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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Guyana’s poverty is measurable The boast that a country is experiencing economic health is often supported by many facts. For one, there is an increase in employment, there is a construction boom and above all, the country makes its mark in many arenas, not least among them, in the sporting arena. All the countries that walk away with medals and trophy in the field of sports are those countries that are economically sound. Of course, that does not mean that the most economically sound country would secure the most medals but the medal take is a sign that economically the country is out of the economic doldrums. China is an economic giant and is therefore bound to win medals on the world stage when it comes to sports. The United States, Russia, and even Jamaica are better than Guyana. The football rankings place Guyana down the ladder. Even small island-states like St Kitts must be better than Guyana. For one, it ranks higher on the FIFA ladder and it has an Olympic gold medal as does Grenada in the person of Kirani James. Why these observations? These days there is not a single Guyanese in the West Indies cricket team. Trinidad has the bulk of the players and it goes without saying that the Trinidad economy is perhaps the best in the region. Guyana does not have some of the amenities that are now common features in the other countries because the focus is on bread and butter issues, exactly what is the case in the more affluent countries. And this could be understood because our national leaders are not sports enthusiasts and those who were used different considerations to identify those who would carry the national torch. The current four-day cricket competition is exposing Guyana’s poverty-stricken condition, regardless of what the Finance Minister may proclaim in his budget. On Monday he spoke about the poor performing sections of the economy. He did not mention sports. The international community places Guyana way down the ladder on many scales. It says that Guyana is poor when it comes to Gross Domestic Product, poor when it comes to infrastructure, poor when it comes to attracting investors and poor when it comes to producing replacements for established leaders. There are certain factors that may be responsible for Guyana’s poor showing in sports. The absence of facilities would surely be one of those factors. In track and field Jamaica had its synthetic track nearly fifty years ago. Guyana is now trying to construct one. The other smaller Caribbean islands also had theirs years ago. The Caribbean countries spend serious cash on coaches; Guyana does not, relying instead on bilateral relationships with so-called friendly countries. The factors that condemn Guyana to perpetual poverty are all related to the human factor. Every international organisation lists Guyana as being one of the most corrupt countries in the world. With such a rating foreign investors would hesitate to come to exploit the resources for the development of everyone. Such a reputation should have never been cultivated. In any country the merest report of corruption would have been dealt with by the authorities who all have the right to act within their sphere of influence without interference. In Guyana many people reported acts of corruption but the political directorate took no notice. The result is that corruption spread like a cancer and pretty soon there was no attempt to disguise acts of corruption. Then there is crime. The reports of crime have been so persistent that people who were determined to stay at home and help in the economic development of the country simply packed their bags. This, too, could have been nipped in the bud if the authorities were serious. The population grows but the number of detention centres
Thursday March 27, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Sugar production vs. Ethanol production - FACTORY COSTS AND OTHER BENEFITS DEAR EDITOR, I noticed that the PPP propaganda machine, despite gross misrepresentation, failed to vilify me and the APNU opposition for allegedly saying that we want the sugar Industry to close down, when in fact what I had proposed was a way to keep it alive. And below is how. The U.S. heavily taxes ethanol from Brazil in order to keep it from competing with corn ethanol in the United States. Actually, the United States imposes a 54 cents per gallon tariff on all imported ethanol, so it doesn’t specifically target Brazilian ethanol. The reasoning behind this tariff is that if foreign ethanol was introduced to the United States at market value, the ethanol program in the US would be undermined. Ethanol produced from sugarcane is cheaper to process because it doesn’t need to make the transformation from
carbohydrates to sugar, which is then fermented to make ethanol. In our case, we would probably have a huge advantage, since our ethanol would gain duty-free entrance to US markets because of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI). This was a unilateral and temporary United States program initiated by the 1983 “Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act” [CBERA], since under the revisions of the CBERA protocols, Guyana remains, until 2020, one of the 17 CBERA beneficiary countries which can export to the US duty-free. And the United States’ appetite for Ethanol is insatiable. Brazil is considered to have the world’s first sustainable biofuels economy and is the biofuels industry leader on this planet. Its sugarcane ethanol program is considered a model for other countries; and the residual cane-waste (bagasse) is used to produce
heat and power, which results in a very competitive price and a high-energy balance (output energy/input energy). These people are our neighbours; they want to partner with us - especially because of the CBI. My online Wikipedia encyclopaedia tells me that “Ethanol is generally available as a byproduct of sugar production. It can be used as a biofuel alternative to gasoline, and is widely used in cars in Brazil. It is an alternative to gasoline, and may become the primary product of sugarcane processing, rather than sugar.” At the factory, sugar production uses much more power and equipment and is therefore much more expensive than producing ethanol, I believe that to produce ethanol from sugar cane only requires around 30% of the power that is required to produce sugar, with much less capital investment in the factory (Continued on page 5)
This “poll” is fabricated to cause mischief within the PPP/C DEAR EDITOR, By now, most of your readers are familiar with the venom that is spewed almost on a daily basis in the Freddie Kissoon Column. Why this man is allowed to poison the minds of your readers is as mysterious as the person who conducted the ridiculous poll that suggests “former President Bharrat Jagdeo is the one most favoured to be the PPP/C presidential candidate for the next general elections” (Guyana Chronicle, March 20). It is ludicrous to believe that this “poll” was ever conducted at all. As a matter of fact, I am convinced that this “poll” is fabricated to
cause mischief within the PPP/C. It will not succeed. Bharrat Jagdeo is barred by the Constitution of Guyana from ever becoming President again. Therefore, to invoke his name with others in a poll question to determine “who is most favoured to be the PPP/C Presidential candidate for the next general election”, clearly shows ignorance of the Constitution. And for anyone to suggest that this so-called “poll” was conducted by the “combined Opposition” must be new to the world of politics. No opposition party or combined opposition would release the findings of a internal poll that clearly shows
results unfavourable to them. Does anyone believe that Khemraj Ramjattan would agree to release the embarrassing findings of a poll that shows if a snap election is called now, his party, the AFC, would only secure 7% of the votes - less than the “undecided”? I don’t think so. And would David Granger release the findings of a poll that gives APNU 37% of the votes compared to 46% for the PPP/C in an upcoming election? Even Freddie Kissoon cannot believe David Granger would be so naïve. Is there a conspiracy among some to discredit the leadership ability of His Excellency Donald
Ramotar? Quite possible, for politics is a dirty game. But one thing is certain...the PPP Executive stands firmly behind the President, and so do I. Former President Bharrat Jagdeo demitted office since August 2011. He has served his country well and should be proud of it. He is committed to serve in an advisory position or as a roving ambassador undertaking special missions if asked to do so by our President. This is not a novel idea. All former Presidents of the United States serve their country in similar capacities if asked to do so by the current President, and Americans are not opposed (Continued on page 5 )
Harassment and victimization by the police DEAR EDITOR, After being a victim of police harassment, I am now faced with the after effects of exposing such behaviour. The Police are well known to strike back with a method that has been employed and practiced and known as victimization. Victimization has long been adopted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and exercised against those that seek to highlight bad
experiences with the police. Numerous citizens suffer from this atrocious act daily while those in authority seem unconcerned and condone this kind of behaviour. Also, citizens find it difficult to rely on those offices that are responsible to protect them, and are left to endure this distasteful practice. Action must be leveled against this type of behaviour by our officers in
remains static. The result is overcrowding. This then forces the authorities to turn a blind eye to some crimes or to release those accused of committing petty crimes. Strange as it may seem, allocations for the prisons and for law enforcement do not seem half enough. And many wonder why Guyana continues to be poor.
the GPF who vehemently abuse their authority for their own satisfaction and vindictiveness. Citizens have become vulnerable to victimization since we are trapped under an abused system. Citizens are likely to be subjected to repeated victimization if this is not treated as a crime and dealt with accordingly. Unless our system has the means and provision to ensure this act is eradicated, citizens will remain fearful of their own safety from those who took the oath to protect and serve. Consistently, there has always been a low level of public satisfaction with the police. With continuous
harassment and victimization emanating from the force, citizens will continue to hold a bad perception of the Force, unless steps are taken in the direction to correct same. No doubt there are many genuinely suitable and good officers in the GPF, but there are also some square pegs in round holes. Only recently I have fallen victim to harassment and victimization by the police and it’s my hope that those in authority will recognize the plight we suffer as citizens and take steps to correct same, lest the citizens of this land lose all confidence in the GPF. M. Azimullah
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
This “poll” is fabricated... President Ramotar should take a page out of the T&T PM’s book
From page 4 to that. In fact, they expect former Presidents to do just that. Why then are some so focused on Jagdeo that they fail to see all the development taking place throughout the Regions that are improving the lives of so many Guyanese? Freddie Kissoon is nothing more than a rabble-rouser. Reading his column as I sometimes do, I often ask myself, “How can anyone hate so much, day after day after day?” Isn’t there anything that this PPP/C Government has done since 1992 that would be ap-
preciated by Freddie Kissoon? Yet he lives in a very big house in an affluent neighbourhood, has an income, drives a vehicle, and abuses the very freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution and protected by the same people he libels: The President and Ministers of his Government. Surely Kissoon is much better off today than under the notorious PNC regime that bankrupted the economy, making it impossible for him to achieve the level of success he now enjoys today under the PPP/C. Harry Gill
Sugar production vs. Ethanol... From page 4 and therefore ongoing maintenance costs. We cannot currently efficiently mechanise harvesting of the sugar cane in Guyana, and we cannot afford to pay the huge cost of manual labour currently in effect for manufacturing sugar, so we have to find a way to survive so that we can “live” with it. There are numerous other benefits, but space precludes me from outlining them. I am still of the view that somewhere in our future when we see the light, Aquaculture will be on the agenda, it must, since we have too many natural gifts not to do it. Since we will be using much less bagasse to make the ethanol, it is very possible that we could also have a surplus of bagasse, which could be used to do other things, not least of which is to generate electricity which would for the first time in this country be truly co-generation, and fed into the national grid. It’s logical and it’s workable, but it takes men of vision to manage an industry, and there is no vision in GuySuCo. Their new plan 2013-2017 sees only the manufacture of sugar, they are clearly subscribing to the concept that they must keep doing the same nonsense over and over again hoping for a different result, spending millions of US dollars at Blairmont and Enmore to install packaging plants for the special sugars, but these packaging plants are sitting idle due to low industry sugar production making the corporation unable to meet their quotas. Also, I must question why, when we are in such a bad economic situation, facing an ever- increasing wage bill, this corporation is forcing itself to maintain a plant and 4-ratoon rotation i.e. they plant the cane, reap it once, and it becomes 1st ratoon, then they allow it to grow back or ratoon and reap it again and allow it to regrow, so now its second ratoon etc. And then when they get to 4th ratoon, they throw it out and restart the process of planting canes all over again, i.e. a 20% replant programme. These people are simply assuming that we had a 20% replant policy in the industry forever, but I recall that when we had properly qualified people working in the industry and the price of the sugar was low, we, as a matter of policy, ran longer ratoons. Especially if the plant canes are not yielding properly. Some farmers who are making money from sugar cane are running 8-9 ratoons profitably in this era of low prices and expensive labour. Any manager currently working in the industry, who does not know that recovering the cost of ploughing and replanting a plant field, including the cost of the cane tops to do it, does not realise a full return on investment until after the 2nd ratoon. If the price is not good, the recovery of the money to make a plant field may not be recoverable until after the 4th ratoon. So throwing out a cane field after the 4th ratoon may no longer be applicable to this Guyana industry. I am yet to find, in this industry, a manager at any level who understands the logic of this which led to the policy of low price longer ratoons, high price shorter ratoons or 20%
replant. These are the kinds of concepts which a creative and competent management team must explore to improve the corporation’s dire situation, and it would be visible in their turnaround plans, this longer ratoon possibility is not in the 2013-2017 plan. And I am saying again, the person they are telling us will turn this industry around is totally incompetent to do it, and the 2013 to 2017 plan will not work, since it lacks the essential ingredients to make the industry more economical and competitive. This is however not at conflict with the union’s call to grow more cane in the field, to reintroduce flood fallowing etc. if you have a well prepared plant field with good yield it will inevitably give good yielding ratoons. Rushing to maintain this 20% replant regime, even if it means doing it badly with poor plant field yields and therefore poor ratoon yields, is madness! Rushing to convert regardless of damage to the fields has the potential to cause an even bigger disaster than the Skeldon situation in GuySuCo. Finally, I come to a quick calculation which is based on broad aspects of our sugar cane industry, and is not intended to be proof of anything, but can be quoted, since it is broadly based on actual figures. At website, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Sugarcane, I see the following: “1 ton of b&c sugarcane is transformed into 70 litres of ethanol”. B&C is burnt and cut. 70 litres is 18.49 gallons, so one ton of sugarcane yields 18.49 Gallons of ethanol in Brazil, and the world market price for ethanol today is 2.849 US dollars per gallon. My previous research said 10 gals/ton cane, but 18.49Gl/ton is even better. In 2012 we made 218,000 tonnes of sugar from 2,725,000 tonnes of sugarcane. I am using an industry figure of around 12.5 tonnes of cane to make a ton of sugar. The Bank of Guyana’s 2012 annual report tells us that this 218,000 tonnes of sugar had a value of 24.578 billion Guyana dollars. If we had produced anhydrous ethanol from this 2,725,000 tonnes of cane or 2,682,000 UK long tons of cane, we would have produced 2,682,000 x 18.49 or 49,590,180 gallons of ethanol @2.849 dollars US a gallon, or US$141,282,422 (US dollars x207) = G$29.245 billion. Instead of G$24.578 billion we earned producing sugar, i.e. we would have earned almost 5 billion G$ more than our sugar earnings and the industry may not have made a loss, and we might have had surplus bagasse to generate electricity for the national grid to reduce the cost of electricity in this country. I would just like to add that in his budget speech our Minister of Finance told us that between 2005 to 2013 he transferred, ( in secret, since none of us know of it and neither do the workers or the board of GuySuCo), US$195 million, and the production went down from 325,432 tonnes in 2004 to 218,141 tonnes. Really, Minister? You do not see something wrong with this picture? I hope that the US$195 million does not include Skeldon. That would be really laughable. Tony Vieira
DEAR EDITOR, It seems as if Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister , Kamla Persad-Bissessar, is a no nonsense Prime Minister and President Donald Ramotar should take a page out of her book and deal with his ministers when they slip and do not live up to the high office of ministers of government and other important offices. Persad-Bissessar last Tuesday fired Glen Ramadharsingh Minister of the People and Social Development following report of disorderly conduct by him while he was a passenger in an aircraft from Tobago to mainland Trinidad. The Minister was accused of assaulting a flight attendant when he tried to grab her blouse to read her name and
threatened to make representation to dismiss the 25-year-old attendant. Although the Minister apologized for his action which he said was due to the fact that he was “tired and stressed out”, the Prime Minister said that his behaviour was unacceptable and she cannot tolerate Ministers acting in such a manner. A 12th minister, Jack Warner, left of his own volition amidst allegations of financial impropriety, following the Concacaf Ethics Committee report. Of the 11 fired, four were axed in response to specific allegations. In May 2011, Mary King became the first Minister to be dismissed by the first female Prime Minister, following allegations of conflict of
interest in the award of a contract. Next in line was Minister in the Ministry of National Security Collin Partap in August 2012, following allegations that he refused to take a breathalyser test after leaving a nightclub. A month later, Justice Minister Herbert Volney was given the boot for allegedly misleading the Cabinet over the interpretation of a new law. A few were dismissed for non-performance. Apart from controversies surrounding road accidents involving Ministers there have been several allegations of wrongdoing by Government Ministers, including dishonesty, but as far as I am aware there were no proper investigations into these allegations. Oscar Ramjeet
Modernised import taxes would be better than ethanol in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Referring to recent reports of an ethanol plant proposed for Guyana, I would like to draw attention of the public and government officials to facts about ethanol in petrol engines. Ethanol is only used in new cars under manufacturer warranty, not recommended for used cars without having the fuel system replaced; ethanol corrodes engines and fuel system components shortening their lifespan. Brazil has ethanol as standard because the cars are manufactured and engineered in Brazil for ethanol mix petrol. Ethanol is less dense than petrol requiring more for combustion, meaning you have to buy more gas/ethanol mix fuel than regular petrol. Ethanol is used as a fuel alternative instead of importing fuel; it is not an environmental-friendly substitute, since plants grown for ethanol are not for food consumption. Ethanol farms use far more toxic chemicals
to achieve growth, thus poisoning groundwater. This is one the main reasons ethanol production is being reduced in the USA. Basically, ethanol mix petrol makes no sense to the Guyanese public and will create economic hardship with poor fuel economy and damaged engines. If Guyana wants to reduce its petrol import bill, the simplest solutions would be to import 1000cc and smaller Japanese cars and European clean diesel cars - both achieve above 60 miles per gallon as
opposed to 28 miles per gallon of 1500cc cars such as the Toyota Allion. 1000cc cars are taxed almost the same as 1500cc cars, encouraging the purchase of the larger gas guzzlers. Diesel European cars are reaching 80 miles per gallon. New, more fuelefficient cars are taxed at 45% duty, 30% excise tax and 16% VAT, forcing the public to buy inefficient, older cars. An updated modern car tax regime will cut Guyana’s fuel import bill in half and benefit the public greatly. A. Isaacs
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Kaieteur News
Showdown expected over NCN’s $81M, GINA $139M subsidies - millions more budgeted for FIU, NIS
Despite threats from the Opposition over subsidies to the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), the administration has again allocated millions of dollars in the 2014 National Budget for that entity. NCN, a semi-autonomous agency, falls under the Office of the President. It is set to receive an $81.7M subvention. The complaints against NCN and the Government Information Agency (GINA) have been growing in recent years. The Opposition parties, especially, have been complaining that GINA was heavily biased in its coverage. In the case of NCN, private television stations have been criticizing the fact that the entity has been allowed overtime to compete with them by attracting advertisements, yet the entity receives financial assistance from Government. GINA has been earmarked to receive $140M for its operations this year. Already, the Opposition has warned that like the previous two years, it will be looking to amend the budget of both NCN and GINA. The National Assembly, following the 2011 General and Regional Elections which handed the ruling party its first Parliamentary defeat in nearly two decades, has been grappling with the Opposition holding the majority. The Opposition in 2012 immediately reduced billions of dollars from the budget saying it was not satisfied with how the monies for a number of key infrastructural projects will be spent. Last year, the cuts continued. Government restored the
budget to both entities last year after a controversial court decision which said that the National Assembly does not have the right to make cuts. Also this year, as is normal, a number of other organizations and offices are set to receive subsidies from OP, which in overall amounts to $847.5M. These include the Guyana Energy Agency -$73.5M; Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) -$119.7M; Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) $122.5M and Integrity Commission -$17.1M. The newly established Office of the Commissioner of Information, headed by former Attorney General, Charles Ramson, has a budget for $28.5M while the Office of the First Lady is earmarked for $10M. Subsidies under the Ministry of Finance, according to the estimates of revenue and expenditure, are also significant. Almost $8.27B in subsidies and contributions are earmarked this year for 12 agencies. These include the all important Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a regulatory body that will have the all-important task of overseeing Guyana’s implementation of critical antimoney laundering regulations. That body will receive $73.7M, up from the almost $52M spent last year. The other agencies also include Ethnic Relations Commission -$61.9M; Guyana Revenue Authority -$4.1B and LinMine Power - $2.8B. Significantly, the National Insurance Scheme has $226M earmarked for it…some $116M more than last year. This particular
allocation is bound to raise eyebrows from the Opposition when the debates began as NIS has been struggling for a while with the number of contributors falling and expenses rising significantly. A significant subsidy increase this year will be to the Statistical Bureau which if approved could receive allocations of $327M, more than $80M more than 2013. The Office of the Opposition Leader has also been seeing increases in recent years of Government subsidies. In 2013, while $8.1M was allocated, $13.7M was expended. This year, $15.2M has been budgeted.
Thursday March 27, 2014
AFC will take part in Budget debates The Alliance for Change (AFC) walked out of the Budget Presentation by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh citing lack of budgetary consultation from government’s end. Yesterday, it announced that it will be taking part in the Budget debates. According to the leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, his party never intended to walk out of the entire thing. “Our walk out was to give publicity again to that fact that since July 1, they [Government] just did not want us to be part and parcel of the process, especially in the context of this being a minority government; that’s why we wanted to raise the issue nationally.” The AFC leader said that his party walked out on the Finance Minister’s presentation to protest the violation of our Constitution by this government in not holding meaningful consultation on the budget, whilst it had the time to do so.” Another issue, according to AFC, was that “the Capital Estimates would be padded to include high
- Ramjattan
Leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan profile, pet projects for which multi-billion-dollar contracts would be ‘approved’ by Cabinet under the ‘no objection’ status quo, in anticipation of the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission.” Ramjattan said that the 2014 budget was presented by a Minister who “is accused of disobeying the decisions of the National Assembly and, in disregard of those decisions, restored funds that were not approved by the said assembly. He has been
City Hall apologises, begs residents for patience
While an elaborate multimillion-dollar plan has been rolled out by the Administration to clean up the central city and its environs, City Hall has apologized to residents in the group seven and eight bracket for the challenges they are facing as a result of numerous garbage pile ups in the communities. The Mayor is asking residents to remain patient and understanding as instructions have been given for the advertisement of garbage and collection services. The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has reiterated its stance about being unable to effectively service the city as a result of constraints. Mayor Hamilton Green
added that numerous reports have been pouring in to his office about the state of the locations. He said that he has asked the Administration to immediately address the matter. A release said that at Monday’s statutory meeting, it was instructed that his administration would advertise tenders for garbage collection and disposal service within 24 hours since the Council is unable to provide efficiency collection services in some parts of the city. Group seven represents West Ruimveldt, East Ruimveldt, Costello Housing Scheme, Independence Boulevard/West La Penitence, Jeeboo Lands, North East La Penitence/ East La Penitence (Freeman Street) and Lamaha Springs/Lamaha Park.
The group eight locations include Alberttown, Kingston, North and South Cummingsburg, Queenstown and parapets. The Mayor and councilors registered their disgust at the numerous garbage piles in those local communities. Irate residents complained about the stench and health hazard associated with the pile up of garbage. They also called on the Administration to act logically, sensibly, and in the interest of citizens. It was also requested of the Administration to move swiftly to help residents manage their garbage in an environmentally friendly manner. “The Mayor and City Council wishes to apologise to residents who continue to be affected by this tardiness,
placed before the Privileges Committee of the National Assembly.” “Our protest will now take the form of actually criticizing budgetary allocations and the budgetary policies, and so we will be there for the debate, we will also be there for the Committee of Supply and we are going to have as now ruled by the Chief Justice non approval for very many of the items that we feel dissatisfied with.” According to the AFC leader his party is going to make its “objections known to those items when the Committee of Supplies comes to them.” Ramjatan did say however that the AFC has a “vested interest to support increased allocations for the social sectors including education, health, housing, water, environment, and security. AFC will demand more dollars for wages, pensions and social assistance. We support subventions to organizations that promote assistance to the vulnerable in the society.” on its part, and ask for patience and understanding. The council is doing its utmost to improve its approach in the way it delivers services to citizens.” The government has however, undertaken a $1 billion project called ‘Clean up My Country.’ Half of that sum will go towards the cleaning the city. The government also recently signed a contract with UNDP to manage solid waste. The City Council is blaming Town Clerk Carol Sooba for some of the challenges it faces, especially since she would have terminated the contracts of the Cevon Waste Management Company against the wishes of the Council. The Mayor has also accused the government of using clean up tactics to gain political leverage, while denying the Council the right to function. Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh had stated in his budget presentation on Monday that “the city of Georgetown, and indeed many other places in Guyana, have a serious sanitation problem; piles of garbage and litter abound.” He said that while the support and involvement of businesses and households alike will be required to ensure the success of clean up my country initiative, the money will go towards immediately cleaning the city.
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
Robert Corbin’s injunction against ERC dismissed An injunction that was filed against the former Chairman and Commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) by the former leader of the People National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Robert Corbin has been discharged. The issue came to an end, according to former ERC Chairman Juan Edghill now Jr. Finance Minister, during a press conference yesterday at his office within the Finance Ministry. Mr. Corbin’s lawyers advised that they were discontinuing the case. “On Monday March 24, 2014, while the Budget was being read, the case was before Justice Brassington Reynolds for hearing and determination. Lawyers for Mr. Corbin indicated that they did not wish to continue with the case. The case was dismissed,” he said. According to Edghill, an ex parte application for an interim injunction was filed and obtained when the matter was heard before the Hon. Justice James Bovell-Drakes in chambers in June of 2011, “a mere six months before the November 2011 General and Regional Elections.” His contention is that the PNC/R now incorporated into A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) did not want to have “a vibrant impartial, aggressive and functioning ERC in place during their election campaign” and as such they filed an injunction to stymie the work of the ERC. This body, he explained, played an integral role in the 2006 General elections making it “not only ‘free and fair’ but it was ‘free from fear’.” He outlined that before elections were to be held, in June 2011, “Mr. Corbin sought an injunction. Justice Bovell Drakes granted that injunction. This matter was fought and defended just mere days before the November 2011 elections. “Justice Diana Insanally discharged that injunction. At that time, she stated that there was no basis for the injunction to be granted in the first place.” Edghill was colourful in his description of the Corbin’s injunction citing it as being “Might is Right”. “It was void of logic; it was baseless and had no place in law. When it was time to defend the matter, Mr. Corbin and his group
Former Chairman of the ERC Juan Edghill declined.” According to Edghill the Courts must not be used for politicking. “It’s an abuse of process and I could publicly declare when Mr. Corbin went to the Court in June 2011, it was an abuse of the Court to achieve a political end.” Corbin had filed the injunction in 2011citing that the legitimacy of the ERC was in question since the mandate for the Chairman and the Commissioners had expired since 2007 pursuant to Article 212B ( 4), of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Edghill, in response, said that the Parliament by resolution called upon the President to ensure and “I said so in August 2007. There is a resolution that the Parliament called upon the President to ensure that there is a continuation of the Ethnic Relations Commission. “The President called all of the constituencies and all of the stakeholders who elected us in the first instance to consult with them to see, if they would agree that the Commissioner they had appointed then should continue to serve until it was reconstituted. All of the Commissioners all of the constituents agreed,” he explained. ERC RECONSTITUTION Edghill said that now that there is agreement for the reconstitution of the ERC and the increase in the number of the Commissioners from three to ten it is his opinion that “the ten constituencies through their consensual mechanism nominate for appointment, distinguished and dedicated Guyanese who will function effectively.”
He said that there must be an ERC in place, whether in time for Local Government Elections or National Elections. “It has a role to play. It is a constitutional body that can sanction politicians and any other individual or entity, including the media that promotes racism and ethnic insecurity in our country.” He added that currently there is no commission, just the Secretariat of the ERC. “The secretariat could gather information, it could review all that’s happening in the media and it had to store everything so to speak… “The staff would listen to the speeches of all politicians whether in rallies or any public spaces to see if it is inciting racism, they will then submit that to the commission to seek determination on a pronouncement. All the Secretariat functions are continuing of course I’m sure in a depleted way.” Edghill said that currently if elements of racism are incited by a body the secretariat doesn’t have the teeth to do anything. What is important, he said, is that the Representation of the People’s Act gives the ERC the teeth to sanction political parties and members of political parties and prevent them from even occupying elected positions if they are promoting or inciting racism. “In a run up to Local Government Elections if that is to be held some time this year, because there is a lot of talk about that or National Elections, and a candidate is campaigning, you can win the vote but the ERC, not GECOM [Guyana Elections Commission] is the agency that can move against you based upon the Representation of the Peoples Act, to prevent you from properly being declared the winner of that election. “We have to inform GECOM; they can count the votes but based upon the law the ERC is that body. So if they knew that that they were going to run a racist campaign, they got to keep the ERC out of the way and that is the issue here.” Edghill expressed the hope to hear that the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the APNU will be loud in their support for a re-constituted ERC.
Ukrainian authorities dismiss criticism over Russian flights MOSCOW/KIEV (Reuters) - Russia accused Ukraine yesterday of putting lives at risk by preventing Russian pilots and crew disembarking from passenger
flights but the Ukrainian authorities said the report distorted the facts. Citing information from Russian carrier Aeroflot, the Foreign Ministry said
Ukrainian border officials were denying entry to Russian crews landing in Ukraine in violation of safety regulations allowing for rest periods after flights.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 27, 2014
T&T PM fires 11 ministers in four years Government was elected and the immense responsibility each of us has to uphold public trust in all we do every single day of our lives. It is not a responsibility we can choose to have one day and lose the next,” she stated. “I am reminded of Gandhi’s identification of one of seven social sins as being “politics without principle” I have insisted from the moment we took office that everyone of us must display a sound character of public integrity, fairness, humility, compassion and human dignity,” stated PersadBissessar. She stated further that no man, nor woman, has been allowed nor will be permitted to deviate from the very principles upon which her Government was elected by the people into office. “I know there will be arguments put forward by some as to what was condoned in the past administration to allow for continuity but I disagree,” stated Persad-Bissessar. Ramadharsingh would have been the 11th minister under Kamla’s administration. A 12th minister, Jack Warner, left of his own volition amidst allegations of financial
impropriety, following the Concacaf Ethics Committee report. The People’s Partnership Government has not yet completed four years in office. Out of the 11 people fired, four were axed in response to specific allegations. In May 2011, Mary King became the first minister to be dismissed in this government, following allegations of conflict of interest in the award of a contract. Next in line was Minister in the Ministry of National Security Collin Partap in August 2012, following allegations that he refused to take a breathalyser test after leaving a nightclub. One month later then Justice Minister Herbert Volney was given the boot, for allegedly misleading the Cabinet over the Section 34 fiasco. Now Ramadharsingh has been dismissed as Minister of the People and Social Development. Sources said Tuesday there were calls for Ramadharsingh to resign his Caroni Central seat in the Parliament as well, a seat which the UNC has never lost and is therefore considered very winnable for that party. Apart from having a specific infraction leveled at
them, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has also fired ministers for apparent non-performance. In these instances she gave the vague reason of Cabinet reorganisation. In June 2011, Subhas Panday, Minister in the National Security Ministry, was relieved of his portfolio in the first Cabinet reshuffle, along with Therese BaptisteCornelis and Nan Ramgoolam. They were all senators and were replaced by Devant Maharaj, Verna St Rose-Greaves and Nicole Dyer Griffith (who was a parliamentary secretary). By the next reshuffle in June 2012, St Rose-Greaves was out, along with John Sandy and Dyer Griffith. In came Jamal Mohammed and Marlene Coudray. M o h a m m e d ’ s appointment was however short-lived. He was fired in September 2013 and replaced by Gerry Hadeed. In September 2012, when Volney was fired, Christlyn Moore was appointed. Moore’s appointment was terminated in September 2013 when Gary Griffith was appointed National Security Minister. Griffith replaced Jack Warner who had resigned in April of that year and was temporarily replaced by Emmanuel George.
One of the passengers aboard Caribbean Airlines flight BW 1519 in which Minister of the People Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh was a passenger said yesterday she felt afraid for the flight attendant. “The only reason some passengers didn’t physically tote him from the plane is because he is a minister and you know how politics is in this country,” the eyewitness said. Speaking with the Express at her Couva home yesterday afternoon on the condition of anonymity, the 42-year old woman, who is employed with a national security agency, said she was returning from Tobago and witnessed with “disgust” the “unprofessional and nasty” way Ramadharsingh conducted himself on board the flight. As proof that she was present in the plane, the woman showed the Express her boarding pass, as well as her identification cards. ”I was seated, as you can see, (pointing at the pass) in
the vicinity of seat 15,” the eyewitness said. Ramadharsingh, she said was “a couple of seats away” from her. “The flight attendants were so helpful and professional. When the melee started, I was shocked. A couple of people on board begged the minister to behave. Even a female near him tried to pacify him,” the eyewitness said. “But he continued speaking loudly and getting on as though he was home and yelling at a child. He .... seemed to be really out of it. “I was disgusted. The woman spoke to him in a professional manner and I was stunned that he wasn’t complying with such basic instructions as sit down or secure your items,” the eyewitness said.”Imagine a flight attendant telling you these things and you are saying no. That’s madness,” she said. Adding that she has flown to several countries on work-related activities, the eyewitness said: “If this behaviour had happened in
another country, guess what they call that?...a security breach”. “The lady tried really hard to explain to the minister to move his bag to the opposite side of where he was seated and he refused. “He was adamant that one, he will not move his bag and two, he wouldn’t switch seats and move away from the emergency exit,” she said. After some time, the minister seemed to have settled down and the plane took off, the eyewitness said. “As I was disembarking, there was a keepback at the exit and I saw some people pulling the minister away from the flight attendant whom the minister was arguing with. “They were telling him ‘come on, come on let’s go’,” the eyewitness said. Adding that she heard the minister say “your days are numbered”, the eyewitness said: “I became afraid for her due to his close proximity”. “He eventually left and I saw the attendant pick up the phone inside the plane,” the eyewitness said.
- minister in plane incident is the latest casualty Trinidad Express - Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar Tuesday night advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh. In taking action on the minister, Persad-Bissessar said there must be no compromise on integrity and no allowance for arrogance in her Government. Her action comes 11 days after the Express exclusively reported in a story by investigative journalist Denyse Renne that police were investigating a report of disorderly behaviour by Ramadharsingh on board a domestic flight from Tobago to Trinidad on March 16. Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) flight attendant Ronelle Laidlow, 25, filed a complaint that the minister’s hand touched her breast when he reached for her ID badge, which was pinned to her blouse. He also threatened to have her fired. Two official reports were made by the flight attendant—to the security department of the Airports Authority of T&T (AATT) and the Piarco police substation. Ramadharsingh subsequently apologised for his behaviour saying he was suffering from “severe fatigue” but denied touching Laidlow or threatened to have her fired. Persad-Bissessar was out of the country, attending a funeral in Florida, when the incident was reported. On Sunday she told the media she would make a statement after receiving a report from Ramadharsingh
Prime Minister: Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Fired Minister: Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh
and the relevant authorities. Ramadharsingh submitted his report via e-mail yesterday and later met with the Prime Minister where she informed him of her decision to axe him from her Cabinet. On Tuesday night, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a release indicating that Persad-Bissessar had advised President Carmona to revoke Ramadharsingh’s appointment. The Prime Minister stated that while she was overseas she received reports on the incident and upon her return she requested additional ones on the matter. Persad-Bissessar stated that after reading the reports and meeting with Ramadharsingh she took a decision. “There must be no compromise on integrity, no allowance for arrogance, no room for violation of mutual respect; there will be no sacrifice of our values on the altar of political expediency,” stated Persad-Bissessar. “Regardless of whether the decisions I take hurt me politically or not, I have the
strength and courage and independence of mind to measure every tough decision on the basis of what is right and just,” she added. The Prime Minister added that she has always said, that regardless of the consequences, “I remain resolved to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. My decisions in the past demonstrate this consistency regardless of whether you are in my Cabinet or not. No one is exempt from the measure of value based leadership. “In the circumstances, I have advised the President of the Republic of Trinidad and To b a g o , His Excellency, Justice Anthony Carmona, to revoke the appointment of the Honourable Minister of the People, Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh” she stated, Persad-Bissessar stated that all her considerations were character driven. “I hold no brief for any man or woman save the greater public interest. I am always aware of the higher expectation upon which this
Mexican Foreign Minister begins working trip to Caribbean Trinidad Guardian - The Sixth Summit of Heads of States and/or Government of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) takes place at the Yucatan Siglo XXI Convention Centre in Merida, Mexico from April 30. ACS Secretary General Alfonso Munera and Mexican Nobel Prize winner Mario Molina are listed to deliver remarks at the high-profile event. One highlight of the Summit is a presentation of the “New Initiatives for the Benefit of the Caribbean” offered by the government
of Mexico. To p r e p are the work agenda for the Summit, Mexico Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Antonio Meade, is visiting various Caribbean nations, including Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, Prensa Latina reported. In the particular case of Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, Meade will renew his Government’s invitation so that they participate in the III CARICOM Summit, which will take place in parallel to the meeting of the ACS.
José Antonio Meade
Eyewitness on plane: I was scared for flight attendant
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
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WRONG AND STRONG APNU has told the people of Linden that the government is not interested in strong anti-money laundering legislation. It has also told the people of Linden that support for the anti-money laundering legislation should be preceded by the President assenting to Bills tabled and passed by the opposition in the National Assembly. The people may or may not have responded in Linden to the claims by the Attorney General that for six months of last year while the parties were perusing the draft Bill, the opposition did not raise a single objection, and also that the opposition employed dilatory tactics as the deadline for passage of the Bill approached. At a very late hour, APNU introduced amendments two of which are highly contentious and one of which APNU has since been forced to revise. Neither APNU nor the AFC has disguised the fact that it is tying support for t h e passage of the AntiMoney Laundering and the Countering of Terrorism B i l l t o t h e P r e s i d e n t ’s assent to certain opposition-
tabled Bills passed in the National Assembly. The amendments that it tabled to the draft AntiMoney Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Bill came at a very late hour. It provided an excuse for APNU to contend that it has problems with the draft law. As a consequence of presenting these amendments, APNU can now hang its opposition to the draft law on two limbs. The first is the demand for presidential assent to opposition Bills. The second is that the draft Bill is not strong enough to ensure enforceability. This latter contention is the new hymn that APNU is singing. It is accusing the government of not desiring strong legislation. Now, the PNCR, which is the main party in APNU, has a history of boxing itself into a position from which it normally refuses to retreat even in the face of demonstrated reasons to do so. The PNCR is notorious for taking hard line stances and then when proven wrong or proven that its actions were ill-advised, refuses to back
down. Two notable examples were when they contended that the 1997 election results were flawed and the recent position they took in relation to the Minister of Home Affairs. Inquiries were held in relation to both issues, and the findings disputed the central contentions of the PNCR. Yet the party refused to back down and held to a “wrong and strong” attitude. The AFC apparently has forgotten about this attitude of the PNCR when it jumped into bed with APNU over the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Bill. The AFC has no problems with the Bill. The AFC however, wants the Public Procurement Commission established. And it has argued that this cannot be established without the support of APNU. Thus, it thoughtlessly pledged its support for the amendments
proposed by APNU. This was rather silly of the AFC to do this because you cannot pledge your support blindly. You have to consider carefully the position of the side to which you are pledging support. APNU has since been forced to amend one of its amendments. And the new amendment is of such as to make the action it wished to address redundant. APNU was originally calling for customs officers and the police to be given powers to stop and search persons with currency in excess of two million Guyana dollars and for the currency to be detained. By pledging its support to APNU, the AFC was in effect supporting this amendment which APNU was subsequently forced to revise in face of a public outcry. APNU has now said that it will raise the limit to ten million
dollars. This in effect is like asking that the speed limit be set at two hundred miles per hour. That would be tantamount to outlawing the crime of speeding. There is no vehicle in Guyana that will travel on the roadway at 200 miles per hour and therefore any law that sets this as the speed limit will in effect be making a speeding infarction redundant. Similarly, raising the limit of cash that can be detained by the customs and the police to ten million dollars is like saying there should be now powers to search and detain persons with currency. There is no person that is going to be found carrying around ten million dollars in cash. But despite the embarrassment and humiliation that APNU faced in having to revise the two million dollars limit, that grouping is not going to backpedal from its other
amendments. It may have had to revise one amendment but you can bet that APNU will stick with the others like how ants stick to honey. APNU has and will continue to argue that its other amendments, especially the ones that relate to the Financial Intelligence Unit is necessary to address the issue of enforcement which it says is weak at the moment and which needs to be strengthened. At the heart of this argument about enforcement, however, lies a fundamental misunderstanding of what anti- money laundering laws are intended to achieve. This will be addressed in tomorrow’s column.
$6.6B voted for CJIA expansion
Dem boys seh... A woman like Kamla got more balls than we Donald Kamla sending a message that she is more man than some of dem president and Prime Minister in de Caribbean. At least she is more man that two of dem who rule Guyana. One of dem ruling right now. She do wha none of dem never do and wha dem can’t do. Dem boys seh that she got nuts. Some people seh that she use to play cricket suh she got nuff balls. She had a Minister who feel that he is de cock of de rock. He name Glen. He go pun de plane and he feel up a flight attendant. Now, that flight attendant belong to somebody else and at least she got parents. She didn’t like wha happen and she mek a report. Dem boys remember that in Guyana people report to Jagdeo how he Minister try fuh rape a li’l gyal. That man is still Minister. People report that a Minister shoot off he gun in public. Jagdeo ain’t do nutten. Another Minister crash up wid a family that driving out. Police ain’t even charge and Donald ain’t do nutten. Kamla did knock off one minister who did drunk and refuse to go to de station after an accident. De police did order he to go to de station. He cuss de police and drive away. Kamla send he home two days after. Kamla knock off this Minister who mek heself personal wid de flight attendant. When dem boys check, is a dozen Minister she knock off and she ain’t spend four year yet as Prime Minister. Dem boys seh that she ain’t mek no excuse; she act. She got wha Donald should get. A man thief from de government while he wukking at Hen See Hen. Donald get de report and to this day he ain’t do nutten. When dem boys ask he bout de report he does blind, deaf and dumb, plus numb. Kamla woulda talk and act. Talk fuh rain and talk fuh sun, Kamla is a leader dem boys love and every decent citizen of de world would love she. De American boss man here in Guyana believe that Donald ain’t too bad but dem boys seh that he don’t know half of de story. He don’t know that Donald protecting scamps and crooks. He nutten like Kamla. He should tek de whole tree from Kamla and dem, boys ain’t talking bout countree. Talk half and send some new balls fuh Donald, fuh he play wid.
With work ongoing on the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Budget 2014 has allocated a total of $6.6 billion for works on this project that has the potential to significantly boost the country’s development, especially tourism. The relocation of the Guyana Defence Force’s engineering division at Timehri is targeted for completion to facilitate construction works on the new airport terminal building. The US$150M project is funded by the Government of China, through the Chinese Exim Bank. The expansion will cater for a new terminal building
with eight boarding bridges, elevators and CCTV. The runway will be extended by 3,500 feet and there will be eight international parking positions. Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, during the Budget presentation on Monday, said that Government’s priority is to meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient airlift and riverain transport services to enable easy, safe and cost effective movement of people
and goods. Last year, $1.1 billion was expended on the expansion and modernisation of the CJIA. During the 2013 budget debate, the opposition proposed cuts that exceeded the amount budgeted for the CJIA expansion project. After the flaw was exposed by Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, the opposition then voted against the entire $5.6B allocated to the transport sector, ignoring caution that such actions
could hamper critical works like rehabilitation of hinterland and coastal airstrips, the purchase and installation of aviation equipment and the continued modernisation of the Ogle Airport. Despite the Opposition’s stance, the CJIA Expansion and Modernisation Project is progressing smoothly, with work ongoing on the runway. When completed, the runway will be able to facilitate Boeing 747-400 type aircraft. (GINA)
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Thursday March 27, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
State of Mind: Notes on Fazal Khan I was in the UG bus in the early seventies, and as it came to the stop sign at Lamaha Street and Vlissengen Road, I saw this young man in short pants asking the occupants if they would like to buy a newspaper. He was selling the PPP’s newspaper, Mirror. I had no idea at the time that this gentleman and I would become close political comrades. If there was anything about the politics of Fazal Khan, the now common-law husband of Gail Teixeira, you can say was unique in the Guyanese context was his open mind. As a PPP die-hard, Fazal never shunned a friendship with people who were critical of the PPP. After the PPP came to power, he was made manager of Guyana Airwaves Corporation (GAC). I walked into his office one day and begged for a job for the son of one of the leading stalwarts of the WPA, Ali Majeed. Fazal never even mentioned my critical writings on the new PPP Government. He picked up the phone,
made a call and the young man was employed the next day. Fazal is dead and gone (he died last November) but you wonder why people like him ever liked the PPP. I found out why. I will come to that. I guess his relationship with Gail Teixeira (he fathered her two children) was one of the reasons he stayed in the PPP. But as the PPP Government became overbearing, he finally had to leave. From talking to him over the years, I believe at heart he was more into the culture of the WPA than the PPP. From 2010 up to the time of his death, we spent lots of time together. Our rendezvous would be every Sunday night at DCC in Queenstown. On several occasions, Bert Wilkinson would be part of our lime. It was from these sessions that I got wide glimpses into his personality and character but most of all, his politics. We would sit at the bottom of the steps, he with his Banks beer, I with my Malta and under a blue tropical sky, many Sunday
evenings, Fazal told me frightening stories about the nature of the PPP that raised bumps on my skin. Looking back at my life, I am so deeply sorry that President Hoyte did not rule Guyana for decades to come. It was clear to me from those weekly interactions that Fazal Khan was a very unhappy human being. Once you talked politics with Fazal, you see the Freudian tragedies that were buried deeply in the chasms of his mind. One lovely evening, just the two us at DCC, I asked him why did he choose the PPP. And the answer was banal – Cheddi Jagan. It was the longest conversation we had at the DCC. I got up, stood in front of him, and said, “Fazal, I am going to give you more than a hundred examples of the mischievous, narrow-minded, unpatriotic, undemocratic nature of Cheddi Jagan that are as bad as anything you see in a PNC leader and I want to hear your defence of Jagan.” This was my forte, this was what I am good at, and I just sermonized him with the richness of contemporary Guyanese history. When I was finished, he stood silent. And all he said was, “Maybe you have a point.” This was
the honesty of the man. He didn’t jump up and defend Jagan because in his mind, he knew I was sincere in what I was saying and the facts on Jagan were too graphic to ignore or deny. Months before he died, he made a revelation that has immense political implications for the writing of Guyanese history. Fazal is dead and gone but he made an everlasting contribution to our understanding of one of Guyana’s historical shapers – Janet Jagan. There were three of us present in his home when he made his iconoclastic statement – me, Bert Wilkinson and Clerk of
Parliament, Sherlock Issacs. Fazal told us that President Janet Jagan dismissed him from the GAC general manager job because at a party conference, he stood up and openly opposed her on her nomination of Bharrat Jagdeo to what she called the A-team. An interview with the Kaieteur News was subsequently arranged and what he told us, he went public with. I honestly believe he should have migrated from Guyana because his Freudian torment made him into an unhappy person. Fazal was permanently angered at his
Frederick Kissoon dismissal, the PPP leadership acceptance at what President Jagan had done him, what the PPP had become under Jagdeo and Gail Teixeira’s endorsement of Jagdeo’s politics. Space has run out. More another time.
Auto mechanic granted bail on cutlass threat A 31-year-old auto mechanic accused of brandishing a cutlass in front of another man who in fear reportedly jumped in a nearby trench was yesterday granted $10,000 bail when he appeared before a city Magistrate. Vijay Naidu, of Lot 127 Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, was charged with threatening behavior. He appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. According to the police, on March 24, last, at Covent Garden, Naidu threatened Randy Bradshaw. He, however, pleaded not guilty and sought bail through his lawyer, Melvin Duke. Duke said that the two men have long standing issues and that there are many reports at the Providence Police Station to
support his claim. The lawyer said that on that day, his client was not the aggressor but rather a group of persons ‘turned on him.” He requested self bail stating that Naidu will return to court to face his charges. Duke said that the file is in the possession of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). State Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru asked the court to consider a peace bond since the men have an ongoing issue. On one occasion the defendant pulled a cutlass on the victim causing him to jump into a nearby trench. Magistrate McGusty granted bail in the sum of $10,000 and bonded the two to keep the peace. The case will be called again on June 2.
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Guyana battling to achieve elusive MDGs - launches MICS to garner crucial information Although Guyana has already achieved several Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is well on its way to achieving several more, there are however some that are proving to be more elusive and costly to attain. This disclosure was made yesterday by UNICEF Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Marianne Flach, even as UNICEF, together with the Ministry of Health, launched a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). Guyana, Flach noted, has been able to achieve the MDGs relating to hunger, primary education, gender equality and environmental sustainability but is yet struggling to tackle MDGs
Four and Five which speaks specifically to reducing infant and maternal mortality. “While we have made significant progress in reducing Under Five mortality through better vaccination coverage and management of childhood illnesses, neonatal mortality is still a critical issue,” said Flach. Even as she pointed out that “too many children still die from preventable causes within the first month of life,” she amplified the importance of the MICS which can provide needful data to identify the fatal trends in order to activate plans to address them. The MICS, according to her, is an important monitoring tool for assessing the
wellbeing of children, women and their families, as the MICS survey collects data for more than 20 of the 48 MDG indicators. The MICS is said to the largest international household survey to collect information on many MDG indicators in a short period. The launched MICS will be characterised by a data collection campaign which is being coordinated by Ms Florence Younge. Speaking at a simple ceremony to launch the campaign at the Kingston, Georgetown, Nursing School Annexe, Flach, said that the MICS is a household survey developed by UNICEF in response to the World Summit
A section of the gathering at the MICS launch yesterday
Guyana external debt stands at US$1.2B Guyana at the end of last year had a total external debt stock of US$1.2B, according to Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh. The Minister said that the final sum was a reduction of 8.3 percent from the previous year. He explained that this reduction was mainly as a result of Government concluding two additional compensation agreements under the Petrocaribe arrangement which saw US$281.1M of oil debt effectively cancelled, equivalent to the value of rice and paddy exported by Guyana to Venezuela from July 2011 to October 2013. He said, too, that in addition, Guyana negotiated and concluded a debt relief agreement with Bulgaria which further reduced the debt by US$2.9M. He said that last year the
total external debt service in 2013 amounted to US$45.9M or 7.9 percent more than in 2012, comprising principal repayments of US$31.6M and interest payments of US$14.3M The Minister said that at the end of last year, the total domestic debt stock amounted to $98.8B, an increase of 5.7 percent over the previous year. This increase, he said, was largely due to the monetary operations of the Bank of Guyana. “Noteworthy, the stock of government debentures declined in 2013 by $1B, and ended the year at 20 per cent less than the previous year following the repayment of some debentures that had matured.” According to the Finance Minister, earlier this month, Government concluded negotiations and signed two agreements that would further
reduce Guyana’s outstanding external debt by a total of US$91.3B. The first, he said, was a Debt Relief agreement that would write-off 100 percent of Guyana’s debt owed to the CARICOM Multilateral Clearing Facility (CMCF) totalling US$35.9M. The second was a further debt compensation agreement under the Petrocaribe arrangement that would effectively cancel US$55.4M of the oil debt owed to Venezuela equivalent to the value of rice and paddy shipped from October 2013 to January 2014. “We will also continue to pursue debt relief from our non-Paris Club bilateral creditors, all with the aim of ensuring that we closely guard the very important achievement of debt sustainability into the medium and long term.”
for Children, held in 1990. According to her since the inception of MICS, four survey rounds have been completed (1995, 2000, 20056 and 2009-10). The first round of MICS was conducted around 1995, and though Guyana did not participate, it was one of the 65 countries involved in the second round of global surveys conducted in 2000, and participated again in 2006. Through the conducting of surveys, she disclosed, that “this has given the country, its decision makers and its donors, quality data that has started to map out development trends for the country.” She is convinced that “for Guyana to continue making progress as a lower-middle income country, sound information on child rights indicators is crucial for formulating and revising national and sub national policies, and for monitoring to ensure the country’s progress toward the achievement of the MDGs, and other global commitments aimed at promoting the welfare of children.” And this is important, Flach noted, in light of the fact that “gaps in data often impede Guyana’s efforts to formulate effective policies and programmes, and can present a challenge when channelling the country’s limited resources to those most in need.” She acknowledged that Guyana is poised to address the current data gaps through the MICS. “For children, this means that we will be better able to identify the critical areas which need to be addressed
UNICEF Representative, Marianne Flach and ensure that they are protected, have better access to quality healthcare and education, and make better life choices so that they will have a sustainable future as they grow into adults,” said Flach. She said that while the survey done in 2000 provided Guyana with a baseline for measuring progress, data collected in 2006 allowed for measurement of the improvements up to that point. It is anticipated that the newest MICS will provide an excellent opportunity to “take stock of how far we have progressed since then, and identify priority areas for action through the collection of data.” Flach explained that data generated from MICS, and other nationally representative household surveys, will be critically important, especially for the United Nations Secretary General’s Final MDG ‘Progress’ Report which will be launched in September 2015. The upcoming MICS will also provide an opportunity for the inclusion of new indicators, such as those on life satisfaction and subjective well-being, alcohol and tobacco use, men’s health, chronic diseases and access
to media and technologies. “MICS is now structured to offer more information than before about children and women, adolescents and young people, thereby making it one of the few surveys of its kind to capture such in-depth disaggregated data on these groups,” Flach added. The process is expected to see collaboration not only from the UN family, and the Ministry of Health but also other development partners which together will aid the collection of data for the survey by the Bureau of Statistics. It is expected that the data analysis will be completed by August. But according to Flach, “There must be sustained commitment and traction; to ensure the greatest returns for efforts and the most efficient use of the available resources. Each team member must have a clear sense of the mission and this must be a shared priority. Based on the tight timelines, it is critical that all possible delays are avoided.” It is however anticipated that the process will be successful since it will be guided by a National Steering Committee comprising Continued on page 24
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Budget 2014… Police owe $$million to interdicted ranks $6B allocation for GuySuCo is Another national budget has been presented and desperate former policemen and their counterparts in the other Disciplined Services are still wondering if or when they will receive benefits due to them. The ranks, most of whom were interdicted from duty for various reasons, have been struck off strength of the various joint services organizations, with full benefits, having successfully engaged the courts. As a result of their interdiction, which stemmed from criminal charges, most of the ranks were receiving half their salary, a situation which in the majority of cases lasted for several years. Now after their matters would have been completed favourably for them, by the courts, they become eligible for the remainder of their salary and other benefits which were denied to them during the period of their interdiction. In the case of policemen,
their moves to claim their dues were not treated with the urgency it required. A senior official in the force’s administration admitted that there was a delay in paying the affected ranks. He explained that while some ranks have already received payment, there might be some problems with the paperwork for the others. A few disgruntled ranks told this newspaper that they were informed that their payments were approved since last year February. However, they were told that they would have to wait until after last year’s budget presentation before they could be paid. Last year’s budget has come and gone. This year’s budget was presented three days ago and still the ranks don’t know for sure when they will receive their money, which in some cases amount to more than $2M. “A few weeks ago we
queried the matter and we were told again that we would get it after the budget. Home Affairs say that they are not finding (our) documents. We have already done up our clearances to ensure that we don’t owe them a thing. That was done since last year and since then we have not heard from the police finance department,” one of the ranks lamented. But the senior police official said that the force has no intention of disobeying the order of the court which is to pay the ranks. “However, financial procedure is not a short process. We are aware that we have to pay. It is a matter of concern to us and the force is doing everything to rectify the situation,” the officials said. In the meantime, the ranks said that the situation has compounded their present financial status, especially since they were only receiving half their pay for years. “Apart from our families who are suffering, we have our lawyers to pay. Some lawyers represented us on credit and have been very patient with us,” another rank stated.
not for bailout -Agri. Minister
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has said that the $6B budgetary allocation for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is not intended to bail out the ailing industry. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, had said that he will not be supporting the $6B allocated for GuySuCo. This is an area that will be amended, he said. “If they were that supportive of the industry then they would have ensured that the issues affecting the company would have been dealt with instead of coming for subsidies to bail it out,” Greenidge said. In a press statement last evening, the Minister rejected this notion. GuySuCo is too important to the local economy and to the lives of thousands, he said. “The welfare and livelihood of more than 18,000 employees and about 120,000 people generally is at stake.” Dr. Ramsammy noted that the government does not intend to act recklessly and not ensure that the corporation is able to overcome the difficulties that it has been facing for quite some time now. “The PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/ Civic) Government will stand firm with the sugar workers, the union and the corporation in ensuring that sugar continues to play a positive role in our development,” the Minister said. He added, “It is unfortunate that APNU has decided on this course of action and it demonstrates that they pre-planned to cut the budget in key areas.”
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy Dr. Ramsammy is of the view that GuySuCo is being targeted. “I believe that this action is another in a series of actions and expressed intentions that are in keeping with the long history of being anti-sugar.” The Agriculture Minister in his missive said, “We will resist such efforts and we will never allow the closure of sugar in Guyana.” Dr. Ramsammy said that any responsible government or political party would need to provide critical support that the Sugar Corporation requires at this time…”not only for the sake of GuySuCo, but also for the sake of the overall economy.” According to the Minister, GuySuCo contributes almost 20 per cent of the economies of Regions, Three, Four, Five and Six. He said, too, that in the past, GUYSUCO alone contributed almost 15 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Guyana. “We must also take into consideration that on a weekly basis, GuySuCo’s payroll amounts to about
$500M and almost $25B per year. With this inflow into the economy, it would be foolish and downright irresponsible for anyone to seek to leave GUYSUCO without any support.” Dr. Ramsammy said that GuySuCo spends about $15B per year on drainage and irrigation, which not only supports the cultivation of sugar cane, but rice as well. “Similarly, cash crop farmers in Regions Three, Four, Five, and Six depend on the drainage and irrigation of GuySuCo.” Dr. Ramsammy said that the industry is “responsible for significant injections of financial support to provide health care for workers and people in the communities and for the upkeep of community centers” in the aforementioned regions. The Agriculture Minister also rejected another statement by Greenidge, that GuySuCo has never provided energy to the national grid. “GuySuCo’s cogeneration has been supplying about 8.5MW of baggasse-based energy to the national grid, from Line Path to Mahaica during the grinding season. This is in direct contrast to the totally fabricated statement from Mr. Greenidge,” Dr. Ramsammy posited. He said that persons should recall the days when GuySuCo almost singlehandedly carried forth the economy of Guyana. “The neglect of the industry by the then PNC (People’s National Congress) Government led to an almost total collapse of the sugar industry by 1990. It is the PPP/ C Government that restored the viability of the sugar industry. The industry exceeded 250,000 tons at least 15 times since 1992.” However, to this date, under the same government, th e s u g a r i n d u s t r y i s spiraling downwards, and is now in the worse state that it has ever been, with GuySuCo struggling to meet it continuously revised targets. Dr. Ramsammy usually defends this situation, blaming inclement weather. However, he now insists, “GuySuCo, in a short while from now, will be able to recover its place as the undisputed giant within Guyana’s economy.” The Minister said that GuySuCo is already approaching 40,000 tons of sugar for this crop, and that as long as the weather remains friendly, there should be no difficulties in meeting the set targets.
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
National Budget 2014...
$1.9B for sea and river defence upgrade Rip-rap sea defence infrastructure at Stewartville (FILE PHOTO)
Page 21
Labourer jailed for hitting wife with bicycle bar A labourer who faced the city court for hitting his spouse with a bicycle bar and assaulting the two police ranks who tried to arrest him was yesterday sentenced to prison after he confessed to a total of ten misdemeanors. Orlando Grumble faced two counts of assault committed on his reputed wife, two counts of abusive language and single counts of disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, threatening behaviour, indecent language, threatening language and assaulting a peace officer. On March 14, last, he was taken before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to respond to the charges. He pleaded not
guilty to each. Grumble’s case was being prosecuted by Lance Corporal Jomo Nichols. The court heard that on February 19, he assaulted his reputed wife, Karen Bender on Charlotte Street and also used abuse language towards her. He is charged too for using abusive and threatening language as well as assaulting the woman after he hit her with the bicycle bar on March 13, last, at Regent Street. When Constable Kenrick Hodge attempted to execute his duties, Grumble used abusive language against him and assaulted him in an effort to resist arrest. The man is charged for using indecent language too after he showered Constable
Jonnel Shepherd with a stream of profanities. His actions that day were perceived as disorderly thus he was slapped too with a disorderly behavior charge. When brought before the court on March 14, he denied all claims but yesterday he opted to change his plea to guilty and was sentenced to three months in prison for each charge. He is set to serve exactly six months in prison after Magistrate Chandan-Edmond declared that three months jail terms are expected to be served consecutively for assaulting Bender. The other eight charges were also exacted with three months in prison but they will run concurrently.
Three men, Ramesh Chunilall called ‘Davo’, 50; Romeo Singh, 24, called ‘Cojo’; and Yogeshwar Mangar, 18; all of Percy Smith Street, Palmyra Village, East Coast Berbice, have been charged with simple larceny. The men are accused of stealing two chain slings worth $80,264, property of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge and were granted $60,000 bail each by Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus; when they appeared before her on Monday in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court. According to Prosecutor Sergeant Godfrey Playter, on Thursday March
20, last, at Betsy Ground, East Canje the men allegedly stole the chain slings and were in the process of carrying them away when they were caught. According to information the police acting on information stopped motor car PFF 7764, a white Toyota AT 170 motor car, around 01:00 hrs on the Adelphi Village Public Road, East Canje with the three accused inside. A search of the trunk uncovered two bags with the chain slings inside. The men
were arrested and the car owned by Chunilall was impounded. The men told investigators that they found the slings in the bag while they were finishing. They decided to hide it then organized a sale with Chunilall who usually buys scrap iron. The men are expected to report to Reliance Police Station each Friday at 18:00hrs, until the conclusion of the matter. They will have to return to court on April 30.
Three charged with stealing chain from GuySuCo
Government has allocated $1.9B in this year’s National Budget to ensure the further strengthening of the sea and river defence infrastructure. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, during his budget presentation said, rising sea levels continue to threaten the already vulnerable coastland. He added that whilst utilising new and emerging technologies for the improvement and sustainability of the structural integrity of the sea and river defence infrastructures, Guyana is promoting experimental soft and hard interventions. This year, the Ministry of Public Works will be executing critical sea and river defence works in Regions Two to Seven. In addition, the mangrove restoration and replanting programme will continue with the planting of 50,000 mangrove seedlings, spartina grassing in selected areas, construction of geotextile breakwater structures, and the hydrological restoration of
Wellington Park mangrove site. According to Dr. Singh, Government will invest more than US$65M over the next five years in infrastructural works and coastal zone management systems, which will benefit almost 90 percent of our population. These interventions include construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 80 kilometres of sea and river defence infrastructures, the implementation of an integrated shore zone management system that will enhance resilience to coastal and riverine hazards, and integrated flood risk preparedness strategies, he said. The Minister said that to reduce the risk of flooding
and loss of land, Government’s policy is to foster better harmonisation among coastal zone and flood management stakeholders in close coordination with our national disaster management agency and strategy. In 2013, the sum of $1.7 billion was disbursed for the improvement of our sea and river defence infrastructure. Under the piloted interventions bamboo brushwood dams, iron bamboo fences and rubber mound groynes were constructed to protect young mangrove seedlings from destruction and promote mangrove restoration.
Page 22
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Toyota Forklift - Excellent condition, 4,000lbs capacity, 117" Lift, Solid Wheels, Automatic Transmission, 4 Cylinder LPG Motor. Call: 604-6108.
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943
Barge 200ft in length as is – Call:623-4045
Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203
6½ Month old Germand Shepherd, fully vaccinated – Contact:683-4832 or 2635755
1 Music system, 3 crown amps, Numark CD player crossover & mixer, 2 base box with 15" Mid range & tweeters – Call:619-2800
Complete sawmill operation with lots of equipment, customers & suppliers and large land space – Contact Swamee: 614-1466; 678-1421
Fishing boat, 5" nylon Seine, 40 Hp Yamaha - $1.6M - Tel: 267-1563; 691-3501 / 4162667627
GET OUR SECURITY SYSTEM THAT MONITORS AND RECOVERS YOUR CAR IF STOLEN - $120,000 – CALL: 601-6392
One 14" river dredge in excellent condition - Call: 669-8985 Fishing boat with Yamaha Engine 15 H.P (almost new) Call:265-5564; 627-2541 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, Nissan Frontier $2.9M, 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, DJSystem - $2.8M– Tel:6959807 1 Black Lexus 470 SUV Tel:656-0878; 225-5334 Tibetan Terrier pupsCall:225-4780; 601-5927 COMPLETE SAWMILL with all new industrial machine, going business with contract - (Wanted Kabukalli Logs) - Tel:6845868. Tacoma Tundra lights & Parts - Tel: 641-1127
PS3 CONTROLLERS, PS3 & XBOX360 SYSTEMS, EACH WITH TWO CONTROLLERS, ORIGINAL PS3, PS2, XBOX GAMEDISCS – CONTACT MAX: 6098132; 672-8569 Kingston flash drive and memory card - Call: 675-2239 Energy Saver Bulbs, Tacoma/ Tundra, lights and parts, power tools & 1 Toyota Funcargo Van - Call:680-6374 One Mobile Food Caravan Contact: 675-5448 The Gents Spa: Deep tissue, Swedish massages, sport massage, aromatherapy, body scrubs Call: 657-5979
MASSAGES
1 Canon Image runner #2525 – Contact: 652-0709 Cooler chest/fridge 15 cubic, good for shop use $100,000Call:683-4803, 225-9871 1 Used Model M Truck with winch.Price:$5M negotiable – Contact:601-0763
Sophia ‘C’ Field - $3M – Call:618-7483; 665-3499 Prime Business property, huge land space, 200’X50', next to Police Outpost @ Mc Doom 233-0570 Sunflower @ 229 Bourda Georgetown – Call:269-1274; 269-0264; 647-8798 Zone Rber Block VII Parcel 1983, next to Parbhu Hardware, Parika - Tel:2691274; 269-0264; 647-8798 Campbellville (2 buildings) $25M, Near Regent Street $35M, AA Eccles - $56M, Lamaha Gardens – $55M. Contact Diana: 227-2256; 6269382
EDUCATIONAL Balloon decorating classes – April 05 - Call: 225-3133; 613-7513 for more information and to register.
1 complete pools table, 1 no frost fridge, 1 electric stove, 1 compressor C/W spray kit & air-tool assembly. Owner migrating – Tel:641-6239
Practical Electronic courses begining 7th April @ Abdol Electronics - Tel: 226-6551; 225-0391
Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600 & Original Games Call: 672-2566
Join our continuous class in cake decoration Contact:694-9075. DRESSMAKING
Plough - New 2 pan dish plough; Made in India; excellent quality. $220,000 (neg). Call 257-0212 or 6288487.
Jean is Offering courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral and cake decoration - Contact:670-2653 or 6181706
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Minibus pit-bull, BRR Series, immaculate condition, owner leaving country – Tel:629-3663 1 Toyota Hilux Single Cab 4X4 solid Axle pickup -$2.7M Tel: 658-5193; 638-2525; 648-4374
GT TOOLS RENTAL, RAMSON SPECIAL - TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098
EP-82 Starlet-Call: 685-9696 1- 2007 Toyota 4X4 Tacoma for sale Call: 670-3328 for more information. Toyota Tundra 4X4, Clean $2.450M – Call: 662-6024 Unregistered Toyota Premio $2.450, Toyota Spacio - $2.250 Tel: 616-3001; 628-4284
House in Diamond/Grove Tel:692-8513 One upper flat @ 6th Street Cummings Lodge ECD – Call:622-3580 One Semi furnished apartment to rent at Industry ECD – Tel: 222-6001 Two bedroom bottom flat apartment fully grilled with overhead tank and parking, place in Herstelling. Call:6282660
TO LET LAND FOR SALE House lots in Friendship. Tel: 692-8513 3 Acres Land @ Parika Backdam E.B.E – Call: 6174837 Parafaite Harmonie - $1.3M and $1.5M, Schoonard - $2M, Herstelling – $3M Contact: 675-7292
MASSAGE
1 Toyota Raum fully air conditioned – Tel:678-6108, 692-8419, 266-2771 1 Stall @ Stabroek Market – Tel:658-0115; 718-757-8031
PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 Income properties at bargain price - $40M negotiable - Tel: 686-4899; 684-3718 Property for sale.Call:6275416 Unfinished two storey concrete house @ Bladen Hall E.C.D – Call:688-6316
Thursday March 27, 2014
VACANCY Live in housekeeper 30-45yrs to take care of infant, long term employment - Call: 6978797 Mill Wright, Porters, clerk woodmizer, moulder and bandsaw operator, timber grant, manager - Call Richard:609-7675; 233-2614 Experienced Cashiers to work @ supermarket on the East Coast. Must have Point of sale Knowledge. Age:25-45 Call:629-8469 1 Security guard, between ages 35-45, police clearance @ Status Int’l Hotel, 102-109 Sandeman Place & Croal St. Stabreok - Tel:227-7616 Sales clerks / Casheirs, commitment to customer services required. Apply : Kards Plus Gift Centre @ City Mall, Camp St. - Call:227-1846 Vacancy for Sales Representative in a vehicle / spare parts company. Apply Within Nagoya Trading 137 Grandsville Park B.V. 220-210
Wings Two bedrooms apartment – Tel:643-1131; 225-3234 Complete sawmill (i.e woodmizer mill, moulder etc) @ Eccles Industrial Site EBD. Call Ricahrd: 6097677;233-2614 1 – 3 Bedrooms bottom & top flat front house near hospital vicinity @ East Street, fully grilled, AC, parking – Call:2253756; 678-1913 Campbellville - $60,000$100,000 -$US1200, Section ‘K’ - $US1200, Atlantic Gardens - $US600 – $US800 – Contact Diana: 227-2256; 6269382 One bedroom apartment at Vreed-En- Hoop 3 houses in from the junction - Call:6610162 Fully furnished apartments - $4,000-$6,000 per night Call:223-0994
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 6471773 Experienced hairdresser, must know to do hair & nails, experienced barber for interior location – Call:665-5812; 2332186; 697-6726 Natural Beauty Salon & Spa: Grove Market Street EBD Tele:265-4138,652-5800 specialized in everything for women
AT192 - Call: 602-0236 Toyota Raum, Spacio, AT212, AT192, AT170, NZE and LTouring wagon, Nissan E24 Caravan – Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 One Honda Accord DX manual transmission, excellent condition – Call:6185972; 685-57-27; 218-1204. 1 Freight liner hauler with sleeping cab, 1 -48ft trailor with treated wood – Call: Rakesh 613-6979 1 DAF 4X4 Bush Truck Winch - $3.8M - Tel:658-5193; 638-2525; 648-4374 Toyota Fun Cargo, RZ minibus, IST, 4X4 Hilux pickup - Tel: 644-5096; 6971453 2004 Toyota Raum $2M @ MRR Autos, Cheap online vehicle deals – Call:691-7475; 626-9590 One registered Allion 2003. Colour: Silver, In excellent condition- Call:665-4529; 6523820 Smart Choice Auto Sales: Unregistered: Premio, Allex, IST, Spacio, Allion – Call:6523820; 665-4529 One RX-8 Mazda fully air conditioned, stick gear, wheel lights, fog lamps, power windows – Tel:653-2477 Passenger Diesel Turbo Bus, Late “NN” Series – Call: 6173124 1 Toyota Will VS fully loaded, drop springs, etc. 1 Toyota Auris Fully loaded – Call:6232999 RX8 Price - $3M – Tel:6026024. One Toyota Allion, in excellent condition - Price: $2M negotiable - Call:6823600 AT192 Toyota Carina PGG 7420 - Call:695-1915 BKK Minibus, stick gear in good working condition Call:693-2174; 234-0706
VEHICLE FOR SALE 600 CBR Bike - $350,000, 3VZ Tacoma Engine - $400,000 – Call:617-7113 Spacio- Body kit, TV/DVD, camera, dark interior, unregistered, price starting $2.1M - Call: 617-2891 One 8,000 Ford Tractor, one 450 Ford Towing Truck & one pair 38 Tractor Wheel Contact Floyd: 694-5599 One ‘KK’ series Mini-bus for sale. Price: $1.35 Million negotiable Contact Alvin on: 645-2613 1 To y o t a Ve r o s s a 1 8 ” Chrome rims, excellent condition, low milage Price:$3,000,000 - Tel:6823396; 665-7206 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 C H E A P E S T: - P i t b u l l , Manual Buses, IST, Allion – Tel:616-7635
LEARN TO DRIVE Ultravoilet Driving School – Contact:231-2372;6022583;658-4015 Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869 Alleyne’s Professional Driving School @ 651 East Ruimveldt, Best Prices Call :226-9181; 613-0223; 668-9331 Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 TOURS Lethem Rodeo - Tour to Bontin Moco-Moco Falls 17 t h t o 2 1 A p r i l Call:639-2663;644-0185; 665-5171;227-8290
CAR RENTAL
Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, dolly sautorental.com Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup custom. Cash / terms- Call:680- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 3154 One New Model Toyota 212 Wings Car Rental - Call: 643with A/C, Mags, alarm, remote 1131 start - Call:648-0494 Continued on page 23
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Guyana has selected the right group for SWAT team -US trainer Members of the newly formed Guyana Police Force Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team, which has been described as a legacy of outgoing Commissioner Leroy Brumell, have completed the first phase of their training. The basic training culminated with a formal closing ceremony yesterday at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, at which the team members were each presented with a certificate. The unit, which was launched on February 6, commenced training in February. According to lead trainer, Dallas Stedd, they were introduced to a brand new method of SWAT training for the Guyana Police Force. He said that one of the main purposes of the training was primarily to get the ranks to understand that one of their main objectives is to save lives. The trainer noted that the members of the unit now understand the principle of close combat; they now know how to dominate a small space. He explained that they were also taught how to work as a team and support each other as well as to evaluate situations in a timely manner. “They know how to prepare a SWAT operation board and give a field review. These police officers are now prepared for what it takes to conduct a hostage rescue operation,” Stedd told those gathered for the special closing ceremony. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who delivered the feature address, noted that yesterday’s event was a historic one, coming in the wake of significant negativity over the establishment of the SWAT unit. However the Minister noted that the public has great expectations of such a unit, which he said is normal. “They may not be active players as law enforcement officers are…They have a stake in ensuring that the population sleeps, rests, work and play in an atmosphere of peace and good order…and that really is the context in which this team has been launched and is being trained as an additional component within the Guyana Police Force,” Rohee stated. He said that there were significant criticisms prior to the launching of the SWAT unit, most of which were unwarranted. The Minister said that he believes that any new component in the Guyana Police Force that raises the
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee presents a certificate to officer Dookie of the SWAT team.
Dan Waddington presents another certificate to a SWAT team member. prestige and the esteem of the organization to a higher level must be welcomed, since it is all about making Guyana a better place. “This is not a foreign force. All of these members of the SWAT team, I believe, have Guyanese birth certificates. They’re not Brazilians, they’re not Venezuelans, they’re not Americans,” he said. Rohee said that the government is pleased with the establishment of the SWAT unit and his Ministry stands ready to support the Guyana Police Force in all stages of the initiative, now that the first phase has been successfully completed. However, according to Minister Rohee, there will be challenges, including those
regarding basic human rights. “Human Rights is now a focal point of the attention within the ambit of law enforcement,” Rohee stated. In the context of the modernisation of the Guyana Police Force, the Minister said that the SWAT unit is a major contributing factor, filling a vacuum in the law enforcement capabilities of Guyana. He congratulated Commissioner Brumell whom he credited with leading the force into the successful establishment of the unit. “This is a legacy of…Leroy Fitzpatrick Brumell…He’s leaving the force with a team that enhances the prestige and image of this organization,” the Minister declared.
Earlier, the outgoing Commissioner of Police commended Minister Rohee for his persistence in establishing the SWAT unit. Brumell noted that from what he has garnered, the unit has shown self discipline and appears to be well coordinated. He also observed that the SWAT team has a very good working relationship with the trainers. This augurs well for the advancement of a professional unit, he said. Dan Waddington, Director of the Emergence Group, which is responsible for the training of the team told the gathering that he is very impressed with the commitment shown by the Commissioner and his administrative team to make the Guyana Police Force and elite organization. Waddington, who has previous experience in training members of the Guyana Police Force, said that he is aware of the negative perception that precipitated the launching of the unit. He said, however, that he is convinced that the Police Force has selected the right group of men who have the quality to be a professional and successful SWAT team. “We will do whatever we can to support the Guyana Police Force in making it a professional unit,” Waddington said.
From page 22
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 6472943 COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 6754959 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Design Team Neher, The most dependable, professional, trustworthy landscapers in Guyana – Tel: 648-1821 or 2190468 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) If You are interested in a professional DJ for the Interior/Bartica- Contact: 670-0387, 226-2467 or email: anthonywillpower@gmail.com We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar B R I D G E WAT E R CONSTRUCTIONS - CO: NEWHOMES REMODELING, NEWBATHROOMS,TILE& MARBLE INSTALLATION, F R E E E S T I M AT E S CALL: 660-6935; 6769660; 269-094 WANTED One Trained Carnegie/ Home Economics Cook. Four (4) times per week - Call: 614-4358 Research Analysist, Models & Singers, great pay & good working hours - Call:622-1957 Monday-Friday, between 9am-5pm One Handyman to work in the Interior - Call: 681-6044 CHAINSAW LUMBER: Kabukalli, Shibadan, Silverballi, Simarupa, etc – Tel:653-9752 licenced driver / sales person, working on commission @ Cuddle’s Touch - Call: 689-8085
WANTED Sales representative for the distribution of groceries/ beverages. Send application to Maya @ Lot 24 Saffon Street Charlestown One live in maid for Georgetown preferable from country side-Contact:699-5359 Cook & female bouncers. Apply in person @ El Club Latino, during 4:00pm6:00pm (Tues – Sat) @ 57 Hadfield & Lime Streets, South Cummingsburg Salesgirls & Porters. Apply with written application at Lot E Dennis & Middleton Street, Best Buy Food Supplies. Attractive Live in waitress – Tel:228-5129; 604-8277 Live in , live out babysitter Tel: 225-6070 Live in waitress- Call:6439007/ 697-2978 Experienced driver & dispatcher @ Princess Hotel Tel: 265-7075; 265-7076; 6165419 One experienced welder to work in interior – Call:6816044 Urgently needed live in waitresses to work in Bar. Offering reasonable salary. Tel: 259-0574 1 general domestic to cook, experienced cashier, counter servers, pastry makers, handy-boys Apply @ Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Live in assistant caregiver – Tel:664-8150 One experienced excavator operator with minimum of 5yrs experienced. Apply: Lot 10 Barima Avenue Bel-Air Park Attractive female waitress, dancers and cooks to work in bar – Call: 610-8269 We buy land in Parafaite Harmonie – Call:675-7292 Live in waitress. Must be honest & courteous, with free boarding and lodging $50,000 per month - Call:6105043 Pump attendants between age 21-26, preferably persons living in Georgetown - Call:227-3567 Graphic Artists, Layout Artist, Typesetters & Proof Readers, great pay & good working hours - Call:6221957 Monday-Friday, between 9am-5pm One live in Domestic between age 40-60yrs - Call: 220-9873
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Thursday March 27, 2014
Family confused over unlicenced shotgun death Erlon Gaime
Family members of 34year-old Eldon Gaime, the Logger, whose firearm reportedly went off and struck him in the chin, killing him in the process, have indicated that they are at a loss as to his sudden death. Gaime’s brother-in-law said he did not want to speculate but the family received the tragic news about Gaime’s death early this week and preparations are ongoing to have his body returned to the Essequibo Coast, where a funeral would be planned for him, at least by this weekend. Gaime’s body has been transferred to the Georgetown Hospital
Mortuary for a post mortem examination on Friday. Initial reports suggest someone apparently struck Gaime, who was about to venture into the back dam with a stone and one of Gaime’s workers intervene. Another report said that Gaime ventured onto a tractor with his 12 gauge gun pointing upwards. The report added that the fire arm went off and Gaime was fatally struck. A relative at the dead man’s Pomona, Essequibo Coast home said that Gaime had only ventured into the interior to work as a logger for the last month or so. He didn’t have any children.
Red House to host environmental workshop Representatives from over 50 environmental groups and corporate entities are expected to attend a workshop organised by the Clean and Green Guyana Project, under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government’s Solid Waste Disposal Programme and the IDB. The workshop is intended to bring them up-to-date with the progress of the public awareness campaign. The event will be held in the Conference Room at Red House, the Cheddi Jagan
Research Centre on High Street, Kingston today. Public Affairs activist Ms. Jocelyn Dow will facilitate the session. There will be a special presentation by Ms. Aretha Forde of Ministry of Natural Resources on the introduction of the new AntiLittering Laws. Clean and Green Guyana is an initiative that falls under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. It is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.
Guyana battling to... From page 11 Government Agencies, the National Bureau of Statistics, UNICEF, Civil Society and other UN agencies, who are deemed critical in the area of promoting the rights of children and women. According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, “This opportunity at collecting data also serves importantly for us as we move forward...I think the information we collect here will be quite useful.” He emphasised, too, that although achieving the
MDGs Four and Five are of utmost importance Guyana is also looking keenly at MDG Six which speaks to the control of priority diseases including HIV/AIDS. Currently Guyana, along with some 192 countries across the globe, is in the process of preparing for the post-2015 sustainable goals process. It is therefore looking “actively looking at what those indicators would be in the next period of development and how we will set about achieving them,” said Dr Persaud.
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
U.S., EU to work together on tougher Russia sanctions
Members of Ukrainian self-defence units vandalise an office of Sberbank of Russia during a rally in Kiev yesterday. REUTERS/Maks Levin BRUSSELS/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States and the European Union agreed yesterday to work together to prepare possible tougher economic sanctions in response to Russia’s behavior in Ukraine, including on the energy sector, and to make Europe less dependent on Russian gas. U.S. President Barack Obama said after a summit with top EU officials that Russian President Vladimir Putin had miscalculated if he thought he could divide the West or count on its indifference over his annexation of Crimea. Leaders of the Group of Seven major industrial powers decided this week to hold off on sanctions
targeting Moscow’s economy unless Putin took further action to destabilize Ukraine or other former Soviet republics. “If Russia continues on its current course, however, the isolation will deepen, sanctions will increase and there will be more consequences for the Russian economy,” Obama told a joint news conference with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. In the keynote address of his European trip, Obama later told an audience of 2,000 young people that the West would prevail if it remained united, not by military action
but by the power of its values to attract ordinary Ukrainians. Russia would not be “dislodged from Crimea or deterred from further escalation by military force. But with time, so long as we remain united, the Russian people will recognize that they cannot achieve security, prosperity, and the status they seek through brute force,” he said. In the speech in a Brussels concert hall, which resembled a point-by-point rebuttal of Putin’s March 18 Kremlin speech announcing the annexation of Crimea, Obama voiced respect for a strong Russia but said “that does not mean that Russia can run roughshod over its neighbors”.
Planes, ships chase new leads in search for Malaysian jet PERTH/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - New s a t e l l i t e i mages have revealed more than 100 objects in the southern Indian Ocean that could be debris from a Malaysian jetliner missing for 18 days, while planes scouring the frigid seas yesterday also reported seeing potential wreckage. The latest sigh t i n g s came as searchers stepped up efforts to find some trace of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, thought to have crashed on March 8 with the loss of all 239 people aboard after flying thousands of miles off course. “We have now had four separate satellite leads, from Australia, China and France, showing possible debris,” Malaysian Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told a news conference. “It is now
Malaysian Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at a news conference yesterday. imperative that we link the debris to MH370.” The latest images were captured by France-based Airbus Defence & Space
on Monday and showed 122 potential objects in a 400-sq-km (155-sq-mile) area of ocean, Hishammuddin said. The objects varied in size from one metre to 23 metres (75 ft) in length, he said. Flight MH370 vanished from civilian radar screens less than an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing, and investigators believe someone on the flight may have shut off the plane’s communications systems. P a r t i a l military radar tracking showed it turning west and recrossing the Malay Peninsula, apparently under the control of a skilled pilot. Malaysia’s air force has released few details of its radar tracking beyond saying the plane was last detected off the northwest coast heading towards India.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 27, 2014
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
‘Road to Brazil’ Race Walk set for Sunday in Mon Repos The Country’s Race Walkers will be in action on Sunday when the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club stages its ‘Road to Brazil’ Race Walk commencing 06:30hrs at the Guyana School of Agriculture, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, proceeding to the Road Head and returning to the place of origin for the finish. Trophies, Medals and other prizes will be at stake for the top three finishers in the Male and Female (seniors), Juniors, Veterans and Differently
Abled participants. Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford, MP, the Guyana Tourism Authority and E.A Consultants have already donated trophies for the event. CSTU’s Coordinator, Ms Jennifer Major pointed out that the Club has intensified the staging of Races countrywide as well as training sessions with an aim of moulding a National Race Walk team for participation in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Ms Major announced that
a number of Races will be run off next month starting on Sunday, April 13, with a 10K around the National Park, Thomas Lands, on Easter Sunday, April 20, another 10K around the Silvertown All Stars at Wismar. On Sunday, April 27, the Linden Town Week 2014 Race will be staged starting at 06:30hrs at the Amelia’s Ward junction and proceeding to the Egbert Benjamin Centre, Republic Avenue, McKenzie, Linden for the finish.
Thursday March 27, 2014 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): A minor conflict with a romantic partner in the morning is likely to end with a tearful reunion and much reassurance by mid-afternoon. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): Your intuition, imagination, and insight have served you well on the job, and should pay off soon. A raise, commission, or perhaps a chance to invest in the company could be offered to you. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): You can count on a very idyllic and romantic day today, Gemini. You’re feeling especially warm and sensual, and you tend to view the partner in your life through rose-colored glasses. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Someone who is a student of natural healing may come to visit you and share some ideas today. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Books and movies may inspire you to get involved in artistic activities. Your aesthetic sense is very high today, Leo, and you may be drawing your inspiration from the higher realms. You might want to stroll through an art gallery or museum and try to sense the feelings of those from the past. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You could be feeling a bit flush today, Virgo, and therefore you might decide to do a little work on your house. This is more likely to be redecorating than any major repairs, as you’re more into beauty right now than practical matters.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): You’re feeling especially psychically and mystically inclined today, Libra. You might want to read about such matters or attend a lecture or workshop given by someone in the field. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 - NOV 21): You’re usually a very practical and down-to-Earth person, but today you may be more inclined than usual toward mysticism. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 DEC 21): Group activities involving meditation, psychic or spiritual topics, or artistic pursuits are probably very appealing to you right now, Sagittarius. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): You’re normally a very intuitive person, and today you may experience clairvoyance that could rival Jeane Dixon’s. You could be feeling especially attuned to other planes, and your dreams are likely to be powerful and vivid.
*************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Your imagination is flying high today, Aquarius. Your interest in mystical and metaphysical matters is at an all-time high, and you could find yourself strolling through New Age bookstores. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Some wonderful news concerning money and career matters could come your way today, Pisces. Your natural kindness and sympathy for others has led you to make some good friends who are also valuable business contacts. This is definitely paying off.
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Raghubir Inter Service 40 over cricket
Fire Service topple City Constabulary by 6 wkts
Fire service- Fenton Saul (left), Devon Harte (center) and Don Brandis Fire Service defeated City Constabulary by six wickets when the Balram Raghubir inter service 40o v e r c r i c k e t concluded yesterday at Police Sports Club, Eve Leary. Despite an opening stand of 29 between Anthony Thompson (08) and Joseph Copidore (15) City Constabulary were bowled out for 76 in 16.4 overs after taking first strike. Devon
Layne scored 10 as Fenton Saul grabbed 4-19 off four overs and Devon Harte 313 off three overs. Fire Service replied with 77-4 in 8.1 overs. Don Brandis led the scoring with 30 not out (4x4), while Kwesi Mentore made 15. Devon Layne picked up two wickets. However Police won the round robin tournament
after winning all their matches. The presentation of prizes will be done on a date to be announced.
WCUA sends condolences to Persaud family The Wakenaam Cricket Umpires Association (WCUA) has send condolences to the family of the late umpire Bhawanie Persaud who passed away recently after suffering from illness on the Essequibo Coast. Persaud served the umpiring fraternity for a number of years before his demise. Vice President of the WCUA Moses Ramnarine said that Persaud played an important role in helping to nurture the young umpires and his services will be missed.
ECB expresses gratitude to Guyana Beverage Co The Essequibo Cricket Board has expressed gratitude to the Guyana Beverage Company for once again sponsoring their 50 overs festival under the brand Busta. The tournament was won by East Bank Essequibo who defeated Central Essequibo in the final played last Sunday at Imam Bacchus ground. Public Relations officer of the ECB Nazeer Mohamed said the board appreciated the company’s input and look forward to their continued support.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 27, 2014
Calls resonate for revamp of... Quintyne spins Women
From page 33 out. President of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Bissoondyal Singh in one of the hard hitting presentations, lashed out at the GCB for the mess the game has descended into at the moment. He used the opportunity to call on the combined opposition to support the Cricket Administration Bill. ”The bill is one of our few hopes to help revive the game in the country. Let’s hope that by the time we catch ourselves and decided to do something it is not too late. The bill will bring an end to the rigged elections, lack of accountability, mismanagement, confusion and the chaos that has taken over the game in Guyana.” He said that monies is being sent by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to Guyana on a yearly basis for cricket development and none is reaching the productive sectors of Guyana’s cricket which are the BCB, the Georgetown Cricket Association and the East Coast Cricket Board which together produces over all of the national cricketers . Singh called on those preset to enquire what happens to the $US100, 000 ($21M) that the WICB sends to Guyana every year for cricket development. He congratulating the BCB and the awardees, he mentioned that over the past four years, cricket in Guyana has been in the most disastrous state in the history of the game and the BCB has come through with flying colours. Member of Parliament Fizul Jafferally used the opportunity to congratulate the BCB for their excellent work and their above the board manner in which they manage the game in the Ancient County. Whilst also congratulating the awardees he mentioned government’s
commitment in doing whatever possible to assist. He alluded to the permanent lights being in installed at the Albion Sports Complex and more that $60 million spent to rehabilitate 30 grounds in the county. Jafferally took the opportunity to also express his dissatisfaction with the cricket situation in the country. President of the BCB, Keith Foster said despite the lack of financial assistance from the GCB the BCB has managed to stay focused and do what they think is best for the game in Berbice and Guyana. He thanked his executive for supporting him over the years and staying steadfast despite the non support of the GCB. He congratulated the awardees and urged them to cherish whatever they receive. He told those attending school to take their education seriously since there is a life beyond cricket. Human Resource Manager of the Albion Estate, Vemen Walter, also congratulated the BCB and the awardees for their outstanding achievements during the year. He called on the recipients to use the awards as a means of inspiration and urged the BCB to continue the good work. Chairman of the Special Events committee Hilbert Foster gave an elaborate review of the board’s achievement for 2013 and plans for this year. The top Awardee was West Indies left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul of Albion who copped the male cricketer of the year award, while on the distaff side West Indies female allrounder Shemaine Campbell of Rose Hall Town was adjudged the female cricketers-of-the-year. Other awards were presented to –U -15 Cricketer of the Year Adrian Sukhwa,
U17 Cricketer of the Year Brandon Prasad, U19 Cricketer of the Year Gudakesh Motie, most disciplined Female Player went to West Indies player Tremayne Smartt, the most disciplined male player Sharaz Ramcharran, most Promising Player Balchand Baldeo, most Improved Player Askay Homraj. There were also awards for outstanding junior players in the respected sub associations and areas with - West Berbice Junior Cricketer of the Year being Derick Narine Jnr, New Amsterdam/Canje Junior Cricketer of the Year going to Shimron Hetmyer, Lower Corentyne Junior Cricketer of the Year being Gudakesh Motie and Upper Corentyne Junior Cricketer of the Year adjudged as Dion Esau. The Albion Cricket Club was declared the Club of the Year. There were also a few other awards with the Best Domestic Coach award going to Winston Smith, the best Inter County Coach as Hubern Evans, the Umpire of the Year is Moses Ramlall. A Special award went to Imran Moakan for his elevation to the West Indies regional panel and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for their remarkable stewardship of cricket in the Upper Corentyne area. Mention was also made of Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, Davendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Brandon Bess who currently or recently played for West Indies and the numerous cricketers who represented Guyana recently. Shimron Hetmyer and Gudakesh Motie represented the West Indies at the U19 level, while Tremayne Smartt, Shemaine Campbell and Subrina Munroe are the only three Guyanese playing on the West Indies female team.
Alkins, Dodson spur Social Sciences to 4-wkt win in UG Inter-Faculty t20 cricket The University of Guyana (UG) Inter-Faculty T20 cricket competition bowled off yesterday at the UG ground, Turkeyen with defending champions Faculty of Social Sciences beginning their title defence with a four-wicket win against School of Earth & Environmental Studies. SEES batted first and made 103 all out off of 19 overs with Latchman Dindyal top scoring with 39. He was the only batsman to reach double figures as Dwayne Dodson had 4-6 and Keenan Ramascindo 4-17.
In response Social Sciences reached 104-6 off 16 overs with former National under-19 all-rounder Royston Alkins leading the way with 29. Melroy Stephenson supported with 27 as Floyd Rollins grabbed 2-11. The competition continues today from 10:00hrs when the Faculty of Health Sciences face-off with the Faculty of Technology. At 13:00hrs, the Faculty of Natural Sciences oppose the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. Both matches will be played at UG ground.
Royston Alkins
to low-scoring win
C M C - S Y L H E T, Bangladesh - West Indies Women swept aside host Bangladesh by 36 runs to win their second match in the ICC T20 World Cup at Sylhet Stadium here on Wednesday. 18 year old leg break b o w l e r, Shaquana Quintyne, grabbed three wickets to inflict a top order submission that severely restricted the host who imploded for 79, on the hunt for 116 set by West Indies. Quintyne returned impressive figures of three wickets for five runs from three overs which included a maiden and received support from Tremayne Smartt and Anisa Mohammed who picked up two for nine and two for 22 respectively. The teenager, who also scored 11 and was voted player-of-the-match, knocked back the stumps of two frontline batsmenopener Ayasha Rahman for 10 and Fargana Hogue for 2-to leave Bangladesh scrambling for momentum. But middle order batsman Rumana Ahmed top scored with 26 to lead a fightback that injected a measure of stability into Bangladesh’s innings.
In the process, Ahmed added 28 for the 5th wicket with Nuzhat Tasnia before another batting collapse ensued and the match swung decisively in favour of the visitors. In the space of four balls Tasnia, who scored 6, w a s b o w led by Anisa Mohammed while Quintyne ended the reign of Ahmed who was caught by Smartt. The Caribbean women asserted themselves ruthlessly by removing the last four wickets for just five runs to secure a comfortable win with 15 balls remaining. Earlier, West Indies, who had won the toss and elected to bat, were jolted by early strikes from Salma Khatun and Fahima Khatun. Salma shattered the stumps of opener Kycia Knight in the second ball of the innings for a duck while Fahima removed the stumps of Shaquana Quintyne for 11 and trapped Kyshona Knight lbw also for 11, as the West Indies plummeted to 33 for three. However the aggressive Deandra Dottin teamed up with King to steer the innings back on course as the Caribbean
women clawed their way back into the match. Dottin, who top scored with 34 which featured three fours and a six, compiled 40 runs for the 5th wicket with King who hit two fours and a six to score 20. Down the order Mohammed also contributed a well played 15 before she was run out. Khadija Tul Kubra topped the bowling for Bangladesh with three for 24 including the prized scalp of Dottin who was caught. Summary Scores: West Indies Women Innings: 115 All Out (20 Overs). Deandra Dottin 34, StacyAnn King 20, Anisa Mohammed 15, Shaquana Quintyne 11; Khadija Tul Kubra 4-0-24-3, Salma Khatun 4-1-11-2, Fahima Khatun 4-0-27-2, Rumana Ahmed 4-0-23-1. B a n g l a d e s h Wo m e n Innings: 79 All Out (17.3 Overs). Rumana Ahmed 26, Salma Khatun 17, Ayasha Rahman 10, Sanjida Islam 8; Shaquana Quintyne 3-1-53, Tremayne Smartt 3-0-92, Anisa Mohammed 4-0-222, Shakera Selman 3.3-0-131. R e s u l t : We s t I n d i e s Women won by 36 runs.
NA Multi edge Canje Secondary 2-1 in Scotiabank/Pepsi Football competition in Berbice New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) eked out a hard fought 2-1 victory over Canje Secondary School (CSS) when play in the fourth edition of the Berbice leg of the Scotiabank/Pepsi Football c o m p e tition continued on Tuesday at the Esplanade Ground, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
The CSS team opened the scoring in the 15th minute agains t t h e r u n o f p l a y when Shane Hamilton took a free kick just outside the 20 yards box that eluded the wall and keeper and flew into the net. NAMS was able to level the score one minute before half time when Nkomo Smith blasted home one from close range.
The deadlock was broken in the 56th minute when Chad Henry scored from the penalty spot to send NAMS ahead. The Berbice leg of the competition continues today when Vryman’s Erven Secondary School (VESS) take on Tutorial Academy Secondary School (TASS) at Esplanade Park.
GCA competitions continue this weekend
The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) competitions will continue this weekend with several matches. In the Hadi’s World City Mall Inc first division 2-day which starts on Saturday, GNIC will travel to Malteenoes SC with Mario Nicholls and Deon Feassal umpiring and GCC will host DCC with Shannon Crawford
and Ryan Banwarie in charge. Both matches start at 09:30 hrs. On Saturday, in the Carib Beer first division T20, at Police, the host will play Transport SC at 09:00hrs and GDF will challenge GYO at 13:00 hrs at the said venue. Cyril Garnath and Clyde Layne will officiate in both games. In the Noble House Sea
Foods second division 2- day, UG will host Everest under the watchful eyes of Joseph Jeffery and Chetram Persaud, DCC will journey to GYO with Ashok Brijkoomar and Leyland Liverpool doing on filed duties and Third Class will play Sophia at GDF; Nolan Hawke and Anthony Ramsahoye will be the match officials. All matches start at 11:00hrs.
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
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BCB hosts successful Personal Development seminar for junior players The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), as part of its Personal Development Programme for its young players, on Friday last hosted a one-day seminar at the St. Francis Training Centre which attracted 60 young players drawn from clubs across Berbice and sponsored by Mr. Vickram Seubarran of Universal DVD. BCB President Keith Foster, in declaring open the event, stated that his board was committed to the development of every junior Berbice player on and off the field, disclosing that they must be ambassadors of the Ancient County’s rich tradition of discipline, success and commitment. Foster urged the attentive cricketers to not only become better players but also to place emphasis on developing social skills and acquiring a solid education. Chairman of the BCB 75th Anniversary and Special Events Committee, Hilbert Foster whose brainchild it was to host the seminar, stated that similar programmes would be held regularly as the BCB strives
Participants of the BCB one-day Personal Development seminar
to develop each of its players on an individual basis. He challenged the players that include West Indies Under-19 Shimron Hetmyer to take advantage of the BCB investment in their careers. The one-day seminar included lectures on a wide
range of topics including the structure of Berbice cricket, Berbice cricket records, the Importance of Religion, Drug Abuse, Captaincy, Physical Fitness, Public Speaking, Public Manners, Social Skills, Peer Pressure, Field Placement, Mental
Yadram to lead Demerara in GCB U-15 Inter-County Cricket Guyana Under-15 opening batsman, Bhaskar Yadram will skipper defending champions Demerara in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Igloo Ice Cream U-15 InterCounty Two-Day cricket Competition. The competition is scheduled to commence on Sunday and continue on Monday with the defending Champions putting their title on the line against a President’s X1 at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown in one of two matches in the opening round. The other first round game on Sunday will feature Essequibo and Berbice at Everest on same days. Yosef Yisrael and Omadat Samaroo will be the on-field Umpires with Edward Bowen as the standby at DCC, while Kenalyn Baker and Delvin Austin will do on-field duties at Everest with Zaheer Mohamed as the standby. Both games are set to start at 09:30hrs. Meanwhile, the Everest cricketer was named Captain after a two-day practice match at the DCC ground last Saturday and Sunday. In the practice match Yadram’s XI got the better of
Bhaskar Yadram Stephen Wilson’s XI. Batting first Yadram’s XI made 185 all out in 40.3 overs after Yadram hit an elegant 80, decorated with 10 boundaries. He got support from Sagar Hiathiramani (33) and Ashmead Nedd (23). Bowling for Wilson’s XI, Junior Phillips took 2-34, Ganesh Jitlall 2-23 and Wilson 2-20. Wilson’s XI responded with for 102 in 44.2 overs, giving Yadram’s XI a lead of 83 runs after Christopher
Campbell and Mark Ramsammy top-scored with 22 runs each, while Mark Baptise (3-12), Hiathiramani (2-11) and Nedd (2-23) were the most successful bowlers. Yadram’s XI then piled on 183 runs for eight wickets in their second innings, giving Wilson’s XI, giving Wilson’s XI a target of 266 for victory. Kurt Lovell led the way with 44 and got support from Yadram 35, Nedd (24), Joshua Persaud 24 and Hiathiramani (22). Kenchandra Hardyal was the best bowler for the Wilson-led XI claiming 2/18. Wilson’s XI were restricted to 122/7, 144 runs short of their target, when the umpires called off the match at 16:15 hrs. Alphius Bookie made 37, Mark Ramsammy (26) and Robin Williams (20). Ashmead Nedd grabbed 3/23 and Pradesh Balkisson 2/15. Demerara team: Bhaskar Yadram (Captain), Paul Thomas, Alphius Bookie, Joshua Persaud, Kurt Lovell, Ganesh Jitlall, Ramdeo Basdeo, Ashmead Nedd, Sagar Hiathiramani, Bojnarine Singh, Colin Barlow, Mark Baptise, Pradesh Balkisson and Anthony Antonio, Garvin Nedd (Coach), Robert “Pacer” Adonis (Manager).
Toughness, Role of a Sports Ambassador, Importance of Discipline, Personal Hygiene, Importance of Education and Umpire Signals. The experienced lecturers included Roman Catholic Priest Ramesh Vanan, Guysuco Human Resources Manager Vemen Walters, RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, BCB 2nd Vice President Hubern Evans, Administrator Alisa Moonsee, Cricket Coach Michael Hyles and Educator D. Somwaru who is also an Umpire. The young players were also involved in a practical
session of table etiquette under the supervision of Mr. Levi Nedd of the Guysuco Training Centre, he is also a National Volleyball Coach. Vemen Walters, who served as Manager of the Berbice Under-15 team, during his remarks lauded the BCB for regularly seeking to develop the social skills of its players, while Evans and Hyles spent considerable time discussing the importance of mental toughness for cricketers if they are to fulfill their full potentials. The attendees at the seminar included the full Berbice Under-15 team for the
upcoming Inter County Tournament, Under-17 and 19 players including Grisean Grantm, Erica Lashley, Ashkay Homraj, Leon Andrews, David Latchyna, Kelvon Anderson, Adrian Sukhwa, Kris Ramnarine, Brandon Prasad, Sharaz Ramcharran and Kassim Khan. The participants expressed gratitude and stated that they had learnt a great lot and were in a better position to be ambassadors of Berbice cricket. They also expressed gratitude to Universal DVD for sponsoring the event.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 27, 2014
Alpha United through to CFU second round despite challenges Despite experiencing terrible treatment including accommodation and meals, Alpha “The Hammer” United FC have qualified for the second round of the Caribbean Football Union Club championships after topping group three in the first round which was held in Jamaica recently. Alpha defeated Trinidad and Tobago champions Defence Force 2-0 on March 21 courtesy of Andrew Murray and Kithson Bain goals before toppling Jamaica winners Harbour View FC 1-0 through a Bain effort. The locals will now take on Valencia of Haiti in the next round on April 18 and a win will guarantee them a place in the 2014-2015 CONCACAF Champions league. Should Alpha end up on the wrong side of the result in this game, they will have to play the loser of the other match between
Alpha United FC Wayne Dover (third left) addresses the media while President Odinga Lumumba (center) and members of the team pay rapt attention. Waterhouse of Jamaica and Puerto Rico’s Bayamon FC for a berth in the Champions League. President of the club, Odinga Lumumba, voiced his dissatisfaction at the treatment meted out to his players and staff during their stay in Jamaica. He was speaking at a press
conference held at Waterchris Hotel yesterday after the team returned home. Lumumba said that he has lodged a formal complaint with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and will also write CONCACAF and FIFA for reimbursement. “It cost us G$5M to play in the first round, but we intend to ask
the Government and corporate Guyana for support,” he added. He singled out goalkeeper Ronson Williams, Kirk Duckworth, Andrew Murray Jnr, Bain and Gregory Richardson for special mention. The president informed that if Alpha win the next
match against Valencia, they will be crowned Caribbean champions and become the first team from these shores to achieve that feat. Coach of Alpha United, Wayne Dover said that while there were some outstanding individual performances, it was total a team effort. In relation to the harsh
treatment, Dover said it is being used as a psychological advantage adding that this is the worst he has experienced as a coach and they had to take the players elsewhere for meals. When quizzed about the upcoming game, Dover said that the objective is to win and qualify for the champion’s league.
Bush Lot New Generation St. Francis Xavier Youth Club to defeat Cotton Tree establish modern Indoor Sports Centre The International award Diehard by seven wicket winning St. Francis St. Francis Xavier Play in the Elizabeth Styles U19 Inter Club cricket competition continued in Berbice over the weekend with Bush Lot New Generation defeating Cotton Tree Diehard by seven wickets in the match which was played at the Bush Lot United Sports Ground. On a perfect day for cricket, Cotton Tree Diehard won the toss and took first strike and were restricted to 96 in 36 overs with Hemchan Singh making 16. Bowling for Bush Lot New Generation- Hakeem
Miller was the main destroyer with 4 fo r 9 a n d w a s s u p p o r t e d b y Wi n s t o n Joseph with 3, Rayaad Rahim 2 and Imran Khan with 1wicket. When Bush Lot New Generation took to the crease they raced to 97-3 in 15 overs. Top scoring for Bush Lot New Generation was Navendra Mahadeo with 54 runs and he was supported by Kendy Dhanraj 20. Bowling for Cotton Tree Diehard Andra Chesney picked up 2 and Munesh Hemraj collected 1.
Results of MCY&S/ NSC Windball Several schools recorded victories in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/ National Sports Commission/ Al Sport and Tour promotions Easter term Windball tournament played last weekend at National Park. In the U-13 division, Institute of Professional Education (IPE) went down to North Georgetown Secondary by nine wickets. IPE batted first and scored 44-5 while North Georgetown replied with 45-1 with Shane Persaud scoring 17. Dolphin Secondary beat Tucville by six wickets. Dolphin scored 60-4 before restricting Tucville for 40-4. In the Male U 19 category, Queenstown Secondary overcame Monar Educational Institute by two runs. Queenstown managed 60-5
batting first with Vickram Chandranad scoring 29 and Aikeen Jorden 14. Monar Educational Institute scored 58-4 in response. Saint Joseph got the better of Electra’s Institute by six wickets. Electra Institute took first strike and posted 312. Travis Persaud scored 24. Saint Joseph made 34-4 in reply. Tucville Secondary lost to IPE by nine wickets. Tucville Secondary mustered 37-8 taking first strike. IPE responded with 381; Kevin Rogubhir stroked 20. Dolphin went down to Friendship Secondary by eight wickets. Dolphin scored 43-5 taking first knock while Friendship reached their target losing two wickets in the process ending on 44-2.
Roman Catholic Youth Club of Port Mourant has announced plans to establish a modern Youth and Indoor Sports Centre as part of its Anti-Drugs and Anti-Suicide campaigns. The centre would be established in the old St. Francis Xavier Library which is currently undergoing major restoration. The project is being coordinated by the members of the St. Francis Youth Club under the guidance of several mentors including Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Hilbert Foster and Parish Priest, Father Ramesh Vanan. Foster, who resuscitated the popular youth club last October, stated that the centre would be opened to all youths in spite of their race, religious beliefs and creed since the main objective would be to guide youths in fulfilling their potential in education, sports and also to develop proper role models for others to emulate. The Upper flat of the building would house two offices for counseling of youths who need assistance, a conference hall, a library with free internet services. The lower flat would include a home economics department, sewing department and computer centre for skills training while the games centre would allow youths to learn and play indoor games including table tennis, chess, draughts, dominoes, scrabble,
Youth Club
badminton, and pools, among others. Teams for the different sports would be established, as youths would be encouraged to fulfill their potentials at the Inter-County, national and regional level. Among the activities that would be conducted at the youth centre would be supervised homework for school children, evening classes for students, free research materials and counseling for youths who are drug addicts. Literacy classes would also be organised for students who dropped out of school while skills training would be held for those interested in computer usage, homeeconomics (cooking classes) sewing and designing and cake decorations among others. Educational competitions for debates, essays, public speaking and poetry would
also be organised on a regular basis along with sports competitions for the different indoor games. Special classroom lectures would also be organised on topics of interest for youths. Foster also stated that the members of the youth club would continue a major role in the activities of the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church as they seek to return the parish to its former glory. He praised the members for the work they have achieved over the last five months and expressed confidence that the Youth and Sports Centre would be opened by August of this year. The St. Francis Youth Club under the leadership of President Alex Foster won three Commonwealth Youth Service Awards along with numerous national and Caribbean youth awards. The main aim of the club
is to promote the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings, while at the same time making a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate. Over 60 programmes/activities have been successfully completed since Foster resuscitated the club. The youth club would like to encourage corporate Guyana to assist to make the youth and sports centre a reality by donating the necessary materials and equipment needed. Among the items needed are indoor sport equipment for table tennis, chess, badminton and draughts. Interested donors can contact Father Ramesh Vanan on 336 6049, Hilbert Foster on 337 4562; Club President Andrew Smartt on 671 5684; Secretary Veronica Narain on 694 6095. Or email st.francisyouthgroup@yahoo.com
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Beckham has successful interface with NGSS students
Closely observing their fellow student doing pushups a simple way, guided by Jeff Beckham.
Hugh Ross Classic Guest Poser, IFBB Pro. Jeff ‘Classic’ Beckham held a successful session with students of the North Georgetown Secondary School (NGSS) yesterday, accompanied by Hugh Ross. Both athletes gave the students a brief on their respective careers whilst encouraging the students to dream big, be disciplined and work hard for whatever careers they might be pursuing. Beckham took the
opportunity to share with the students and teachers that he came from a single parent home with his mother taking care of seven siblings, 2 boys and 5 girls. He told the kids that he always had a temper and was sent to counseling at the age of 14. It was during those sessions that he was advised to take up exercising as a means of countering his temper and that was the beginning of a successful career in body building. The 32-year-old, who is a
people’s person, took the opportunity to show the students how pushups are done; the session went well but as it was heating up, it had to be cut short since the students had to write exams. Students and teachers also took the chance to ask a few questions as well as take some photos with the big man. They were truly satisfied at the end. The fourth Hugh Ross Classic Body Building and Fitness Show is set for this
This is how it is done! This NGSS student practicing the correct way of doing pushups following a demonstration by Beckham. Saturday at the National Cultural Centre with muscle flexing time set for 19:00hrs. Weigh-in time is 10:00hrs on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Beckham
will be at Fitness Express, which specializes in health and fitness products for two hours today (14:00 – 16:00hrs). He would be available to answer any
questions on fitness and nutrition athletes or members of the public might have. Fans will also have the opportunity to take a photo with Beckham.
Milo/Petra Competition Organisation Schools Football Competition
Dolphin and Lodge book semi-final places Queen’s College period of dominance came to a screeching halt when they were booted out of this year ’s Milo/Petra Competition Organisation Schools Football Competition after falling to Lodge 3-0 yesterday, at the Georgetown Football Club ground. The East Georgetownbased Lodge were led to victory through a pair of goals off the boots of Shemar Smith, who netted in the 37th and 69th minutes, while Jarrel Grannum added a solitary goal in the 48th minute. In the opening encounter, Dolphin ended the fairy tale run of Charlestown through goals from Lenroy Forde in the 49th minute and Dequan Matthews (57th) Played before a small band of football fans, the
- Two more matches on today
Charlestown goalkeeper goes airborne in vain to save Dolphin’s Lenroy Forde’s fierce free kick yesterday. opening game saw both teams immediately on the offensive and Charlestown had the first real chance to score when Captain Omari James broke free following a well directed pass, but an opposing defender came in the nick of time to make a timely clearance. Dolphin counter attacked with menace and Job
Caesar’s anticipated pass to Matthews was calmly i n t e r c e p t e d b y C h a r l e s t o w n ’s A r o y d y Branford. When the break came no team managed to take the ascendancy and everyone present anticipated a scorching second period. The two teams did not disappoint as they came out
trading blows, before Dolphin won a free kick just outside the penalty area and Smith confidently strode up and unleashed a fierce rightfooter into the top right corner of the goal. It was a moment of magic.Charlestown though clearly fazed by the setback orchestrated a few incisive runs on their own, but robust
defending and the threat of a Dolphin counter attack kept them somewhat hesitant. Matthews was presented with a gift as he stole an intended clearance by a defender and lashed his effort through the legs of the advancing goalkeeper, one minute from full time. In the second game, Lodge cruised to a
comfortable win over Queen’s College. Two more quarter final matches are scheduled for today at the same venue. In the first encounter, defending champions St George’s plays Bishops’ High from 16:00hrs, followed by the Queenstown versus Christ Church matchup at 17:30hrs.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 27, 2014
Full results of the GMR&SC ‘Race of Champions’ Meet
Eventual winner of the Group 2B race Rameez Mohamed (#19) leads Roshan Ali and Syed Hassan around the Clubhouse bend on Sunday. FIA Track Engineer Julian Obed presents Group 4 champion Kevin Jeffrey with his trophy during the awards ceremony on Tuesday evening. O u t s t a n d i n g performers at last Sunday’s When the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) ‘Race of Champions’ Meet were r e w a r d e d o n Tu e s d a y evening during a presentation ceremony that was conducted at the Club’s Headquarters on Albert Street.Among those in attendance was FIA Track Engineer Mexican Julian Obed, who arrived in Guyana on Monday night to hold discussions with local racing officials about the re-
design of the current track to bring it up to a Level 3 facility which was discussed during FIA President Jeav Todt’s visit last year. Group 1 Race # 1 1st- Vickey Persaud (190) 2nd- Daniel Deokie (93) 3rd- Azaad Hassan (27) Sponsored by Beharry Automotive Group 2A Race # 2 1st- Mohamed Roshandin (30) 2nd- Chet Singh (10)
3rd- Raj Singh (112) Sponsored by B.M. Soat 125cc Motorcycle Race # 3 1st- Heeranand Boodhram (95) 2nd- Andy Rajkaran (3) 3rd- Bobby Rasul (46) Sponsored by Bounty Farm Group 2B Race # 4 1st- Rameez Mohamed (19) 2nd- Syed Hassan (121) 3rd- Afraz Allie (88)
Industrial Supplies backs HRC
Sponsored by Prem’s Electrical Superbike Superstock Race # 5 1st- Matthew Vieira (48) 2nd- Heeranand Boodhram (97) 3rd- Kevin Persaud (93) Sponsored by ENetworks Group 4 Race # 6 1st- Kevin Jeffrey (161) 2nd- Mark Vieira (58) 3rd- Vishok Persaud (38) Sponsored by Ultra Oil Group 1Race # 7 1st- Daniel Deokie (93) 2nd- Mohamed Ali (300) 3rd- Christopher Young (18) Sponsored by Beharry Automotive Ltd Group 2A Race # 8 1st- M. Roshandin (30) 2nd- Andre Dhanraj
(51) 3rd- Chet Singh (10) Sponsored by Marsha Mining 125cc Motorcycle Race #9 1st- H. Boodhram (95) 2nd- B. Rasul (46) 3rd- Charles Henry (4) Sponsored by Automotive Art Group 2B Race # 10 1st- Roshan Ali (1) 2nd- S. Hassan (121) 3rd- R. Mohamed (19) Sponsored by Mohamed’s Enterprise Superbike Superstock Race # 11 1st- M. Vieira (48) 2nd- K. Persaud (93) 3rd- Ravi Singh (13) Sponsored by ENetworks Group 1 Race # 12 1st- D. Deokie (93) 2nd- A. Hassan (27) 3rd- Shameer Mohamed (95 Sponsored by Beharry Automotive Ltd Group 4 Race # 13
1st- K. Jeffrey (161) 2nd- M. Vieira (58) 3rd- Andrew King (11) Sponsored by Handin-Hand Group 2A& B Race # 14 1st- R. Mohamed (19) 2rd- R. Ali (1) 3rd- S. Hassan (121) Sponsored by CCS 125cc Motorcycle Race # 15 1st- H. Boodhram (95) 2nd- A. Rajkaran (3) 3rd- Terrence Clarke (23) Sponsored by Friendship Oxygen Superbike Superstock Race # 16 1st- M. Vieira (46) 2nd- H. Boodhram (93) 3rd- R. Persaud (13) Sponsored by ENetworks Group 4 Race # 17 1st- K. Jeffrey (161) 2nd- M. Vieira (58) 3rd- A. King (11) Sponsored by GuyOil
Lights installed at Demerara Cricket Club
Ms. Thelisha Case (centre) Accountant of Industrial Supplies, hands over the cheque to HRC’s Hugh Ross in the presence of Jeff Beckham at left. Industrial Supplies of Sixth and Albert Streets, Alberttown is the latest corporate entity to show support for this weekend’s Hugh Ross Classic Body Building and Fitness Show. Company Accountant, Ms. Thelisha Case handed over a cheque to Chairman
of the HRC Hugh Ross expressing her entity’s delight at being a part of the activity for the first time. “We are happy to be on board with the HRC for this year’s show. This is not the first time that we are supporting sports and we will continue to do so. I am
encouraging all fans and lovers of the sport to come out on Saturday and enjoy an entertaining evening.” Ross extended gratitude to Ms. Case and her superiors for their support noting that it will go a long way towards the success of the event.
The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) has partnered with the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) in the installation of lights at the Club as part of its ongoing development programme. The lights have been partially commissioned with three (3) poles erected, and a similar number be installed shortly. The Club in collaboration with the GFSCA will be testing the lights with two cricket matches (hardball and softball) on Friday from 6:00pm. DCC A will take on
DCC B in the first game, while Floodlights XI will play Parika Defenders in the second at 19:35 hrs. Among the players expected to participate are Christopher Barnwell, Travis Dowlin, Paul Wintz Ricky Deonarine and Ramesh Sunich. The President and Executive of the Demerara Cricket Club believe that this important project can only augurs well in the general development of the players. “We see this as a shot in the arm for cricket in the city and we are grateful for the
contributions made by the many business entities associated with the Floodlight’s group”, DCC president Alfred Mentore said. “ A d d i t i o n a l l y, w e anticipate the positive spinoff of the youngsters both at DCC and in the city being exposed to playing under lights at a very early age”, he added. The Demerara Cricket Club extends a cordial invitation to all cricketloving persons to attend the games. Refreshment will also be on sale.
Thursday March 27, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Calls resonate for revamp of Guyana’s Cricket at BCB awards and presentation ceremony By Samuel Whyte There is a deep crisis p e r m e a t i n g G u y a n a ’s Cricket at the moment, both on and off the field. At the administrative level the situation is dismal and with the Guyana Senior team performing at a catastrophic level on the field, the call was clear for a revamp of Guyana’s cricket. The occasion was the 7th annual awards and presentation ceremony of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) held on Saturday last at the St Francis Community Developers (SFCD) Multipurpose Hall and Training Centre, Corentyne, Berbice. The impressive ceremony saw some 30 awards being presented to outstanding cricketers and administrators and donors who would have performed
Permaul is Cricketer of the year
The recipients pose for a photo opportunity with Minister Alli and other officials exceptionally well during the year to take and keep Berbice cricket on the high it has reached and to make the county proud. The feature address was delivered by Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan
Ali, who is also the acting Minister of Tourism. Minister Ali in his address congratulated the BCB for the exceptionally outstanding job they are doing in cricket development both on and off
the field over the years. He called on others to take a page out of the book of the BCB. “The BCB is a shining light among cricket boards and others should try to emulate them,” he mentioned.
Bharatt Taxi Service supports Grove Hi Tech FC
Mr. Bharatt Narine hands over one of the coaching tactic boards to Coach Jermaine Alves in the presence of club players. East Bank Football Association club side; Grove Hi Tech has been boosted with the donation of a set of equipment by the owner of Bharatt Taxi Service, Mr. Bharatt Narine, a resident of Grove who resides in Canada. Grove Hi Tech is the lone club from the East Bank that is playing in the Guyana Football Federation Super
League and also has a team competing in the Stag Beer Division One league on the East Bank. So impressed was Mr. Narine with the continued development of Grove Hi Tech that he was motivated to present a set of bibs, goalkeeper uniforms, coaching tactic boards and whistles. The items were handed
over to Club Coach Jermaine Alves by Mr. Narine in the presence of Club members. Alves offered thanks to Narine on behalf of the club noting that the equipment has come at an opportune time for the club which has three teams competing at various levels at the moment and will have another team competing in the EBFA Under-17 tournament which
will commence shortly. Narine said that he was more than happy to contribute to Grove Hi Tech and has been following their progress over the past year’s which is very encouraging. He said that he is impressed with the youth department of the club and is urging all clubs on the East Bank to focus on youth development.
The Minister stayed away from delving too much into the current cricket impasse that is affecting the local game at several levels, but stated that, “Government is willing and ready to play its part and do whatever it has to do to make sure that cricket does not suffer much longer. Cricket is an integral part of Guyanese life and culture.” He mentioned that the government believes that the priority should be cricket, but at the moment it is not so, giving enough reasons why the situation at the moment is in a dilemma. ”It should be no individual, it should be no grouping, it should be cricket and we need everyone who have cricket at their heart to allow the selfish desires, to allow individualistic desires to be removed and let the collective good of cricket be heartened through which we look to revive the cricketing aspects of sport in Guyana.” Moving away from the cricket impasse the Minister, wearing his tourism hat stated that even though the BCB is doing an exceptional job he said that a lot more can be achieved by venturing into other avenues. ”Berbice at the moment has the greatest potential for Guyana and West Indies cricket in terms of earning revenue and expanding the cricketing base for Guyana and the West Indies.” “Spread your wings to Suriname. You are the closest link to the neighboring country which is now developing their cricket. We can invest and if we do it correctly then an entire new market is open on that front. There are huge
opportunities out there in sports tourism through cricket, not only in Suriname, but the rest of South America. Berbice cricket could be the catalyst for such opportunities,” he stated. He congratulated the awardees especially the youngsters and urged them to take their game seriously, be discipline and focus on their education. Cricket Icon, former West Indies star player Basil B u t c h e r, w h i l e congratulating the BCB and the awardees, was disgusted at the state of the game at the moment in Guyana. Butcher used the opportunity to call on the government to do whatever is possible to dig Guyana out of the pit it has fallen. In a candid presentation the former batting star stated that, “Cricket has suffered for too long and it’s time we sort it out.” He said that cricket has nothing to do with government, but the government has a lot to do with cricket. Butcher wants to know what is happening at the moment. A lot started to happen and all of a sudden everything stopped. He called on the government to continue with its effort to help rid the country of the scourge that is taking the game to nowhere. “Cricket cuts across race, religion, class and colour, it is part of our culture, our pride and our tradition and we should not allow anyone to take away something that gives us so much pleasure, fun and joy and replace it with so much division, fighting, hatred and animosity,” Butcher pointed (Continued on page 28)
Quintyne spins Women to low-scoring win P.28
Shaquana Quintyne picked up three wickets for five runs. (ICC)
Milo/Petra Competition Organisation Schools Football Competition
Calls resonate for revamp of Dolphin and Lodge book semi-final places Guyana’s Cricket at BCB awards - Two more matches on today and presentation ceremony P.31
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