that the two accused participated in the stabbing incident which led to the death of his younger sibling. He is the final witness to take the stand in the murder trial of Devon Thomas and Randy Isaac. After he testified yesterday, State Prosecutors, Stacy Gooding and Diana Kaulesar indicated they have no further witnesses to call, closing the case. Thomas and Isaac are accused of being among a group of men who brutally attacked and stabbed Mohabir, called “Duksy” and “Fire Link” of Fernandes Street, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara , on Vlissengen Road, on February 23, 2013. The victim operated a tent rental business at his residence. He was attacked after he went to the location to collect a tent he rented to his neighbours for the Republic Day celebrations. Mohabir was allegedly stabbed by a group of intoxicated persons, armed
with broken bottles. He was subsequently rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where he died while receiving treatment. The businessman’s older brother, Navindra was also wounded in the attack. He was treated at the institution and sent away. S u b s e q u e n t investigations led to the arrest of the two accused. Thomas and Isaac are facing Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed 12-member jury at the High Court in Georgetown. They are being represented by Attorneys Latchmie Rahamat and Peter Hugh. In his evidence yesterday, (Mohabir), the Prosecution’s main witness recalled that he stood a few feet away from his brother as a group of men attacked, beat and mortally wounded him. Mohabir told the court that he rushed to his brother’s assistance and tried to shield him from the ‘blows,’ but he too was wounded in the process. He recalled that on Mashramani 2013 he and his younger brother had left their Enterprise, ECD residence for Georgetown to collect a tent
which had been rented to their neighbours. He recounted that they took his two sons and niece along for the ride. The witness told the court that after arriving in Georgetown they observed the celebrations for awhile before proceeding to location on Vlissengen Road to disassemble the tent. Mohabir recalled that it was after his brother left to purchase drinks for the children that he was attacked and stabbed by a group of persons. He noted that the two accused were amongst the attackers. Mohabir was then subject to a series of questions by the Defence, but he maintained the two accused are responsible for inflicting the injuries which lead to his brother’s death. Under cross examination, the witness was asked whether he could recall what his surroundings looked like prior to the incident. The man told the court that he stood a few feet away from a music set and bar. He said that a group of persons were dancing nearby.
Mohabir said that he recognized four of the persons dancing. The defence attorney (Rahamat) then inquired from the witness whether he was always in a position to see the faces of persons while they were, “screwing the bulb and spinning around,” as he had described. Mohabir maintained that because he knew the persons he was able to recognize them. The witness told the court that it was within the few seconds that his brother walked over to the bar to purchase drinks that he was attacked. He said that he rushed over and pulled the persons off his brother, who had fallen to the ground. The man said that he dealt one of the attackers “a cuff,” to the face before he proceeded to shield his younger sibling. Mohabir said that it was at this point that he was also injured. He said that the men beat and stabbed his brother about his body. Rahamat then suggested to the witness that he failed to mention those details to a reporter who interviewed him
one day after the incident. In response, Mohabir said that he could not recall what he told the reporter since he was on medication for the injuries he sustained. He however noted that he didn’t believe what he had to say to a reporter was as important as what he had to tell the police. The witness also recalled that he saw Thomas at Woodlands Hospital while he was there receiving treatment. He said that he did not raise an alarm at the time because he did not know his brother was going to die. Mohabir said too that he did not mention this to anyone at the time, because his relatives were not around and the male nurse who had been tending to his wounds, could not relate, since he spoke Hindi. On Wednesday, Government Pathologist told the court that a post mortem examination revealed that
Kumar Mohabir died as a result of multiple stab wounds. Under cross examination by the defence, Dr. Singh related that he checked the body and around the wounds for glass fragments but he did not find anything. The doctor however, noted that injuries were caused by a sharp object. Deputy Superintendent Booker also testified. He told the court that he conducted an identification parade involving Randy Isaac (the number two accused). The officer said that prior to the exercise he told the accused that he was a suspect in the February 23 stabbing that led to the death of Kumar Mohabir. The officer said that Navindra Mohabir attended the parade and identified Isaac as one of the persons who stabbed his brother.
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 20, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Leon Hunt hunted me down on Mark Benschop I left the Courtney CrumEwing church service last Wednesday in the company of one of the election organizers of the Alliance for Change, Leon Hunt. I hadn’t anything to eat all day, so I told him I would have to grab a bite before I dropped him off at the AFC office on the railway line at Sheriff Street. From the time we drove off, during our meal at Excellence Restaurant on Charlotte Street to the time we arrived at the AFC’s head office, Leon Hunt wanted my opinion on Mark Benschop’s election move. The very next day (Thursday), I opened both independent dailies, the KN and SN, and saw a similar enquiry from well-known activist, Norman Browne, who posed some intriguing questions about Benschop’s entry into the election campaign with his own party. From the time Mark Benschop entered election politics in 2015, I have had to answer questions about
Benschop, because most Guyanese know we shared an intense two-year political camaraderie in which we stood alone fighting the PPP’s hegemony. Sunday night, I was speaking to popular youth leader in the PNC, Robert Wayne Maison, and he shouted over the phone, “Is wuh yuh friend, Benschop think he doing?” Last Saturday night at the APNU-AFC public meeting at Howes and Adelaide Streets, Charlestown, Heston Bostwick, APNU election organizer engaged me about Benschop. He asked how well I know Benschop. The look on his face was furious. Here is my answer to Leon Hunt, Robert Wayne Maison, Heston Bostwick and others. The analysis that follows won’t be condemnatory of Benschop, but it will not be flattering at all. Benschop has a right to feel that he should challenge the coalition for votes. It is his right to feel that he is so popular with
Guyanese that they will choose him in front of the coalition. My honest opinion is that I don’t feel that will happen. Benschop will not like what I will now say and he will reply. I honestly don’t feel Benschop will get twenty votes and I am being dead serious. Benschop and I were welcomed by Guyanese who saw us as doing what the opposition couldn’t do. But that was years ago. Events have overrun Benschop. There is absolutely no way Guyanese will leave the APNU-AFC coalition and vote for Benschop. Benschop was not at the Pegasus Hotel when the coalition was launched. He should have seen the cascading emotions. I don’t know if he was at the Crum-Ewing church service on Wednesday. Moses Nagamootoo was greeted by thousands with rapturous joy. I was inside the church, seated next to Volda Lawrence when we heard the commotion. I looked at her with a perplexed face, and with a tiny smile, she said, “It is Moses.” Norman Browne in his missive argued that there are questions that Benschop must answer. Mr. Browne mentioned the “one-man party” appearance. Benschop wants to challenge the historic APNU-AFC coalition and so far has been unable to raise a party with a solid executive with influential, admirable figures. Is that the person Guyanese should vote for? When is Mr. Benschop going to produce his team to the population? Mr. Browne went on to
say that Benschop must expect his party to be subject to rigorous scrutiny. I have long had my questions about the finance of Mr. Benschop. This is a question people are always curious about. Dr. David Hinds, Leonard Craig, Gerhard Ramsaroop and Tacuma Ogunseye are some of the names that can testify that I have always been concerned about Benschop’s finance. A public political figure will attract that kind of curiosity once he spends lots of money. A good example is this columnist. I remember Christopher Ram during the
vigil outside Parliament in 2012 for the protestors killed in Linden saying to me, “Freddie you have to get a new car.” I remember Khurshid Sattaur laughingly said to me outside Survival Supermarket when I was fixing my car, “Freddie you have to get a new car.” Benschop should now tell the electorate the source of his financing seeing that he never had a fulltime job in Guyana. Is it true that Benschop is an American citizen? Is Mr. Benschop campaigning in the Corentyne and Essequibo trying to get traditional PPP
Frederick Kissoon votes? He knows that is where he should be. But APNU and AFC people I know up there told me he has no presence in the Corentyne. Maybe not as yet. When Benschop replies, I will have lots more analysis to offer.
Dem boys seh... Ralph shaping up fuh kick Jagdeo ass People does always know when something hurt somebody. It does show in dem face. But if you can’t see dem face then you got to look fuh other signs. Jagdeo talk how Cheddi live like a big shot in dem days, meaning that wha Cheddi had fuh a house was a big house. He then seh that since Cheddi didn’t want none of he Ministers to live in a logie was alright fuh dem to tek money and build palaces and mansions. Jagdeo build a palace and a mansion in one. Dem boys talk de story and Jagdeo get vex, but people couldn’t see he face, because he does always hide when he get skin up. Janet daughter tek he to task; Janet secretary tek he to task and tell he to shut he mouth, and Ralph tek he to task too. Jagdeo tek out Hoyte house pun North Road and call it a palace when it barely qualify as a decent living quarters. Then he tek out a house that belong to Berry Berry family and try fuh tell people how is Janet son own and de boy sell it. That was not de first lie that he tell. He tek out a Food fuh de Poor house and seh that
is a normal sugar worker house. Dem sugar worker now asking he if he eye pass dem. If Cheddi had de power he woulda slap Jagdeo just like how Donald did seh that he Jagdeo woulda slap de teacher in de Rupununi because he stupid. Dem boys see Ralph polishing he shoes de other day and when dem ask he wha he doing he tell dem that he preparing to kick some asses. Dem boys remind he that Jagdeo is only one ass, then he seh that Jagdeo got he best friend who siding wid he, Jagdeo, and he got de one who use to ROAR like a mouse and now whispering like a cat wid arthritis. He got to kick some people who deh in de school system. Is either these people been to school we never go to, or dem smoking grass and cow dung or eating from a dunks tree. Perhaps dem was drinking something that ain’t deh in Guyana to come up wid a date like All Fools Day fuh dem pickney write Common Entrance. De teachers seh that Priya tracing luck. Talk half and watch Ralph do some kicking.
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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NICIL vs. Guyana Stores court battle...
Brassington tenders investment proposal, faces further questions Executive Director of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, Winston Brassington formally tendered the proposal for investment in Guyana Stores Limited, (GSL) after he returned to the stand to face further questioning in the court battle between NICIL and Royal Investments Inc (RII). The entity which owns and operates Guyana Stores Limited is facing court action by the Privatisation Unit/ NICIL for failing to pay the balance of US$2 million for the 70 million shares in Guyana Stores which the company acquired for US$6million. The matter is continuing before Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire at the High Court in Georgetown. After tendering the document yesterday, Brassington faced further questioning from Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo. Luckhoo is representing businessman, Tony Yassin, the proprietor of Royal Investments Incorporated. Under cross examination, Brassington noted that he was not sure that Royal Investments was not incorporated at the time the proposal was submitted. Luckhoo then asked him whether in reference to the document tendered he would be correct in saying that there was a consortium of ownership at that point in time – one of those being Salmo Corporation, which was owned by Mr. Yassin. Brassington replied, “Yes.” He noted that subsequent to the proposal, Royal Investments Inc. was selected as the preferred
investor. He said that it was around 1999. The Attorney then drew Brassington’s attention to a letter dated 7th June, 2000 addressed to Reeaz Khan (at the time a director of RII) and sent by him (Brassington). He was asked to read that letter for himself. The attorney then asked the witness whether he agreed that the letter terminated the agreement between Royal Investments Inc. and NICIL. “No,” Brassington replied. He however accepted that effective June 15, 2000; Royal Investments Inc. was no longer the preferred investor. Brassington also agreed that negotiations with Royal Investments Inc. had been brought to an end, and had also ended the relationship with Reeaz Khan. He accepted that it was after June 7, 2000, that he met Yassin. When asked by the attorney about the negotiations between himself and Yassin, Brassington said that he
“cannot recall.” He later accepted that he had negotiations with Mr. Yassin as part of Royal Investments Inc. The NICIL director said that Reeaz Khan was part of those negotiations. He said that the meetings were held at the office of the Privatisation Unit. Brassington said that he could not recall whether a letter on the matters was mentioned in that discussion to Royal Investments, but accepted that if he did write, the letter would be in the “bundle of letters” he has addressed to Yassin. Yassin also returned to the witness stand for the continuation of his crossexamination by attorney Rafiq Khan. The attorney questioned the GSL owner about the sustainability and competitiveness of his business with regards to the Hire Purchase accounts. The attorney pointed out that just a few doors away, there is Courts, the largest
hire purchase business in Guyana. He then suggested to Yassin that GSL faces great competition from Courts in terms of hire purchase. The businessman accepted, but did not agree to the suggestion that Courts offers a wider variety of goods for Hire Purchase than GSL. Khan then suggested that down the road, there is the Singer Company, which to a large extent engages in the hire purchase business and also provides competition for GSL. “There are also other businesses in Guyana which offer hire purchase business which provide some competition to GSL,” Khan pointed out. The attorney went on to note that based on the exhibits tendered between 1997-2000, GSL had seen a decline in business due to the hire purchase
Guyana Stores CEO, Tony Yassin
NICIL Director, Winston Brassington competition. Yassin said that this was so to some extent. He did not agree, however, with the suggestion that Royal Investments Inc. was not able to introduce any innovative
measures to recapture the hire purchase business in the last 14 years. “When Royal Investments Inc. took over GSL in 2000, the employees were given the option of staying on with GSL or take their severance and leave. Would you agree with me that a large number opted for the severance?” Khan asked “Yes.” Yassin replied, but he noted that GSL was owned by the Government at the time, therefore, they had to bear the cost. The matter has been adjourned until March 23.
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Friday March 20, 2015
Finance Minister No record at Brickdam of slain activist’s - Commander Hicken unhurt, driver complaint hospitalised after Buxton collision Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, was yesterday involved in an accident in which his SUV crashed into a car at Buxton, East Coast of Demerara. While the Minister was unhurt, a Government statement indicated that his driver was injured and was admitted to a city hospital. According to the statement, at approximately 14:30hrs today (yesterday) the “driver of the Minister of Finance” was involved in a vehicular accident on the public road at Buxton. “The Minister of Finance
and his security detail were also in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Only the driver of the Minister’s vehicle was injured and he is currently receiving medical treatment at a city hospital.” The occupant of the other vehicle involved in the accident was also unhurt, the Government statement said. “All parties are cooperating with the investigation. The Minister would like to express his gratitude to the many public spirited individuals who rendered assistance immediately at the scene of the accident and who transported him and his driver to the hospital. The Minister would also like to thank the management and staff of the hospital for their immediate and professional response.”
The Guyana Police Force has found no record at the Brickdam Police Station of slain political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing filing a complaint of being threatened by anyone. This was disclosed yesterday by Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken, who also indicated that police are questioning yet another individual in connection with Crum-Ewing’s murder, which occurred over a week ago. Commander Hicken indicated that there was “no occurrence” of any threat at the station. A source said that this could mean that while Crum-Ewing may have made a report at Brickdam, his complaint was not documented. Relatives of the slain former army officer have stated that he was threatened twice while staging his oneman protest against Attorney General Anil Nandlall. He
reportedly identified one of the individuals who made the threats, while filing a complaint at the Brickdam Police Station. Relatives said that he also filed a complaint with a rank at the Attorney General’s office. Yesterday, Crime Chief Leslie James told Kaieteur News that he had instructed his staff to check their records to see if there were any reports of threats made against the activist. James had also said that the Guyana Police Force will go “wherever this investigation leads” in its quest to apprehend the individuals who riddled Crum-Ewing while he was using a bullhorn in Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Police officials have been reluctant to divulge too much about their investigation, but Commander Hicken disclosed yesterday that an
individual is in custody in connection with CrumEwing’s murder. Two other men have since been released. But questions have arisen as to why police have not questioned the individuals who had allegedly issued the threats. Some homicide experts have stated that it would have been “common sense” for the investigators to not only question the individuals, but to also check on their whereabouts at the time of Crum-Ewing’s death. According to the sources, the investigators should also try to ascertain whether these persons had firearms and conduct ballistic tests. There are reports that police are preparing to question one of the individuals. Crum-Ewing, who was laid to rest on Wednesday, was gunned down two Tuesdays ago in Third Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme,
East Bank Demerara, reportedly while urging residents, by way of a bullhorn, to vote against the ruling party in the upcoming General and Regional Elections. He was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head, and twice to the stomach. The killer used a .32 pistol and fired at such close range that gunpowder burns were left on his victim’s clothes and body. Police had stated that Crum-Ewing was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about his body. However, other reports suggest that there were only two men in the car that transported the shooter. A second car with another two men came up soon after. Police have also received reports that there was a brief verbal confrontation before the gunfire.
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Govt. access to US$17M IDB loan…
Greenidge vs. Ashni Singh court date set for All Fools’ Day A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Minister of Finance Carl Greenidge is not pleased with the fact that acting Chief Justice (CJ), Ian Chang has set the hearing for a legal challenge he filed against the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, to be on April Fools’ Day. Greenidge filed a writ at the High Court last week to prevent the government from accessing a US$17M loan it recently received from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The defendants in the case are Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. According to the writ filed by Greenidge’s lawyer, Roysdale Forde, the plaintiff is asking that the proceeds under the Loan Agreements signed between Dr. Singh and the IDB be paid into the Consolidated Fund. Greenidge is also asking that there be no withdrawal of
APNU’s Carl Greenidge the proceeds of the said Loan Agreements except by an Appropriation Act as directed by Article 217 of the Constitution. Greenidge’s lawyer also asked the court to hear and subsequently grant a Conservatory Order to ensure that the Minister of Finance and any of his agents cannot spend or permit such as it relates to the loans, pending
the hearing and determination of the case. Greenidge told Kaieteur News that his lawyer was informed yesterday that the CJ named April 1 as the day on which the matter will be considered. The former finance minister said that he is not aware whether “judges are supposed to indulge in humourous tricks or pranks in the course of their professional practice, but I will assume for the time being, that the date is of no significance”. Nonetheless, Greenidge said that the decision has disappointed and alarmed him for two reasons. The politician explained that an injunction or Conservatory Order would normally be considered within one or two days, because the subject matters they concern cannot be undone easily, if at all. He said that the need for urgency is also obvious and in Guyana “judges sometimes make odd
decisions.” Greenidge on that note said that a Minister of Finance may spend billions with the stroke of a pen, as it were, but within the two weeks to the end of the month, the CJ will be reflecting on the matter while all the money is likely to have been spent. This, he said, is unless the date for the hearing has been issued along with the equivalent of a temporary restraining order. The APNU Executive Member said that as far as he is aware, that has not been done, so he is now left to consider the situation and wonder what to make of the CJ’s intentions. Greenidge said that the CJ has been asked to look at the law, particularly the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, and stop the Government from spending without the agreement of a new Parliament. He said too that Chang
has accepted the Order, but sets a date nearly two weeks away, an unprecedented act as far as he has been advised, especially because this is likely to give the Government an additional 14 days, at least, to prepare its defence. The politician asserted that the CJ, therefore, without pronouncing on the merits or otherwise of the case, has left the stable door open in a manner that would render any decision he eventually hands down almost completely ineffectual, if not meaningless. He reminded that the delay in the so-called Budget Cuts case of 2013 had exactly the same effect. He said that the Government was able to spend unrestrained in spite of Budget cuts while the Courts, oblivious to the danger, pursued a process which had the effect of giving the Government the room it wished. Greenidge pointed out that in the most recent case that APNU brought before the
CJ, he agreed that the Government was breaking the law in spending what had not been approved, but declined to venture a decision with regard to constraining them from continuing to break the law and breach the Constitution. The former finance Minister said that one may offer many reasons for the manner in which the CJ words his decisions as well as the processes he utilizes. “Most people would agree that justice delayed is justice denied but C. Northcote-Parkinson, one of my favourite references for students reading Public Finance or Public Administration coined a rider, The Law of Delay – delay is the deadliest form of denial. And he went on to explain, “Delays are thus deliberately designed as a form of denial and extended to cover the life expectation of the person whose proposal is being pigeon-holed. This is the law of delay.”
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 20, 2015
Outrage continues to grow…
Janet Jagan’s confidante slams Jagdeo’s mansion statements Former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s attempts to justify his multi-million-dollar mansion in Pradoville 2, by comparing it to the home of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, is fast spiraling out of control and proving a public relations nightmare for the ruling party. Joining the list of critics condemning Jagdeo is Sadie Amin, a former personal assistant and close confidante of Janet Jaganwho with her husband, Dr. Jagan, were both former Presidents. Amin, in a letter to the editor published in Kaieteur News yesterday, wrote that the couple was legendary when it came to their frugality. She had a simple message to Jagdeo: “Former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, should stick to the old adage: If you
don’t have anything good to say - SHUT UP!” During an unusual press conference last week to defend his statements at Babu Jaan, Berbice, during a forum to honour Dr. Jagan, Jagdeo when asked to justify his mansion said that Government Ministers do not have to live in logies to prove that they are honest. He said that Dr. Jagan lived in the upscale Bel Air area, but there were no questions about whether he was corrupt. He said that Jagan’s abode was not typical of all Guyanese and insisted that the area was a prime one. Immediately, the comments sparked condemnation from former Executive Member of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Ralph Ramkarran,
Janet Jagan Dr. Cheddi Jagan and later on, the Jagans’ daughter, Nadira JaganBrancier. Amin, a lawyer, who said she worked by Mrs. Jagan for 10 years, said that whether the comments of Jagdeo were
well intended as justification for the new dispensation of lifestyles for some of the ruling class, he should not have invoked Dr. Jagan’s way of life. “To compare Dr. Jagan’s simple life and his home in Bel Air to what obtains today is absurd. Dr. Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan were way above reproach when it comes to modesty in both public and private life.” She said that there is no need to reiterate what Senior Counsel Ramkarran and Mrs. Jagan-Brancier said. Highlighting one story how the Jagans lived by example and frugality, Amin recalled one “funny story” about Cheddi’s legendary frugality. “Apparently the roof of the house leaked and Janet would use the pots and pans to catch the drips. It was only when she ran out of drip pans that Cheddi reluctantly agreed to have the roof fixed.” Amin said that she worked with Mrs. Jagan for almost 10 years and never once could the label “fancy lifestyle” apply. “As president, Mrs. Jagan chose to live at Bel Air instead of State House. The presidential guards complained that their assigned space was inadequate. She loathed the use of outriders and sirens when she travelled. Mrs. Jagan was a security nightmare for those responsible for that assignment. She frequently made unscheduled stops to go to the market, visit a sick person, etc.” Amin said that she and Mrs. Jagan took a few overseas vacations. “We always stayed at moderately priced hotels with kitchenette-styled facilities.
Bharrat Jagdeo
Sadie Amin
No Marriott for us and all expenses were split equally. Mrs Jagan’s only extravagance was the purchase of local art. It got to the point where “starving artists” would leave their pieces at the Office of the President (OP) for her to buy. Desmond Alli was one such artist.” Amin recalled that when Mrs. Jagan resigned from the Presidency, she did not want to inconvenience the staff of OP as it was a Sunday. Rather she did the announcement from the enclosed stairwell of her house. “I remember scrambling to organise the small space to hold the podium, national flag and other equipment. Such was her modesty.” The former personal assistant argued that one can criticise the former Presidents for their political views and their tenures “but when it came to humility, simplicity and integrity with the public purse, only the unconscionable among us can cast even a pebble. Mr. Jagdeo, your comparison is chalk to cheese.” Earlier this week, JaganBrancier in a letter to the editor was also highly critical describing Jagdeo’s lifestyle as “opulent”. The letter would continue to signal a growing divide between the current leaders of the People’s Progressive Party and the relatives of Dr. Jagan who found the party. Jagan-Brancier did not even refer to Jagdeo as the former President. “I am extremely disappointed that Bharrat Jagdeo would try to compare his lifestyle to that of my parents, former Presidents Dr. Cheddi Jagan
and Mrs. Janet Jagan, and defend his opulent lifestyle by pathetically claiming that my parents also lived in a large house in an affluent community. Nothing could be further from the truth.” “They did not lead an extravagant life. Even when they were both Presidents of Guyana they maintained the same simple lifestyle they had always lived before.” She said that it was sad that no one, especially in the PPP leadership, has come forward to challenge the “false and misleading claims” that “Bharrat Jagdeo” has made against her parents, except for an “old and dear comrade and friend of my parents”– Ramkarran. Ramkarran, who has his home next to the Jagans’ in Bel Air wrote, in another article, that in the 1960s, Plantation Bel Air, as it was then known, was a poor community of mainly small artisans, farm and city labourers and subsistence cattle and vegetable farmers. Ramkarran said that Jagan’s land, next door to where he was born, grew up and still live, was acquired for $2,000 in the early 1960s. It was not the first time that Jagan’s daughter or his family and other long time loyalists of PPP have come out criticizing the PPP for straying away from the ideology of its founder. It was only recently that Jagan-Brancier’s brother, Joey, reportedly said that while he mounted the PPP platform for the 2011 General and Regional Elections; he will not be doing so this time around. PPP has remained silent on Jagdeo’s outburst. There have been severe criticisms over the lifestyle and attitude of officials of the ruling party, as well as accusations of corruption and excesses, but the administration has refused to take action.
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it!
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Man sent for psychiatric evaluation after assaulting child Magistrate Alex Moore ordered that a man be sent for a psychiatric evaluation yesterday, after he was accused of assaulting a minor. Leyland Murphy is accused of unlawfully assaulting Kevin Junior on March 17, at Middle Road, East La Penitence. Murphy refused to enter a plea to the charge after it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The victim’s mother was present at the hearing and she told the court that the defendant resides in the same community as her. She said that on the day in question, the man lashed her son and attempted to throw him overboard. She stressed that the accused is well known in the community for assaulting
Leyland Murphy persons. She stated that the man would sometimes walk up to persons and lash them with a cutlass for no reason. The woman noted that at one time the accused lashed his mother to her head. She further informed the courtroom that the man is in the habit of carrying out
sexual activities with dogs. Police Corporal Renetta Bentham prosecuted the matter. Bentham did not provide the court with any facts about what transpired on the day in question. The magistrate informed the courtroom that he will send the accused to be examined by a Medical Practitioner. He pointed out that the man might be in need of help rather than punishment. Murphy will be examined by Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Senior Psychiatrist, Dr. Bhiro Harry. Depending on the outcome of the evaluation, the court will know whether the defendant is competent to stand trial or if he needs mental help. This case was adjourned to April 22 for reports.
Woman on bail after allegedly stealing lover’s money Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered a young woman to post $50,000 bail, after she was accused of stealing a large sum of money from her lover. Cassie Monifa, 23, denied the allegation which stated that between March 11 and 12, in Georgetown,
she stole US$100,000 from Lester Cummings. The court heard that the young woman and Cummings had been out partying on the night of March 11, when it was alleged that the man either fell asleep or was distracted when she stole the said money.
Police corporal Bharrat Mangru prosecuted the matter. He had no objections to the defendant being released on bail. The magistrate subsequently granted bail to the tune of $50,000. Monifa will return to court on April 23.
Page 27
$100,000 bail for man accused of robbing ex-lover A Kitty resident made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with stealing his former girlfriend’s jewellery and cell phone. Particulars of the charge stated that on March 10, at Eastern Highway, Charles Austin stole from the person of Davlin Daniels, a quantity of gold jewellery valued over $100,000 and a Samsung cell phone valued $35,000. Austin who was unrepresented by an attorney
pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The accused told the court that the items belonged to him. He explained that he bought the items for the woman when they shared a relationship. However, he said the woman ended the relationship and he wanted to have the items back. Police prosecutor Bharrat Mangru’s facts stated that on
the day in question, Austin and Daniels had a misunderstanding, when the defendant became annoyed, rode up beside Daniels and relieved her of the articles mentioned in the charge. Mangru objected to bail citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. The magistrate overruled the prosecution’s request and granted Austin bail to the tune of $100,000. He will return to court on March 23.
Mother faces court on fraudulent conversion charge A mother of two found herself before the court to answer to a fraudulent conversion charge. Kimmy Hendricks of 223 Lamaha Squatting Area, denied the allegation which stated that on February 17, at Georgetown, being entrusted by Denise Hillman with a quantity of male and female clothing totaling $247, 000, she fraudulently converted the articles to her own use and benefit. The prosecution did not provide the court with any
facts about what transpired on the day in question. Hendricks’ lawyer, Paul Fung-a-Fat asked that his client be released on bail since her two children are depending on her for financial support. He explained that the clothing was given to Hendricks by Hillman to sell, however his client was unable to sell all the items. Counsel concluded that the remaining items are lodged at Hendricks’ home. The prosecution had no
objections to bail and the accused was granted bail to the tune of $40,000. She will make her next court appearance on March 30, before Magistrate Alex Moore.
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 20, 2015
Nepalese human trafficking victims were locked in hotel rooms Local law enforcement authorities have unearthed a - Home Affairs Ministry human trafficking ring involving nationals from the South Asia Republic of Nepal. This follows the recent discovery of several Nepalese nationals who were being held in hostage-like conditions at Mabaruma in the North West District. The discovery of the Nepalese is cause for major concern for the Ministry of Home Affairs, which in a statement issued Wednesday, said that its policy is to take strong and decisive action against any person(s) involved in Trafficking in Persons. According to the Ministry, the large numbers of Nepalese travelling to Guyana and their purposes for travelling is being closely monitored, ever since intelligence was obtained that from October 14 to 17 last year, a group of 14 Nepalese Nationals – 10 males and four females – were encountered in Mabaruma, Region One, holed up in two hotels. According to the report, the majority of these individuals were housed in the Tourist Resort Hotel with their rooms padlocked from the outside. Further, the hotel operator refused to reveal why the doors were locked in such a way. Adding to the suspicion, was the fact that these individuals reportedly did not know when they were scheduled to depart Mabaruma, or Guyana for that matter, and claimed to be tourists but did not engage in tourist-related activities. More revealing was the fact that the Nepalese nationals were not employed in Mabaruma, yet their rooms were paid for in cash each day, using US currency. Twelve Nepalese Nationals were arrested at the Charity Police Station, Essequibo Coast on December 4, 2014 and charged with Illegal Departure. The 12 had initially arrived in Guyana legally in
the month of November 2014. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, four of them were granted a two-week stay in the country, while six were granted three weeks, and two, one month. While in Guyana on their initial stay, the Nepalese Nationals stayed at Aracari Resort on the West Bank of Demerara. These individuals, however, left Guyana illegally during this time period and were intercepted in Venezuela where they were deported to Guyana – their last port-ofentry. They were subsequently charged on December 8, last year, with ‘Failing to present oneself to an Immigration Officer; Contrary to Section 10, Subsection 3 of the Immigration Act Chapter 14:02’, when they illegally departed for Venezuela. The Nepalese Nationals appeared before a city Magistrate and pleaded guilty to the charge. They were fined G$30,000 or two months imprisonment, and were made to remain in Police Custody pending deportation. The fine was paid and the Nepalese Nationals remained in police custody until a writ was filed on their behalf by a person who resides in Guyana for their release. On February 6, 2015, the High Court officially overruled the decision made in the Magistrate’s Court to have
the Nepalese Nationals remain in the custody of the Police, stating that it was, inter alia, ‘unlawful’ and ‘devoid of natural justice principles’. They were subsequently released, reportedly into the custody of the person who had filed the writ on their behalf. “Based on these details regarding the conduct of a number of Nepalese Nationals in Guyana and their travel patterns compared with the case involving Nepalese Nationals in the High Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs has concluded that these individuals were intended to be victims of trafficking in persons,” the Ministry stated. Based on the evidence also, it is obvious that Guyana was not the final destination for the Nepalese group. “From all appearances, Guyana was just an in-transit stop for wherever they were going,” a source at the Ministry of Home Affairs told this newspaper. Nepal is a landlocked country with an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 27 million. It is the 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Located in the Himalayas, Nepal is bordered to the north by the People’s Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. The mountainous north of Nepal has eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest. In light of these circumstances surrounding the Nepalese human trafficking ring, the Ministry of Home Affairs is encouraging members of the public to contact the Trafficking in Persons hotline on 227-4083 or the nearest Police Station if indications of possible acts of Trafficking in Persons are observed, while giving all consideration to their personal safety.
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Limited markets, lower prices running rice farmers bankrupt - breakaway RPA group Longstanding members of the local rice industry, despite criticisms and rejections by the Government, maintain that the local rice industry “is finding itself in deeper crisis following the drastic reduction of the Venezuelan quota.” Following a special meeting between top Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) officials and millers/ exporters at the Agricultural Ministry earlier this week, senior members of the Rice Producers Action Committee (RPAC) reported that the price of rice to Venezuela has been reduced by US$60 per metric ton. “This new price - from $520 to $460 per ton – was given (GRDB’s General
Manager) Mr. Jaganarine Singh.” Members of the RPAC are adamant that Government’s current management of the rice industry is running rice farmers bankrupt. Chairman of RPAC Jinnah Rahman stated that the administration “has no permanent solution to the problems facing the rice industry” and charged that with limited rice markets and price reduction, they are “making false promises to rice farmers hoping that they will accept their silly promises and get them to vote.” General elections are set to be held on May 11. Rahman believed that with the current situation,
- bailout could reach $25B “the Government must rescue farmers by releasing more than $25 Billion held in the PetroCaribe Fund - which is a well-guarded secret.” He said that the average rice farmer is on the bread line with less than G$3000 per paddy bag. “Eighty-six percent of 600,000 tons rice production this crop equals to 516,000 Metric tons - equivalent to (15.75 bags in a metric ton), which is equal to 8,127,000 bags of paddy at G$3,000 per bag = approximate $25 Billion (GY) or $122 Million US.” According to Rahman, the Government has already expended $5.1 Billion to rice
UN Political Declaration, a product of “cherry-picked” women’s rights Just 20 years after the 1995 Beijing Declaration and - WGEC Commissioner Platform for Action, the soon to be implemented United Nations Political Declaration on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, is failing to adequately address the main concerns of Caribbean women and their families. This was highlighted by the Commissioner of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Ms Vanda Radzik, on Monday last, during a round table discussion at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown. Radzik explained that representatives from all countries aligned with the UN, are currently attending the two-week-long 59th session on the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW59) held March 9-20, and the 69th UN General Assembly meeting in New York. Commenting on the Political Declaration, Radzik made mention of ‘The Caribbean Document’ titled, “Equality Delayed, Equality Denied”: 20 years after the Beijing Platform for Action Tek it to Dem Again & Rise up Wi Community”, which was produced collectively for presentation at the CSW59, consequent to the insufficient nature of the Political Declaration. In providing a snapshot of the background of the Caribbean Document, Radzik noted, “It (Caribbean Document) lays no claim to being the quintessential ‘voice’ of Caribbean women who, as individuals or organisational members, prior to and since 1995, have refused to be
silenced or to be regulated to the back burners of our societies. Caribbean women who in the tradition of “Rebel women” and “Lion Heart Gals”, know that promises made and promises broken by our governments, cost livesespecially of women and girls” Radzik announced that our own Caribbean Women’s Organisations, global and civil society, and 1000 other organisations within the region and Latin American have signed a statement saying that they are in disagreement with the Political Declaration. In explaining the impact of the Political Declaration on the women in Caribbean society, Radzik referred to the declaration as “bad” and a “travesty”, and further highlighted the fact that it made mention of many rights which they perceived to be suitable for women, and ignored others like sexual and gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health. “It is bad, it is rolling back our rights 20 years later (after the Beijing declaration) with refusing to mention sexual reproductive health and rights. It is refusing to call for much better action, and to welcome the feminist organisations of the world to society, and to really make a
firm stand for gender equality goals, etc.,” Radzik stressed. She opined that the UN is in effect “cherry picking” those rights that they want to assign to women and girls, and disregarding those that they do not. Radzik, in support of her stance, added that rights are indivisible and necessary, and the fact that the declaration is about to go into force after negotiations are concluded. She added that Head of Guyana’s Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC), Indra Chandarpal is the only Guyanese representing this country at the CSW59. This is deemed unsatisfactory, since according to UN Women, 60% of each country’s delegation is to be made up of members from civil society. She explained that since a lone Guyanese representative is there, she is hoping that Mrs. Chandarpal is able to “say that this is not enough, that this is insufficient as we are coming out of our anniversary on Beijing.” Radzik pointed out that without securing all of the fundamental human rights that exist, women will not be able to move into a new dimension as we prepare for the future, post- 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals.
farmers, without disclosing where the money came from and who got it. Those millers not closely knit to the administration “will therefore not buy paddy at previous crop prices, which is already low and unacceptable.” Identifying further disturbances in the industry, Dr. Turhane Doerga, Coordinator of RPAC and a trader on the international commodity market, noted that in Tuesday’s meeting, Madanlall Ramraj, GRDB’s Deputy GM told attendees that Guyana “almost did not get the (2015) Venezuela contract because of garbage paddy shipped.” Junior Agriculture Minister, Ali Baksh, who sat in for Minister Leslie Ramsammy, told millers that Venezuela bought about 240,000 metric tons for the entire year. “This means that 120,000 metric tons for this crop amounts to 28 percent of our yearly production. There is no other reliable market for the rice.”
Minister Baksh, according to Doerga, set alarm bells off when he disclosed that there is over 100,000 tons of the previous crop in stock. The rice expert contended that the PPP-Administration is engaging in “voodoo Mathematics” since 28 percent of the yearly production is 28 percent of this incoming crop alone – which is 120,000 Metric tons. It means that with the rollover stock, none of this crop is sold yet, Dorega concluded. Doerga contended further that “even if we were to accept that 14 percent is sold, it means 86 percent of the incoming crop is unsold. This means that millers would not want to gamble and buy the farmers paddy, when there is no guarantee that there will be market for rice or paddy in the short or medium term.” There was no mention of the African market during the meeting, Doerga said. He reiterated that there is no other reliable market in sight, “except what millers sell to their local and overseas buyers”. GRDB’s GM told millers
that the government was also paid for four Panama shipments, but his Deputy Ramraj quickly intervened and said that only one of the contracts was paid last Friday. Yet Government officials are claiming that there are new contracts with Panama, but no further details were given. Ramraj said also that visits were made to Embassies of Iraq and Poland when they were in Venezuela and the officials there expressed intentions to buy. But Doerga believed that this is ‘hog wash’.” “Poland buys almost all its rice from EBA (Everything But Arms) countries in the Far East; Cambodia, Myanmar, etc, as they have free access to the EU. Iraq, if you are not with the Americans you cannot sell Halliburton deals compliments of George Bush, former US President.” “The government has blatantly lied to rice farmers – placing them into a state of bankruptcy, as is the case with sugar industry and many other sectors of the economy,” the RPA officials opined.
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Full Time internet service operator, apply in person @ U-link, Courtyard Mall, 76-77 Robb St. Lacytown/demcar1 @sky.com
Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration @ 153 Barr Street Kitty- Tel:6181706; 670-2653
Bedford Model M 4X4 truck. Tel: 693-2237 Toyota Voxy to be registered in “G” - $1.7M – Tel:617-2891
Get your cooked and smoothly grind split peas, for all your daily cooking needs. Contact Dr. Sharma’s : 6708212; 225-9701
1-3 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ 74 Atlantic Ville Tel:644-9088 (after 6pm)
One Toyota Tacoma SR5 4WD pickup, left hand drive and manual transmission, only 22000 miles – Contact: 623-1202
Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc -Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Business man leaving country have a fishing boat, 32 feet, 15HP, Yamaha engine, catguts seine 4½ & 5" seine – Contact:668-9077
Church to rent @180 Charlotte Street - Contact Number: 226-5183; 227-6817; 624-7341
Two general workers @ Land of Canaan E.B.D - Tel: 218-1400 Live in domestic must know to cook Indian dishes; 3050yrs -$60,000 monthly - Tel: 610-3974
Friday March 20, 2015
1-16FT BOW RIDER FIBERGLASS BOAT, 85HP OUTBOARD ENGINE WITH 25 GAL BUILT IN FUEL TANK, SEATS, 9 TRAILER INCLUDED CALL: 683-6721
Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Spacio, Fielder, Carina 212, Sienta, IST – Call: 652-3820/665-4529 Allion PRR, DVD deck, reverse camera, alarm, HID, hardly used (40,000KM) $2.1M- Call:616-3566
AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Unregistered Toyota IST, fully loaded - $2.150M – Call: 691-7475 One Hino Canter- Tel:2282098; 628-5796. Price $1.3M Just Arrived! 09 & O6 Tacoma, manual & auto, new model Allion, Bluebird, Belta, Fielder - Tel:621-4190, b e s t c a r a u t o s a l e s@ facebook.com Nissan Titan for sale, immaculate – Call: 647-3924
Business property located @ Supply public road, E.B.D. Entering either by river/ public road- Call: 6988100 Flat concrete house for sale in Grove with land spaceCall: 679-3913 Located opposite the Wales Police Station, ideal for business - $20M negotiableContact: 690-9126 Houses & land available for sale in Non- Pariel, Enmore, Providence & Diamond Contact: Pacific Development Inc # 223-6035; 231-8480 Parfaite Harmonie, West Minister, Onderneeming, Cornela Ida, Tushcen, etc Contact: Pacific Development Inc # 2236035; 231-8480 Caneville Grove E.B.D $2.6M, Sophia ‘C’ big foundation - $3.1M, Parfaite W.B.D - $1.3M, L.B.I EarlsCourt 90X120 - $20M – Call:231-2199; 618-7483 House for sale located in Eccles- Contact: 622-7473 Property @ 62 Bent Street Wortmanville Georgetown – Tel: 629-6101; 660-5019 24x58 Seafield Leonora water pump street - Call: 6425799
First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Bluebird, Sienta, Runx, Axio, Verossa, Mark 2Call : 609-8188; 638-3045 Unregistered Toyota Spacio with body kit, spoiler, rims, fog lamp -$2M - Tel: 617-2891 Honda CRV 2001; excellent condition -$2,150,000 negotiable – Tel: 624-6099 One RZ Bus, in Good condition – Contact: 6773177 or 678-5887 Cheapest: Rush, Hilux, manual buses, goods van, Model M Truck, Property in Bougainvillea Park - Call: 6167635 2006 BMW 320i PRR Series, 2008 Toyota Premio & 2007 Mazda Axela unregistered – Tel: 615-4114 2005/6 Premio, Spacio and 2007 Belta, never registered. Call: 269-0432; 686-0323 1 RZ minibus GHH Series Tel: 604-9400; 667-4178 ACCOMODATION Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Cue & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc. Phone: 260-4504.
LAND FOR SALE 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front - $100M Negotiable, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 Riverside land 75 acres @ Soesdyke Linden Highway, best price offered – Tel:2238590; 678-1575. Blankenburg, 3 lots 75X76 each, $15M, all 3 lots, Parika, Peter Street, lot size 38’X150' - $7.9M-Contact # 650-0402/ 260-4988 Road side 10 acres of land at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke Linden Highway - Call: 6013369 40x110ft at 10th street Cummings Lodge near UG $12M- Call:674-5019 MASSAGE Massage Therapy Service – Tel: 674-8147 Continued on page 31
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views
WHEN THE RACE BECOMES RACE DEAR SIR / MADAM, The opposition is making a lot of noise about the appointment of the new Commissioner of Police. I wonder if this is due to the election fever when the race becomes race and tends to end in race. When commissioner (serving) Felix conversation
with Williams came to light (protection of the criminals) there was silence; there was no call for resignation. He was allowed to continue into retirement with full benefits. When Commissioner (serving) Greene was accused of rape, the opposition was once again silent; there were no calls.
The income gap keeps getting wider DEAR EDITOR, Something must be fundamentally wrong when one percent of the world population has more than the rest of the world. This explains why there is so much
poverty in the world. True enough there is a reduction in absolute poverty globally but the income gap continues to get wider with each passing day. Hydar Ally
(Editor’s Note: The APNU had called for Greene’s removal: See Kaieteur News headline of April 15, 2012 “APNU calls for Henry Greene’s removal”) Commissioner Brummel acted and was subsequently sworn in as Commissioner of Police in the absence of a Police Service Commission (PSC). Mr. Granger gave no objection to his appointment and did not see any breach of constitution. The constitution states that the President shall appoint a Commissioner of Police based on recommendation from the PSC and meaningful consultation with leader of the opposition. Granger objected to the appointment of Seelal
Persaud on the basis that two ranks that were charged with torture were promoted during Seelal’s tenure as acting Commissioner of Police. One predecessor of another race was sitting Commissioner of Police when they were re-instated, the case having been dismissed in the court; the opposition was silent. Seemingly it is ok for them to be members of the force but not so for promotion. One of those promotions was made by the PSC (which the Commissioner has no control of) and in which the opposition has representation; there were no objections and as such the opposition’s representation recommended the promotion.
The things Jagan abhorred occurred under the party he founded DEAR EDITOR, I watched with more than a tinge of sadness the presentations by former President Jagdeo at Babu Jaan and a Press Conference at Freedom House in which he give his own peculiar version of aspects of our country’s past. I can only hope that no future former President will hold and express similar jaundiced views.
However, some of Mr. Jagdeo utterances gave me cause for reflection about two issues. The first is specific to Mr. Jagdeo. I seem to recollect that in 2010, Mr. Jagdeo, when he was President, said something to the effect that if the Skeldon Sugar Factory does not work as expected, then the sugar industry is dead. Further, Mr. Jagdeo promised to personally get
involved to ensure that the factory was fixed. If the former President did get involved he was not successful for the factory ain’t fixed. If, on the other hand, Mr. Jagdeo did not get involved then… promises, promises. Are sugar workers aware of Mr. Jagdeo’s role in their plight? The second issue relates to something Dr. Cheddi Jagan was fond of
complaining about when alluding to the international economic situation. His refrain was “the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer”. Little could Dr. Jagan have suspected that what he campaigned against would hold sway in his beloved Guyana, accomplished under the watch of the PPP which he founded. Rashleigh E. Jackson
As the nation laid Courtney Crum Ewing... From page 4 awaits explanations and many unanswered questions. How did Courtney come to the belief that he could persevere in Guyana, with all of the threats and viciousness, real and imagined that stand in his way? Did he not understand that this was the preserve of those whom he protested against and not him? Did nobody tell him this? What values guided him? What legacy did he hope to leave? What lessons did he hope to teach? What caused
Courtney to venture where he was not supposed to? Who told him that he could spill the beans on the powers to be without consequences? What was there in him or about him that caused him not to turn back but to persevere to conquer the powerful? But the most important questions: Who killed Courtney Crum Ewing and for what; a simple protest? Are the organizers of his murder so vicious and wicked to kill this young man? And
why the Crime Chief of Police continues to issue silly statements such as he will not leave any stone unturned; and no one will be exempted, and not interview the two persons who his mom claimed allegedly threatened him? Is he afraid of those in authority? We call on the Crime Chief, the Commissioner of Police and the top Commanders to act as professionals, stop their political games, and do policing. Sometimes misunderstood in life, he is now in death
but the things he fought for must not go unrecognized. All Guyanese should salute Courtney hail him for his courage, heed his call and meditate upon this passing. A fantastic inning, Brother Courtney. Like a true West Indian star batsman, his style was unorthodox, but he played his own game and played it well. Love and respect to you, Brother Courtney. Dr. Asquith Rose, Chandra Deolall, Dr. Merle Spencer-Marks.
May is stock-taking month since... From page 5 comparison of his affluent lifestyle to that of the Jagans have caused me to try to analyze the journey we took to this juncture of our complex and complicated contemporary political history, and how we can avoid another phase of such a journey going forward. Editor, I am convinced beyond conversion to any other persuasion that our post-independence elected leaders failed us so miserably, that the biggest proof has to be the ongoing mass migration of our people to foreign lands in search of a better life. But of all the destinations
being sought out are the ones from which our detested and denigrated colonial masters hailed. We literally expelled the foreigners only to be rushing to seek refuge in their lands. As we prepare for the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, therefore, we really need to stop and take stock of how we arrived at this juncture, weeks away from our 49th Independence anniversary, and not only vote out the PPP to end the downward spiral in our political and socioeconomic fortunes, but determine where we came from, how we got here and
where we go from here. Democracy may allow us to keep changing governments, but democracy that does not lead to self-development and national development will lead to disillusionment and possible disaster, so we must ensure democracy extends beyond the ballot box May 11 and into the development of institutions supportive of this extensive process into communities and lives. It is my belief, based on my cursory observations of the US democratic system, that once institutions are developed and protected by the enforcement of laws and regu-
lations, it does not matter how powerful a politician becomes or if s/he becomes the iconic embodiment of a political party, the system will always trump that politician and party. This will now be one of the challenges of the new government: to build up our institutions and enforce our laws from the top down, so that in event an elected leader misbehaves s/he is replaced or if s/he passes on, the system continues functioning uninterrupted by political struggles and wannabe dictators. Enough with the cultstyle politics! Emile Mervin
Now if Granger was so peeved with the appointment why did he ask this very COP for protection? Ah, it is because it has nothing to do with professional conduct, it has to do with race. Mr. Granger, stop playing the race game and allow us Guyanese to do our jobs and live peacefully. As for IAC, do your homework and tell me if I am wrong. I urge all Guyanese to go out and vote and do not forget that a vote for the AFC is a vote for the PNC. Jalim Mohamed
(From page 30)
VACANCY International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, costmetologist, etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 Work from home: Earn $5,000 - $20,000 daily, 9am 5pm, Monday to Saturday Call: 233-6517/ 638-0595 or www.jobfairworldwide.com
FOR SALE 2 Long foot Yamaha 25HP, 1 with warrantee, another 1½yr old; 25 Tohatso, 2 complete foot, power head parts – Tel: 611-2729 Final Tent Sale: Clothing, footwear and more on Saturday March 21@ 445 Aubrey Barker Road, S/ Ruimveldt Gardens – Call: 626-6335 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras. Tel: 621-4740.
Experienced hauler driver, porters, rip saw & plane operator @ Eccles Industrial Site E.B.D - Call Richard: 6097675; 674-1705; 233-2614 FAST GROWING IMPORTERS SEEKING NIGHTSECURITYGUARDS. MUSTHAVEPOLICECALL FOR INTERVIEW: 2318344; 231-8529 Experienced Cashier – Shift Work, Computer Knowledge, Apply: Fortune House Restaurant, 98 Sheriff Street. No Phone Calls. Exists for: Chef & Assistant Cook- to work & live- in with new business in TuschenContact:660-6099, 644-3338 Vacancy exists at Confidential Cabs for experienced dispatcherCall:231-4000, 231-8601
EDUCATIONAL Pre-Easter Computer Classes; 9 Courses: Office 2013, windows 7/8, $30,000.00. MicroGraphics Technology Vreed-En-Hoop, Tel: 264-3057 Pre-Easter Computerized Accounting, 4 Courses: Ptree, QuickBooks, POS, Excel 2013.$30,000.00 @ MicroGraphics Vreed-EnHoop, Tel: 264-3057
One driver/salesman to work on water truck, must be living around W.B.D, attractive salary - Tel: 6184257 (1)Live-in caretaker/ family to work @ Coverden, E.B.D. Send application to 31-33 Austin Street, Campbellville, G/Town- Call:225-7493 FOR SALE 3 Engel moulding machine – Please Contact: 695-0333
TO LET 1 -Two bedrooms apartment to rent in Lynn Street $50,000 per month - Tel: 6707171 1- Three bedroom house to rent in Prashad Nagar $1000US per month - Tel: 670-7171 Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours - Call: 227-1218
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 20, 2015
President optimistic of country Economic Council allows access to becoming oil and gas producer privileged information, more rackets - even as tensions rise with Venezuela Even as a diplomatic spat between Guyana and Venezuela continues over offshore oil explorations in disputed waters, President Donald Ramotar remains optimistic that Guyana will soon become an oil and gas producing country. This assertion by President Ramotar comes days after Venezuela issued a subtle threat to Guyana. According to Ramotar, Guyana is expected to soon join the international club of oil and gas producers in the world. “As we speak, ExxonMobil has started to drill on the outside of our coast and I feel extremely optimistic that we are on the threshold of becoming an oil and gas producing country,” Ramotar
said. He noted that this new development will put Guyana in a unique class of countries. However, the President made no mention of the ongoing conflict with Guyana’s neighbouring country and the implications this conflict can have on any oil and gas discoveries made by ExxonMobil. Last week, Venezuela indicated that it was prepared to take action following the recent start of oil drilling activities by the US exploration firm, ExxonMobil. The designated drilling area, known as the Stabroek Block, is just offshore of an area Venezuela claims as its own. Venezuela had also warned ExxonMobil not to drill for oil in the area. However, ExxonMobil
Beach-goers tied up, robbed at Number 63 Beach It is not even safe these days to go on the beach, this fact was learnt by three beachgoers who were tied up and robbed by two gun-toting bandits. According to information around 17:00 hrs on Wednesday, two men and a woman were relaxing on the No 63 beach (by the No. 58 area) when they heard a loud explosion. Upon looking around they saw two men,
one armed with a gun and the other with a knife. They were told not to move as the men tied them up and relieved them of their cash and jewellery. They were then told to walk and not look back and the bandits made good their escape. The matter was subsequently reported. Investigations are continuing.
ignored this warning, instead insisting that an agreement had been struck with Guyana and not Venezuela. The drilling company subsequently commenced activities in the Stabroek Block. Similarly, Guyana stood firm to its own claim of the area and called on Venezuela to be respectful of the age-old boundary award which gives Guyana the right to explore its economic potential. Late February, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also wrote to a number of organisations, informing them about Guyana’s objections to the offshore drilling. In the dispatched Note Verbale, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Venezuela of engaging in actions which stymied the development of Guyana. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested that the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela desist from taking any actions that could only result in the stymieing of the development of Guyana and its people, and that would be in contravention of international law,” the Guyana ministry said. In response, the government of Venezuela said the accusations leveled against it were unacceptable and unjust, and emphasised the bilateral cooperation between the two nations for decades as testimony to the promotion of development in Guyana. ExxonMobil plans to invest $200 million in exploratory drilling off Guyana in the Liza field, which is part of the Stabroek Block.
- Greenidge Having been confirmed to play a major role in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)’s election campaign, the likelihood of former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s return to the political scene is even greater, with utterances of him possibly being on the party’s candidate list and being elected to chair what may be the country’s most powerful economic institution yet. PPP’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee had told media operatives during a party press conference at Freedom House earlier this year that Jagdeo had never really left the political scene, but was just working behind the scenes for some time now. He said that the PPP executive member would give the party’s campaign a boost, and while plans are not finalized, Jagdeo could very well be a candidate with prominence in a PPP-led government. Jagdeo was picked by the incumbent President, Donald Ramotar, to chair the country’s first ever National Economic Council. However, critics of the former President are convinced that this agency is nothing more than a “gimmick” and a cover for granting the former Head of State “control of the bulk of the economy.” A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s point man on economic affairs, Carl Greenidge, is also of this view that the proposal of President Ramotar is a “gimmick”. “The PPP has been in office since 1992, and there has never been such a council. Ramotar has been President since 2011 and never saw the need for such a council. Mr. Jagdeo was
ANPU’s Economic point man; Carl Greenidge
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
president until 2011 and he never saw the need for such a council. It is astonishing now that three years after demitting office such a proposal would find favour with him.” “I would have to conclude that this (Council) is just a gimmick and the main purpose is to find a formal opening for Jagdeo to continue to control the economic destiny of the country, whilst sitting in the backseat of Ramotar’s political car.” Greenidge said that while the government is yet to disclose the terms of this Council, it seems that it will afford Jagdeo the opportunity to, “formally have access to
privileged information”. He pointed to emails from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)’s Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur to Attorney General Anil Nandlall and the former president where confidential information about news agencies was illegally provided. “We saw what he (Jagdeo) did with GRA, demanding information which was confidential to the agency. But now he will have a formal cover for demanding information that should not be available to him. There will be access to privileged information which in essence would facilitate more rackets.”
Inmate pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2011 prison death Twenty-eight year-old Jason Orlando Mc Kenzie called ‘Psycho’ of Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, who was one of four inmates in the New Amsterdam Prison charged with murder committed on a fellow inmate in 2011, has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter in the Berbice High Court. Two others were freed of the charge while the fourth man had escaped from jail and is still on the run. It was alleged that between April 27, 2011 and May 4, 2011, McKenzie while with other inmates, killed 24year-old Sebastian Cleto, called ‘Shortman’, ‘Plato’or ‘Clato,’ of 42 Bent Street Wortmanville, Georgetown. McKenzie appeared yesterday before Justice Brassington Reynolds on the charge of murder. However, through his attorney Raymond Alli he decided to change his plea to not guilty to the charge of murder, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Justice
Brassington Reynolds ordered that a probation report be prepared and presented on March 26 when McKenzie is expected to be sentenced. Sebastian Cleto and Andy Adams were allegedly beaten by Mc Kenzie and the others. Cleto was rendered unconscious due to an injury to the head; he was later transferred to the ICU of the Georgetown Hospital where he subsequently died. Two of the men, Raymond La Fleur, 34, of 28 Mount Sinai West Canje Berbice and Kevin James, 26, of Edinburgh Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice were freed on the charge, while Rickford La Fleur, 36, called Rickford Williams, Rickford Sabola, Bragga or Rastaman of Vryheid’s Lust, Smithfield and Canje River, had earlier escaped from prison. Cleto and Adams were incarcerated for murdering Nizamudeen Khan, a security guard attached to a Rosignol sawmill on July 20, 2007.
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 33
US$47M WCD road project launched …President warns contractors about time, budget Mere months after the contract was signed, a multibillion-dollar road project to transform the West Coast Demerara network was officially launched yesterday and saw President Donald Ramotar warning of possible penalties if work is not completed on time and strictly to budget. The Head of State, who addressed the gathering at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling on the West Bank of Demerara, said that focus must not only be given to the physical quality of work but the overall process. In about 36 months, a roadway which stretches some 30.7 kilometres (19 miles) from Vreed-en-Hoop to as far west as Hydronie, is expected to be completed by local contracting company, BK International and Jamaican company, Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) Ltd. The road network’s upgrade will cater for pavement rehabilitation, road widening, separation lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, installation of traffic signs, traffic lights and road markings, as well as the replacement of the Groenveldt Bridge, relocation of utilities and general repairs. The project, dubbed the Fourth Road Project (West Coast Demerara Road Improvement), costs US$46.8M. The money, which was approved in the 2014 Budget, is provided primarily through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Guyana. The President, in his address, said that the new road will boost food security since it will provide linkage to various regions. Focusing on the challenges that the East Bank Expansion project has faced
with utility companies, Ramotar expressed hope that this project will see cooperation across the board. “I am going to urge the Ministry to ensure that this project comes in on time and on budget. I’m tired. I’m tired of many of the projects not coming in on time and on budget.” Knocking on the rostrum, a passionate Ramotar said “This is one of the focuses we will have to have. We can’t have consultants justifying all sorts of delays all the time. You must put in all of our contracts penalty clauses; if these things don’t come in on time and on budget.” The President said it is time that they look for quality in every area, not only in physical infrastructure but in the manner that projects are completed. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn stated that while an election campaign is on which allows “politicians to put their hooves in their mouth,” the initiative started in 2013 and was based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Loan Agreement signed with the CDB. He emphasised that the launch had nothing to do with elections. The Minister said that the West Coast Road started as an auxiliary trunk line to what was the railway system then in place, sometime in the late 1960’s. He told the gathering that over the years it was being developed incrementally. “After all of these years, the road has lived past its useful existence and so indeed its rehabilitation was required some time ago. The residents of Region Three would understand the issues relating to the efficiency of the transport along this roadway and also the safety
with respect to the roadway,” he remarked. Benn expressed concern too over the usage of the roads and stated that efforts will be made to educate the public on proper road usage. He hoped that there would be a change in the culture in the usage of roads. “We have to admit that the situation cannot go on…We have to pay significant attention to enforcement in the use of the roads. The very people who would have to benefit for the road and pay too out of taxes, would not see the benefits of the road if it’s not properly used,” the Minister remarked. Also speaking, Kester Hinds, Project Coordinator, said that the objective of project is to increase efficiency and safety of transportation along the West Coast Demerara road. The project has combined six components that are to be implemented, he said. These include Road Works, Engineering Services, Road Safety Awareness, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation and Project Management. Under the Road Safety Awareness component, there is a School Road Safety Education, Community and Driver Road Safety Education Programme and Road Safety Public Relations and Communications. “The project will not only see extensive road safety activities which are geared towards addressing behavioural change for all road users, but road components with road safety
President Donald Ramotar and Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn shortly after the ceremony engineering into the project with the construction of pedestrian facilities, facilities for cyclists, rehabilitation of pavements, rehabilitation and construction of culverts,” Hinds said. The Project Coordinator described the road safety aspects of the project as critical. He said that the number of road deaths went down last year in comparison to 2007, which peaked beyond 200. “The Fourth Road Project is aimed at addressing road safety not only in the area of behavioural change, but in engineering interventions we can make to address safety on our roads. So with any road project, we basically would see improvements that would allow for cooperation and involvement of all stakeholders,” he said. He said there is a Stakeholders’ Engagement Plan which would see
involvement of the communities, the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils within the region and consultants that are engaged, as well as the Ministry of Public Works and the Contractors. Chairman of Region Three, Julius Faerber, also speaking at the event, said that the project is one that was needed in the region since there are many commuters that ply the route, as far as Parika to the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling. In an invited
comment, Shane Garvin, the Project Manager attached to the Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) Ltd., said the project is expected to reduce road and traffic accidents by 30 per cent. He said that the company will be focusing on employing and training Guyanese. He added that the contract is for 36 months but they intend to complete it before in about 30 months. “It is very achievable, providing we get access,” he said.
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 20, 2015
Clico’s 2013 profits plummet $3.4B …but company can play creditors
A group of Clico policyholders gather outside the company’s St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, head officebefore heading inside to talk with executives about their investments. Trinidad Guardian - At almost the same time that about 30 Clico policyholders marched into the company’s St Vincent Street, Port-ofSpain head office demanding information on their Executive Flexible Premium Annuities (EFPAs), the insurer Wednesday released its audited 2013 financial statement indicating a $3.4 billion decline in its aftertax profits, but also a huge improvement in its negative net worth position. Clico’s latest audited accounts indicate that although the company’s after-tax profit declined by nearly 90 per cent in 2013, the company was in a much stronger position in terms of its net worth in 2013 than in 2012. Clico’s negative net worth (the difference between its assets and liabilities) declined from $6.58 billion in 2012 to $1.11 billion in 2013, with assets totalling $28.52 billion and liabilities amounting to $29.63 billion at the end of 2013. Clico’s liabilities include a Government investment of $4.99 billion in preference shares and investment con-
tracts worth $10.84 billion, which represent the EFPA policies that the State bought from the insurance company’s policyholders in 2012. This means that the Government’s claim on Clico was $15.83 billion as at the end of 2013. This is important because in 2013, for the first time, Clico’s results were prepared on the basis that the company “is in the process of winding down its operations,” according to auditors, KPMG, in a note to the financial statement. This means that Clico, which stopped selling new business in September last year, is in the process of valuing all its assets and liabilities “at values that would obtain in an orderly disposal” with the assets being sold to pay off the insurer’s creditors. One of the notes to the financial statement indicates that Clico’s total long-term insurance liabilities still exceeded the aggregate value of the company’s statutory fund assets as at the end of 2013. The note referring to the company’s statutory fund is missing from the Clico accounts for the second year. Speaking last week in a
television interview, Finance Minister Larry Howai said he had been assured by Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran that the statutory fund was in the black in 2014. Speaking on CNMG’s morning programme last week T h u r s d a y, H o w a i s a i d : “The Governor has told us that we will be able to meet the requirements of the statutory reserve fund. We are standing in the shoes of some of the policyholders right now and therefore we should be able to get 100 per cent of what we put in.” Howai said he has asked his technocrats and advisers to take another look at Clico’s numbers to see if the Government can afford to settle with all policyholders, including those who have mounted a legal fight at the Privy Council challenging the State’s 2012 resolution option for the EFPA policyholders. “For the Government to receive all of its money…Remember we did not put all in Clico. We put in Clico, but we had also put into CIB for example and that had a few billion dollars also in it.
Haiti making ‘measurable gains’ towards 2015 elections NEW YORK, USA — The of elections critical for the tions official in the Caribbean government of Haiti has made country’s stability and devel- nation told the Security Counprogress towards the holding opment, the top United Na- cil on Wednesday.
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Boko Haram ‘slaughter wives’ in NE Nigeria Maiduguri (Nigeria) (AFP) - Dozens of Nigerian women who were forced to marry Boko Haram fighters were reportedly slaughtered by their “husbands” before a battle with troops in the northeast town of Bama, multiple witnesses said Thursday. Five witnesses who recounted the massacres to AFP said the Islamist militants feared they would be killed by advancing soldiers or separated from their wives when they fled the town. They killed the women to prevent them from subsequently marrying soldiers or other so-called non-believers, they added. “The terrorists said they will not allow their wives to be married to infidels,” said Sharifatu Bakura, 39, a mother of three. Nigeria’s military along with forces from neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger have claimed huge victories over the insurgents in recent weeks but defenceless civilians still face serious threats. - ‘Dozens’ of corpses According to Bakura’s account, which was supported by others, Boko Haram fighters received word of a military assault on Bama, formerly an Islamist stronghold in Borno state. The insurgents had decided to flee to the nearby town of Gwoza before the troops’ arrival but first decided “to kill their wives so that nobody will remarry them”, she said. Bukara’s husband was killed by the insurgents four months ago but she was spared from a forced marriage because she was visibly pregnant. Boko Haram forcibly married scores of women in Bama after seizing it in September. Nigeria’s military announced the recapture of the town on Monday. Witnesses who were taken under military protection this week to Borno’s capital Maiduguri, 73 kilometres (45 miles) away, said the killing of women began 10 days before Bama was liberated. The Islamists said “if they kill their wives, they would remain pious until both of them meet again in heaven, where they would re-unite”, said Salma Mahmud, another witness. A vigilante who fought alongside the military in the
The leader of the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau battle to retake Bama, Abba Kassim, said he saw “dozens of women corpses” in the town. - Commander’s instructions While other witnesses reportedly a similarly high casualty figure the numbers were impossible to verify. Fanna Aisami, 52, also in Maiduguri after escaping Bama this week, said the executions followed a warning from Boko Haram’s top commander in the town. “He informed them of the situation and ýthe consequence of the takeover of the town by the advancing troops. “He warned them that when soldiers killed them they would take their wives back to the society where they would be forced to marry and live with infidels,” the mother of seven said, speaking by phone to AFP in Kano. The commander “said it would be better for them to kill their wives and send them to heaven,” Aisami added. A number of women were shot dead in front of the commander’s house, she further said.
Yagana Mairambe, 58, reported similar details but told AFP that “some Boko Haram men refused” and fled with their wives towards neighbouring Yobe state. Nigeria’s national security spokesman Mike Omeri told AFP he would try to verify the reports while the military could not immediately be reached for comment. With Boko Haram gunmen facing heavy military pressure across northeast Nigeria, attacks, including suicide bombings, have persisted, even as the government in Abuja tries to assure voters that March 28 elections will be secure. The Islamist uprising has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2009 and President Goodluck Jonathan has faced fierce criticism over failure to contain the violence. The latest reported atrocities in Bama recall similar massacres at high schools and colleges across northeast Nigeria, where Boko Haram has executed scores of students learning a so-called infidel curriculum.
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Friday March 20, 2015
Pacquiao hits the swing on visit to playground ahead of Floyd Mayweather mega-fight When Manny Pacquiao promised to come out swinging against Floyd Mayweather Jnr, this probably wasn’t what he had in mind. The Filipino star looked relaxed as he took his mind off his upcoming $300million (£200m) mega-fight with a trip to the playground. Earlier on Wednesday, Pacquiao had completed the 15th day of his training camp with little more than six weeks until he faces Mayweather in Las Vegas on May 2. The day before, the 36year-old sparred for the first time with partners Edis Tatli and Kenneth Sims Jnr, completing a total of five rounds. Ta t i l , a Finnish lightweight, has lost just once in 25 fights while Sims has fought just five times but his style has been likened to
Manny Pacquiao Mayweather’s. ’After 13 days of strength and c o n d i t i o n i n g a n d boxing drills at Wild Card plus weeks more of working out in the Philippines in February, it was great to finally put on the headgear and spar,’ Pacquiao said.
’My sparring partners gave me good work today. They were perfect for testing the strategy Freddie and I have developed to beat Floyd Mayweather. I was very happy with my stamina and speed today.’
Friday March 20th 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today a friendship could develop into something more, Aries. Someone you know fairly well but never thought of as a potential lover could suddenly show a romantic interest in you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A change in your working circumstances could make a positive difference to you, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some intellectual knowledge that you gain today is apt to make a significant difference in whatever creative projects you're working on, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) The healing of some childhood traumas could be triggered today, Cancer, perhaps through contact with someone who knew you then. Don't be surprised if you shed a few tears. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Some great news could come today, Leo, perhaps from a love partner. It might concern your relationship or it might involve some sort of good fortune coming to either you or your beloved. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Have you been working very hard to increase your income? If so, Virgo, results might finally manifest.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today, Libra, you should feel especially attractive, romantic, and sexy. Get out of the house and have a little fun. Everyone needs to do this now and then! SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Intuition could prove extremely valuable when it comes to dealing with a sticky situation, Scorpio. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Some gossip about a friend who has recently begun a new relationship could reach you today, Sagittarius. This might come as a surprise, as you'd never have expected it of this person. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Minor changes in your money situation could make for a beautiful day.Perhaps you discover a bank error in your favor, get repaid for a loan, or receive a generous gift. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Today you might feel as though your mind is exploding. If you've been studying an intellectual or spiritual subject, insights could be coming thick and fast. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Emotions and memories that have been buried in your psyche could suddenly well up today. At first you might not be able to make sense of this.
Trainer Freddie Roach, meanwhile, said he was impressed with what he had seen. ‘Manny looked so fresh today. I’m very happy with what he showed me,’ he said. ‘You couldn’t tell he had been away from the ring since the Algieri fight in November. Manny is on fire in the gym.’ Mayweather on the other hand, was sticking to more tried and tested training methods as he continued to work on the pads. The 38year-old seemed to be enjoying himself, tweeting ‘Easy work’ after his session. (MailOnline)
Mayweather also worked the heavy bag and tweeted that his training was ‘easy work’
Responsible Rohit sees off... (From page 39) they actually bowled a no-ball because they didn’t have enough men inside the circle. Don’t take much away from Rohit and Raina, though. They were under high pressure of the stifling bowling of a side with not much to lose in the big knockout game. They were both forced to play a game against their nature. They waited and waited, and then they exploded in the Powerplay. The intent was unmistakable. Raina charged at the first ball of the Powerplay, and drove it over extra cover. It helped that it was Mortaza’s gentle pace, and not Rubel’s quickness. He again targeted the first ball of the next over, sending Shakib over long-on.The pressure was squarely on Bangladesh, and just when they thought they had caught a break, the umpires let them down. Rohit then unleashed some artistic late-overs hitting. He saw Raina get out to a slower ball, he saw Dhoni struggle for timing, he was himself exhausted by the effort - physically and arguably mentally - but he exposed gaps in the field beautifully. Without violence he scored 25 off the last nine balls he faced, and Jadeja provided the finishing touches in the end. Bangladesh, after having competed well for at least 30 of the 50 overs, were now left chasing what had never been successfully chased at MCG. Tamim made a low-percentage start, which was too good to last. It didn’t, ending to an edge to Umesh Yadav. A panicked run-out followed. Asking rate rose. Disciplined bowling meant Bangladesh had to take risks
every time they tried to score faster. Wickets fell almost every time they did so. Dhoni took a diving catch to where a first slip would have been. Dhawan took one at the boundary after stepping over the rope and coming back to control the ball. Everything went for India
once Rohit and Raina began to attack Bangladesh. Now they are headed to play the winner of the match between Australia and Pakistan. India 302 for 6 (Rohit 137, Raina 65, Taskin 3-69) beat Bangladesh 193 (Nasir 35, Yadav 4-31, Shami 2-37) by 109 runs.
Friday March 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Indian Wells: Andy Murray equals World Cup: Final confirmed as 18 December Tim Henman career win record Andy Murray equalled Tim Henman’s Open-era record for career wins by a British man as he advanced to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells. Murray beat unseeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-3 6-3 in what was the first meeting between the pair. The Scot will play Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in the last eight. Murray said he “wasn’t aware” he had equalled Henman’s record of 496 career wins, joking: “It’s probably one of the few records Tim still had over me.” Fourth seed Murray took the opening set in 45 minutes, winning the last four games
in a row after losing serve. He then sealed victory over the left-handed world number 38 in one hour 29 minutes to set up a meeting with Lopez, whobeat Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-4 7-6 (7-2). Mannarino’s deceptive punchy style, executed with a short backswing, presented difficulties for Murray in the warm Californian morning sun and a double fault ensured the Scot was first to lose serve in the fifth game. He broke back immediately with some high quality returns and quickly claimed the opening set, the first lost in the tournament by Mannarino, who beat 14th seed Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4 in
the previous round. Murray, at 27 a year older than his opponent, was unable to convert four break-point opportunities in the first game of the second set but broke to love in the fifth. With Mannarino unable to maintain his impressive early level of performance, Murray, the 2009 runner-up, secured his fifth quarter-final spot at the event. Meanwhile, hree-time champion Rafael Nadal overcame an error-strewn start to beat American Donald Young 6-4 6-2 and reach the last 16 at Indian Wells. The Spanish third seed will play France’s Gilles Simon in round four.
Second seed Roger Federer beat Andreas Seppi 6-3 6-4 and will face Jack Sock, the world number 58, in the last 16. Federer had lost to the Italian at the Australian Open in January, and admitted: “It absolutely was an opportunity right away to play him again and sort of erase it to some extent from the memory as the season moves forward. Sixth seed Milos Raonic beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 76 (7-2) 6-4 and ninth seed Tomas Berdych saw off Steve Johnson 6-4 6-2, while 17th seed Tommy Robredo upset ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 1-6 7-5. (BBCsport)
Rafael Nadal
Andy Murray
NBA-Highlights of Wednesday’s NBA games Heat 108, Trail Blazers 104 Dwyane Wade scored 32 points to help the Miami Heat rally from an 11-point deficit in the second half to overcome the Portland Trail Blazers. With the Heat trailing by two points in the final minute, Wade hit two jumpers then added two free throws to score his team’s final eight points and 15 in the fourth quarter. Miami (31-36) is seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff race. LaMarcus Aldridge had 34 points and 12 rebounds for Portland (4422), who dropped to fourth place in the Western Conference. Spurs 114, Bucks 103 Danny Green scored 20 points, Tim Duncan had 19 and the San Antonio Spurs avoided losing three straight games to Eastern Conference opponents with a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Less than 24 hours after a loss to the woeful New York Knicks, one that led San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich to publicly criticize his team, the Spurs reverted to championship form. The Bucks got 19 points and nine rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Thunder 122, Celtics 118 Russell Westbrook scored 36 points to lead the Okla-
homa City Thunder to victory over the Boston Celtics. Westbrook added 10 assists and five rebounds as the Thunder (38-30) moved a half game ahead of the idle New Orleans Pelicans for eighth place in the Western Conference. The Celtics (30-37) are tied for eighth place in the Eastern Conference with the Indiana Pacers. Both teams are one game behind the seventh-place Miami Heat. Cavaliers 117, Nets 92 Kevin Love returned from a two-game absence with 10 points and 11 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers recovered from a sluggish start to easily handle the Brooklyn
Nets. LeBron James had 16 points and seven assists and guard Kyrie Irving had 12 points and 10 assists for the Cavaliers (44-26), who had seven players in double figures in scoring and are second place in the Eastern Conference. Deron Williams had 20 points and six assists for the Nets (27-39). Bulls 103, Pacers 86 Rookie forward Nikola Mirotic scored 25 points with nine rebounds off the bench as the Chicago Bulls cruised to victory over the Indiana Pacers. Mike Dunleavy added 21 points for Chicago, which never trailed after the first quarter. Pau Gasol contributed 19 points and 12 re-
Golden State Warriors’ Leandro Barbosa (L) drives past Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap. (AFP Photo/Ezra Shaw)
bounds for the Bulls (41-28). Solomon Hill scored 13 points to lead Indiana (30-37), who remained tied with Boston for eighth in the East. Mavericks 107, Magic 102 Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points in Dallas’ wire-to-wire win over the Orlando Magic. The visitors gave the Mavericks (44-25) a late scare after Dallas dominated through a breezy first three quarters. Magic rookie point guard Elfrid Payton had a tripledouble with 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Raptors 105, Timberwolves 100 DeMar DeRozan led the way with 21 points as the Raptors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Raptors (41-27) are winners of seven straight meetings against Minnesota (14-53) and are third in the East, two games behind Cleveland. Minnesota guard Kevin Martin had a game-high 37 points and seven rebounds in the defeat. 76ers 94, Pistons 83 Ish Smith had 15 points and eight assists as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the slumping Detroit Pistons. Jason Richardson added 14 points for the Sixers (16-52), who won for just the third time in 10 games. Detroit (24-44) lost for the 11th time in 12 games. (The Sports Xchange)
FIFA has confirmed that the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar will take place on 18 December. A FIFA taskforce recommended last month that the tournament should be switched from summer to winter. The decision to hold the final on 18 December means Britain’s traditional Boxing Day club matches on 26 December can still take place. In another key decision, Fifa has chosen France to host the 2019 women’s World Cup ahead of South Korea. France will also stage the Under-20 women’s tournament in 2018. Walter De Gregorio, Fifa’s director of communications, confirmed the 2022 World Cup would begin in November and finish on 18 December. ”Yes, we are going to play in November and December,”
he said. “And yes, the final is going to be played on 18 December. It’s a Sunday and it’s also the national day of Qatar.” The decision to move the 2022 World Cup from its traditional June and July slot was taken because of health concerns for players. Summer temperatures in Qatar can exceed 40C. FIFA also indicated that the 2022 World Cup could be shortened to 28 days. It normally lasts for 31 or 32 days. UEFA, the body that governs European football, had pushed for the final to be as late as 23 December. However, that option attracted opposition from FIFA members, who feared it would cause problems for fans and players getting home in time for Christmas, as well as affecting club football’s festive programme. (BBCsport)
France to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 France has been awarded the hosting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™ and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018 ahead of Korea Republic, who was also in the running. The announcement was made yesterday at the Home of FIFA in Zurich during a ceremony led by FIFA President Blatter and Lydia Nsekera, member of the FIFA Executive Committee. The two bid teams were represented by Noël Le Graët, President of the French Football Association, and Chung Mong-gyu, President of the Korea Football Association. The announcement followed a unanimous decision taken by the FIFA Executive Committee yesterday. Initially, five countries declared their interest in hosting the events – England, France, Korea Republic, New Zealand and South Africa – before the field narrowed down to two by October 2014, when France and Korea Republic submitted their official bid documents to FIFA. The criteria for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ bids covered a range of areas including cost efficiency, promotion, the potential for creating an innovative and meaningful national football legacy
programme, the support and involvement of the football community, the existing infrastructure and viability of projects to improve it, as well as private and public support. The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ has been held every four years since 1991, with the 7th edition due to be played in Canada from 6 June to 5 July 2015. The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ is the biggest single-sport event played by women. The number of participants in the qualifiers has almost tripled from 45 teams in 1991 to 128 in 2015 and the number of qualification matches risen considerably from 110 in 1991 to 398 in 2015. Canada 2015 will be another leap forward as it expands to 24 teams, eight more than previous tournament and 12 more than when it first started in 1991 in China, reflecting the increased levels of participation as well as the higher standards across all age groups. Japan are the current world champions and were the first team from outside Europe and North America to achieve this feat. The six editions so far have had four different winners: Germany (twice), Japan,Norway and the USA (twice).
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Banks DIH onboard with Golden Jaguars for upcoming Int’l friendlies By Zaheer Mohamed Banks DIH under two of their main brands, Banks Beer and Coca Cola has thrown their support behind Guyana’s Golden Jaguars for their upcoming friendly internationals. The Golden Jaguars will take on St. Lucia on Sunday and Grenada on March 29 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. Sunday’s encounter kicks off at 19:00hrs while the Grenada fixture will commence at 20:30 hrs. Speaking at the launching ceremony yesterday at Thirst Park, Chairman of the Normalization Committee, Clinton Urling thanked the entity for coming on board and said that the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is happy for the partnership. ”We do look forward to their continued support as we look to take Guyana’s football forward. It’s been two and a half year since an international game was played in Guyana so this is an ideal opportunity for the fans to come out and support the team,” he
added. Urling stated that the staff is working hard to acquire positive results. “We will ensure the best players are on the team whether they reside overseas or locally,” he said. Brand Executive of Banks DIH Brain Choo Hen pointed out that the entity has been committed to the development of football in Guyana, adding that they look forward to the support from the fans. After giving praise to the almighty, head coach Jamaal Shabazz said that this weekend is a special moment for him. “These games are important since it will test the work we have done and see how the players adapt. Football is a beautiful game which brings people together and the main purpose of the staff is to rejuvenate the passion for the sport among the people,” he explained. Shabazz is urging the nation to come out and support their team. “The reality is we work together, we achieve together. At times we lose to-
gether and similarly when we win we get that collective feeling, so everybody wins, this is how the sport captivates a nation,” he posited. The Head Coach feels that St. Lucia will be a formidable opponent. “I saw them play in the CFU last year and they will provide the kind of test we want at home,” he said. ”Banks DIH support reflects a lot about their commitment and what is needed in football in Guyana at this time,” Shabazz noted. In brief remarks, Captain of the Golden Jaguars Chris Nurse called on the public for their support which will help to craft a bright future for Guyana’s football. Nurse added that the games will improve the standard of the sport here. He stated that the inclusion of the young players in the team will benefit Guyana and they will try to be the best they can. Admission to the venue is $1,000 and $4,000 for VIP. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
First-half goals lift Montreal past Alajuelense Montreal – The Impact de Montreal scored two first-half goals to earn a 2-0 win over visiting Alajuelense in the first leg of their Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) semifinal series on Wednesday. A crowd of 33,675 at the Stade Olympique saw the host take a step closer to next month’s two-legged final thanks to strikes by Ignacio Piatti and Victor Cabrera within the opening 15 minutes. The result extended the Impact’s SCCL unbeaten streak to eight consecutive games, a new team record. Montreal took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute with an exquisite finish. A right-sided cross along the ground by Dominic Oduro was cleverly backheeled by Cameron Porter in the box to Piatti. The Argentinean, who has Copa Libertadores experience with San Lorenzo, took a touch with his right foot, before firing home with his left from seven-yards out. Piatti nearly got on the scoreboard again in the 13th minute. The outstanding 30year-old received a pass down the left side from Danny Toia and weaved his way into the Alajuelense box, forcing goalkeeper Dexter Lewis into a tremendous save at the near post. One minute later, the Im-
Ignacio Piatti
pact netted its second with a fortunate bounce. Marco Donadel swung a left-sided corner kick off the right knee of Bakary Soumare. The ball fell into the path of Cabrera, who swept it in with his right foot from nine yards. The Impact kept pushing forward and created two more opportunities, which Piatti and Oduro both sent over the crossbar in the 17th and 24th minutes, respectively. The second half did not produce nearly as much action, but Venegas had Alajuelense’s best chance of the game in the 51st minute.
Bidding to score in his third straight SCCL outing, the 25-year-old attacker bounced a right-footed effort from distance that required a diving stop from goalkeeper Evan Bush. Porter was exceptional throughout the match and could have heaped even more pressure on the Manudos, but his attempt in the second minute of stoppage time was palmed away by Lewis. Alajuelense, which fell at the semifinal stage last year to Mexico’s Toluca, will host the return leg on April 7. (CONCACAF)
Friday March 20, 2015
Serena Williams reaches Indian Wells semi-finals Serena Williams reached the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, beating Timea Bacsinszky. Top seed Williams saw off the challenge from the Swiss 7-5, 6-3 to extend her winning streak to 15 matches. The American is playing at Indian Wells for the first time since ending her 14-year boycott of the event. “I’m just happy I was able to get through and still be alive in this tournament when I haven’t clearly been the Serena that we all know,” she said. World number 26 Bacsinszky, 25, had her 15match winning streak ended, but still leads this year’s WTA Tour with an impressive 21-3 record. She lead through a break in the opening set before world number one Wil-
Serena Williams
liams responded with two breaks of her own to win 7-5. The second set featured four straight breaks of serve before Williams won four of the final five games. “The only thing is I know can I play a lot better. I really take a lot of solace in that,” Williams said.” Even if I don’t win this event, I know I can play a tre-
mendous amount better than what I have been playing.” Meanwhile, third seed Simona Halep rallied to beat 12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro, 5-7 6-1 6-1 and will face Williams in the semi-finals. The Romanian is the most recent player to beat Williams last autumn at the WTA Finals in Singapore. (BBCsport)
WICB PCL Regional 4-Day final round starts today
St. John’s, Antigua – There are still reasons for all of the teams in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament to approach the 10th and final round of matches, starting today, with a high level of vigour. The Tournament was concluded as a genuine contest last weekend, when Guyana Jaguars drew with Trinidad & Tobago Red Force on home soil, earning seven points which put them an unassailable 22 points clear of nearest rivals Barbados Pride and handing them the Headley/ Weekes Trophy of regional supremacy. Still, all sixteams will have a point to prove in the final round to bring the curtain down on the first season of the PCL under the new franchise format. In Roseau, Dominica: Jaguars, the newlyminted R4Day champions, will be looking to give firm proof that they were the season’s best side against Windward Islands Volcanoes at Windsor Park. The Volcanoes were one of the other two sides that had an outside hope of grabbing the title from the Jags before their draw with the Pride in Bridgetown put them both out of contention and will want to crash the visitors’ coronation party. The Jaguars landed their
first victory in 12 years over the Volcanoes when the two sides met in the second round of this season at the Guyana National Stadium – and they will now also eye their first win in the Windwards since 2002. Prior to that second round defeat, the Volcanoes had won five of the previous seven matches against the Jags and have won the last two times the sides have played at this venue. Injury has forced the Volcanoes to bring uncapped batsman Jerlonie Robinson into their squad for Miles Bascombe, but the visitors travelled with an unchanged unit. In Couva, Trinidad: Red Force, a side that promised much prior to the season, and Leeward Islands Hurricanes, a side aiming to end a forgettable season strongly, will meet at the National Cricket Centre. The Reds gave a redeeming performance against the Jaguars to earn a draw, and the Hurricanes blew away the Jamaica Franchise to post their first win of this season and end a string of nine straight defeats in the R4Day stretching back to last season. Both will be looking to sow some seeds of confidence that can drive them during the off-season and give them hope for bigger, brighter and better performances next season. The home team will be highly favoured, considering they have won six of their last seven matches against the Hurricanes, including a sixwicket victory in the second
round this season at Warner Park in St. Kitts. Injury too, has prompted the Red Force to make two changes with Akeal Hosein and fellow left-arm spinner Ricky Jaipaul replacing Yannic Cariah and Derone Davis – but the Hurricanes are unchanged. In Kingston, Jamaica: The historic Sabina Park will be the backdrop, when the Jamaica Franchise face long-time rivals Barbados Pride. The Franchisers, the most decorated side in the R4Day in the last decade, will hope that the green grass of home will bring them inspiration and they can come away with at least a draw to avoid slumping to their sixth straight defeat of the season. This may prove a bit of a challenge against the Pride, who will want to continue on their trajectory of success to finish the season in second place behind the Jaguars. The match between the two sides earlier this season was badly affected by the weather, but recent history gives the hosts the edge – the visitors’ victory last season was their first in Jamaica for close to a decade. The Franchisers have brought in Jon-Ross Campbell and former West Indies Under-19 captain Ramaal Lewis to replace Shacaya Thomas and veteran leg-spinner Odean Brown, and the Pride have similarly made two changes with allrounder Carlos Brathwaite and opener Omar Phillips recovered from injury lay-offs to replace the now injured duo of Tino Best and Kyle Corbin.