Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Those who practice race-bait politics are unpatriotic and evil DEAR EDITOR, The outburst by Jagdeo at Babu Jaan two weeks ago clearly displays the underlying problem within the country. It is evident that where racial integration is concerned in Guyana, the politicians, especially those in the government have made very little progress. Despite the appearance of Indo and Afro Guyanese living in harmony, the evil of racial hatred is still in the minds of many, including those in authority. This evil which has plagued the country for the past 60 years is the main cause for the lack of real political, economic, social and
civil progress in Guyana. The division of the two main races and the alleged practice of raw racism are highlighted when those of status like Jagdeo allegedly make statements like the “PPP is a coolie people party” and then turn around and blame the PNC for such statements. In Guyana, the electorate are forever too quiet on the issue of race-based politics being practiced in the country, allowing those politicians who practiced it to proceed, which in every election takes them back to square one of living in a divided, make-believe society of racial harmony. Guyana’s politics is just a continual battle of one racial
political group against another racial political group being supported by an equally divided, biased racial group of citizens. This has been the situation since the 1950s when the leaders of the PPP and the PNC realized that they cannot be elected to office on issues or their merit, but mainly on their race. The fact is the citizens of Guyana live in a divisive society based on individualism, community, ethnicity, race, religion, career choice, politics, etc. Regrettably, the electorate is faced with the same race–based politics in this election and those who practiced it are unpatriotic
and evil. In the past, race-bait politics appeared to be a vote getter for those in power. But those who have divided the country along racial lines, destroyed democracy, gave contracts to friends, family and party officials, and raped the treasury will be discredited at all costs thus destroying their chances of being re-elected to office in the General Election on May 11. In our humble view, Guyana does not need leaders like the current stock who are dishonest and power drunk and have become dictators. Asquith Rose, Chandra Deolall, Dr. Merle SpencerMarks
Protest actions more of an interference than an intervention DEAR EDITOR, While the restoration of democracy under the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Government allowed, inter alia, for renewal of the rights to peaceful protests; such protests must be purposeful, objective, and not seen as obstreperous or impinging on the rights of others; moreso, where these others are minors whom adults such as parents, teachers and other adults are expected to guide in the right direction. Students’ protests, moreso where these are coercive and/or a result of the
use of undue influence on the part of parents and other adults with their own agenda and political axe to grind could not be construed as one of those interventions that support children’s learning. These determinedly are interventions that are aimed at satisfying the personal agenda of the adults who fuel these protests. The protests by parents, other adults and students of the St John’s Secondary School at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, Region 3 and more recently, Christianburg Primary School, must be seen
as a clear case of some parents and adults putting their own personal interests first and indeed begs the question: what ought to be the nature and extent of the involvement of Parent Teacher’s Associations in the affairs of schools and school related activities? Should their involvement not be guided by what is best for the
children; what is best in our children interests? Should parents focus not be on ensuring that the use of school time and resources both human and material, be optimized in their children’s best interest? But alas, what do we find! The police had to be summoned to deal with traffic Continued on page 23
I am Courtney (RIP) I am Courtney I am dead What I got was three gunshots to the head, Should I be sorry? I received two more shots to my body You have killed me but not my legacy Thousands will rise up to defend our country liberties Free speech; voices will raise up against corruption and tyranny You were there at my funeral It all began for me with the taped conversation with the attorney general Everyone said the attorney was out of line, I thought so too So for eighty days I stood alone in my picket line Some passed and said I should quit, I stood firm because the attorney general showed gross disrespect I stood steadfast and would not let, I was even charged for using the general toilet In retrospect was I frightened, yes, twice my life was threatened I was afraid but did not run, the only hope for change, was to urge people to vote at election. That’s how I ended up on a lonely road in Diamond They heard my bullhorn and sent a car of gunmen My only defence was my voice and strong conviction Urging people to vote for a better nation. Rodney says if there is no struggle there is no progress As I am laid to rest, I urge you with passion Keep fighting for freedom of expression That is the only way to build our nation. I am Courtney, you are Courtney, the bullet did not stop me We will unite as one people one nation one destiny. (Written by C.F.P) In memory of a true Guyanese Hero.
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Kaieteur News
Monday March 23, 2015
Guyana progressively worse due to breaches of country’s financial laws - Ram Taking into account the series of flagrant breaches of Guyana’s financial laws over the years, Chartered Accountant Chris Ram posits that it has as a consequence made the country progressively worse. He said that if the nation has not reached the nadir of public accountability, it is more than likely very close to it. Ram is also convinced that it is time that the country’s public sector accounting rules be reviewed and amended to reinforce efforts and systems intended to ensure national accountability. On that point, the lawyer added that the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA) was intended to address all matters concerning the preparation and execution of the annual budget; the receipt, control and disbursement of public money; the accounting for public money; and all other matters to bring transparency and efficient management of the finances of Guyana. “What we now see is the arrogant and flagrant
…says it’s time for a total overhaul
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram exploitation of weaknesses in the law and the systems rather than measures to fix the problems,” he added. Ram, in a detailed article on his blog, chrisram.net, said that the FMAA was an improvement over what it replaced and should have brought greater accountability to the country. Unfortunately, the accountant said, it did not, owing to the political control over public funds, corruption and all pervasive slush funds, and “it has become progressively worse as state
and party lines become blurred.” “Yet, in the face of such grave abuses, the Government continues to react strongly to calls for better accountability to the point where the President accused those calling for greater liability as antidevelopment.” Further, Ram posited that arguments against enhanced public-sector financial reporting, disclosure and financial management typically involve arguments that superior methods are either not available, or that they come at a prohibitive cost. The former he explained, is patently untrue for governments that continue to use traditional, cash-based methods of accounting; while the latter can be countered – perhaps with a little more effort – through careful examination of the costs of making, and of not making, such improvements. He said, too, that the unexpected costs of poor
decision-making and fraudulent reporting are reflected in the heavy taxation and the servicing of large loans being borne by taxpayers. The attorney-atlaw asserted that more reliable and complete financial information, and greater transparency and accountability will help to reduce expenditure, lower taxes and reduced loans. He stressed that the cost of not doing so is just too high. Additionally, Ram pointed out that the Chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board noted recently that “without transparency, neither can there be trust or accountability”. Ram said that governments that employ traditional cash-based publicsector accounting cannot be transparent: their reporting necessarily presents only part of the total picture. He said that traditional methods of government accounting – cash-based accounting are simply insufficient to allow governments to discharge accountability to the public, or to permit investors and potential investors to make fully informed decisions. He stressed as well that better accounting practices are required. Speaking to the cashbased accounting which Guyana and most other countries practice, he said, it reports cash inflows (eg from taxation receipts, interest earned on investments, and
proceeds from sale of assets) and cash outflows (eg spending on government programmes, interest on borrowing, lending, asset purchases, public-sector salaries and wages). However, he highlighted that a major weakness in that system is its failure to distinguish between the economic characteristics of different types of transactions since it treats the sale of public property in the same manner as cash raised through taxation. Likewise, Ram said that government lending – a cash outflow – is treated the same as the payment of public-sector salaries. “It is not that cash-based accounting does not have its use. It clearly does – both in the private as well as the public sector. Any entity, whether an NGO, government or a commercial entity needs to know its cash position, inflows and outflows, borrowing requirements, and liquidity position. But cash is not all and in fact cash-based accounting can be significantly misleading, facilitating creative accounting. A government faced with the difficult decision of balancing its budget may find it expedient to dispose of the crown jewels rather than cutting expenditure or raising taxes. But what happens when there are no further assets to sell? In other words, cash-based accounting allows politicians to delay and
defer the tough decisions to subsequent years and generations of taxpayers,” Ram said. In the post, Ram had suggested that in preparing the budget then Dr. Ashni Singh, the Minister of Finance, might just spare a thought about the manner in which the government accounts are kept and whether the existing cashbased system serves the long-term interest of the country. He noted on his website too that both the United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA) and the IMF Government Finance Statistics (GFS) – promote the use of accrualbased reporting. During a brief telephone interview with Kaieteur News, Ram suggested that the position which he posited during the time the Minister was preparing the 2012 budget has become a necessity. Asked to state just one of the major accounting deficiencies of the public sector, Ram said that the system lacked integrity, independence and proper oversight with a useless and compromised State Audit Office. He said that the progressive deterioration over the past few years has caused him to lose any hope of a change of direction or improvement in the system of public financial management and adequate, independent and strong oversight with tough penalties for the constitutional, statutory and accounting violations that seem to take place on a daily basis.
Case in limbo…
Accused Imam still to be tried on sex abuse charges The case of the Imam accused of sexually assaulting nine boys while they attended classes at an East Coast Demerara Masjid is yet to be heard in the High Court. Islamic scholar, Nizam Ali, known as ‘Mufti’, of Lot 268 Section ‘C 5’ South, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown has been committed to stand High Court trial since 2013 on nine counts of engaging in sexual intercourse with boys under the age of 12. But the case is still to be heard. Back in 2012, Ali was arrested several times after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced against him. He was charged with
several counts of sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust and the preliminary inquiries into allegations were conducted before then Sparendaam Magistrate Alex Moore. According to reports, the 33-year-old Imam was alleged to have sexually assaulted the nine boys where they usually go to take Quran and Arabic lessons from him, between December 2011 and January 2012. Prosecutors alleged that these acts were committed while the accused had been in a trusted position as a religious teacher, and could be reasonably expected to have known of the trust
Accused Imam, Nizaam Ali reposed in him by the boys. The Imam’s pretrial hearings were held in-camera at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court Demerara (Continued on page 24)
Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Conservatives suspend candidate over far-right plot claims (Reuters) - Britain’s ruling Conservatives have suspended a Muslim candidate in a key seat following allegations he plotted with the far right English Defence League (EDL) to stir up racial tension to help win votes in May’s election. Afzal Amin, a parliamentary candidate in Dudley North in central England, was shown in video footage and telephone recordings obtained by the Mail on Sunday newspaper trying to persuade the EDL to announce a march against a new mosque in the area. Amin then allegedly planned to take the credit for brokering the suspension of the protest. A spokesman for the Conservative Party said Amin had been suspended with immediate effect, pending an
Afzal Amin investigation. “The Conservative Party views this as a matter of extremely serious concern,” he said. Amin has denied the allegations, telling the Independent on Sunday
newspaper that the claims were based on small snippets of over 57 hours of meetings he had held with the local Muslim community and the leadership of the EDL, a street protest movement. The allegations are damaging to a Conservative party that needs to win seats such as Dudley North, currently held by opposition Labour on a tiny majority, to have a chance of obtaining a majority on May 7. The Conservatives have governed Britain in coalition with the Liberal Democrats since 2010. Opinion polls currently show neither the Conservatives nor Labour likely to win enough seats to form a majority government in May. Parties such as the antiEU UKIP and the Scottish nationalist SNP could have a decisive role in the outcome.
Houthis seize strategic Yemeni city, escalating power struggle
Anti-Houthi protesters run as pro-Houthi police troopers fire tear gas to disperse them in Yemen’s southwestern city of Taiz March yesterday. Credit: REUTERS/Anees Mahyoub (Reuters) - Houthi fighters opposed to Yemen’s president took over the central city of Taiz in an escalation of a power struggle diplomats say risks drawing in neighbouring oil giant Saudi Arabia and its main regional rival Iran. Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, head of the powerful Shi’ite Muslim group, vowed to pursue Sunni militants behind suicide attacks on Houthi supporters and said the poor Arabian peninsula country was in danger of descending into Libya-style turmoil. In a live televised speech, Houthi said his decision to mobilise fighters amid accelerating violence in recent days was aimed at
Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for bombings that killed more than 130 in the capital, Sanaa, on Friday, and al Qaeda. Conflict has been spreading across Yemen since last year when the Houthis seized Sanaa and effectively removed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who now seeks a comeback from his base in Aden. Residents of Taiz, on a main road from Sanaa to the country’s second city, Aden, said Houthi militias took over the city’s military airport without a struggle late on Saturday. Witnesses in the central province of Ibb reported seeing dozens of tanks and
military vehicles headed southward from Houthicontrolled areas toward Taiz, while activists in the city said Houthi gunmen shot into the air to disperse protests by residents demonstrating against their presence. The advance of the Iranian-backed group has angered Sunni Gulf Arab states led by Saudi Arabia. The Houthi expansion into mostly Sunni areas in the centre and west has led to months of clashes with local tribes and al Qaeda, raising fears of civil war. The U.N. mediator on Yemen said on Sunday that recent events “seem to be leading Yemen further away from a peaceful settlement and towards the edge of civil war.”
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Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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GECOM CAN BE THE SPOILER Elections are not straightforward in Guyana. They are besieged by controversies, characterized by suspicion, decorated with a lack of trust and have the potential to rapidly degenerate into instability. Every single election since 1964 has been marred with problems. Every election since 1992 has seen the losers express reservations about the results, even though in 2006 this was lesser than in previous and subsequent polls. In 1992, a major loophole which had aided voter fraud was plugged. Counting votes at the place of polls allowed for greater confidence that rigging would be abolished. But yet there were other problems that threatened to overturn the elections of 1992. There was an attempt to create problems outside of the Guyana Elections Commission building on Croal Street. It was only because Jimmy Carter was physically present and his quick count demonstrated that the PPPC
had won that the results of those elections were accepted by the opposition. The problems of alleged disenfranchisement were believed to have been fixed in the run up to the 1997 elections. Yet controversy was conjured up when at some polling stations in only one Region alone, the persons responsible for transmitting the results at their polling stations ran off to Congress Place with the results, causing mass confusion since these results could not to be tabulated. Steps were taken to ensure that situation would not repeat itself in 2001. It did not but another problem arose. This time it was violence and unrest began in Buxton and interestingly quickly spread into many villages along the East Coast where the main opposition enjoyed support. There was a feeling that this unrest was organized. It got out of control following
the prison break and the siege of Buxton. The 2006 elections did not attract too many problems but just before the elections there was an attempt by opposition elements at mass disenfranchisement of supporters of the PPPC. Questions were also raised about the preliminary voter ’s list. After the elections, there were strong demands for house- to – house registration which eventually took place. In those elections also there was a problem with the declaration of results for Region 10 which is widely believed to have robbed the AFC of a seat. In the 2011 elections, the PPPC believes that it was robbed of a majority because of the fact that results at seventeen polling stations in Region 3 were not tabulated. There was also open voter intimidation and the PPP has alleged that there was some connivance between GECOM personnel and the opposition that led it being robbed.
Dem boys seh...
DE SENTENCE GUN MATCH DE CRIME Guyana has become a den of thieves and this happen under Jagdeo. Now it continuing under Donald and dem boys hope if there is a change that de situation don’t repeat itself under who ever lead. Dem boys also hope and pray that if anything good should happen nuff of dem gun go to jail like wha happening in every other country except Guyana. In Guyana you does get promote when you get ketch. Dem boys got a chart fuh guide dem judges and magistrates when some of these thieves gun appear before dem. And dem boys learn it from a US judge, Judge Irizarry. Three fellas get arrested for shop lifting at Super Quality. So they gone before the judge. The first guy come to the stand. The judge ask, “What you thief?” He seh plums. The judge ask how many plums, he say three so Judge Irizarry say three years for you. The second guy thief eggs so the judge ask how many eggs. He say 12 so the judge say 12 years. Suddenly de court heard a big bang.”BAM”. When dem turn around the third guy fall down. So the judge ask what
happen to him. The second thief seh he thief a bag of rice. Dem boys believe that this gun happen when three of Guyana leaders will appear before a judge and dem boys hope is Judge Navindra. Everybody know who shoplift de bag of rice from de rice board. Dem boys also remember three thief man who been pun a farm and eat dem belly full. Dem nah satisfy. Dem full, then full dem bag and even full dem shirt. De owner of de farm ketch dem when dem was leaving and tell dem that he gun call de police. Dem beg fuh a chance and promise fuh do
wha he ask dem. De farmer tell dem that dem gun have to push one of whatever dem thief in dem rear. De first one had guava suh he push up and he walk. De second one had cherry and he start fuh cry. De farmer ask he wha he crying for. He explain that the first man had guava. “You got cherry suh wha you crying for?” The man seh that he ain’t crying fuh heself, he crying fuh de man wha coming behind he because he thief pine. Talk half and pray that dem who gun get ketch ain’t get a sentence to match wha dem thief.
No one knows for sure just what problems are going to occur this year. Because in as much as one can attempt to cover all bases and plug as many loopholes as possible, there is always the human factor which has to be accounted for and which can lead to problems. However, it is important that there be some amount of planning to cater for possible areas of problems. In such planning one has to try to think about possible scenarios that can develop and which can cause problems during the elections. One has to think in other words about possible game- spoilers. The main game-spoiler I
believe can be GECOM. While GECOM says that it is ready, I am not that convinced. I am not convinced that GECOM has its act together as yet. It takes more than fancy talk for this to happen and GECOM has been talking a lot ever since concerns were raised about its degree of preparedness. It is unfortunate that local government elections were not held over the past three years. This would have afforded an opportunity to see how GECOM’s systems were holding up and what were some of the likely areas that needed attention and improvement. For elections to be
credible in Guyana, they have to meet a higher standard similar to that of other countries. They have to be near flawless. Do you really believe GECOM can deliver a credible election, much less one that is near to flawless? Do you believe that the fancy talk by GECOM can be matched by its performance? I doubt it very much. In tomorrow’s column, I will outline some of the areas where attention needs to be paid so as to ensure the integrity of the election.
COI Commissioner loses presidency in Trinidad’s Law Body Association election Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam was replaced on Friday as President of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago after a colossal defeat. Jairam, who currently sits as a Commission on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry at the High Court library was defeated by more than 200 votes when he went against Senior Counsel Reginald Armour for the presidency. According to the Trinidad Express, Armour emerged victorious following the association’s election at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, securing 323 votes to Jairam’s 106 from a membership of 1,591. He was Jairam’s sole opponent in the election, having been nominated on February 20. The posts of
Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam vice-president, treasurer and secretary of the association were retained by the holders who were nominated for the positions unopposed. Jairam was elected as
president of the association in June 2012 but, soon after, calls were made for his resignation after he accepted a legal brief from the Ministry of Finance to be its lead counsel in the CLICO/Hindu Credit Union Commission of Enquiry. Among those who called for his resignation was deceased Queen’s Counsel Karl Hudson-Phillips, but the council of the association affirmed confidence in Jairam, who indicated he would not step down from the presidency. The Trinidad newspaper said that, ten days after accepting the legal brief, it was returned to the ministry. Following the announcement of his defeat Friday, Jairam told reporters: “The membership has spoken and I have to accept that.”
Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Execution of GGMC officer…
For chiding Jagdeo’s Cadillac lifestyle…
Ex-cops fingered in executionstyle killing - police official
Newspaper trying to intimidate me into silence
Having looked at surveillance footage of two men riddling Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) engineer Trevor Abrams with bullets, investigators are looking for two former cops whose description match that of the gunmen. Kaieteur News was told that persons claiming to be eyewitnesses to the shooting have indicated to investigators that the expolicemen may have played a part in Abrams’ death. After receiving this information, police compared the shooters’ physical structure to that of the former ranks and found some similarities. The two men are now wanted for questioning. This newspaper was told that the suspects were also accused of being involved in a robbery which occurred at the Linden Post Office some time ago. “Based on the description that we are seeing on the footage which is blurred, we are looking for them (former policemen) to be questioned,” a senior police official said. While police are still unclear of the motive of the execution-style killing of Abrams, the senior official
Dead: Trevor Abrams confirmed that the 32-yearold man’s death was not robbery-related. Kaieteur News was told that the only thing police recovered from the car Abrams was driving at the time of his death was a bag containing a flash drive, his Identification Card and other personal documents. The official said that several persons have been questioned in relation to the death of the engineer. A day after Abrams was killed, police found the alleged getaway car, a grey Toyota AT 212, with licence plates PLL 5966 at a couple’s residence in Covent Garden,
East Bank Demerara (EBD). A fake number plate was found next to the car which investigators believed was placed over the original plate when the brazen act was committed. While police found no blood or gunpowder residue on the car, there were a number of bullets holes on the vehicle, clearly indicating that the car was indeed used in a shooting incident. The owner of the car was questioned. She allegedly informed ranks that she had given the car to someone to take to a mechanic. Police had also questioned that individual but were unable to obtain “useful” information. “We have questioned everyone. Now we are trying to get the mechanic to find out what happened when the car was at his shop.” On February 27 last, Abrams, 32, of Lot 131 Samatta Point, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was driving north along the EBD Public Road near Little Diamond when two gunmen emerged from another car and shot him several times. Abrams’ car ended up in a trench between the new four-lane that is under construction.
City Hall clerk still not paid after nine months on the job Despite being instructed by Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker to hand over the salary, City Hall clerk Nesha Hinds, the 20-year-old is still to receive her salary, even after being employed there for nine months. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said yesterday that on Friday, Mayor Hamilton Green spoke with the Minister over “Sooba’s blatant refusal” to pay the woman. She said that the assurance was given by Minister Whittaker that the young woman would immediately be paid all her money and at the salary agreed upon before her hiring. This, Chase-Green said, was supposed to happen on Friday, but instead the young woman left the agency in tears, since her pay was not handed over. Hinds was hired by the agency’s personnel department and according to them, all procedures were followed and requisite qualifications handed in to afford the woman legitimate employment as a Clerk II attached to the Mayor’s office. However, Hinds has been denied her salary with no solid
Nnesha Hinds explanation from the Town Clerk. While Sooba contends that procedures were not followed the agency’s employment body has denied this. According to the information, the Town Clerk reportedly asked the personnel department to demote Hinds to a Clerk I staff, but they refused. The Town Clerk then took it upon herself to write a new letter of appointment to Hinds, stating that she had been demoted to a Clerk I status. Hinds has however refused to accept the money and has lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman. On March 16, when Full Council met, the issue of the
woman’s salary was brought up. During the discussions on the matter, it was noted by the majority of Councillors that after nine months and a Council decision to employ this employee, she continues to languish in the Office of the Mayor without pay. As a result, Council took a unanimous decision that Hinds be paid as a Clerk II forthwith. “Citizens will recall that Hinds was properly employed by the Council on July 1, 2014. To-date, she has not been paid one cent. Council expressed disgust about this sad situation, and took the decision that Ms. Hinds must be paid.” Chase-Green said the matter of the young woman’s salary will be brought up again today at Council’s Statutory meeting. When previously contacted on this matter, the Town Clerk accused the media of harassing the young woman and putting words in her mouth before hanging up the phone. Last December, two nurses, supported by their colleagues, protested outside City Hall when the Town Clerk also refused to pay them after five months on the job.
- Former PPP stalwart Ralph Ramkarran
Former Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran has come under attack from the Guyana Times. The fact that these attacks came almost immediately after he publicly condemned statements made by former President Bharrat Jagdeo has led Ramkarran to believe that the newspaper is seeking to penalize him and simultaneously send a warning for him to back off. Last week, Ramkarran chided Jagdeo for attempting to justify his “Cadillac lifestyle” by painting a picture suggesting that the late former President, Cheddi Jagan had a similar life style. There were outraged responses by many people to Jagdeo’s statement, including Clem Seecharran, Peter Fraser and two distinguished Guyanese historians living and working in the UK. But the most telling came from Nadira Jagan-Brancier, the Jagan’s daughter, Dr. Tulsie Dyal Singh and Sadie Amin. Ramkarran had set the ball rolling by stating it was “sinful” for Jagdeo to make the comparison he did. Now, Ramkarran believes that he was being penalized for defending the legacy of the founder of the Party he spent many years in. Ramkarran lamented the attacks in his most recent article published on his w e b s i t e , www.conversationtree.gy and said that it was “expected.” “As expected, two articles appeared in the Guyana Times containing stories about me on familiar issues, some from twenty years ago, some earlier, which are completely and deliberately fabricated or distorted even though the correct information is known or easily available to the newspaper,” said Ramkarran. This newspaper had published what Ramkarran said about Jagdeo on March 15. By March 18, Guyana Times wrote the first article under the caption “If you live
in a glass house, don’t throw stones!” In that article, it was alleged that Ramkarran refused a cabinet post in 1992 and instead demanded legal work for his firm. By March 19, Guyana Times published another article this one under the heading “Ramkarran strikes gold with Demerara Gold.” In defending the content of the first article, Ramkarran said “I was never offered a cabinet post in 1992 and there was no flood of legal business to my firm.” Speaking about the second item, Ramkarran said, “In this piece “a series of patently false allegations were made about technical matters relating to the trademark “Demerara Gold.” He noted that he replied to Guyana Times with a detailed refutation but up to the time of writing it was not published. The former PPP stalwart said that the false allegations are intended to embarrass and intimidate him into silence. He added that the “message of the intimidation by the Guyana Times is that if I do not stop, there will be consequences.” Ramkarran said that within the PPP, “different and more direct, intimidatory techniques exist. Direct abuse is a major one. Subtle threats of dismissal from employment are another. Most people have jobs with the party or government, which they need to secure for their livelihood. This is enough to encourage silence. Dissentient voices have been effectively stilled
in the PPP, even though Jagdeo is widely criticized privately” Ramkarran said that the question is often asked, “How it is that Jagdeo has got such a hold over the PPP that no one dares to oppose him?” The former stalwart said that he spoke out for years in the PPP, subjecting himself to intense abuse and isolation, “until it became necessary to ensure that I no longer remain within its ranks. No one else has so far dared to oppose Jagdeo.” “As expected, the General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, refused to comment on the controversy, just as the previous General Secretary, Donald Ramotar, refused to comment on Jagdeo’s insult to Mrs. Jagan when she called for a restoration of advertisements to the Stabroek News in 2006. No one in the PPP will now ever be able to speak to the Jagans’ simple and humble lifestyle, and urge its emulation, for fear of offending Jagdeo. This crass and unworthy attempt by him to justify the size of his mansion by the sea and his gargantuan, post presidential, benefits has taken away one of the PPP’s greatest assets from its public relations armoury, namely, the Jagan legacy of a modest lifestyle with integrity and humility. Jagdeo said that their lifestyle was luxurious. No one in the PPP can now ever dare to say otherwise,” said Ramkarran. He added that Jagdeo is in full command and control of the PPP.
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Monday March 23, 2015
GNYC officially launches “Vote Like A Boss” voter education campaign …Youth participation vital in formulating national policy - GNYC
In spite of pushback from government officials, the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) officially launched its voter education campaign, “Vote Like a Boss”, Saturday at the National Library Conference Room. Saturday’s campaign was launched to a room full of interested young Guyanese and civil society groups. The aim of the “Vote Like a Boss” campaign is to increase voter education among Guyanese youth. Showing support at the event were representatives of the Guyana Women’s Roundtable, Blue Caps and the University of Guyana Student Society. A GNYC representative, Tricia Teekah, explained that citizens can expect voter education campaigns to begin as early as Wednesday in Anna Regina, with voter education workshops open
to the public along with civil groups. On March 28, the youth agency will meet to analyse parties’ policies and position for upcoming elections. Activities will continue around various towns throughout Guyana until the May 11 General and Regional Elections. The “Vote Like a Boss” campaign is working in tandem with the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) mandate to ensure that Guyanese are educated and informed in the electoral processes while understanding their duty in shaping the country’s policies. In formulating the campaign, GNYC Chair, Tiffany Daniels, explained that the Council engaged various young people with regard to their views on the electoral system. In approaching other Guyanese
Members of GNYC and civil society present at “Vote Like A Boss” campaign youth, Daniels related that the unsatisfactory responses the GNYC received propelled them to kick-start the campaign. The Youth Council asked questions surrounding reason for youths voting; whether they know what a manifesto is; if they have listened to what other political parties are offering and how does one decide who to vote for. “We were not satisfied with the responses that we got. Young people should vote, should understand why they vote and understand what they’re voting for,” said the GNYC Chair in her address to attendees. “We must understand that participating for change in our country does not begin or end with an election but it is our civic duty that extends well beyond one day.” In her address, Daniels also stressed the vital importance for young people to appreciate the effect they can have on politics and policy. She commented that while voting is not the only way to influence policy in a democratic society, it is the only time every citizen is unquestionably equal as one person has one vote. “Young people may have policies that are different from older persons. If young people don’t vote, we and our distinct interests will be ignored by policymakers,”
affirmed Daniels. She went on, “Research has shown that our generation is most likely to push boundaries for inclusivity, that we are more open to others different and diverse people from ourselves. We’re more concerned about our environment and transparency and creating change and impacting our country. Yet we are more politically disengaged not wanting to be a part of the confusion.” According to the United Nation’s Development Programme, Guyana’s youth makes up over 60 percent of the country’s population. The GNYC representative said that the council maintains its goal of educating young Guyanese to become proactive participants in the electoral process. The GNYC has been facing push back from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Clement Rohee, the PPP/C’s General Secretary, labeled the local youth council as a “selfanointed” entity without the substantial authority to represent the country’s young people. The Youth Ministry subsequently raised similar concerns about the agency’s legitimacy. Of note at the launch ceremony, were
photos of Youth Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, actively participating in the Council’s activities. GECOM has since defended its decision in collaborating with the youth agency in its effort to increase voter education. Also speaking at the event, was Glen Bradbury of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Chief Party of the Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Projects. Many of the Rohee’s criticism of the party were directed at Bradbury’s involvement with GNYC as the agency receives funding from his agency. Bradbury said that one of the major elements of the
LEAD project was to engage youth in becoming more active in any democratic process. He said that it was also important not to approach this campaign from a partisan aspect but from an educational capacity. “It is important at this young age for everyone who becomes eligible to vote, to go out and question; to ask questions of individuals seeking your vote and support. You shouldn’t blindly support anyone you should take the effort to know why it is important to talk directly to those seeking public office, to express yourselves as to what you need as youth,” said Bradbury.
Robeson Benn: Opposition... (From page 3) said was the Caribbean Development Bank which made a sizeable investment in the US$47M WCD road project. “It certainly has to be because they have an interest in the fact that Guyana has not only assured its own food security but that Guyana, through its rice and other agricultural produce…will assure the region’s food security of the Caribbean by the export of its products. “So, we will want to hope that we don’t have a continuation of what I call errant and misguided resorts to the courts to stop what are plainly investment projects intended for the development, for the well-being of all Guyanese people and also the well-being and development of the Caribbean region.” The recently commenced roadway, which stretches some 30.7 kilometres from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie, is expected to be completed in about 36 months. The contracted companies are BK International and Jamaican company Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) Limited.
Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Here comes the bride When Indians came to Trinidad and other Caribbean countries as indentured immigrants they brought many of their customs with them some of which have still not been completely excised including arranged marriages. In the old days some scams were perpetrated which led to “Indian” weddings earning a reputation for violence and sometimes mayhem. In the village of Carapichaima, where we lived until I was eleven, weddings were associated with alcohol and fights, sometimes over trivial things but other times over matters considered serious including the dowries paid to the groom to persuade him to complete the ceremony which was not actually expected to be consummated on the night of the wedding but about ten days after the blessed event. In terms of the violence, I remember when at a family wedding, which fortunately I had not attended because I had a cricket match to play, the groom’s family who came
from another village were incensed with how they were treated. They drew their sticks (lathis) and cutlasses (pronounced poo-yahs) from their cars and attacked the bride’s side of the family. My Auntie, who it seemed was most vocal in her condemnation of the groom’s family, had to jump from an upstairs window and damaged both ankles, proving that in regard to her argument with the visiting armed delegation she didn’t have a leg to stand on. Indian tradition had it that a period of about ten days must elapse before the wedding could be consummated, and to ensure that no hanky-panky took place to disturb the rhythm of the universe, not to mention the bedsprings of the bridal bed, a chaperone (called a “lookhanie”) was engaged to accompany the bride to her new place of abode and ensure that by staying between both parties, night and day for three days, and ensuring that the bride was always in her sight, especially
when the groom was around, the customs were duly observed. The bride would then return to her parents’ home for a week and then sent back to her husband who, by that time, would be in a fit state for appreciating and exercising his marital rights. As time passed, both brides and grooms started to rebel and many stories abound about the wedding car stopping in the middle of the cane fields because of flat tires and engine malfunctions that necessitated emptying the vehicle so that repairs could be duly effected. Many a “lookhanie” was abandoned as the bride, groom and their entourage took off minus the martial watchdog. It was a case of who most needed to go for cane. As my father said, what made some “bad licks” pass was the practice of switching brides at the wedding ceremony. He claimed to have personally experienced it but refused to give details except that when it happened he and his family stormed out of the wedding. Whether their
departure was accompanied by hostilities remained unsaid. The story usually went like this. A man in the village had several daughters, one of whom was the prettiest girl around. The village’s official matchmaker, generally in league with or in the pay of the father (although receiving money as well from the groom’s side), would arrange a meeting of both parties where the prospective bride was displayed to the satisfaction of the bridegroom and his parents. Given the beauty of the young lady, the groom generally could not wait for his wedding day to come. The marriage was duly arranged but since the groom was not allowed to see the bride until after the wedding, so heavily wrapped and covered was she in the various garments, the switch was not detected until after the wedding and, at times, even after the consummation. Some grooms and their families sought to return the bride and fights usually broke out or vendettas initiated.
The Role of the Presiding Officer and Team on Elections Day On Elections Day, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will have a cohort of staff that must be present in every polling station to effectively and efficiently manage the conduct of the General and Regional Election.On May 11, 2015, the GECOM staff present at all polling stations will consist of a Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Poll Clerk, Ballot Clerk, and an Information Clerk. It is important to note that all of GECOM’s Polling Day Officials must take the Oath of Office which commits them to complying with all applicable regulations in place to enable them to fulfil their roles and discharge their responsibilities in accordance with their mandate and the Law. This feature examines the roles of the Presiding Officer and the Assistant Presiding Officer. The public is hereby being appraised on what to expect of these two GECOM officers on Polling Day. The Role of the Presiding Officer (PO) The Presiding Officer is responsible for the efficient operation of the Polling Station to which he/she is assigned, ensuring that it functions in an orderly manner at all times. The relevant duties of the Presiding Officer which
electors may observe while at the Polling Station are as follows: · Ensures that all signs and notices are in place – those before Polling Day and others of Polling Day. · Determines the six-digit number for the stamp (official mark) in the presence of Polling Day Staff and Polling Agents. · Ensuresthat the persons, other than voters (e.g. Certified Political Party Agents), attending the Polling Stationare authorized to enter and are in possession of Identity Cards issued by GECOM. · Determines when required, whether an elector is eligible to cast his or her vote. · Administers voting by proxies. · Makes entries in the Poll Book if such are required. · Assist differently abled electors to cast their votes. · Knowledgeably and efficiently administers oaths/ affirmations. · Deals with Certificates of Employment. · Ensures that all electors requiring assistance are
treated in a dignified manner. · Ensures that Polling Agents and observers are permitted to monitor the process without interfering with electors or with the proceedings. · Ensures the queues are moving smoothly and orderly. · Ensures that all persons waiting to vote do so before the poll is declared closed, once they are in the queue at 6:00pm. The Role of the Assistant Presiding Officer (APO) The Assistant Presiding Officer is really the secondin-charge of the Polling Station, and assists the Presiding Officer with a number of the essential duties. In additionthere are a number of specific duties that the Assistant Presiding Officer must perform, and which can be observed by electors entering a Polling Station. These duties are: · Double-checking the National ID Card of all electors against the GECOM Registration record. · Entering on the counterfoil of the ballot paper, the serial number of the elector
as it appears on the Official List of Electors. · Stamping the Official Mark (Six Digit Number) on the back of the ballot paper (Top and Bottom). · Using the specimen ballot paper, the APO enlightens (if necessary) the elector on the procedure associated with marking the ballot paper, thusly therefore choosing the Poltical Party of his or her choice. · Demonstrating to and instructing the elector on how to fold the ballot paper after marking vote. · Delivering the ballot paper to the elector and directing him or her to the voting compartment and the Ballot Clerk. NB: The Presiding Officer assists with the above functions when he or she (PO) is not attending to special cases. In our next installment we will focus on the duties of the other three elections officials (Poll Clerk, Ballot Clerk and the Information Clerk) that must be present on behalf of GECOM in every polling station on Elections Day.
Lathis, cutlasses and even guns sometimes marred the bucolic charm of these rural confrontations. Other grooms were so drunk or, as St. Paul phrased it, “burning” by that time it did not matter them whether Good Friday fell on a Monday or the bride was a “ringer” especially given that she was already beringed. I am sure the same or similar events unfold in India especially given that brides tend to wear saris. However, despite that, arrangements have been consummated before the marriage ceremony is completed, some brides are picky. About a month ago, a bride in Uttar Pradesh married a wedding guest after the original groom had a seizure and collapsed at the wedding venue. The groom’s family had not revealed that the groom was epileptic. The bride’s family threw a fit. While the groom was rushed to a hospital in Rampur town, the bride asked one of the wedding guests to step in and married him. The one that takes all the condiments and savouries is
the story of the Indian bride who walked out of her wedding ceremony after the groom failed to solve a simple math problem. The bride tested the groom on his math skills and when he got the sum wrong, she walked out. The question she asked: How much is 15 plus six? His reply: 17. The groom’s family, who never counted on something like happening, tried persuading the bride to return but she refused. She said the groom had misled them about his education. “The groom’s family kept us in the dark about his poor education,” said Mohar Singh, the bride’s father. “Even a first grader can answer this.” Local police mediated between the families and both sides returned all the gifts and jewelry that had been exchanged before the wedding. Unfortunately, they did not include a calculator. *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that the wedding was suspicious from the beginning. Something just didn’t add up.
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Kaieteur News
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DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration @ 153 Barr Street Kitty- Tel:6181706; 670-2653
WANTED Senior Accounts Clerk, 5yrs experienced, CAT or equivalent. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com Business/Economics Writer, email application to snow198390@hotmail.com Day Time Alert, Security guard; age 40-60yrs, don’t drink & smoke – Call: 6233231 or 225-3198
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Advertisements; Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Accounting & Taxation Services: tax returns, compliances, financial statements. Avinash Persaud Tax Consultancy, 163 Parika, EBE - Call: 260-4762. Exchange your empty HP & Canon printer ink cartridges for a full one & pay only $2,000 & $2,500- Call:6507699 Eagle’s fridge re-gas - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966 Your Dream Yard Today! Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 218-0468/ 648-1821 Staying in your own home…. We assist seniors with meal preparation, personal hygiene, grooming etc – Call: 609-1981 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822
Office clerk: CXC English, mathematics. Live in, live out babysitter/domestic - Call: 219-5354 Need worker to work in Trinidad, 1 office clerk, 1 domestic between age 35-25, text or call: 1868-755-1990; 1868-683-1528 Salesgirls & porters, apply with written application @ Best Buy Food Supplies, Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville. Diesel mechanic and apprentices apply in person to Truck masters Auto Sales 60-62 Industrial Site EcclesTel: 233-3358. One maid and salesgirl – Contact: 683-7936; 668-3985
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 -DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security - Tel: 698-7807 PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Sale! Dell Computers from $50,000, Iphone 3GS $22,000, HTC Touch screen phones - $29,000 @ FutureTech – Tel: 231-2206 WANTED Experienced bartender, apply at Millenium Manour Hotel @ 43 Hadfield Street Georgetown – Tel: 223-0541
1 OFFICE ASSISTANT: Must have motorcycle, car/ van license, able to work flexible hours, from E.B.D. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com
Country Applicant; domestic (live in duties), driver, high rates, light duties – Call: 227-1830
One experienced hair dresser @ Magic Touch Beauty Salon - Tel: 225-6492
Urgently, 1 general domestic maid, ages 25-35, must have police clearance, 2 references from previous jobs - Tel: 6651029
1 Live in maid to work in Georgetown - Tel: 691-6260
Live in experienced waitress 18-30yrs - $60,000 monthly – Tel: 610-5043 Snackette Attendant must be able to cook; also general cleaner, industry area – Tel: 226-2829 Urgently needed live-in waitress - Tel: 693-4154
EDUCATIONAL Alpha is registering now for cosmetology, body massage, dressmaking, cake decoration, cakes & pastries & more- Call: 264-1052; 663-7930 Accounting is easy! Sign up now for CSEC P.O.A classes for a guaranteed excellent grade. Call: 654-1723
One puri maker – Tel: 2269561 Assistant salesgirl @ E.C.D – Tel:603-5416; 644-9802 Experienced dispatchers, taxi & bus driver @ Princess Hotel Providence. One live in domestic, must know to cook Indian dishes; 25-50years – Tel: 625-1514
1 Toyota Forklift -$1.4M, 1 Clarke Forklift -$1.1M, excellent condition – Tel:6225770; 416-880-5044 Imported pure breed German Shepherd pups, ARC Pedigree, 8 weeks old, serious inquiries only – Tel:693-1404; 615-5454 Great Deals on video games and all gaming consoles – Call: 672-2566; 265-3232 45 KVA Generator, 45 PSI Boiler with water tank, Ingersoll Rand T30 Compressor – Tel:688-3925; 695-8113 PS2 $15,000, Nintendo DS $12,000, PSP $15,000, XBox360 $30,000, PS3 $50,000, plastic barrel $6,000 - Call: 603-8643, 621-7497
1 Cook for home in the interior – Tel: 691-6260 One live in maid - Tel: 675-5256 Live in domestic must know to cook Indian dishes; 3050yrs -$60,000 monthly - Tel: 610-3974
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc -Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras. Tel: 621-4740. One Slate Pool Table – Price: $300,000 (three hundred thousand) - Tel:228-2098; 628-5796. Stamp Collection, selling out, rare stamps, coins, documents, comic books, Lp records, etc – Contact: 2276817; 624-7341 AMERICAN BULLY PUPS GOTTILINE REMYLINE – CALL: 220-7933; 6674845; 610-0068
PEN PAL Indian male seeking female; reply with picture & phone # to M.D 7475 Gorewau Drive #47 Mississauga on – L4T3T3 Canada
Enduro Yamaha 40 engine short foot (like new) $650,000- Call:645-2427 SPECIAL DEALS ON YAMAHA OUTBOARD ENGINES: 90HP 4 STROKE, 75 HP 2 STROKE, 50 HP 4 STROKE – CALL: 683-6721 1-16FT BOW RIDER FIBERGLASS BOAT, 85HP OUTBOARD ENGINE WITH 25 GAL BUILT IN FUEL TANK, SEATS, 9 TRAILER INCLUDED CALL: 683-6721 One V6 Toyota Four Runner, left hand drive, good condition, price negotiable – Call:623-3231; 259-0953 1 RZ PJJ Series, tip top condition - $875,000 negotiable – Tel:679-1813; 682-5540
Monday March 23, 2015
FOR RENT
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bond Space for rent with drive way at Eccles E.B.D; just off the Public Road – Tel:644-7529; 603-4637 1 Bedroom apartment for rent @ Soesdyke E.B.DPhone: 604-7022 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 Church to rent @180 Charlotte Street - Contact Number: 226-5183; 227-6817; 624-7341 Concrete 3 bedrooms upper flat house fully grilled, parking available @ Agricultural road Mon Repos, E.C.D- Call:687-1050
Toyota Prado, Price$4.7M Neg. Call: 643-2403
Rooms for rent - Call: 638-5335 Spot in Alexander Village @ 68 Cross & Second Street, near to masjid, overseas investor preferably – Contact Winston: 666-3168 Sophia new 2 bedrooms $40,000 @ Diamond, South house, Parfaite, Campbellville – Tel:231-2200; 618-7483; 2317805 One bottom flat in Enmore $40,000 monthly – Call: 6003035 Bottom flat with all conveniences – Clon Brook East Coast Demerara – Call Sam: 259-0338
VEHICLE FOR SALE Hilux Surf – Tel:695-8113 or 688-3925 2006 Toyota Tacoma, crash bar / megrim, extra cab – Tel:216-2465; 687-6083; 6785438 Lowest prices @ best quality: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Axela, new model Fielder wagon- Call:6163413,626-7478 City Motors One AT192 Carina Fully Automatic- Price $850,000 neg. Ph# 668-8431 Cheapest: Rush, Hilux, manual buses, goods van, Model M Truck, Property in Bougainvillea Park – Call: 6167635 FOR SALE Fluffy pups. Call: 642-6664. Brand new Toshiba washing machine – Call:628-1155; 6220784
One Toyota Tacoma SR5 4WD pickup, left hand drive and manual transmission, only 22000 miles – Contact: 623-1202 Toyota Voxy to be registered in “G” - $1.7M – Tel:6172891 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Spacio, Fielder, Carina 212, Sienta, IST – Call: 652-3820/6654529 Allion PRR, DVD deck, reverse camera, alarm, HID, hardly used (40,000KM) $2.1M- Call:616-3566 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma - Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 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, bestcarautosale s@ facebook.com Nissan Titan for sale, immaculate – Call: 647-3924 First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Bluebird, Sienta, Runx, Axio, Verossa, Mark 2-Call : 609-8188; 638-3045 Unregistered Toyota Spacio with body kit, spoiler, rims, fog lamp -$2M - Tel: 6172891 Honda CRV 2001; excellent condition -$2,150,000 negotiable – Tel: 624-6099 One RZ Bus, in Good condition – Contact: 6773177 or 678-5887 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 One Lexus RX300 SUV, fully loaded, One Toyota Hilux, excellent condition – Phone: 227-4357 Unregistered 2003 Toyota Spacio front & back camera, TV/ navi / CD player 52000 KM - $2.250M – Contact: 682-5117 Unregistered Toyota IST fully Loaded - $2.1M – Call: 657-1796 Continued on page 23
Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news
Time for standing up and resisting mightily DEAR EDITOR, During the many conversations focused on the assassination of Mr. Courtney Crum-Ewing, several persons pleaded with me to step down, to stop writing. I was, and am, touched, but here is where I stand. It is too late in the day to retreat, to hesitate, or to change direction. The boat has already left the harbour. I would not be able to face myself by taking the easy way out. I am too old to run, and too set in my ways to quit. What would I say to God, whose mandate is pursue social justice, be outspoken against wrongdoing, regardless of the fallout.
No one knows at this time how many more would have to meet the violent, abrupt fate of this targeted citizen, this unsung patriot. No one should be ignorant of the history of disobedient, wicked, evil Israelites-God’s chosen from the Old Testament-who killed many of their prophets. It was the same prophets who exposed evil in the midst, who spoke to truth, and who paid the ultimate price. If such is the price in the offing, then so be it. Here a man is eliminated in cold blood for daring to encourage others to go out and vote when the time comes. This has risen to the level of a capital offence in 21st century, democratic
Guyana. When picketing, and exhorting, and writing become perilous activities, then it is time for change, time for people to go, time for standing up and resisting mightily. It is a savage telling ironyindeed, a Guyanese tragedythat fifty years after Selma, Birmingham, Montgomery, the three murdered Freedom Riders, and Medgar Evans martyred on his own doorstep, and all for voting efforts, that a man is targeted, hunted down, and gunned down for doing the exact same thing here in Guyana. I am sure that those responsible would be in the vanguard of the speechmakers paying hypocritical tribute to the
struggles for those precious sacred rights up North, while imitating Bull Connor and Wallace and Faubus right here. Remember: segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever! Or in local parlance –this is a ‘coolie party.’ So the hard journey continues; the struggle for what is right intensifies. There is the compelling need to stay focused, disciplined, resolute, and prayerful; and let no one dictate the agenda, or its terms. God is in charge. This I believe. There are many who share some of these sentiments; we go forth to whatever awaits. Name and address withheld
My family is grateful to the Doctors, Nurses, Attendants, and Cleaners of the GPHC DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I would like to say thanks to the Doctors, Nurses, Attendants and Cleaners working at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has come a long way compared to my last visit there in 2010. From the time me and my family arrived with my grandmother at the emergency entrance on New Market Street, the Attendants wasted no time to approach our car. They ran towards us not knowing whether the situation was life threatening or not. Before assisting us with taking my sick grandma out the car, I could hear them asking her where she was experiencing pain on her body or trying to find out where her injury was. Of course my grandma was in too much pain to respond so my sister explained the problem and the Attendants, instead of using the wheelchair, decided to use a stretcher. Upon entering the emergency area, the place was visibly clean and the sweet aroma that emanated surrounded the area and confirmed that it was recently cleaned. I, honestly, was not expecting this, especially not at GPHC. My grandma had to be admitted and was placed in the female surgical ward.
My family expected this but we all still grieved tremendously at the thought of having to leave grandma in the hospital. We worried about the treatment that she would receive from the staff at the hospital because of all the negative things we usually read in the newspapers but our finances were not strong enough to place her in a private hospital. However, what we experienced indeed amazed us to this day. In the following weeks we visited my grandma daily on every single visiting occasion. We were there so often that it felt as though we were also admitted in the hospital with our grandmother. As a result of this, we experienced the hospital for ourselves. The nurses and doctors were really courteous to my family. Grandma told us how nice the nurses and doctors were to her. She said the nurses were always there when she needed them, especially at the times when we were not permitted to be around to tend to her every need. They helped her to the rest room and helped her remember when to take her medication. Furthermore, she said the doctors were always checking on her to make sure her pressure and sugar were not on the rise, and other things that were outside their duties. They went the
extra mile she would say. The cleaners really did and are doing a superb job. My hat goes off to them. These individuals really kept on top of their jobs. As soon as any spill or accidents occurred, these persons wasted no time with ensuring that it is cleaned and disinfected immediately. On a daily basis, I would see them cleaning and disinfecting the areas in addition to tackling the spills and other accidents occurring spontaneously. When these cleaners are finish cleaning, the place is always left smelling really good and feeling light as though a Christmas general cleaning had just been conducted. This was the feeling it gave me and it left me feeling good to know that grandma at least was in an environment being attended to by these cleaners. Unfortunately, grandma passed away. She did not make it out of the hospital and I know she is in heaven, but my family is grateful to the Doctors, Nurses, Attendants, and Cleaners of the GPHC for the professionalism displayed from the first day to the last of my grandma stay at the hospital. I thank you all and I would like to encourage all of you to continue displaying such behaviours. Tony Smith
(From page 22)
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 Experienced hauler driver, porters, rip saw & plane operator @ Eccles Industrial Site E.B.D - Call Richard: 6097675; 674-1705; 233-2614 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 One driver/salesman to work on water truck, must be living around W.B.D, attractive salary -Tel: 618-4257 (1)Live-in caretaker/ family to work @ Coverden, E.B.D. Send application to 31-33 Austin Street, Campbellville, G/Town- Call:225-7493 SECURITY GUARDS, CANTER DRIVERS, SALESMEN, MARKETING ASSISTANT with Drivers Licence. Accommodation Available. Tel. 266 4427
quality education in the Regions and our children’s continual access thereto; instead of joining with our Regional Education Officers, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of local Government and Regional Development in canvassing teachers and the community to work together in a unified advocacy for improved quality education for their children; rather than be concerned with our children’s safety as they protest, some parents allow themselves to be exploited by others with a political agenda that could not benefit parents or children. Parents, residents of Den Amstel and Christianburg, teachers and students: consider the huge investment
Government has been making in education in our country since it was elected to govern in 1992. Consider our investment in books, furniture, school uniforms, hot meals/snacks, teacher upgrade and training, CXC subsidies and the opportunity costs of these investments. Consider also the success story of the thousands of students across our 10 Administrative Regions who have gone on to higher learning and their success stories. Include in this list our hinterland people and our Amerindian students who, under conditions that are in some instances and areas not as comfortable as the ones you enjoy and enquire and read their success stories.
Parents, encourage your child to value education and to value every second, minute, hour spent in school. Be assured that the very PPP/ C Government that has provided the resources to improve the quality of education available to the children and adults in our country will continue, subject to available resources, to provide more resources since we recognize that the education of our children is a continuous process. Help us to help your child. Parental involvement in children’s education must set realistic, meaningful and achievable expectations. Help us to help your child. Protests will not help. Let’s talk. Minister Norman Whittaker
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Protest actions more of an interference than... From page 5 congestion on the West Coast caused by the adults and students who placed tyres in the middle of the road. What attitudes and what values are we imparting to our children? Instead of committing and working with the Department of Education of the Region and by extension the Ministry of Education and our Government that attaches so much importance and the concomitant resources to finance educational improvements and access to this education, the adult protestors are exposing our children to the wrong attitudes and values. Instead of supporting our Government’s determined efforts to continue to improve
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Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Modern Singapore’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, dies at 91 (Reuters) - Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister and architect of the tiny city-state’s rapid rise from British military outpost to global trade and financial centre, died today aged 91. Although Lee had receded from public and political life over the past few years, he was still seen as an influential figure in the government of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his oldest son. “The Prime Minister is deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding prime minister of Singapore,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. It said he had died at 3:18am local time (1918 GMT)
Lee Kuan Yew at Singapore General Hospital, where he had been admitted on Feb. 5 suffering from pneumonia. Thousands of people had
been leaving flowers and cards at the hospital over the past three days, praying for his recovery. “Thank you for giving us, Singaporeans, a great nation to live in, a country that I can be proud of, a country where I can go out a midnight and not be afraid,” one Singaporean, Nurhidayah Osman, wrote on the prime minister’s Facebook page in reaction to Lee’s death. “Harry” Lee became Singapore’s first prime minister in 1959 and held onto power for over three decades, overseeing the i s l a n d ’s t r a n s f o r m a t i o n from a port city battling crime and poverty into one of Asia’s most prosperous nations.
Russia threatens to aim nuclear missiles at Denmark ships if it joins NATO shield
Oana Lungescu (Reuters) - Russia threatened to aim nuclear missiles at Danish warships if Denmark joins NATO’s missile defence system, in comments Copenhagen called unacceptable and NATO said would not contribute to peace. Denmark said in August it would contribute radar capacity on some of its warships to the missile shield, which the Western alliance says is designed to protect members from missile launches from countries like Iran. Moscow opposes the system, arguing that it could reduce the effectiveness of its own nuclear arsenal, leading to a new Cold War-style arms race. In an interview in the newspaper Jyllands-Posten, the Russian ambassador to Denmark, Mikhail Vanin, said he did not think Danes fully understood the consequences of joining the programme. “If that happens, Danish warships will be targets for Russian nuclear
missiles,” Vanin told the newspaper. Asked to respond, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Denmark was a staunch member of the alliance and NATO would defend all allies against any threat. “We have made clear t h a t N ATO ’s b a l l i s t i c missile defence is not directed at Russia or any country, but is meant to defend against missile threats. This decision was taken a long time ago, so we are surprised at the timing, tone and content of the statements made by Russia’s ambassador to Denmark,” she said. “Such statements do not inspire confidence or contribute to predictability, peace or stability,” she added.
Tensions between Moscow and the West have grown since the imposition of economic sanctions on Russia over a pro-Russian rebellion in eastern Ukraine. NATO has recorded increased activity by the Russian navy and air force in the Nordic region. No missiles are to be placed on Danish soil under the NATO programme, but they could be deployed some day in Greenland, a part of the kingdom, according to Jyllands-Posten. “Denmark will become a part of the threat against Russia. It will be less peaceful, and relations with Russia will be damaged,” Vanin said, adding that Russia has missiles which would be able to penetrate the future missile shield.
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Massive security blanket for Obama The Gleaner - A massive security blanket coordinated by local and American lawenforcement officials will cover United States President Barack Obama during his visit to the island next month. Assistant Commissioner of Police Danny Graham, of the Protective Services Division, told The Sunday Gleaner that local lawenforcement officials are having meetings with US Secret Service agents in preparation for the visit. With details of the visit still being worked out, Graham, who is regarded as one of the country’s top intelligence officers and who is well experienced in close protection and conference s e c u r i t y, indicated that he was unable to say how long Obama will be in the island. “The planning which involves the US Secret Service, the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) and the Jamaica Defence Force have been going very well. We have
President Barack Obama been looking at a number of things, but as a country, we are prepared for this,” said Graham. According to Graham, this could be one of the most challenging assignments for the country’s security forces. “But Jamaica has the capacity to collaborate with the Secret Service to provide adequate security for the US president,” added Graham,
who served as the staff officer for former Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced Obama’s visit to the island during an address to the House of Representatives last Tuesday. Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, has since indicated that while the schedule for the visit has not been finalised, it has already been determined that Obama will have talks with Simpson Miller, a meeting with CARICOM leaders and a youth forum. According to Polacheck, a team from Washington was in the island last Tuesday as part of the planning for the visit. Obama and the CARICOM Heads of Government are expected to leave Jamaica for Panama where they will participate in the Sixth Summit of the Americas.
U.S.-Venezuela tensions cause Caracas’ Caribbean neighbours to worry San Juan – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, or OECS, expressed concern weekend over increasing tension between the United States and Venezuela. “The OECS is deeply concerned that statements and actions in the recent past concerning the relations between the United States and Venezuela have served only to heighten tensions in the relations between those countries, and to undermine the peace and security of the region and the hemisphere as a whole,” the group said in a statement.
The regional organisation said that it cherishes the principles of democracy and the rule of law, as well as peaceful coexistence and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. “Unilateral and unwarranted actions only serve to undermine these principles,” OECS said, emphasizing dialogue as the principal means for the resolution of differences. “The OECS also calls upon both countries to refrain from actions and statements which serve to hamper the legitimate desires of the people of our hemisphere for
peace as a foundation upon which to build a better future,” the statement added. Last week, during a meeting of the Venezuelanled ALBA bloc in Caracas, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne called for the establishment of a small group to act “as honest brokers” in the ongoing conflict. OECS comprises Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Montserrat. Anguilla and British Virgin Islands are associate members. (EFE)
Monday March 23, 2015
‘NO WAY’ - Finance Minister rejects calls for scrapping free health care and tuition fees The Gleaner - Free health care and free tuition at the secondary school level will not be victims of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed economic reform programme, even as the Government indicates a rough road ahead as it seeks to meet crucial fiscal benchmarks, including a primary surplus target of 7.5 per cent of GDP. Addressing editors and reporters at The Gleaner’s North Street offices last Friday, Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips argued that even though the State will have to explore options for funding those social goods in the near future, discontinuing no-user or tuition fees is not being considered as this could create the seeds for the rejection of the overall fiscal programme. “You have to make a judgement of whether it is better to have the society lined up behind a programme with all its difficulties, which involves tremendous sacrifices,” said Phillips. Free health care and free tuition at the secondaryschool level were policies
Dr. Peter Phillips implemented in 2008 when the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) formed the government. But amid resource constraints within the health sector, the Medical Association of Jamaica has called for a review of the no-user-fee policy, with the possibility of making changes. Phillips argued that the no-user-fee and free tuition issues should be grouped and looked at in the same light as public-sector reform and the call for the mass layoff of workers. “We have managed to
make important gains, and at the level of the secondary schools, there is a system where there are fees that are charged and which are paid. Going into a full-payment system would threaten the second objective, which is keeping the public on the side with the whole programme,” said Phillips. The finance minister added: “It is one of the reasons, why, certainly, in our case, where despite the clamour in some circles that you should have significant layoffs and other things, I don’t see how you could usefully ask people to endure a wage freeze and then let go people.” Opposition Leader Andrew Holness, contributing to the Budget Debate in Parliament last Thursday, said the Government should explore the prospects of establishing a contributory national health insurance scheme to help finance the no-user-fee policy. He said that a JLP administration would dedicate the fees from the renewal of casino licences to the health insurance scheme.
Britain warns travellers to the Caribbean about Chikungunya virus LONDON (CMC) – Britain has warned travellers to the Caribbean about contracting the Chikungunya virus, based on the dramatic increase in the number of people affected by the disease in the last year. Weekend, Public Health England (PHE) said according to its latest annual data, there has been a 12-fold increase from 24 cases in 2013
to 295 cases in 2014 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The majority of cases, 88 percent, were acquired on trips to the Caribbean and South America. The outbreak, which started in December 2013 in the French Caribbean territory of St. Martin, has now affected most of the countries and territories in the Caribbean and Americas. “Chikungunya is an unpleasant viral illness that can cause fever and joint pains, which, in some patients, may persist for a prolonged period,” said Dr Hilary Kirkbride, head of
PHE’s Travel and Migrant Health. “Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites, particularly around dusk and dawn, when day biting mosquitoes are most active, as there is no specific preventive medicine or vaccination against chikungunya,” she added. Dr Dipti Patel, joint director at Britian’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), “strongly” recommends that travelers seek pre-travel advice from their general physician, a specialist travel clinic or pharmacy at least six to eight weeks before they travel.
Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
US report on $4.2b NGC payment ‘nonsensical’ - Howai knocks investment firm over ‘ad hoc’ dividends Trinidad Express Finance Minister Larry Howai has described as “nonsensical” a report by United States investment firm Oppenheimer that the National Gas Company (NGC) made an “ad hoc” dividend payment which helped reduce the country’s budget deficit in 2014. In its country report on Trinidad and Tobago, dated March 11, Oppenheimer described an extra ordinary dividend payment by NGC of $4.2 billion as “ad hoc”. “The National Gas Company seems to be in better shape than Petrotrin, in terms of cash flow available, as it tends to operate more independently from the Government. Nonetheless, during the last fiscal year, the Government announced an ad hoc dividend from Natgas that allowed the Government to finish with an estimated fiscal deficit of 1 per cent in 2014, which would have been larger otherwise.
“Ad hoc dividend payments are part of the Stateowned companies’ bylaws, however, over time, without a more transparent and clear fiscal planning, relying on one-off capital revenues could render fiscal accounts weaker and erode National Gas’ ability to independently finance its capex needs, in our view,” the report stated. Howai’s view Saturday was: “The analyst clearly didn’t understand that the dividend was an increased dividend, not an ad hoc one, based on increased earnings by the company and in keeping with the dividend policy as outlined in the manual.” Howai was the chairman of NGC before he became minister. He said the dividend policy is subject to the discretion of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. “The ministry uses the dividend policy of large, publicly traded companies as
Netanyahu allies blame White House criticism on misunderstanding (Reuters) - Benjamin Netanyahu’s allies acknowledged yesterday that his election-eve disavowal of a Palestinian state had caused a rift with the White House, but blamed U.S. President Barack Obama’s unprecedented criticism on a misunderstanding. In the United States, where relations with Netanyahu have become a partisan issue after generations in which support for Israel was a point of bipartisan unity, Republican Senator John McCain said Obama should get over his “temper tantrum”. The Israeli prime minister pledged on the eve of his reelection victory last week that there would never be a Palestinian state while he is prime minister. The remarks were widely interpreted as a rejection of the “two-state solution” that has been the basis of decades of talks to end the PalestinianIsraeli conflict, brokered by successive U.S. Republican and Democratic administrations alike. Since winning re-election, Netanyahu has tried to row
Benjamin Netanyahu back, arguing that he was not rejecting Palestinian statehood in principle, but responding to a reality in which the Palestinian Authority has a political pact with the Islamist group Hamas, u nder which statehood would be unacceptable. But Obama said on Friday Netanyahu’s comments had made it “hard to find a path” back to serious peace negotiations. He told Netanyahu on Thursday that Washington would have to “reassess” its policies in the Middle East.
Larry Howai a guide,” he said. According to the State Enter-pri-ses Performance Monitoring Manual, July 2011, on dividend policy, it states: “GORTT has agreed that the profitability of the enterprise, its liquidity, legal restrictions/loan covenants and the replacement cost of essential capital goods are con-sidered in determining the quantum of dividends that a company would be required to pay. “State enterprises are also required to pay interim dividends based on semiannual financial results. Actual distributions of profit are to be agreed with the Minister of Finance and appropriately disclosed in the financial statements. State Eenterprises with retained earnings in excess of working capital requirements may be required to pay a special dividend.” According to budget 2015, Howai said despite the budgeted deficit, a surplus of $1.967 billion has been realised at the end of June 2014.
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Liat pilots threaten industrial action as Easter weekend approaches ST. JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – Travellers were placed on alert for possible industrial action by pilots of the regional airline LIAT, with the financially strapped company warning that its employees were using a “cynical tactic to exploit the fears of the travelling public” particularly over the Easter weekend. The Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) has been calling on the airline to reinstate two pilots who were dismissed following an incident last October in which one of the company’s new aircraft was damaged. Earlier this week, LIALPA met with LIAT representatives, Antigua and Barbuda Labour Minister Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin as well as Labour Commissioner Eltonia Rojas and a statement issued afterwards revealed that the government officials were of the view that the two pilots should be reinstated and that LIAT
would be reviewing the case. But the pilots say LIAT has disregarded the advise and in a statement expressed their disappointment with the airline’s decision, calling it “harsh and not in the spirit of good industrial best practices envisaged by the Labour Code of Antigua and Barbuda.” The pilots are also alleging that LIAT has resorted to “unethical rostering practices” including eliminating crew meal breaks while increasing work hours to compensate for a steadily declining workforce. The association said these strenuous conditions have resulted in the regional carrier losing 10 per cent of its pilot workforce over the last year. It also warned the public that the poor working conditions at LIAT, combined with the pilots’ increased stress load, may have a negative impact on the airline’s flight schedule in coming months, citing
Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin “inevitable industrial action.” But LIAT in its respond accused the pilots of threatening industrial action at a time of high travel within the region. “Threatening industrial action shortly before a public holiday, in this case, the Easter period, is a common, often repeated and cynical tactic employed by LIALPA to exploit the fears of the travelling public,” said the airline’s chief executive officer, David Evans.
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Kaieteur News
Monday March 23, 2015
Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Late strike sends Chelsea six points clear
Loic Remy’s winner goes agonisingly through Allan McGregor’s legs. (Getty Iamges) BBC Sport - Thibaut Courtois was indebted to Loic Remy after his late winner extended Chelsea’s Premier League lead over Manchester City to six points yesterday. The visitors went two goals ahead after Eden Hazard fired in and Diego Costa curled in his 20th of the season. But Hull replied with two goals in 74 seconds as Ahmed Elmohamady slid in before Abel Hernandez took advantage of an error by goalkeeper Courtois. Substitute Remy then beat Allan McGregor to score with his first touch. The goal, which sneaked through McGregor’s legs, papered over an inconsistent display from Jose Mourinho’s side, who went from awesome to awful in the space of 28 first-half minutes. Courtois will be mightily relieved at Remy’s strike after the Belgium goalkeeper failed to control Branislav Ivanovic’s back pass, inadvertently gifting the ball to the onrushing Hernandez for the equaliser. And the French striker could become an important figure in the title run-in after he replaced the injured Costa, who had a hamstring problem. While the game was not as controversial as the reverse fixture in December where Hull had a man sent off and Hull boss Steve Bruce accused Chelsea players of diving, it was entertainingly robust. But after Chelsea established a comfortable lead, they appeared to show a fragility which is becoming more common as the season nears its finale. Hull did not quite have the quality to fully take advantage, and they
remain only three points clear of the relegation zone. If Chelsea can continue the form they showed in the opening 10 minutes, no team are likely to catch them, even if they are still to face Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. The first goal came after two minutes as Nemanja Matic fed Costa, who laid the ball off to Hazard. The Belgium winger watched the hosts’ defence back off, and smashed in from 20 yards for his 16th goal of the season. Only nine minutes had passed before Chelsea doubled the lead. Cesc Fabregas set Costa free down the left flank and as Michael Dawson retreated, the Spain international curled into the top corner. A rout looked possible. Ye t , having shown brittleness between the goals when Hernandez was Position Team 1 Chelsea 2 Man City 3 Arsenal 4 Man Utd 5 Liverpool 6 Southampton 7 Tottenham 8 Swansea 9 West Ham 10 Stoke
denied by Courtois, the Blues contrived to throw away a two-goal lead. Courtois could do little f o r H u l l ’s f i r s t g o a l . Andrew Robertson steamed down the left flank, avoided a flimsy challenge from Ivanovic and delivered a low cross to the back post where Elmohamady tucked in. The usually reliable Courtois then lost his senses. Ivanovic passed back to the 22-year-old, who tried to take on Hull midfielder Gaston Ramirez and allowed Hernandez to nip in. Hull had 14 shots to Chelsea’s three in the first half and the hosts continued to probe after the break. Courtois pulled off a superb triple save to keep the scores level. But when Remy came off the bench to score following Willian’s centre, it ensured Courtois’ error did not prove costly.
Played 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
GD Points 36 67 34 61 27 60 25 59 12 54 21 53 5 53 -4 43 3 42 -3 42
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NOR, DAS record victories
Players in action during one of the playoff games. Navin Outboard Repairs (NOR) and Diamond Auto Show (DAS) recorded victories when the Lyall Gittens Dominoes tournament continued on Saturday night last at Thirst Park. NOS chalked up 80 games to beat KTS with 77 and Amalgamated 72 in their match up. Naipaul Shivram made 17, Navin Singh 14 and Dale Nicholls 13 for the
winners. Linden Matthews scored 16, Orin Sandy 14 and Rasheed Williams 13 for KTS. DAS marked 65 games to overcome E Timber 53 and Guyana Defence Force 52 in their encounter. Shawn Davis led the scoring E Timber with 15 games while Herbert Wright made 14 and Deon Telford chipped in with 13. Desmond Dunlop was GDF leading player with 17 games. He was supported by Junior
Sinclair 16. Golyn and Sons and Caribbean Container Inc also advanced to the play offs. The competition concludes tonight at the said venue. The winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000, the runner up will pocket a trophy and $100,000, third place a trophy and $50,000 and fourth place $10,000. The Most valuable player will receive $5,000.
National Independent Party calls on Govt. to demand explanation, apology from WICB The National Independent Party in a release, is demanding that government seek an
explanation from the West Indian Cricket Board as to why Shivnarine Chanderpaul was omitted from the
T&T to face Guyana for NACRA South Zone title - Cayman Islands battle Mexico for North Zone crown Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago were the latest countries to register victories in the North American & Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 15’s Tournament recently. Playing in the North Zone, Cayman Islands edged USA South 25-24 to set up a clash with Mexico on April 11 with the Mexicans needing just a draw to finish as the zone champs. The Mexicans go into the zone final with a superior plus 25 points advantage. Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) continued its mastery over Barbados with a 44-7 thumping and needs just a draw against reigning champions Guyana to capture the South Zone title. The Trinidadians enter the zone final with a huge plus 37 points advantage. This fixture is set for April 11 as well.
UG Sports Department expresses sympathy on Blackmore’s passing As tributes continue to pour in for the late Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Administrative Secretary Shanomae Blackmore, the University of Guyana (UG) Sports Department became the latest entity to express its condolences on her passing. Head of the Sports Department at the University Lavern Fraser speaking with Kaieteur Sport on Saturday expressed sympathy to the relatives and friends of the late Blackmore on behalf of the institution, adding that she will be sorely missed by everyone.
Regional Team in the World Cup 2015 and sending a team of Cricketers which proved an embarrassment to the West Indies and the Republic of Guyana. It is clearly insularity and discriminatory and not based on performance and record, the release stated. Attorney Saphier Husain Suebedar, who is leader of the party, notes that, “It is evident the said West Indian Team is ignorant of strategic field placing and lacked intelligence of the game as a whole.” “The National Independent Party calls on the Government of Guyana to demand an explanation and apology.” The party has a vision to establish a Cricket Academy as part of a faculty of the University of Guyana and provide scholarships to all Under-14-year-old, prospective, talented and young cricketers in order to restore West Indian dignity, self-respect and equality/ superiority with former Colonialists, the release noted. While Chanderpaul is 40years old, he has shown he is still capable of playing cricket at the highest level and even outperforming many of his younger fellow players.
Monday March 23, 2015
NBA Roundup:
Warriors beat Jazz, 106-81 OAKLAND, California (AP) — Stephen Curry bounced back from his worst shooting performance of the season to score 24 points, and Leandro Barbosa added a season-high 19 off the bench as Golden State pulled away late to beat Utah. One day after shooting 4 of 17 in a win over New Orleans, Curry went 8 of 18 from the floor against a Utah defense that had been the NBA’s stingiest over the past three weeks. Draymond Green added 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Warriors (56-13), who have the best record in the NBA. Derrick Favors had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz. Utah lost for only the fourth time since the All-Star break. GRIZZLIES 97, TRAIL BLAZERS 86 MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) — Jeff Green had 23 points and Mike Conley scored 21 with nine assists to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 97-86 victory over the struggling Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Zach Randolph added 17 points for Memphis, which won its second straight. Marc Gasol had 13 points, and Tony Allen finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 27 points and seven assists. LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points, but didn’t play in the second half because of an injury to his left hand. C.J. McCollum finished with 13 points, and Dorell Wright scored 10. The Trail Blazers also played the second half without starting forward Nicolas Batum, sidelined with lower back pain. The team said X-rays on Aldridge’s hand were negative. The loss was the season-worst fourth straight for Portland, which was creeping up the Western Conference standings a week ago. The defeat dropped the Trail Blazers four games behind the Grizzlies for the second playoff seed in the West. SUNS 117, ROCKETS 102 HOUSTON (AP) — Eric Bledsoe had a career-high 34 points and Phoenix withstood a fourth-quarter charge by Houston. Bledsoe scored 23 by halftime and surpassed his previous career best of 33 points, set earlier this season, on a free throw
with about a minute remaining. Phoenix led by 15 early in the fourth quarter when Houston used a 14-4 run to cut it to 105100 with 5 minutes left. Neither team had scored for about 2 1/2 minutes when P.J. Tucker made a 3-pointer that started a 12-0 spurt by the Suns that secured the victory. Donatas Motiejunas had 18 points for the Rockets and James Harden added 16 after scoring a career-high 50 in Thursday’s win over Denver. Phoenix’s victory snapped a three-game winning streak for Houston and allowed the Suns to avoid a season sweep by the Rockets. NETS 123, PACERS 111 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Brook Lopez had 26 points and four blocked shots to lead Brooklyn over slumping Indiana. Bojan Bogdanovic added 21 points and five rebounds off the bench, and Deron Williams scored 17 for the Nets, who have won four of five. George Hill had 18 points and nine assists for the Pacers (30-39), who lost their fifth straight. Brooklyn pulled away for good when Joe Johnson converted a three-point play and Bogdanovic made a 3-pointer to put the Nets ahead 109-100 with 4 minutes remaining. A win for the Pacers would have put them in sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Nets (29-39) closed the gap in a crowded race for the final playoff spot. PISTONS 107, BULLS 91 AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (AP) — Reggie Jackson had 22 points, including 17 in the third quarter as Detroit came back from a 19-point deficit to beat Chicago. The Pistons trailed 72-53 with 7 minutes left in the third quarter, but got a combined 27 points and 13 assists from Jackson and fellow point guard Spencer Dinwiddie in the second half. Detroit had already taken an 80-79 lead by the start of the fourth. In all, the Pistons outscored the Bulls 47-11 in a 16-minute stretch spanning the final two quarters. Pau Gasol had 27 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) goes up for a shot against the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 21, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Monday March 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
NATIONAL SEVENS SQUAD DEPARTS FOR HONG KONG
Hong Kong Sevens bound…the National Rugby squad. The national Sevens rugby squad departed Saturday to participate in the IRB International Hong Kong Tournament. According to a release from the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) the travelling contingent comprises 12 players and three officials including Technical Director Angus Thomson, who will also serve as Manager, Head Coach Theodore Henry and Strength and Conditioning Coach/ Physiotherapist Barrington Philip Browne. The players named: Ryan Gonsalves (C), Claudius Butts, Richard Staglon, Ronald Mayers, Patrick King, Peabo Hamilton, Kevin McKenzie, Avery Corbin, Lancelot Adonis, Dwayne Schroeder, Rickford Cummings and Vallon Adams.
The release added that the GRFU President on behalf of the entire executive extended best wishes to the team along with its Technical Director, Coach and S&C/Physio and exhorted the players to be worthy and true ambassadors of their Country on and off the field. The players who did not make the cut nevertheless remain in contention for spots on the National teams for the June NACRA Championships/OLYMPIC Qualifiers as well as the Pan American Games. Special thanks were also extended to the GOA, Beharry Group of Companies, Scotia Bank for their sponsorship support.
Score’s Even wins feature at ‘Clash Of the Titans’ to be crowned undisputed champion By Samuel Whyte Score’s Even, owned and trained by Dennis DeRoop of the Simple Royal Stable and ridden by Rad Dreapul, proved that it is the best racehorse in Guyana. The Grey Gelding yesterday defeated a top notch field at the Port Mourant Turf Club to win the feature A and lower 1600M event at the “Clash of the Titans” horserace meet which was organised by the Four Horsemen Promotion. In a ding dong duel with C.P Got Even of the Elcock Stable with Randolph Richmond on the perch, the ‘big grey’ rode away with the $1.2M winner’s money and the Banks DIH Limited Trophy. There were some setbacks before the race began as Curfew Tower got injured and had to pull out of the event. The atmosphere was tense as the jam packed arena sought every available space to view the event. Away the animals went with the eight year old 1000 pound Score’s Even, with a further 136 weight on its back taking the lead early and being hard pressed by C.P Got Even.
Representatives of Banks DIH Gavin Jodan and Nandram Basdeo presents the winning Banks DIH Trophy in the feature event to Mr. and Mr. Dennis DeRoop for Score’s Even victory in the feature A and lower event. The two animals continued the battle until the homestretch when Score Even was able to pull away. CP Got Even came in second with Run Nana Run third and Lady Budapest fourth. Top horse Treacle suffered a setback during the race and finished down the pack. Other results of the day showed Storm Bird storming
away to a convincing win in the Three Year Old & WI Bred horses race to claim $400,000. Swing Easy, racing past its opponents down the homestretch, took the D3 Maiden & WI Bred event and the $400,000 purse. The G1 and Lower race and the $320,000 was won by Quiet Dancer. Chelsea took care of business in the G3
Maiden and H and Lower event and the $300,000 prize. The Three Year Old WI Bred race saw Mary Ann winning the $300,000. Red Jet won the J3 event, while Royal Cash ran away with the J1 race. The champion jockey was Rad Drepaul. Score’s Even is expected to be back in action on Easter Sunday at the Jumbo Jet Guyana Cup Fever meet.
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Darcel Harris joins Illustrious Company By Statistician Charwayne Walker Congratulations to Ravens Coach Darcel Harris, the former national point guard became the first national basketball head coach in his debut series to sweep an international opponent. Harris joins his predecessor Ravens icon Hewley Henry and Celtics Tieran Caesar as the only other Guyanese head coaches that have swept international oppositions. Hewley Henry was player/coach when Guyana led by Eagles’ Compton Nicholson swept Suriname 3-0 in May 1969. Playing at Queen’s College auditorium, Guyana won Game One 4835, player/coach Hewely Henry and Captain Compton Nicholson top scored with 10pts each, while Ossie Devonish supported with 9pts. For Suriname Van Wiligen scored a game high 12pts, Tonch and Wyhurst finished with 7pts each. Game two, Guyana won 48-29. Michael Brushe top scored with 15pts, Hewley Henry 10pts. Game three, Guyana won 43- 39. Ossie Devonish 10pts , Michael Brusche 10pts. For Suriname Van Wiligen scored a game high 15pts. The historic 1969 National Team that completed Guyana’s First International Sweep: Compton NicholsonCaptain Hewley Henry- player/ coach Michael Brusche Ossie Devonish Melroy Fitzalbert Raymond Goulding Carl Sylvester Ronald Pickering Winston Joseph Teiran Caesar joined Hewley Henry when his charges led by Lugard Mohan swept Trinidad and Tobago in 1997 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Game one, Guyana won 75-66. Skipper Lugard Mohan led from the front with 19pts, Rawlwin Loncke 16pts, Remington Ram 14pts, Lancelot Loncke 11pts and 12 rebounds. For Trinidad and Tobago; Ashley Bynoe scored 16pts, Dennison Clarke 12pts and veteran Deryck James 12pts. Game two, Guyana won 81-74. Rawlwin Loncke 21 pts and 10 rebounds, Lorenzo Withrite 19pts, 9 rebounds, Lugard Mohan 13pts, Lancelot Loncke 12pts, 13 rebounds were the top performers. For Trinidad and Tobago Ashley Bynoe had 12pts, Daren Baptiste 11pts and Dennison Clarke 10pts.
Darcel Harris Game Three, Guyana won 76-67. Lorenzo Withrite 19pts, 10 rebounds, Lancelot Loncke 18pts 12 rebounds, Rawlwin Loncke 13pts led the rout. For Trinidad and Tobago Daren Baptiste had 14pts and Raymond Joseph 14pts. The 1997 National Team that swept Trinidad and Tobago: Lugard Mohan – Captain Lorenzo Withrite Lacncelot Loncke Rawlwin Loncke Remington Ram Dayne Kendall Floyd Manifold Bruce Davis Horace Hodges Marvin Franklyn Barney Prescott Orin Mohan Marcom Paris Alwyn Wilson Dwayne Dejesus TieranCeasar -Head Coach Bernard Daniels – Assistant Coach Harris charges Swept Bermuda 3-0 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall 2015 March Game one Guyana won 76 to 73. Travis Burnett 17pts 7 steals, Shelroy Thomas 14pts, Captain Akeem Kanhai 11pts 4 steals 7 assists, Ryan Gullen 10pts, Dave Causway 10pts. For Bermuda Captain Sullivan Phillips 18pts, Dean Jones 17pts, Chris Crampler 11pts, Jeron Haley 9pts. Game two Guyana won 66-55. Travis Burnett scored 16pts, Captain Akeem Kanhai 14pts 7 rebounds and Selroy Thomas 13pts. For Bermuda Jason Lowe 21 pts, Captain Sullivan Phillips 14 pts and Dean Jones 11pts were the top shots. Game three, Guyana won 59-56. Ryan Gullen 13pts, Shelroy Thomas 12pts 9 rebounds, Travis Burnett 9pts led Guyana. For Bermuda Jonathon Lowe 12pts, Jason Lowe 11pts Chris Crumpler 11 pts, Captain Sullivan Phillips 7pts fought back.
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Kaieteur News
Sports Editorial
Monday March 23, 2015
Star Party Rentals 11-Race Cycle Meet
EASTMAN TOPS FIELD Govt. funding is crucial and facilities enormously important IN FEATURE CONTEST Commendations are in order for the National Basketball team and Coach Darcell Harris. These gentlemen did an excellent job in making Guyana proud, beating Bermuda 3-0 in a friendly international basketball series used by both teams as preparation for upcoming engagements. Kaieteur Sports’ Edison Jefford called the play and in his reports gave an excellent indication of how the team faced the challenge presented by the Bermudans and how Harris and his team handled the situation and overcame. Jefford explained that the strategy devised by the Guyana coaching staff was the ‘run at the much bigger opposition’ forcing mistakes, tiring them out and capitalizing which was clinically done and the result so spoke. Harris has always been an exceptional player and has transitioned into an excellent coach. The old adage ‘offence is the best defence’ worked for the home boys. In martial arts and other fighting sports it is said that a fight is 60 or more percent mental and the rest physical. It simply says, once you can control the way you opponent operates you can win the battle. The Guyanese lads were in good physical shape and coming up with a suitable strategy and following it to the letter speaks volumes. Sport in the outer world is big business. Our Caribbean counterparts Jamaica has for some time learnt the value of sports and are reaping the rewards in more ways than one. Key to their success, apart from the desire and talent of the athletes, is the support of the Jamaican Government who have thrown tangible or financial support which the private sector have mirrored, hence a thriving sports culture and world class athletes in our sister Caribbean country. What about Guyana? We have heard much ado about nothing from many government officials in the not too distant past but the evidence of a properly thought out programme and policy to really harness the talent we so obviously possess have been sadly
lacking. Talk is cheap, that will go well with the telephone company but to really reap the rewards of the business called sports hard cash and the requisite planning is most essential. ESPN TV has a segment on Sports Science, explaining the dynamics of several amazing feats on the various playing field athletes make. It takes research, funding and training of the relevant personnel to make an athlete or team into a winning unit. Kaieteur Sports Senior Journalist Rawle Welch in an article carried in the March 10th edition of this newspaper headlined, ‘Appalling treatment of amazing athletes’, noted the appalling treatment meted out to the National Rugby players despite maintaining being the best in the Caribbean for several years. One wonders what more must these talented boys do to get the support they truly deserve. I will not regurgitate Mr Welch’s sentiments; you can check it out and see what he says for yourself. My purpose in penning this missive to aimed at hopefully goading those responsible in making the right moves to ensure success in our sports and truly make it into a business. The possibilities are endless. I hope many of our thin-skinned officials don’t be offended and chastise the messenger rather than taking the message into context and act to suit. I opened this piece with the excellent work of the basketballers and mentioned the rugby players, there is the Golden Jaguars who are making a rebound, efforts must be made by the respective associations or federations to ensure their coaches are frequently upgraded in their abilities, even sourcing outside help where necessary and possible to boost the technical and tactical knowledge of their coaches. Olympic Solidarity has a wealth of programmes on offer, just go to its website or link with the Guyana Olympic Association. However, government funding is crucial, facilities extremely important. What about those lotto funds? Just asking. There are a few sporting facilities (Sports Hall,
Gymnasium, Athletics track, Stadium, Swimming pool) but is access for athletes to use them to train readily available? Does the government give grants or budget monies to aid the various national sports teams? The Jamaicans do, look at their athletics, netball, football just to name a few. Individual athletes have gone on to ink lucrative contracts with Puma and other major sports players. The Reggae Boyz, Jamaica’s football team recently signed a kit deal worth US$4.8M with Romai Sportswear of Dubai. Why must teams representing this country run around with a begging bowl to get funds to travel to overseas competition? Why must players struggle to get time off to train and after proving themselves not be rewarded? I must commend the cricket board for introducing the retainer contract system. But most of the other associations cannot afford same; this is where government funding is key. With all the money going around, can’t some be set aside with a vision of capitalizing on the sports tourism initiative? While we may not have those exquisite beaches as our Caribbean counterparts, we have a beauty like none other and places people will fork out good dollars to come see, but only if it’s marketed properly and a specific plan for sports tourism is put in place. Where is the thinkthank to stratigise and come up with ideas to exploit this treasure chest or are their attention so focused otherwise they can’t see the potential right in plain sight. Create a product and people will buy. I have friends and family who would come here and as we say, ‘lick down’ for our rum and beer because it is of excellent quality. That didn’t happen overnight…so what about a proper sports programme. And by the way, what about the Sports Policy document…in the absence proper systems and policies sports seems to be left in a vacuum going nowhere in a hurry. Wake up sports officials, be it government and otherwise.
Multi talented sportsman Hamza Eastman of Team Coco’s proved yet again that he is destined for great things when he out maneuvered seasoned campaigner and another high achiever Orville Hinds (Team Evolution) to win the feature event, school boys and invitation 35-lap contest when the 2nd annual Star Party Rentals 11-race cycle meet was held at the inner circuit of the National Park, Saturday. The duo of Hinds and Eastman stamped their authority on the field from as early as the second lap which meant that the contest for top honors was between the two. The young Eastman imposed his strength and ability to sprint for a long stretch in the final stages of the race which made the difference in him taking the top podium spot, clocking One Hour 17 Minutes 39 Seconds. Robin Persaud claimed the third place and was trailed to the line by Horace Burrowes, Godfrey Pollydore (2014 winner) and Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, the 4th to6th place finishers.
Hamza Eastman finishes ahead of Orville Hinds. Addressing the cyclists prior to the presentation were sponsor, Lennox Cush a former National Cricketer and Managing Director of Starr Party Rentals, Lennox Cush and race organizer, National Coach Hassan Mohamed. Cush thanked the riders for making the event a
reality and for their sportsmanship displayed during each race while Mohamed commended Cush for his continued sponsorship and partnership. Mohamed was recognized by Cush and Starr Party Rentals for his continued commitment to cycling.
Other results on the day Event Placing – first to third 12-14 boys and girls Marcia Dick, Daniel Pereira, Brighton John Veterans under-50 Jaikarran Sukhai, Junior Niles, Shameer Baksh Veterans over-50 Linden Blackman Veterans over-60 Wilfred Thom Juvenile Andrew Hicks, Jaleel Jackson, Raphael Leung Mountain bike Keon Thomas, Richard Charles, Sean Budhan BMX boys 9-12 Sherwin Sampson BMX boys 12-14 Sherwin Sampson BMX boys 6-9 Alexander Leung
Beharry Group of Companies support YBG basketball festival On Friday last, Beharry Group of Companies held a small presentation at its 191 Charlotte Street, Board Room to show support to Youth Basketball Guyana for the seventh consecutive year. The sponsorship is towards Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) 10th National School Basketball Festival. Marketing Director, Anjuli Beharry-Strand stressed the importance of Sports and Academics at the presentation. “Sports is a wonderful outlet for young people to showcase their talent and to keep them out of trouble… it is something that we as a company look forward to doing and will continue to do in order to
have a lasting impact on their lives.” Director of YBG, Chris Bowman expressed his gratitude to Beharry and stressed the importance of having such tournaments. “We do this because it’s our social responsibilities, it’s about these kids, it’s about Guyana’s future and we thank Beharry for their unwavering support over the last seven years.” YBG is slated to have its official launch of the yearlong events and Regional Conference on Friday, March 27th, 2015 at 11:00hrs. The first National School Basketball Festival was played from June 26-30, 2006 involving 18 schools in a
single elimination tournament. Today the programme has grown to almost 50 teams participating first for ranking in five separate Regional (ZONE) Tournaments, in order to qualify for the National Championship. National titles are contested for under-14, 16, 19 and girls developmental. The tournament is also used to identify players for the Junior Elite programme, which serve as a prep for selection for Inter- Guiana Games and other internationals. The National School Basketball Festival is acknowledged as the National School Basketball Championships of Guyana.