Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 5
A reminder of the A citizen’s lamentations on Guyanese leadership achievements of the Jagans DEAR EDITOR, The last Local Government Elections (LGE) were held in 1970 and 1994. In 2009, the LGE laws were changes to give people less options. There are 2 voting systems each covering about 50% of the country, P r o p o r t i o n a l Representation (PR) and First Past The Post (FPTP). With PR, people can only vote for Political Parties (PP ) and Voluntary Groups (VG), Private Individuals (PI ) cannot contest in the PR area. So people are not allowed to vote for PI, they can only vote for a list of persons on PP or VG slate. What this means is the person on the list may live Essequibo, but is on a list for New Amsterdam. Contestants do not have to reside in the area where they are contesting. With FPTP, in addition to PP and VG, Private Individuals (PI) can compete.
In this LGE , I urge each and every eligible voter to vote VG in the PR areas and PI in the FPRP areas. The next LGE election date is uncertain, given our history. So you have to vote for people who will serve in your interest and not in the interest of any political party. In the short history of Guyana, the only good period of governance was from 1985 to 1992 under Hoyte and 1992 to 1997 under C Jagan. The issues raised here on do not refer to the preceding period. All other ruling elites were filled with power drunkenness, massive corruptions and lawlessness. Guyanese did not deserve what took place under the PNC and the PPP. APNU, was seen as the best change, but of recent many of us have regretted the decision to support them. For myself, I thought they go with a “ Hoytean” approach to
governance. But I am deeply disappointed with them. Their first act was to give themselves 50 to 100 % increase in benefits, just like 1998, under Janet Jagan, ministers’ salary were grossly increased by more than 400 %. Both parties are using Guysuco. PPP replaced the board so they can get their hands on its assets, and to do their biddings, instead of the interest of the all Guyanese and Guysuco. APNU is repeating what the PPP did. Both parties support development in areas where their elite lives, not necessarily where their supporters live.You must take the interest of your community in your hand, even it means voting against the party of your choice. Once again, make your vote count for your community, vote VG and PI. Best of luck. Bhola Nauth
Invoking Martin Carter’s poetry in mourning the victims DEAR EDITOR, The Working People’s Alliance Overseas Associates (WPAOA) would like to express our condolence and sympathy to the families of the 17 inmates at the Georgetown prison who lost their lives in the fire, in the ensuing riot, and the attempt of the prison authorities to bring the situation under control. According to reports out of Georgetown, early Friday morning March 4, 2016, 17 inmates met their death and 4 others were injured in the riot that ensued over deteriorating conditions at the Camp Street prison. Prisoners are among the most unrepresented groups of the Guyanese population. Prisoners on remand are guests of the state. It is the government’s responsibility to protect the safety of all prisoners and treat them with human dignity as they await trial. The gravity of the crimes allegedly committed by some of these inmates should not cloud our judgement and thinking on this matter. This is a matter of grave national concern. It goes to the heart of the crisis that affects a deeply
flawed criminal justice system in Guyana, where backlogs mean that those accused of crimes languish behind bars awaiting trial; where punishment rather than meaningful rehabilitation takes precedent; where abysmal conditions are the norm; and where prison is a sentence only - and with rare exceptions - for those without money or influence. In a meeting between a delegation of prisoners, the Minister of Public Security and the Minister of State, among the grievances raised were the conditions of the prisons, the food provided to the inmates, the treatment meted out by some prison officers to inmates, and the length of time prisoners held on remand are expected to wait for their cases to be heard
in the courts. The concerns raised by the prisoners are serious enough to warrant immediate action. While we applaud the swift appointment by the government of a Commission of Inquiry, it is reasonable to expect that the subject Ministry will take immediate preliminary action to address these concerns as we await the Commission’s report. The accidental injustice to the dead and their lived ones is so great that there should be a National Day of mourning and condolence. We must not be worthy of Martin Carter’s worst fears, “This city with a prison for a heart.” Mike Henderson Moses Bhagwan Alissa Trotz
The hand of fate...
From page 4 accident and jailed for 15 years. In 1951 (exactly 15 years later), while working in the Probation Office, a discharged prisoner visited to collect his (discharged prisoner’s aid) rehabilitation money, and related this incident to us. I was dumbfounded - the ‘Surprising hand of Fate” had struck. I was at the beginning and the end of the unfortunate drama. Since then, I have had other similar experiences, though none so dramatic. Life is like that, but we soldier on. Geralda Dennison
DEAR EDITOR, The month of March is significant for the PPP as it marks the birth and death anniversary of its founder leaders the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his wife Janet Jagan. As is popular knowledge, Dr. Jagan was born on March 22, 1918 and died on March 6,1997 while still holding the highest office of the land, that of Executive President of Guyana. As fate would have it, his wife Janet Jagan also passed away in the month of March. Both of them contributed significantly to the struggle for a free, independent and
democratic Guyana. It is a rare occurrence in Caribbean, indeed world politics, where a husband-wife combination and the party they founded dominated political space for over five decades, both having served as Executive President of Guyana in certified free and fair elections. Regrettably, both of them were unable to complete their full term in office. Dr. Jagan passed away while still in office and Mrs. Jagan’s presidential term came to an abrupt end due to ill health. It is said that the true greatness of a person is measured by the number of persons who turned up to his
or her funeral. The funeral of Dr. Jagan saw what one writer described as’ a tidal wave of humanity’. People from all walks of life converged at Babu John in their thousands to send him off. As we observe our 50th year of independence, it is important that we reflect on, and celebrate the lives of these two political icons who passed away in the month of March. The lessons of discipline, dedication to cause, integrity, simplicity and high levels of political morality should be emulated by all those who aspire to political office. Hydar Ally
Violations taking place at TSU in the police force DEAR EDITOR, I am very happy of your articles of the policemen that exposed the Guyana Police Force. I must say that there is no other means to expose this organization because the other media house seems afraid. After your article an officer went to the TSU and lectured to the ranks but he never came to the point. It seems like he is drifting in the sea alone. So please permit a space in your news paper for this letter which I will be great full for you to publish. I am also a rank stationed at the Tactical Service Unit, Eve Leary. My transfer came direct from the Commissioner of Police because I questioned one of his
friends over a traffic offence. I was transferred to an office Eve Leary where a senior officer didn’t feel comfortable with my presence there and sent me to TSU. At TSU the place feels like a slave camp. You have to be in the circle or else you will slave away until you the left the work. If you speak out they victimize you. The administration at TSU is the main source of destroying that Department. I hope the new officer in charge of operation take a stern step in the TSU. The salaries of several ranks were stopped for no reason. It violates the standing order or the law governing the Police Force. There you have certain
ranks getting all the extra duty while others has to work like slaves and the administration demand certain amount of money when one goes on extra duty. Some ranks get extra duty every week or other week, while others get every six month. There was a large amount of extra duty money that disappeared which the administration of TSU received from the Guyana Election Commission that police had to receive. This money was taken out of other ranks’ pay to replace it back. So if a rank worked twenty days they received five days money. Thank you for your kind cooperation Frustrated Police (name and rank supplied)
Page 6
Kaieteur News
Monday March 07, 2016
Return of accountability and transparency…
Engineers will soon face stiff penalties for slapdash work The new administration will be seeking to create a culture of accountability and transparency when it comes to Guyana’s engineers. According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, proposals have already been accepted from various stakeholders regarding the improvement of the old legislation governing the work of engineers. He said that it is about time that engineers are held accountable for the work they are doing and face stiff penalties for slapdash work. The Minister said that the shoddy work which was once accepted in the past by engineers will not be encouraged under his watch. Patterson said that he has received submissions from the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) and emphasized that he is determined to return a sense of transparency to the field. GAPE President Joel Trotman said that the organization has been at the forefront of the call to have
- Patterson
Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson the revised Guyana Engineers Act of 1999 see smooth passage in the National Assembly, but to his dismay, the organization’s call has fallen on deaf ears for several years. “We have been pushing for some time to get a Bill passed in Parliament. The push for this Bill is hinged primarily on the fact that it is of absolute importance to the engineering profession. The legislation is critical, as it would help to settle the never-
ending argument as to who really qualifies to be an engineer in Guyana. We have no statute that sets out properly, the standards required by these professionals.” The GAPE President asserted that the Act is also needed to regulate the behaviour and services carried out by the engineers. In so doing, it would help to clearly identify persons who are involved in malpractice and the necessary action can be taken. Trotman stressed that the need for the Act and the purpose it would serve as something that is “being kept on the back burner for too long.” But considering the aforementioned, Trotman also highlighted another important dimension of the equation. “The coming into being of the Caricom Single Market and Economy has lead to the harmonization of professionals across the Caribbean states. And of course, if we have our professional engineers going to Trinidad or Barbados, then they will have to fit the standards set out by the statutes in those territories. And Guyana must appreciate that in such a situation, reciprocity of standards must exist. I say all of this to simply explain that Guyana will be exchanging with the Region, a number of our professionals, and when these people come to our
country, we need to have a proper legislation that sets out a standard for them to use as their torchlight during their practice. The Act in this sense can also serve as paramount in the evaluation process of these people. We need to have an Act that can set the proper protocol and standards. Without an Act, we will only leave the profession exposed to intolerable levels of malpractice and misconduct… and that already exists.” Trotman added, “Taking these salient points into consideration, the GAPE has met constantly to discuss these issues and how it has a bearing on not only the country, but also our relationship with our regional neighbours.” Trotman, a certified Land Surveyor, expressed that those who may be clinging to the misguided perception that, “Oh, we have an Engineering Association so we don’t need anything else,” may certainly have to reevaluate their logic. “Yes, we have an association and so forth, but because it is a small body, and without the Act, it creates openings for there to be a shifting of the goal post. It is also for this reason other members and I have been lobbying for the Bill which has been revised since 1999. Once we have the Act, professionals will know that there is a statute to obey.” He added that when one also takes into account the proliferation of engineers coming into the country and
GAPE President, Joel Trotman the influx of investors it brings with it, it becomes more critical for there to be proper legislation. “It’s not the quality of engineers that I am hitting. People do what they have to, I am sure with the best of intentions, but there is a most serious need to get oversight laws to govern the practice of engineers and architects. Government has been saying for some time that they will deal with it and they haven’t.” He added, “We have an influx of investors and if you don’t set standards then you will see yourself getting all sorts of things, and that has already started. For expediency, government doesn’t like to deal with regulations. It’s too much work to verify that certain systems have to be in place. But if a foreign company comes to Guyana, or if a lawyer comes to Guyana, in order to practice or get started, they would have to satisfy certain regulations and provide their credentials, and we have seen this happen on several occasions. So I ask, what are we really trying to tell professional engineers in and out of Guyana, if we continue along this path? I don’t intend to come over as though I am bashing anyone, for that is not the focus; the focus is the
longer we delay, the more complications we will have coming our way.” With that in mind, Trotman and other engineers are urging members of the political opposition and the government to take a handson approach towards getting the problem fixed once and for all. “It would only be in the best interest of the country,” Trotman asserted. When he served in the political opposition shadowing the area of infrastructure, Joseph Harmon, who is now the Minister of State had vowed to look into the matter and have it brought before the Tenth Parliament but this has not yet occurred. Harmon in an invited comment had expressed that the piece of legislation is of paramount importance, especially when one takes into account the amount of engineers and investors that are coming into the country. “With this phenomenon taking place it becomes even more important to have the legislation in place. This will most certainly allow for there to be a code of ethics which will regulate the manner in which our engineers operate and even the ones coming to work in our country.” The Member of Parliament lamented that he has publicly spoken on the fact that “some engineers” appear to be doing jobs in Guyana of which they are not that knowledgeable. “I have even called for there to be a national engineer’s discourse during my speech in 2012 when the budget was being debated. The dialogue was geared towards getting the engineers on board and having them talk about issues affecting the improvement of the profession in Guyana. We need to have this sort of discourse.”
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 7
Turkish police fire rubber bullets to break up Women’s Day rally Violence committed by domestic partners is 10 times more likely in Turkey, which aspires to join the European Union, than in other European countries, according to the U.N. Hundreds of women filled the square in the Kadikoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul chanting slogans and carrying purple banners, the hallmark of a movement centred on women’s social and economic issues. Plainclothes police began shoving members of the group, and many women fled the square when riot police fired rubber bullets into the crowd. “We have always said that we would never leave the
Turkish riot police use rubber pellets to disperse demonstrators during a protest ahead of the International Women’s Day, in Istanbul, Turkey yesterday. REUTERS/ Osman Orsal Reuters - Turkish police yesterday briefly detained at least one woman and fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of hundreds of people trying to mark International Women’s Day in central Istanbul.
The group, which gathered two days before official Women’s Day commemorations on March 8 in order to draw more supporters yesterday, had ignored a ban on the march by the Istanbul governor who
scrapped this year’s rally, citing security concerns. They were seeking to draw attention to women’s issues in Turkey, which ranks 77th out of 138 countries on a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) index of
gender equality. The government frequently faces criticism for its handling of women’s issues, including the failure to stem high rates of violence and low female participation in the workforce.
streets for the March 8 demonstration, and we never will. Neither the police nor the government can stop us,” protestor Guris Ozen told Reuters before the crackdown. “You see the power of women. We are here despite every obstacle and we will continue to fight for our cause.” Skirmishes also broke out during demonstrations in the capital Ankara, where dozens of women took to the streets. Turkey has sharply limited the right to peaceful assembly in recent years, giving police wider powers to detain protesters and the courts more power to prosecute them.
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Monday March 07, 2016
Former U.S. first lady Now benefit from new treatment Nancy Reagan dies at 94 Caribbean patients with brain tumors and lesions…
DELRAYBEACH, USA— Delray Medical Center has introduced the addition of an image-guided laser technology that may help treat the thousands of patients diagnosed with brain tumors and lesions each year in the Caribbean. The system uses real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately guide a laser probe that applies heat to the growth, in controlled amounts, until the diseased tissue is destroyed. It can be used on tumors and lesions in many locations in the brain, near the surface or deep inside. The laser therapy can be precisely controlled to kill
abnormal tissue while doing as little harm as possible to surrounding healthy tissue. It can also be used with patients who have lesions in areas of the brain that are difficult to access through traditional open surgery without harming essential functions like speech, vision and muscle control. Hundreds of patients have undergone the procedure, and it has been shown to be successful in reducing or removing diseased tissue. “The NeuroBlate technology is unique because it allows us to not only precisely control where the treatment is delivered, but also visualize the actual effect
on the tissue in real time,” said Dr Lloyd Zucker, neurosurgery director at Delray Medical Center. “This is a game changer in the community for those dealing with brain cancer and other neurological disorders.” Rather than making a large opening in the skull, the laser technology requires just a small hole, about the diameter of a pencil. The procedure is considered minimally invasive surgery, a type of procedure that generally involves less pain, discomfort and scarring than traditional surgery and allows patients to go home and resume normal activity sooner. “We are looking forward to utilizing this innovative treatment option at Delray Medical Center,” said Mark Bryan, CEO. “It is always our goal to incorporate new technologies and techniques that will make surgery safer and less invasive for our patients.” The NeuroBlate System was cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration in April 2013 and is in use at more than 20 of the nation’s leading healthcare institutions. (Caribbean News)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nancy Reagan, the helpmate, backstage adviser and fierce protector of Ronald Reagan in his journey from actor to president — and finally during his 10year battle with Alzheimer’s disease — has died. She was 94. The former first lady died yesterday at her home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles of congestive heart failure, assistant Allison Borio told The Associated Press. Her best-known project as first lady was the “Just Say No” campaign to help kids and teens stay off drugs. When she swept into the White House in 1981, the former Hollywood actress partial to designer gowns and pricey china was widely dismissed as a pre-feminist throwback, concerned only with fashion, decorating and entertaining. By the time she moved out eight years later, Mrs. Reagan was fending off accusations that she was a behind-the-scenes
Nancy Reagan “dragon lady” wielding unchecked power over the Reagan administration — and doing it based on astrology to boot. All along she maintained that her only mission was to back her “Ronnie” and strengthen his presidency. Mrs. Reagan carried that charge through the rest of her days. She served as a full-time caretaker as Alzheimer’s melted away her husband’s memory.
After his death in June 2004 she dedicated herself t o t e n d i n g h i s l e g a c y, especially at his presidential library in California, where he had served as governor. She also championed A l z h e i m e r ’s p a t i e n t s , raising millions of dollars for research and breaking with fellow conservative Republicans to advocate for stem cell studies. Her dignity and perseverance in these post-White House roles helped smooth over the public’s fickle perceptions of the former first lady. The Reagans’ mutual devotion over 52 years of marriage was legendary. They were forever holding hands. She watched his political speeches with a look of such steady adoration it was dubbed “the gaze.” He called her “Mommy,” and penned a lifetime of gushing love notes. She saved these letters, published them as a book, and found them a comfort when he could no longer remember her.
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 9
The casino is not the problem! I do not understand all the fuss about casino being established, “next” to a mosque. Since when is this a problem? The proposed casino is not located next to any mosque. It is located one block away from the mosque. There is another casino
located one block away from a mosque. The Princess Hotel has a casino and the Princess Hotel is located on block away from a major mosque. I have never heard anyone protest about this development. So what is all the fuss about? It is not as if the casino is
an open-air event. These are enclosed facilities and entry is supposed to be only permissible to foreign nationals or guests of the hotel. It is not a full-public facility. So why is there such a fuss? Not far away from the mosque, in fact just around
Dem boys seh...
Uncle Sam want see some leaders in jail People does always look fuh somebody to blame whenever something go wrong. Nobody don’t want to accept blame. Dem claim how de jail overcrowded and is dem magistrate to blame. De poor magistrate can’t blame nobody. When a man thief something and he go in front of de magistrate and he get bail, people does quarrel how he should a deh in jail. If a man knock down somebody pun de road and de magistrate give him bail, is another talking. But when de magistrate send dem to remand, people talking how de magistrate
filling up de jail. When dem old people build de jail dem never expect de country fuh get so many criminals. Dem believe that in de end de jail woulda have to shut down because people woulda live decent lives. Dem didn’t know that Guyana woulda get leaders who woulda actually set example for people to thief. Now we got people who want fewer people in jail and we get vex when Soulja Bai pardon some people. But Soulja Bai got to lock up some other people who still walking round de place wid money that dem
didn’t wuk for. He getting all this audit and nobody don’t know wha de audit show. One of he Ministers promise to release all de audit. De man from Uncle Sam seh that Soulja Bai got to hurry because he can’t keep de audit reports a secret. De man from Uncle Sam already seh that he can find all de money wha dem leaders thief and hide overseas. Wha he didn’t seh is that Soulja Bai got to put dem in de same jail wheh all dem prisoners get bun up. And Cobra deh waiting fuh dem. Talk half and watch how things gun develop.
the corner is a joint in which striptease takes place on weekends. This is known to the residents in the area. But I have not heard anyone protest about the striptease joint located just one block around the corner from the mosque. But there is a big hue and cry about a proposed casino. One explanation for opposing the casino is that the area is a residential area and therefore it should not be there. If the area is a residential area, no hotel, period, no commercial business, period, should be located there. In fact, under strict zoning laws – which Guyana does not have – a mosque is not supposed to be in a residential area. So for consistency, let there be a survey and let all those businesses that are not supposed to be in a residential area be given notice and asked to cease their operations.
Zoning has gone through the window a long time ago. Pubs and bars are being set up in residential areas. Permission has been granted for these pubs and bars. The permission is oblivious to the effects that pubs and bars are having in the community. Just ask the folks of Station Street what they think about the number of rum shops in their community. There is a major night club located opposite a church. There are bars established near to churches. The concept of ‘residential areas’ is now obsolete. Businesses are propping up in communities which usually describe themselves as ‘residential.’ In government housing schemes, the contract between the house lot owner and the Ministry of Housing specifies that the lots cannot be used for commercial purposes. Just go into any government housing scheme
and see how many shops and businesses are established on government house lots. South Ruimveldt and North Ruimveldt used to be strictly residential areas. Just go now and see how many businesses are being established within those communities. To bring order to this disorder in Guyana will require measures that go beyond limiting the establishment of a casino near to a mosque. It will require designating commercial zones, entertainment zones, zones for government offices, zones for religious institutions and zones for hospitals. The casino is not the problem. The problem is the lack of proper urban planning. Do you really believe that people want proper zoning in Guyana?
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Ramotar slams delay in releasing - says Govt. has forensic audit findings compromised transparency Former President Donald Ramotar is not only lashing out at the Government for moving too slowly with the release of the forensic audit reports, but is also accusing it of compromising the transparency of the process. His comments come in wake of the sacking of the Managing Director of the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), Badrie Persaud a week ago. The former President said that he finds this entire process to be highly unethical. He said that it also cements the opposition’s fears that Government is involved in a witch-hunting exercise and called on it to make public the report of the findings of a forensic audit. Ramotar referred to a recent statement in which the Guyoil Board of Directors made it clear that it has no confidence in the official’s ability to execute his duties “honestly, objectively and efficiently”. According to the Guyoil statement, the Board along with Nigel Hinds and Associates Financial Services, reviewed documents and verified the findings of a forensic audit conducted by the firm for the period November 1, 2011 to May 31, 2015. The forensic audit was ordered by the David Granger administration shortly after it took office in May last year. Guyoil’s Board said that Persaud, as Managing Director, took unauthorized decisions during the period. The audit report was recently handed over to the Ministry of Finance and it will have to be studied by Cabinet. Ramotar contended that if Government found the report solid enough to take certain decisions, then it should make the said report public for scrutiny. The former head of state said, “The public is being kept in the dark about what really happened that caused the Board and the Forensic Auditor to have no confidence in the official. That should not be. If the report is good enough for them to take such a serious position then is it not good enough for the people to know why the official was sacked? This smacks in the face of transparency and does not look good for this Government. They have polluted the process with this dictatorial behaviour and treating with allegations of corruption on a need to know basis.” The Executive member of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) also
University Professor, David Hinds
Former President, Donald Ramotar
bemoaned the sloth of the Government in releasing the reports. He recalled numerous reports in the media which indicate that there are more than four of the 50 forensic audits completed. “Government must start releasing these findings of the forensic audits and allow the process to be transparent. At this point, this administration is demonstrating that it is good at one thing and that is, being incompetent,” he said. Ramotar said that the administration needs to keep the public informed every step of the way since the fears and uncertainty regarding the audits are increasing. “ … The longer they take is the more we are inclined to conclude that they are doctoring the reports and/ or they have nothing to show us,” expressed the former President. Also commenting on the said matter was University Professor, Dr. David Hinds. In an interview with this newspaper, he said that when one looks at the fact that only four of the 50 forensic audits launched by the Government have been released, it is understandable that one would get the impression that it is indeed moving slow. He believes that there are however, two important factors to take into consideration. Dr. Hinds said, “First, is the government still treating these forensic audits as priority? I am not too sure. When a government settles into office, its priorities sometimes change in the face of changing circumstances. I think the weight of having to govern with such a slim majority may have engendered a softening of the government’s position.” Hinds said that the truth of the matter is that the audits were commissioned on the belief that there was massive corruption under the previous government. The political activist said
that the second related question then is the extent to which the government thinks it is prudent to release the findings if they would not lead to sanctions. Dr. Hinds posited, “We had some early leaks of the results of audits which were not followed by sanctions. And this frustrated government supporters who were galvanized to vote for the Coalition in part based on the promise to go after
corruption.” The University Professor opined that the government has since adopted a more cautious approach while it figures what it wants to do with the damaging evidence which he is sure, some of the audits have revealed. Dr. Hinds said that if Government makes damaging evidence public and it does not follow through, then its own supporters would be disappointed. In this regard, the University Professor opined that politically, it is best to slow down the progress while the administration decides what to do. He said that the burden falls on the media to push the government to release the audit reports. “But based on the recent silence, I don’t think the government would be releasing them tomorrow. And I think in the end, it may work to their benefit.” Questioned on why he believes that the Government would benefit in such a manner, Dr. Hinds said, “I think the charges of witch-
hunting by the PPP has had the desired effect on its constituency. By slowing down the release, the government may in the end neutralize the witch-hunting charges leveled by the PPP.” Last week, Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma, said that while he understands that the public may be impatient, he is asking them to just wait a little bit longer. Government is expected to release numerous forensic audit reports in a matter of two weeks, he said. He had promised that it will not be a second longer than this deadline. Only four of the 50 forensic audit reports launched by Government have been released. These are the reports on the Marriott Hotel, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Carifesta X 2008 and the acquisition of the water cannon by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Some of the firms contracted to conduct the forensic audits included Nigel Hinds Financial Service, Ram
and Mc Rae and HLB Seebarran and Co. Chartered Accountant Anand Goolsarran along with Harryman Parmesar were also contracted to conduct several forensic audits. Nigel Hinds Financial Service earned some $25M for auditing agencies such as the Guyana Oil Company Limited (Guyoil), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest). Ram and McRae bagged some $20M for auditing the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board and the E-Governance Project among others. It was in May that the Granger-led administration began expending some $133M of taxpayers’ dollars on 45 of the 50 forensic audits to ascertain how the assets of the state were sold, disposed of or transferred under the previous administration. The remaining five audits were sponsored by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Monday March 07, 2016
Elections Petition… Two separate hit-and- run among three weekend fatalities GECOM appeals Chang’s ruling The carnage on the countries roads continued over the weekend with three road fatalities being recorded. Two of the fatalities occurred on the Unity, Mahaica Public road and both cases are being investigated as hit and run. In the first case, Deodat Ram of Helena, Number 2, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, died on Saturday night when he was struck down by a motorcyclist who fled the scene and is still to be identified. According to the police, pedestrian Deodat Ram, 46, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation a few hours after he was found lying on the Unity, Mahaica Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The accident occurred around 23:40 hours. Police suspect that Ram
was struck down by the motorcyclist while he was walking along the unlit roadway. The motorcycle was found abandoned at the scene without the registration number. And last night, the mangled body of an unidentified man was discovered in almost less than half mile from where ram’s was found. Kaieteur News understands that the police received about an accident and a man lying on the roadway. When they went to the scene, they found the man lying motionless with what appeared to be several broken limbs. According to a source, the man appeared to have been run over several times by vehicles. Up to late last night, the police were still
combing the dark roadway for any clues. M e a n w h i l e , investigations are being conducted into another fatal accident that occurred at about 10:00 hours yesterday on the No. 70 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, and which resulted in the death of motorcyclist Jewram Kbublallchand, 45, of No. 75 Village, Corentyne. According to the police, investigations so far have revealed that the driver of a motor lorry attempted to overtake the motorcyclist who was hit by the tray of the lorry. Jewram Khublallchand was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he succumbed while receiving medical treatment. The driver of the motor lorry is in police custody assisting with the investigations.
Region Five official in trouble over house lot sale A Region Five official is in hot water and could face fraud charges over a house lot he attempted to sell in West Berbice last week. The official, an auditor, was held over the weekend by police after complaints were made. According to reports, the auditor owns a piece of land in Bath Settlement, which he had acquired since the mid2000’s. He subsequently received his ownership documents. From all indications he
wanted to sell it and found a buyer- a Barbados-based Guyanese. A deal was reached for $1M. Last Monday, both the auditor and the buyer reached at New Amsterdam and signed up documents at an office there, including a Power of Attorney. The paperwork identified the piece of land as Lot 700. However, the buyer was allegedly taken by the auditor and shown Lot 713. The buyer, being nonethe-wiser believed that all
was above board and paid over the $1M that was being asked for the land. However, problems emerged a few days later when the new “owner” decided to start doing work on the land. He was told by persons that someone else owned the land. The upset man confronted the auditor and reported the matter to the police at New Amsterdam, in Region Six. However on Friday, the (Continued on page 23)
It seems as if this is the season where most rulings handed down by the retired acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang are being appealed. The latest known appellant is Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield. On Thursday last, Lowenfield’s attorney, Roysdale Forde appealed Chang’s February, 19 decision not to strike out the Elections Petition that was filed on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party Civic PPP/ C. The acting Chief Justice had been presiding over the matter which seeks to challenge the validity of the outcome of the 2015 General and Regional Elections, since last June. In the petition, the applicant (Opposition Member of Parliament Ganga Persaud), who was appointed Elections Agent on the List of Candidates for the PPP/C, claimed that the elections were “unlawfully conducted” and that the result of the elections was affected or might have been affected by unlawful acts or omissions. Persaud named the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, and leaders of the eight political parties, which contested the last elections, as respondents in the matter. Lowenfield, through his Attorney, Forde subsequently filed a summons to strike out the petition. Forde had contended that sufficient material facts have not been provided in the petition challenging the recently concluded elections. The Attorney held that the petition is frivolous and vexatious. He requested that it be struck out on the grounds that sections of the petition failed to disclose reasonable cause of action. However, Chang ruled that the summons to strike out the Petition was premature and therefore the Court should proceed in hearing it. Forde told reporters that he viewed the ruling as highly flawed and indicated that he will appeal it. This was done on 14 grounds. Forde said that Chang erred in law when he failed to direct his mind to
GECOM’s CEO, Keith Lowenfield
Retired Acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang
PPP MP, Ganga Persaud
Attorney-at-law Roysdale Forde
the Summons dated the 7th day of August, 2015, which noted that the Elections Petition discloses no reasonable cause of action, is frivolous and vexatious; embarrassing and oppressive and an abuse of the process of the Court. The Attorney also said that Chang failed to see that the Petition is in breach of Section 140 (2) of the Representation of the People’s Act. Another ground was that Chang erred in law when he failed to direct his mind to the Summons and to apply the proper principles applicable to the striking out of the Petition on the grounds. The appeal contends that that Chang erred in law when he misconstrued Section 42 of the National Assembly Validity of Election Act Cap. 1:04 in a restrictive manner. The appeal document also stated “The Learned Judge erred in law when he found that the High Court Act Cap. 3:02 when entertaining and hearing an Election Petition was deprived of the inherent, unlimited and original Jurisdiction to entertain
applications which fell outside the parameters of Article 163 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana.” Another ground contained in the appeal is that “the learned Judge erred in law when he made a finding and determination with respect to Article 163 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana and its relationship with Section 42 of the National Assembly Validity of Election Act Cap. 1:04 without affording the Appellant an opportunity of responding to the said finding.” Forde is also contending that Chang Judge erred in law when he found that the relief sought in the Summons dated the 7th day of August, 2015, was excluded and prohibited. In a Petition filed last year, Persaud a PPP/C Member of Parliament underscored that the elections were not held in conformity with the Constitution of Guyana and the Representation of the Peoples’ Act, Chapter 1:03. As such, the opposition essentially requested a recount of all ballot boxes for the last elections and fresh elections were also called for. The PPP/C had claimed that the entire electoral process was flawed; that it contained many procedural errors and instances of fraudulent and/or suspicious actions. “Unrest, fake Statements of Poll (SOPs) and multiple voting were among several causes cited when the PPP/C filed its elections petition.”
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 21
AMONG THE DISBELIEVERS A car was involved in an accident on a city street close to the offices of the daily newspapers. A large crowd gathered. Realising that it might make a good story, an investigative journalist tried to push through the crowd but could not get near the scene. Being a very clever person, one who ran rings around all politicians, she started shouting loudly, “Let me through! Let me through! I am the victim’s daughter.” The crowd made way for her. Lying in front of the car was a donkey. This did not happen but in a way it is symbolic of the decreasing credibility of journalism and the declining image of journalists, not just in the Caribbean but in the US and Britain as well. One of the issues is perceived bias. In the US, 72% of the people polled on whether the media are impartial agreed that “Most news sources today are biased in their coverage.” In Britain, 16% of Britons trust politicians to tell the truth compared with 22% trusting journalists and estate agents and 31% who trust bankers. Doctors remain the most trusted profession of all. An American Gallup poll
found that Americans’ confidence in the media has slowly eroded from a high of 55% in 1998 to 40% in 2015. Harvard University’s Institute of Politics found that among adults aged 18-29 just 12 percent believe the media “do the right thing.” Eighty-eight (88) percent said they “sometimes” or “never” trust the media and just 2 percent of 18-29 year olds said they trust the media to do the right thing “all of the time.” 39 percent said the media “never” do the right thing. Put it this way, when it comes to media credibility, not just the writing but the right thing is on the wall and falling. There was a time when only the intellectual and political elites distrusted the media. Oscar Wilde said, “By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.” American journalist, Hunter Thompson (Gonzo Journalism), was more brutal, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a damned shame that a field as potentially dynamic and vital as journalism should be overrun with dullards, bums, and hacks, hag-ridden with myopia, apathy, and
complacence, and generally stuck in a bog of stagnant mediocrity.” Ronald Raegan simply said, “Sons of bitches.” Is this why media credibility is plummeting? One of the reasons is the prevalence of double standards within the media. With the Presidential hopefuls in the US engaged in debates and primaries, now is a good time to look at a classic example, Gary Hart. On May 8, 1987 Gary Hart, the Democratic front runner in the Presidential nomination, dropped out because a stake-out team from the Miami Herald reported on May 3 that they had seen Hart and a Miami model, Dona Rice, enter his Washington town-house together and nobody left during the night. Hart claimed Miss Rice had left through a back door but the constant pressure made him shut down his campaign and he was unable to kick-start it again. Hart commented, “We’re all going to have to seriously question the system for selecting our national leaders, for it reduces the press of this nation to hunters and presidential candidates to being hunted.”
In the final press conference before he dropped out, Hart was asked by Washington Post journalist Paul Taylor whether he believed adultery to be immoral. Hart said he did. When asked if he, Hart, had ever committed adultery he stammered for a moment and then insisted, “I don’t have to answer that.” However, a few weeks later, People magazine turned the tables by asking the same questions of several journalists. According to IF NO NEWS, SEND RUMORS (Stephen Bates), People went to Taylor first. He said he did consider adultery immoral but his reply to whether he had ever committed adultery was, “The answer to the second question is ‘None of your business’ which is the answer to that question except in the most extraordinary circumstances.” Mike Wallace of 6o Minutes said, “Oh, Jesus, I’ll get back to you” and later responded, “I just turned 69, and I’m very flattered by the question.” Ted Koppel of ABC’s Nightline answered, “Not only will I not answer that question, I won’t even tell you how I vote.” Hot-shot
Young woman with facial deformity feels... (From page 15) manager Lita Gayadin. However Singh refuted these claims while speaking to this newspaper. Singh also made it clear that the foundation went “out of the way” to fund Naryan’s operation. The President said that Naryan’s family has been completely dishonest with the foundation. In explaining this, she pointed out that they were not truthful with their declarations. Singh stated that the family has never seen it fit to extend an apology to the organization for the false declarations. According to Singh,
Naryan’s mother lied and portrayed herself to be a very poor woman, when she was not. Singh pointed out that the woman was able to raise all monies to fund her trip to India. But Naryan has maintained that her family could not have funded her surgeries and sought assistance from the organization. Her mother explained, “I had a little money yes… but I didn’t had enough. If I make money for myself I am questioning why did they take my daughter to India, put her to see the doctor only to be told two days before the operation that the board had not pass
Local Indigenous people... (From page 20) preliminary discussions with the government through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA) will start in meetings. The villagers are hopeful that a good faith process can be agreed for limitation, delineation and titling of all of their territory in line with indigenous peoples’ rights and international standards. The villagers are also asking that the Norwegian-funded Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project adopt participatory and rights-based approaches to advance land titling to the full satisfaction of the communities and in compliance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The celebration ended with participants expressing their camaraderie with the Akawaio and Arekuna peoples of the Upper Mazaruni in their long land struggle. They likewise communicated support for all indigenous peoples in Guyana seeking to secure land rights, including the Villages of Nappi and Parashara, whose traditional lands are threatened by land grabbing in the Central Rupununi.
the cash.” “My daughter getting more and more sick, that’s why I decided to make contact with Kaieteur News. I can’t really understand what these people are doing… If they knew that I was making money why did they take Shivanie to India? Why didn’t they tell me that from Guyana? And I would not have had to spend that $1.4M for accommodation and airfare.” The family too is refuting claims of dishonesty being made by the organization and told this publication that they would have been ashamed to make their situation public if that was the case. Despite the accusations, the organization is still looking to increase the amount of support being offered to
Guyanese children. Just last month, Singh along with Gayadin met with Minster of Public Health, George Norton to discuss ways in which the organization can collaborate with the Ministry. Approximately 150 children with medical conditions such as brain tumors and congenital heart conditions have been assisted by the organization. The Three Rivers Foundation will be sending four Guyanese children to India next month for much needed heart surgery. In the meantime, Tulshi is requesting assistance from the public with funding her daughter’s remaining surgeries. Persons desirous of making contribution can contact her on (592) 266-3191 or 6669972.
journalist, Connie Chung, quipped, “If this is a shoe on the other foot question, I think I have a run in my stocking.” Everybody ducked the question. Nobody gave a straight answer but expected other people to. I wonder how many journalists in our regional media houses will give a straight answer to the second question. In 1974, I graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa and returned to Trinidad believing that I would get into the news business and make a difference. I could not get a job. The newspaper editors told me that I was “overqualified” meaning that they could get someone with maybe English and Shorthand and since this is how they started, investing in a journalism graduate was neither profitable nor comfortable. Recently, in stories concerning me, one journalist wrote that she had tried to contact me several times. It was a lie. There was one call from the newspaper’s
switchboard and no message. Other journalists wrote about my role in a project but never spoke to me or got my side of the story. I know that we are 42 years beyond 1974 but there are some things that should still matter – balance, fairness, all sides of the story, and most of all, truth. But if you complain, according to Donald Jones of the Kansas City Star and Times, this is what happens. “You get a quart of sour milk at your local grocery store…take it back to the checkout counter and say the milk is sour and the guy will say to you either “Get a new quart” or “Here’s your money back.” The equivalent of taking a quart of sour milk back to a newspaper is you’re lucky if they don’t pour it on your head…” *Tony Deyal was last seen advising all new Government leaders in Jamaica and elsewhere that if you revealed your best moments and innermost thoughts to journalists, don’t be surprised when they are interested in your worst misfortunes and darkest deeds.
Page 22
Kaieteur News
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
1 Security Guard at Eccles Industrial Site, with a valid police clearance. Call: 2332473
Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must be educated Visa Application: U.S.A, and know to cook. Between Canada & UK; Guyana 25-35 years. Call: 1868-683 passport application. Graphics 1528 design, advertisement. Tel: 1 Domestic worker & 1 626-7040; 265-4535. domestic cook to work in Building Construction: Cummings Lodge, E.C.Dhouse plans & estimates, Call: 621-8478- between 9am floor sanding, lacquering & to 4pm painting, boat for Santa Female worker wanted sound Mission –Call: 650-4362 secondary education, Repairs & spare, fridge, computer literate-Tel: 622freezer, A/C, washers, 5518 stoves – Contact Nick: 683- Live in waitresses to work in 1312, 627-3206 Bar – Call: 604-6606; 692-4649 Repairs at affordable prices: Large quantity of selected fridge, air conditioner, 18months old coconut plants washing machines, dryers, to buy between 2-3ft tall. Call: TV, microwaves & freezer- 231-1408; 642-9191 Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Experienced dispatcher & Are you Building or hire car driver @ Princess renovating? For quality Hotel Providence – Tel: 616construction services from 5419; 265-7075 foundation to fine finished. Call Carlos: 592-682-9935; 2 Salesgirls, 2 porters 592-223-2695 $18,000 weekly. Call: 223-9677 INNOVATIVE MARKETING Taxi Drivers; in Georgetown & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: – Call: 664-0802 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business Experienced staff for wash cards, posters, etc, way- Call: 646-8748 placements of ads included. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area- Call: 614-4358 One live in housekeeper-Call: 223-0654
TAXI SERVICES G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Experienced cook, apply in person @ Millenium Maner Hotel with application, 43 Hadfield St., Werk-en-Rust between Camp & John Sts. Experienced pastry maker, cake decorator, counter servers, cashier, roti/puri cooks, apply at Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St.
Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Vreed-en-Hope Junction: Lessons place, office, storage bond, church -$20,000$25,000-Call: 603-6400 Canteen and washbay @ 15 Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo. Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033 Apartment for rent @ 186 Waterloo Street. Call Shawn: 652-9062
VACANCY Elite Pharmacy: Experienced pharmacist & assistant, salesperson with knowledge of selling OTC drugs. Call: 663-0376; 231-2122 Experienced full time/part time pharmacist, pharmacy assistants & general staff @ Pharma Choice, Durban & Louisa Road. Call: 661-3124 Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 One sales representative. Call: 225-8205 Landscape maintenance vacancy: hardworking, pleasant, team player 17-28 years. Contact: 219-0468/ 621-2453 Atleast 3yrs experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard St. Manager / Accountant. Requirements: Atleast (1) year experience in similar position, Peachtree knowledge would be an asset. info@xen1net.net. (592)613-7852
Lower 2 bedrooms apartment, with water, electricity @ Paradise Public Road, E.C.D, security deposit -$40,000 monthly. Call: 6259939 2 Flats; 6000Sq.Ft of prime space, @ 14 Longden & Croal Street, formerly Salt & Pepper –Call: 663-0376 House for rent, top flat 3 bedrooms, bottom flat, 3 bedrooms @ First Bridge Diamond. Call: 664-1030; 6135212 Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment in Festival City, asking -$80,000 negotiable. Call: 619-2141; 616-7366 Three storey 75X28feet concrete building, open floor, two offices, two washrooms @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654 One two bedrooms apartment in Cane View Ave. South. Call: 672-8055 Apartments for rent in Nandy Park, recently r e n o v a t e d , f r e e Wi - F i . $70,000. Call: 641-3318
Monday March 07, 2016
FOR SALE One two tons forklift, one blocks machine, one Leyland truck (scrap). Call: 617-9230; 269-1406 Toyota Rear Differential 39.8 and 14.5 fiberglass boat with trailer and 35HP motor. Call: 678-9536 1 Mercedes Benz – C200- Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033 Business for sale – Copy & sign shop, serious call only: 695-2199 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 175 DAF dump truck #GNN 5366- Call: 664-1030; 613-5212 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 6722566; 265-3231 LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One Nissan 2002 bus – GRR. Call: 642-1141 Marathon Moto, single phase, 7½ HP & transformer. Call: 233-2725 1 Steel hull cargo boat 50’X13’X6’ engine- 671-GM. Call: 691-5104 One full size double bunk bed for sale- Call: 623-5533price negotiable Large land at long Creek Linden Highway- Call: 2590275; 259-0505 or 678-5113 Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135
VEHICLE FOR SALE First Class Auto: Rush, IST, Runx, Sienta, Bluebird, 06 Premio, 06 Allion, Fielder, Spacio, Noah. Call: 627-8383; 638-3045 Toyota Raum, AT192, Fun Cargo, RAV 4, Tundra, LTouring Wagon, IST, 4X4 pick up sold DEF, (Ducati 1098cc) - Call: 644-5096; 6971453 212 Carina, Toyota Ipsum, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Vigo – fully loaded. Call: 6097766/ 225-8427 Manual & Automatic super GL pit-bull, VVTI and 1 RZ super GL, extra cab Hilux. Call: 616-7635 One model M Bush Truck with winch, excellent condition-Call: 261-5514; 698-3662; 698-3014 Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage -$2.3M. Call: 6553400 One Toyota fun cargo, mini van AC, CD, 17" mags, flair kit, never work hire, in excellent condition -$1.2M. Call: 618-1047 Carsmart Auto Sale: Fielder-$2,095,000, Ist$2,095,000, Audi A4$3,795,000, BMW 318i$2,695,000-Call:6500402\654-5504 Carsmart Auto Sale: Premio(08)-$2,895,000, Clight Premio (05)-$2,450,000, Spacio-$2,095,000-Call:6500402\654-5504 Carsmart Auto Sale: CAT 928F Loader-$7.3M, Hyster forklift 6000LB with 4 cyl Perkins-$1.5, Diesel welder with 4 cly Perkins-$895,000- Call: 650-0402\654-5504
Accounts Clerk: apply in person with a handwritten application @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Painters: apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Porters apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Experienced Bartender to work at 704 contact # 2235274
TOURS SURINAME EASTER WEEKEND TOUR TRIP: SHOPPING, FUN, TOURS & SIGHTSEEING DOLPHINS MARCH 23RD -28TH, 2016. CALL: 692-7270; 6655171; 639-2663; 223-0056
Easter 2016 Offer: Register now – 9 Courses, office 2016, windows 8/10 @ Micrograhics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Tours to Suriname Mar 24-28, 2016 -$34,000, Aruba – July 22nd-25th -$120,000, Airfare & accommodation) excluding food & transportation. Call: 660-0312
Easter 2016 Offer: Computerize Accounting, 4 courses, QuickBooks, Peachtree, POS, Excel 2016 $35,000 @ Micrographics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 264-3057
1 -Two storey concrete building @ Eccles Exora Avenue: 4 bedrooms, 1 master room, 50X30feet $60M. negotiable – Call: 6724190
EDUCATIONAL
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Eternity cars rental. Call: 6155315; 231-7374
TO LET Sisher Real Estate- Tel: 2314681; 652-6565; 670-7171: One 2 bedrooms apartment to let @ 23 B Lyng Street Charlestown.
Vacant land for sale in Eccles, East Bank Demerara 70’X100’- Call: 623-6136
One 2 bedroom apartment $45,000 monthly. Contact Petboy @ Howes Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, between 10:00am-4:00pm
100X100 residential house lot @ Kuru Kururu – first hill from Soesdyke Junction. Call: 680-6136
2 Bedrooms apartment to let, also air-conditions for sale. Call: 688-2430
Land 95X65 in high income gated community -$9.3M negotiable. Call: 609-0783
Apartments in Eccles. Call: 225-3234 Three bedrooms concrete bottom flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens -$80,000. Call: 218-1949
LAND FOR SALE
One 50ftX80ft fenced land at Mon Repos E.C.D (Martyrsville) price-$3.5M negotiable. Call: 220-0538; 645-2395; 629-5300 Continued on page 23
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Judge halts murder trial following complaints by victim’s mother and main prosecution witness
The husband and wife with their three children in happier times. The trial of murder accused Prabhudyal Tarachand, called ’Ramesh’ 34, of High Reef, Albion, Corentyne came to a screeching halt in the Berbice High Court. This was following complaints made by the prosecution that a number of jurors sitting in the trial are
known to the accused. The man who is accused of strangling his wife Geeta Devi ‘Diane’ Bhisundial, 28, at their home on Sunday June 2nd 2013 was being tried before Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed jury. After noticing the composition of the jury panel on Tuesday, the victim’s
Region Five official in... (From page 12) auditor reportedly took police from Blairmont, a community in Region Five, to the buyer’s home alleging that he was threatened. The police took both parties to the Blairmont Police Station to sort things out. There surprised by the turn events had taken, the buyer informed the investigators that he had previously made a report against the auditor at New Amsterdam and nothing was done. The investigators then contacted their counterparts at the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam and indeed found that it was true that they had a report against the auditor. Police then arrested the auditor and placed him on $100,000 station bail on Saturday. He could find himself in court sometime this week. In the meantime, he has reportedly offered to give the buyer a Canter truck as a settlement in the matter. He reportedly told the buyer that he used the money to pay a loan. The auditor has until today to reach a settlement with the buyer.
Pres. Granger seeks long... (From page 18) with a thorough brief by Officer in Charge (OC), Mr. Alexander Hopkinson on the inner workings of the facility as well as the administrative and other challenges that are being faced on a daily basis. The prison officers and other administrative staff were also given the opportunity to air their concerns with the President and the Ministers. President Granger assured the staff that the Government will try its utmost to ensure that their issues, particularly those that relate to their personal welfare and that of their families, are addressed in line with what obtains within the other services, which fall under the remit of the Ministry of Public Security. At present, the prison houses a total of 289 inmates, 24 of whom are high-profile criminals. On the other hand, the required staff complement is 95, but the facility only has 54 on staff currently. The OC explained that they are looking to increase their staff strength in order to increase capacity. However, accommodation and other logistical arrangements have to be addressed before than can happen. (GINA)
mother Khemranie Bhisundial along with the Prosecution star witness Browan Luke called Brian complained to Prosecutor Natasha Backer who in turn informed Justice Holder on Thursday. Following the complaint, Justice Holder conducted an immediate inquiry involving the Prosecuting attorney, defence attorneys Murselene Bacchus and Perry Gossai, Ms Bhisundial and Mr. Luke and some of the jurors. The inquiry, which was held in camera, confirmed certain revelations, following which the matter was aborted. It was revealed that five of the jurors live in the same Albion, High Reef area, while a number of the jurors also worked with the accused at the Albion Estate. The court was also told that some jurors were discussing the matter before hand and trying to influence others. According to Ms Bhisundial, she was very disappointed that the matter could not have been
completed since she wants justice for her daughter. However, she was happy that the matter was aborted because the jurors were not truthful in their declaration and she had her suspicions since word was going around the area that the man would have been freed. She also heard that some of the jurors were trying to influence others. This she said was confirmed in front of the judge during the inquiry. Following the inquiry, Justice Holder told those gathered that as a result of what was revealed, he was of the impression that there could not have been an impartial verdict. Earlier, prosecutor Natasha Backer in her opening address told the court that the couple had lived together for eight years before the incident and the union manifested three children. On the day in question the couple got into a misunderstanding following
a third party relationship, (triangular love affair). During the misunderstanding, Tarchand killed Bhisundial and attempted to take his own life but because of medical intervention he was saved. The woman’s lifeless body was discovered on a bed. Tarachand was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, before being taken to the Albion Police Station. He was subsequently taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital when he remained overnight. Before the matter came to a halt the Prosecution had called a number of witnesses including the parents of the deceased. The woman’s sister Shakuntala Seecharran was also called to the witness stand and gave a detailed review to the court of events before, during and after the incident. Also taking the witness stand was Detective Constables Emanuel Rajnauth and police officer Barlow.
Minister Ally emphasises the importance of social cohesion to nation building Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally, t o d a y, e m p h a s i s e d t h e importance of social c o h e s i o n t o G u y a n a ’s development, in her message to the devotees at the Shri Samayapuran Mariamma Mandir, Ogle, Greater Georgetown.She also spoke of the importance of unity for nation building and asserted that efforts must be made by all citizens to e n s u r e t h a t G u y a n a ’s motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” is realised. Addressing the small gathering at the mandir, Minister Ally said that President David Granger has mandated that the Ministry capitalises on every opportunity to erase the barriers of inequality, racial and other forms of discrimination and segregation and to undertake and promote endeavours that would foster a more cohesive and cooperative society. As such, the Minister has invited religious organisations and other groups to partner with her Ministry to devise strategies to promote nationhood. Two weeks ago Minister Ally held the first such meeting with members of the Muslim community. Minister Ally commended the organisers at the Ogle mandir for responding to this national call, noting that these
efforts will only be successful when groups and organisations take responsibility for facilitating and promoting such engagements. “As a Government we are talking about social cohesion and the need for it, but we believe when the religious institutions, the churches, the mosques, the temples, the groups, the communities and all the other organisations do… what you are doing, it will make the task of the Administration less arduous,” Minister Ally added, “It will provide an opportunity [for] people to know what social cohesion is, the advantages of having a socially cohesive society and how we each can contribute to making our society a socially cohesive one.” The Minister pointed out that social cohesion is about bringing people together, celebrating differences and working together to achieve set goals for the development of Guyana and as such, each Guyanese must play his or her part in nation-building. She called on Guyanese to work to eradicate barriers, respect differences and find common ground. “That is why we have the ‘Three Bs’ [plus Breakfast and Books] Programme, to ensure that children attend school and get a good education so
that they can have a level playing field for opportunities in nation building. People must have a sense of belonging; people must respect each other and be allowed to participate in their society. They must be included in the processes of development and decision making; they must have equal access to facilities, social services, education, healthcare and job opportunities,” Minister Ally reiterated. In his brief remarks, Pandit Deodatt Tillack pledged that his mandir will partner with the Government on initiatives that will benefit the citizens and the entire country. “We want to commend the efforts of the Government for this initiative. We should all work for the good of the country. As we dedicate ourselves to our religion, we also have the right to work towards the good of the country too. We worked selflessly under the former Administration and we intend to work selflessly under this Government too,” he said. Meanwhile, Pastor Ronald McGarrell of the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO), who was among attendees at the mandir, praised the Government’s initiative and encouraged all Guyanese to support it. He too pointed out that Guyana’s potential can only be realised when there is national unity. (GINA)
From page 22
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transport property located @ Rosignol W.B.B: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Call: 679-3496; 6026333; 330-2576; 699-4689 (motivated settler) House & land located @ 2nd Avenue; Section ‘A’ Block Diamond, Housing Scheme. Price negotiable. Call: 6749266; 622-1458 Newly built 3 bedrooms flat concrete property 22ftX48ft, land 50X90ft @ Vision Garden Versailles, W.B.D -$11M. Call: 616-0111 House for sale with 3 bedrooms upper & bottom flat, @ Lot 153 Green Acres, Stadium Road- Call: 681-7366 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 2276817; 624-7341 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Property @ 650 Section ‘A’ Block Great Diamond East Bank Demerara. Call: 2254792; 609-1114 Property @ prime location - 18 Acres, suitable for h o u s e lots/farming @ Independence St. W.B.D, any reasonable offer accepted. Call: 675-0506; 663-0753 Furnished 6 bedrooms house with attic, 4 self contained bedrooms located @ Anna Catherina, New Housing Scheme. Call: 611-5354; 6154728 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 25
China says nearly 300,000 With two wins, Cruz stakes claim as Trump’s main Republican rival punished for corruption in 2015 Reuters - Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz solidified his claim to be front-runner Donald Trump’s prime challenger by splitting four nominating contests with the real estate mogul, and both turned their attention to a crucial showdown in Michigan tomorrow. The wins for Trump and Cruz on Saturday were a setback for the Republican Party’s most powerful members, who have largely opposed Trump and hinted that they prefer Marco Rubio, a U.S. senator who was shut out in the four contests. “I think it’s time that he dropped out of the race,” Trump said of Rubio afterward. “I want Ted one on one.” The Republican campaign now moved to Puerto Rico yesterday and contests tomorrow in Michigan, Mississippi, Idaho and Hawaii, where Trump will be looking to expand his lead in the battle to pick nominees for the Nov. 8 presidential election to succeed President Barack Obama. On the Democratic side, front-runner Hillary Clinton won on Saturday in Louisiana and rival Bernie Sanders won
BEIJING (AP) — China’s ruling Communist Party said yesterday that it punished nearly 300,000 officials for corruption last year. The party’s official watchdog body said that 200,000 of those were given light punishments and 82,000 handed severe penalties, including demotions within the bureaucracy. The body known as the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection rarely explains its methodology or what evidence it considers, and no other details were given in the brief statement posted on its website. President Xi Jinping has
Donald Trump (left) and rival candidate Senator Ted Cruz in Kansas and Nebraska in results that slightly expanded Clinton’s delegate lead over the U.S. senator from Vermont. Next up for Democrats was a contest in Maine yesterday and a nationally televised debate last night from Flint, Michigan, a majority-black and
impoverished city that has suffered a health crisis caused by a contaminated water supply. In an interview yesterday, Clinton downplayed the legal uncertainty of the ongoing inquiry by federal investigators into her use of a private email server for her work as secretary of state.
Brazil top judges back graft probe despite concern over Lula’s detention SAO PAULO (Reuters) Senior judges in Brazil voiced concern on Saturday over the detention of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, even as they threw their support behind the sweeping corruption investigation that threatens to topple his embattled successor. Lula’s three hours of questioning in police custody on Friday was the highest profile development in the two-year-old probe focused on state oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras). The detention of the 70year-old Lula, Brazil’s first working-class president and a hero to millions of his fellow citizens, shocked his supporters. His 2003-2010 government helped lift an estimated 40 million Brazilians out of poverty. Supporters and opponents of the former union leader clashed outside his home on the outskirts of Sao Paulo after Lula was detained by police early on Friday. Supreme Court Justice Marco Aurélio Mello told CBN Radio on Saturday that “nothing justified the use of force” when police picked up Lula unannounced from his
apartment. Even Justice Gilmar Mendes, who has publicly said there is strong evidence the ruling Workers’ Party used graft proceeds to fund electoral campaigns, called Lula’s interrogation in police custody a “delicate” situation in O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper. The federal judge who ordered Lula to be brought in for questioning, Sergio Moro, said in a statement on Saturday that steps were taken to protect Lula’s image during the operation, and he expressed regret that it sparked violence. Speaking to his supporters at Workers’ Party headquarters in Sao Paulo after being released on Friday, Lula said investigators were
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva “disrespectful of democracy” and that he “deserved respect.” Lula has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing either while in office or since.
Xi Jinping pressed a massive nationwide probe of corruption among
officials of all ranks, including those in the party, government, military and state-run industries. Hundreds of thousands of officials have been interviewed in the campaign, but only a small number have been identified. An independent database lists 1,567 as having been investigated, expelled from the party or sentenced. Among the highest-level targets of the campaign was Zhou Yongkang, the head of a rival power network and former member of the party’s inner sanctum, the Politburo Standing Committee, who was sentenced last year to life in prison for corruption.
Turkish opposition newspaper turns pro-government after state takeover Reuters - A day after Tu r k e y ’s top-selling newspaper Zaman was taken over by the state, it dropped its criticisms of the government yesterday and published flattering stories on President Tayyip Erdogan. The episode is the latest twist in a long-running conflict between Erdogan and U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. Police raided the offices of Zaman, which is affiliated with Gulen, late on Friday after a court approved a request by a prosecutor to appoint a state administrator to the daily. The prosecutor is investigating whether funds have been diverted to Gulen. Yesterday’s front page included a story about Erdogan’s planned reception to mark International Women’s Day and his visit to the site of a bridge being built across Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait. There was no mention
o f p r o t e s t s b y G u l e n ’s supporters on Friday and Saturday when police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse large crowds gathered outside of the newspaper. Rights groups and European officials criticised the seizure, saying it infringed on press freedom in the EU candidate country. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is flying to Brussels for an emergency summit on refugees today, rejected that charge, saying a legal process was under way to investigate illicit financing of a “terrorist” organisation and that there had been no political interference. Erdogan and Davutoglu accuse Gulen of plotting to
Tayyip Erdogan topple their government in 2013 after police suspected of belonging to the religious movement leaked a corruption investigation into Erdogan’s family and ministers.
Page 26
Kaieteur News
Monday March 07, 2016
Defying ICC arrest warrant, Sudan’s Bashir arrives in Indonesia KHARTOUM (Reuters) Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir arrived in Indonesia yesterday, defying an international warrant for his arrest, to attend an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit, the Sudanese state news agency said. The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Bashir in 2009 and 2010, accusing him of masterminding genocide and other atrocities in his campaign to crush a revolt in the western Darfur region. Members of the ICC are obliged to act on arrest warrants. Indonesia is not a member. Last year, Bashir canceled
Omar Hassan al-Bashir a trip to Indonesia for a summit at the last minute. His plan to attend an Asia-African
leaders conference in Jakarta in April sparked protests among rights groups who wanted the president to be arrested. Bashir, who has ruled Sudan since a 1989 Islamist and army-backed coup, rejects the ICC’s authority. But he had not traveled outside the Middle East or Africa since 2011, until he visited China in September to attend celebrations commemorating the end of World War Two. China is also not a member of the ICC. In June, Bashir was forced to flee South Africa after a court ruled he should be banned from leaving pending the outcome of a hearing on his possible arrest.
Chag North students linked to Isis sleeper cell in school Trinidad Guardian Serious allegations have been levelled against staff and students at the Chaguanas North Secondary School connecting them to Isis
operations and other highscale illegal activities. The Sunday Guardian received information from sources within the institution after the Central school made
headlines in mid-February. Alleged reports of criminal behaviour among a core group of students have since led to two students being charged and about two dozen others removed from the school. However, the levels of criminality are escalating and staff is deeply concerned for its safety. Students carrying out blatant acts in the system were said to have come from primary schools and that the larger secondary school environment was reason for them to enhance their already acquired skills. This newspaper was told that there was an Isis sleeper cell operating out of the school and that students were being recruited, mainly Form Four boys. However, this allegation was immediately dismissed by former senior superintendent of the Central Division Johnny Abraham when contacted. He said: “Nah, that has to be ole talk. I have no information about that.” Sunday Guardian was told that the Ministry of National Security and Special Branch were alerted to this information around the start of the school term in September 2015. “The school is living in fear,” the source said.
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Page 28
Kaieteur News
T&T not bankrupt, says PM Trinidad Express Trinidad and Tobago is “certainly not bankrupt” but we do have “cash flow” problems, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said. He made the statement Saturday during a news conference held at the Magdalena Beach and Golf Resort in Lowlands, Tobago after what he described as a “successful retreat” of the Cabinet at the hotel over the weekend. Rowley said the retreat focused on financial management of the State’s affairs, the prioritising of projects and the treatment of Government’s commitments, including arrears owed to public servants and other debtors. Finance Minister Colm Imbert made a presentation Saturday and he “brought the
Dr. Keith Rowley Cabinet up to date in how we are going so far and where we are with respect to his preparation in reporting to the Cabinet” in the next few weeks with respect to the national budget, Rowley said.
Monday March 07, 2016
Portia, Paul, Peter And Phillip - PRESSURE ON THE PS The Gleaner - While, publicly, members of the People’s National Party (PNP) are refusing to ascribe blame for the defeat in the justconcluded general election, privately, it appears that the proverbial ‘long knives’ have been drawn and they are aimed mainly at four senior members who were at the helm of the campaign loss. Party president, former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, campaign director Dr Peter Phillips, General Secretary Paul Burke and chairman of the party’s powerful Region Three, Phillip Paulwell - the four Ps are the ones facing the brunt of the discontent. Last week, some Comrades spoke to The Sunday Gleaner outlining what they believe were the roles played by the Ps in the PNP’s defeat, even
Portia Simpson Miller
Dr. Peter Phillips
before the party begins its formal review of the campaign. The one-time darling of the PNP had obviously lost some of her ‘mojo’ in the leadup to the election, with all the polls showing her favourability rating at an alltime low, but that was expected to be erased once ‘Mama P’ hit the streets. But the bounce never came and her handling of the timing of the poll is what has galled many Comrades. “When the prime minister announced that she would name the date after her ‘master’s touch,’ that was the signal that we were in real trouble,” one disgruntled Comrade told The Sunday Gleaner. “If we had gone in September, October, November, the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) would not have even a little chance, and even when we mishandled the dead babies issue we could still have gone early December and made it home,” added the Comrade. While they are not saying
it publicly, and few would have the nerve to challenge her leadership openly, the fact that Simpson Miller has entered the history books as the first Jamaican prime minister to call two general elections and lose them both is a signal to many Comrades that it is time for her to go. “Nobody can’t push out Portia after all she has given to the PNP, but I hope as soon as we settle down and complete the review she will signal a timetable for her departure and we can start to plan a smooth, or even if it is not smooth, a change that will leave the structure of the party intact,” said the veteran PNP member. He knows they are coming after him, and his letter to the Comrades, which was leaked to the media late last week, all but confirmed that. “If the party wants a scapegoat, if it makes us feel happy, then blame me ... but it will not be the truth nor the facts, and by this self- and mass deception, we will not fix the problems,” Paul Burke told party insiders.
Support for entrepreneurship Daily Nation - The future of Barbados’ economy rests in the hands of local entrepreneurs. And the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) has been hailed as a critical entity in the advancement of local business building. Saturday night in celebration of the YES programme’s 20-year Anniversary Awards Ceremony, Minister of Sports Youth and Culture Stephen Lashley told a packed audience at Sweet Field Manor, Brittons Hill, St Michael, the country benefited significantly in finances through entrepreneurship and pledged support. “The government will continue to support [you],” he said. “We want to make Barbados the number one [place of] entrepreneurship by 2020.” Historian Dr Henderson Carter, who delivered the feature address, left words of advice with the awardees. He urged the young business owners to ensure their businesses were passed from generation to generation. “Think far ahead, think of your business in 2060,” the senior lecturer at UWI Cave Hill suggested. He added that as young creative minds they should still look at the success of older business owners to grow as professionals.
Paul Burke
Phillip Paulwell “As I accept final responsibility for the organisation of the PNP ... if it makes some happy, I am also willing to take full and complete responsibility,” added Burke, as he said he was prepared to pay the price for the electoral defeat. “Then him nuh must pay the price,” charged one Comrade. “The secretariat was disjointed, inefficient and inept, and the man at the helm has to take all the blame,” added the Comrade. According to senior party insiders, the fact that the general secretary seemed so unaware that so many sitting members of parliament were disliked by so many people in their constituencies was a clear indicator that the secretariat was not working. “And that affected the timing of the election. The work of the secretariat is to have the party machinery at a level that the PM can call election at anytime. But with the infighting in so many constituencies, once Portia signalled the election she had no option but to delay, and Paul must take full blame for that.” The general secretary will also have to explain how many of the more than 30,000 persons added to the voters’ list were identified and targeted by the PNP.
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Hamilton suffers glitch as Formula One testing ends (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes suffered a rare mechanical failure on Friday as Formula One teams wrapped up preseason testing in Barcelona with Ferrari back on top of the timesheets. “I’m kind of glad I broke the car at the end of my final run today because it’s better to have found something now than in Melbourne,” said the triple world champion, who completed 69 laps in the morning. Mercedes, whose cars have pounded out 1,294 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya, said a transmission problem was to blame. The sport’s dominant team have otherwise enjoyed relentless reliability over the eight days of testing with Hamilton and German team mate Nico Rosberg completing the equivalent of nearly 20 race distances at the Spanish Grand Prix circuit. They have not appeared too concerned with putting down fast laps, however, leaving considerable
speculation about just how much they might have in reserve when the bluffing stops in Melbourne on March 20. Rosberg, winner of the last three races of 2015 from pole position, suggested Ferrari might have closed the gap — although his comments might all have been part of the pre-season mind games. “They have been very quick for sure,” said the German. “We know more or less where we are compared to Ferrari, which is why I say for sure it is close. But we are not sure if we are ahead or behind.” THE SPEED Teams are not subject to scrutineering in testing sessions and run light or heavy on fuel, depending on their development programmes, as well as using different tyre compounds. “It has gone really well for sure,” added Rosberg. “Of course the most important thing is the speed, which we are not 100 percent sure of.” Ferrari’s four times world
champion Sebastian Vettel was fastest on Friday, in one minute 22.852 seconds, with the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso of Spaniard Carlos Sainz second and completing 133 laps. “We have to see if this car can be a winner, but I think that the first impression was good and everything we have built is positive. So, overall, I am happy with the feeling in the car,” said Vettel. “In terms of reliability, though, Mercedes seems to be very strong, irrespective of the issue they had today,” added the Ferrari driver, who tried out a new ‘halo’ headprotection device on his cockpit. The top Mercedesengined car was Brazilian Felipe Massa’s Williams in third, ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez’s Force India and Hamilton in fifth. Rosberg ended the day with the slowest time, but used the medium tyres while others were on faster softs and super-softs, and said the car had felt probably better than at any time in testing.
Messi bags brace in 4-0 Barca win as strike trio hit century
Page 29
Peyton Manning retiring after 18-year career
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) waves to the crowd after the AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports). (Reuters) Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has decided to retire from the NFL, bringing an end to a career that will surely land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the team said on Sunday. Manning, who turns 40 later this month, will be going out on top after helping the Broncos to a Super Bowl upset victory last month over the Carolina Panthers, in a development first reported by ESPN. “When you look at everything Peyton has accomplished as a player and person, it’s easy to see how fortunate we’ve been to have him on our team,” John Elway, Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager, said in a statement. “Peyton was everything that we thought he was and even more—not only for the football team but in the community. I’m very thankful Peyton chose to play for the Denver Broncos, and I congratulate him on his Hall of Fame career.” The decision came as the Broncos faced a Wednesday deadline in which Manning would be guaranteed $19 million from Denver for the 2016 National Football League season if he remained on the team’s roster. One of the most prolific passers ever in the NFL, Manning revolutionized the quarterback position during an 18-year career
that included two Super Bowl titles, five most valuable player awards and a slew of passing records. Manning came across as a laid back southern boy but on the gridiron he was a clinical, ruthless competitor with an off-thecharts football IQ who changed plays at the line of scrimmage to outsmart opposing defenses with his dead-on accuracy. He played his final four seasons in Denver but his prime came during the 14 years he spent in Indianapolis where he led the Colts to two Super Bowls berths, winning the big game in the 2006 campaign. In addition to his career yards and passing touchdowns records and his record five MVP awards, Manning’s Super Bowl win gave him an NFL record 200 career wins including playoffs. He also became the first starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different teams. A foot injury hampered Manning for much of the 2015 regular season and he showed a distinct loss of throwing strength. But after his return from a six-game absence, he avoided mistakes and helped support the fierce Broncos defense during an improbable late run to the NFL title as the oldest quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl.
NSC fires off “50 Shades of Games”...
Eibar players in action against Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. (Reuters/Vincent West) MADRID (Reuters) A double from Lionel Messi helped Barcelona secure a 40 victory at Eibar in La Liga on Sunday that moved them 11 points clear at the top and brought up 100 goals for their lethal strike force. Munir El Haddadi, who was standing in for the suspended Neymar, tapped in the first early on, before Messi’s double, while Luis Suarez completed the rout. Barcelona’s lethal attacking trio of Messi (35 goals), Suarez (42) and Neymar (23) have now scored a century of goals in all competitions this season. Messi’s first was a fine solo goal, while his second came from the penalty spot as
Barcelona stretched their advantage over second-place Atletico Madrid, who were to play at Valencia later on Sunday. Barcelona extended their Spanish record unbeaten run to 36 matches, which has included 30 wins. They have not lost since Oct. 3. They went in front in the eighth minute when Messi lifted a perfect pass forward to Suarez, who crossed from the right to the far post for Munir to tap in. Messi added the second three minutes before halftime after running from the centre circle and ignoring the strikers either side of him who stretched the defence wide. The Argentina captain
made it 3-0 when he dinked a 76th-minute penalty, awarded for handball by Ivan Ramis, past goalkeeper Asier Riesgo for his 21st La Liga goal. Messi is six league goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who hit four in third-placed Real Madrid’s 7-1 romp at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday, and five short of Suarez. Suarez scored the fourth when he shot past Riesgo from a narrow angle six minutes from time after knocking the ball through the legs of Ander Capa. Eibar rarely troubled Claudio Bravo in the Barca goal but threatened in the 40th minute when Sergio Busquets almost turned a pass from Borja Baston into his own net.
From page 35 Stage 4 named ‘9S’ required shooters to engage 6 steel plates and 3 pepper popper targets. This stage was one of the fastest and most satisfying stages of the day. Shooters had to stand facing up range, turn and step into the designated area before engaging the targets. Scoring was tallied by an official scoring software for the sport and managed by Stats Officers Mr. Michael Blake and Mr. Romesh Latchana who released the results as follows: Overall production division – Points First Ryan B. McKinnon 375.0000 Second Surujbali Persaud 226.642 Third Michael A. Blake 218.0089 On hand at the Range to present the beautiful trophies provided by National Sports Commission to the winners was the Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones. At the closing ceremony, gratitude was extended by the G.S.S.F. President, Ms. Vidushi Persaud to the Match Officials for ensuring the efficiency and high safety standards with which the match was run. She also conveyed special thanks to Mr. Harold Hopkinson, who was representing Guyana overseas in another Practical Shooting match and was unable to be present. Yet he arranged for some of his props and range equipment to be available to
facilitate this historic event. Ms. Persaud extended thanks to the Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones for his support and for ensuring that GSSF is involved in the countrywide NSC’s 50 Shades of Games sports programme. The Federation lauds the National Sports Commission for featuring Practical Pistol Shooting in this programme. This elevates Guyana further as an Independent Nation progressing on par with all other countries around the South American and Caribbean region which have Overall limited division - Points First David Dharry 335.2355 Second Vidushi Persaud 319.8741 Third Azaad Hassan 314.8490 already established Practical Shooting into their Sport programmes for military, law enforcement and their law abiding civilian population. The Federation also thanks Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Phillips, Colonel Doodnauth, GPF Commissioner Persaud, Asst. Commissioner Ramnarine, Commander Hicken, OC TSU Superintendent Dehnert, Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the Armoury and TSU. More information on the G.S.S.F. is available on its website www.GuyanaSportShooting.com.
Page 30
Kaieteur News
Monday March 07, 2016
South Ruimveldt register Warner, Maxwell set record in Australia win first upset in knockout phase
Faf du Plessis reached his fifty off 33 balls, South Africa v Australia, 2nd T20, Johannesburg, March 6, 2016. (Associated Press)
David Warner acknowledges his fifty, South Africa v Australia, 2nd T20, Johannesburg, March 6, 2016. (Associated Press)
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) A record stand from David Warner and Glenn Maxwell helped Australia secure a last-ball, five-wicket victory over South Africa in the second Twenty20 International at The Wanderers on Sunday. South Africa posted 204 for seven on a flat batting wicket and were on top when they reduced the tourists to 32-3 in their reply. Yet Warner (77 from 40 balls) and Maxwell (75 from 43) staged a remarkable fightback with a Twenty20 Australian record partnership for any wicket of 161 to take their side close to victory. Needing two from the final delivery of the innings from seamer Kagiso Rabada, Australia’s Mitchell Marsh bludgeoned the ball down the ground and was able to scramble the runs his side needed to level the threegame series at 1-1. Warner and Maxwell’s stand fell just short of the world record of 171 set by New Zealand’s
Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill against Pakistan in January. The pair were particularly severe on legspinner Imran Tahir and seamer David Wiese, who went for 105 in their combined eight overs. The only consolation for South Africa was the successful return of fast bowler Dale Steyn (2-32 from four overs), who is trying to prove his fitness ahead of the World Twenty20 in India, which starts on Tuesday. The home side’s innings was anchored by Faf du Plessis, who smashed 79 from 41 balls, with fine cameos from Quinton de Kock (44) and David Miller (33). James Faulkner proved the pick of the Australian bowlers with 3-28 from his four overs. The final match of the three-game series will be played in Cape Town on Wednesday. Scores: Australia 205 for 5 (Warner 77, Maxwell 75) beat South Africa 204 for 7 (du Plessis 79, Faulkner 3-28) by five wickets.
Plans moving apace... From page 33 Commonwealth title fights even though projected expenditure hovers around $40 million dollars. Should the local organizers fail in their bid to meet the demands then the fights could be shifted to the United Kingdom where a purse bid will decide who acquires promotional rights. “We are working assiduously to negate such an eventuality and I am very optimistic that the fights would be staged right here in Guyana,” exhorted the GBBC President. He said that his team has joined with the Giftland Office Max team to realize a product that will sell. “This is our pivotal goal,” he said. Meanwhile, several of the boxers that comprised the last card, referees, judges and other officials, were also present at the function. A large crowd also relived the action when the organizers replayed the fights on a large 50"Smart Led TV, identical to one won by a patron in the just concluded card.
Glenn Maxwell smacked a 26-ball half-century, South Africa v Australia, 2nd T20, Johannesburg, March 6, 2016. (Associated Press)
Mae’s became the first big casualty in this year’s Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition after suffering defeat in a penalty shootout against South Ruimveldt Secondary on the final day of Round of Sixteen action, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. Playing in the third fixture of yesterday’s round of matches, the Subryanvillebased unit, who started as favourites to come out victorious, must only blame themselves for their exit after missing numerous chances to seal the deal in regulation time which ended 1-1, before South Ruimveldt prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shootout after extra time failed to declare a winner. An own goal following a goalmouth scrimmage accounted for Mae’s lead after twenty-nine minutes an ascendancy that they took to the break. On the resumption, they had a few more opportunities to stretch their advantage, but errant shooting kept South Ruimveldt in the game and eventually they got the equaliser through Cecil Jackman, who raced on to the
end of a pass from the right side that eluded at least three defenders to fire past the Mae’s custodian in the 55th minute. Bouyed by the success, South Ruimveldt grew in confidence and orchestrated some threatening forays on the Mae’s backline, but both defences stood firmly until the final whistle souned to signal overtime. That too failed to produce an outright winner and spot kicks was the next order of the day which South Ruimveldt won after exhibiting the greater mental fortitude in a nerve racking shootout to make the quarter-final. Defending champion Chase Academy coasted to a comfortable 3-1 triumph over a game, but clearly outclassed Kingston to make it to the last eight, while Christ Church also looked impressive in a similar scoreline win against Queenstown. In the other game of the day, North Georgetown beat St. John’s 4-2 to book their place in the last eight as well. In the day’s full results: Game-1 Christ Church-3 vs
Queenstown-1 Christ Church Scorer Waynewright-19th Tahul Alpin-46th Shamar Carrington-61st Queenstown Scorer Kellon Blue-28th Game-2 St. John’s College-2 vs North Georgetown-4 North Georgetown Scorers Nehemiah Gomes-41st Daniel Nedd-51st Osafo Matthison-74th Christopher Waddell-83rd St. John’s College Scorer Darien Dickson-8th Joel Yhap-30th Game-3 Mae’s Secondary-1 vs South Ruimveldt-1 South Ruimveldt won 4-3 on penalty kicks South Scorer Cecil Jackman-55th Mae Scorer Own Goal-29th Game-4 Chase Academy-3 vs Kingston Secondary-1 Chase Academy Kelsey Benjamin-7th Ryan Hackett-17th Sonel Logan-29th Kingston Scorer Vincent Thomas-16th
Rondon strikes as West Brom beat 10-man Man United
West Brom’s Salomon Rondon in action. (Action Images via Reuters / Carl RecineLivepic) (Reuters)Salomon Rondon dented 10-man Manchester United’s top-four challenge with a sharp second-half strike to maintain West Bromwich Albion’s Premier League revival on Sunday. The 26-year-old Venezuela striker controlled Sebastien Pocognoli’s cross from the left before burying the ball into the left corner on 67 minutes against an increasingly toothless United, who had lost Juan Mata to a second yellow card on 26 minutes. The Spain international was booked for not retreating
and blocking a quickly-taken free kick before receiving his marching orders two minutes later for kicking Darren Fletcher’s shin in a clumsy tackle. “You know the first one is a stupid yellow card and then you have to be aware the referee can give a second yellow card,” United manager Louis van Gaal told BBC Sport. “A referee has to decide within one second but when you know the player, Mata never hurts a player.” United’s first league defeat at The Hawthorns since 1984 kept them sixth in
the table, three points behind Manchester City in fourth, while West Brom climbed to 11th on 39 points with a third win in four league games. “Second half we were definitely off the pace a bit but the goal was a smashing finish,” said West Brom manager Tony Pulis. “It has taken him time to settle in and he has had ups and downs but they love him to death here. “The most important thing is the next game, as you’ve seen this year, results have been off the radar. Let’s get 40 points, I think that’s definitely safe.”
Monday March 07, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Raiders rout Warriors; Jamaica kick off RWC 2019 qualification in style Guardians unravel Nets - Sonics school UG as Mecca III intensifies
Hubert Thomas marshals his team to victory as the Japan dream remains alive and, with the Webb Ellis Cup on show, a record 1,000 Vincentians come out to support. A try and an inspirational performance from Jamaica’s captain and fly-half Hubert Thomas, coupled with a dominant forward effort, set the scene for a 48-0 victory over a St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) side that battled all the way to the end in front of a record rugby crowd at Arnos Vale Sports Complex on Saturday. This was the first qualification match for Rugby World Cup 2019 and it was refereed by Nigel Owens, who took charge of the final in 2015. While the dream is over for SVG for four more years, the improvements they are making on and off the field mean there are still plenty of reasons for coach Mike Jackson and his team to be proud. Thomas, though, was clearly jubilant after the game and ready to enjoy this seven-try victory. The veteran number 10 said: “It’s great, it’s wonderful. Our scrum was amazing today and that made it easy for us to use our pace in the backs to hit the gaps and press that advantage. It’s the best scrum I’ve seen in Jamaica and I’ve been playing in the team for 16 years. “We’ll go back to Jamaica now and continue training and working hard because we have a lot of work to do in
order to get past the next phase. We’re working towards Japan. We will go as far as we can in this process and the guys will believe in themselves that we can do this.” A RECORD RUGBY CROWD TURNED OUT IN ST VINCENT In front of a record 1,000 vociferous SVG fans, tries from Thomas, flankers Steve Miller and Errick Groves, prop Orien Smith, centre Reinardo Richards, two from number eight Crisdan Grayson and one near the end by winger Shamar Creary meant it was a straightforward enough victory for Jamaica. Whether Thomas and his men will be playing at the next Rugby World Cup in Japan remains to be seen but the fact is both they and SVG have had the opportunity to do so. Indeed, every full member of World Rugby can aspire to playing the game at the highest level. And while they haven’t got there just yet, Jamaica do already have something tangible to take back to Kingston with them and that is they will climb six places in the World Rugby Rankings to 72nd position, a record high for the Caribbean nation. Meanwhile, SVG will slip three
Secondary Schools... From page 32 Linden Casey of Skeldon Line Path, Annalie Hale of JC Chandisingh, Althia Hercules of Port Mourant Secondary, Ceon Bristol Of Berbice Educational Institute, Damien Branco of Corentyne Comprehensive, Winston Profit of Manchester Secondary, John Sergeant of Lower Corentyne Secondary, Cieon Smartt of Central Corentyne Secondary, William Cameron of New Amsterdam Multilateral, Neomi Nelson of Canje Secondary, Kevin Pellew of Tutorial Academy, Zahir Moakan of Berbice High, Basdeo Seenauth of Tagore memorial and Keishan Yasin of Vryman’s Erven Secondary. The schools that failed to send representatives were Black Bush Secondary, Skeldon High and Winifred Gaskin Secondary. Follow up visits are planned. A next session is planned for schools in the Region Five, West Berbice area. (Samuel Whyte)
places to 85 in the rankings when they are updated today. But SVG captain Andrew Phillips remains proud of his charges: “We put in a lot of work for this and we are proud of our achievements. We know there is more we can do and going forward there will be a lot of hard afternoons on the training field but we feel happy because we gave it all that we could. GET INTO RUGBY PROGRAMME “We have World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby programme in place here and for us it’s about inspiring young Vincentians to fall in love with the game. When I started, I was in secondary school and now we are placing the game in primary schools and trying to bring a new crop of individuals through that way. We are passionate about that and we are growing the game here in St Vincent.” While the opening ceremony is still three and a half years away, the Rugby World Cup 2019 has now already begun with an inclusive and exciting qualification process underway. In total, the competition now features more than 90 nations. The qualifying stages comprise around 200 matches, featuring in excess of 3,000 players across six continents, including the developing rugby markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China as well as USA and Mexico. With 12 teams having secured their place at Japan 2019 courtesy of finishing in the top three of their respective pools in 2015, the remaining eight places will be determined by a process of regional and cross-regional qualifiers and, for the first time, a stand-alone roundrobin repechage tournament to determine the final qualifier in 2018. (Story Source : http:// www.rugbyworldcup.com/)
By Edison Jefford Three more top-ranked teams comfortably advanced to the next round of the National Basketball Championships: The Road to Mecca III, Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, which intensifies the competition in the Super Eight this weekend. Heroic guard, Nikkoloi Smith led Plaisance Guardians to a 72-62 points win that unraveled Nets in the fourth quarter. Smith dropped 29 points and nine rebounds, with forward, Mark Richards in the mix with 10 points and six rebounds. Nets good all-round effort was deflated with a palpable fourth quarter performance; guard Darian Lewis had 17 points and four rebounds, Antwan Austin 16 points and Mortimer Williams had 11 points and five rebounds for Nets in the first round contest. In the second game of the night, Linden’s Retrieve Raiders eased pass New Amsterdam Warriors 63-44 to advance to the next round. Forward, Dwayne Roberts scored 16 points and eight
boards while centre, Jason Alonzo scored 11 points and nine rebounds. A. Rose also had 11 points, and Marvin Hartman nine points. For New Amsterdam, guard Carlos Crandon scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds while Ramone Fodgenay had nine points and three steals. Meanwhile, the feature game brought together two familiar foes with the Pepsi Sonics eventually schooling University of Guyana Trojans 73-64 to move into the Super Eight. Squires dropped 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Trevor Smith scored 15 points and seven rebounds, and Kerwin Jackson 13 points. Earl O’Neil had a doubledouble with 12 points and 14 rebounds. For UG, guard Emanuel Archibald led with 23 points while forward, Ewart Smith ended with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Naylon Loncke grabbed 12 rebounds. The two teams exchanged points until Smith landed a three-pointer to go up 24-20 eight minutes to play in the
second quarter. Forwards Yannick December and Jackson finished consecutive fast break plays to push Sonics ahead 32-20 six minutes before halftime. However, Sonics added just four points in the time compared to Trojans eight. UG run continued in the third period with Ewart Smith equalising 38-38 with a layup. The tussle endured between them with Sonics closing the period with a 4846 two-point lead. Archibald and Smith finished back-to-back fast break plays to ensure UG 58-53 lead with seven minutes to play in the fourth quarter. But Trevor Smith landed a huge threepointer before Pepsi Sonics tied the game at 60-60 with three minutes left in regulation time. Smith nailed another jumper that gave Sonics a 63-60 lead. UG never recovered from the slump offensively. Sonics added 10 points in two minutes compared to UG’s four points to close out an otherwise competitive game.
Asia Cup: India beat Bangladesh to win trophy for sixth time
Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli’s partnership set India’s chase up nicely, Bangladesh v India, Asia Cup final, Mirpur, March 6, 2016. (Associated Press) BBC Sport - Shikhar Dhawan hit an international Twenty20 career-best 60 as India won the Asia Cup, beating hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka by eight wickets. Bangladesh posted 120-5 in a rain-hit game that was reduced from 20 to 15 overs after a two-hour delay. India won with seven balls to spare, reaching 122-2 to win the competition for the sixth time. Dhawan and Virat Kohli combined for a 94-run partnership for the second wicket after
India were reduced to 5-1. Kohli remained 41 not out, while captain MS Dhoni smashed a towering six to clinch the game in style and finish 20 not out. Earlier, Mahmudullah had offered Bangladesh some hope with a blistering 33 not out off just 18 balls. Scores: India 122 for 2 (Dhawan 60, Kohli 41*) beat Bangladesh 120 for 5 (Mahmudullah 33*, Bumrah 1-13) by eight wickets.
Page 32
Kaieteur News
Monday March 07, 2016
Secondary Schools in East Berbice benefit from Volleyball coaching course Secondary schools in the East Berbice Region 6 area are now in a better position to teach the game of volleyball to their students. This is following the successful completion of a two day volleyball course conducted by the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) in collaboration with the Department of Education, Region 6 Allied Arts Department, which held a Secondary Schools Development Workshop for Physical Education and Sports teachers attached to schools in the Region. The activity which was held at the Port Mourant Training School Annex and Volleyball Court at Port Mourant Corentyne Berbice was conducted by BVA President Levi Nedd and Executives of The BVA along with some national Players. It also saw input by Physical Education and Sports Officer in the Region and member of the National Sports Commission Inga Henry. The activity was held under the theme “KEEP THE BALL FLYING” which is the theme
of the BVA. According to Henry, it is part of the Ministry’s objective to reintegrate Physical Education and sports in all schools. She said that the Volleyball programme is the first in a series of activities for PE and Sports teachers, it was also used to get the teachers better equipped to prepare the students who are writing PE and the CXC level. The participants were given a brief history of the game of volleyball and how the game was played with nine players. Among the topics discussed wereVolleyball equipment including the ball, court, net, antenna, basic refereeing, the first and the second referee duties, duties of the linesmen, playing faults, scorers, and coach, Physio, protocol and hand signals. Playing the game was also looked at where the participants were taught the basic rules, registering of players, court positions, rotation, the scoring of points, time out, substitution, the three pass, types of
BVA president Levi Nedd (arms outstretched) and a number of national players conducting sessions at the PMTC. players and different formations used during a game. Volleyball techniques, various types of warm-ups and reasons for warming up, passes- including the overhead pass, underarm
pass, service, attack and defence techniques, how to block. Basic training equipment used, including the medicine ball, lightweights flannel and hurdle was also looked at. The first day ended with
discussions and closing remarks and a recap of what was done during the day. Most of the second day was reserved for practical sessions including playing a few games. The day ended with a closing session which
including closing remarks and recap and plans for a follow up. All the schools present were presented with balls, nets, rules and score book and other literature. Those participating were Continued on page 31
Grissi, Webster, Mohamad win P&P Insurance Golf Tournament
From left: R. Grissi, D. Mohamad, S. Webster, Mr B. Panday, Vickash Panday of P&P, President O. Ramroop and A. Kishore after the presentation. As if to match the massive stature of the sponsor, Bishwa Panday, the P&P Insurance Brokers & Consultants Limited Golf tournament of last Saturday was massive in terms of the quality of golf produced and the camaraderie of the golfers involved in the day’s competition. For over three decades Bish Panday and his wife
Ahalia have supported the sporting disciplines of table tennis, cycling, horseracing, athletics and motor racing, among others. In addition P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants support cultural, educational, and charitable causes in an outstanding way. The winners were: 1st – veteran golfer Roberto Grissi
– net 60 off handicap 28; 2nd - 2015 Guyana Open Female Champion, Shanella Webster 67/20; and 3rd - former Club President, David Mohamad 68/18. In fact, veteran golfer Kishan Bacchus (4th place) also returned a net 68/17, but was one stroke more than Mohamad on the “Back Nine”. Meanwhile, a fifth place tie of Club Vice President, Patrick
Prashad (70/9); former President, Brian Hackett (70/ 21); and Troy Cadogan (70/ 25) made a clear impression of their desire to be in contention for top 5 placement in future tournaments. The indefatigable Shanella Webster was Nearest to The Pin, while former Guyana teenage open Champion, Avinda Kishore,
produced a fine Best Gross of 72. Closest to Kishore’s gross was Patrick Prashad with 79. 1st place Roberto expressed, “I used to be playing with a lower handicap years ago, but I was off the game for a while. In recent times I have been playing more and I believe this contributed to such a good game for me.” David Mohamad added that
Roberto’s play was consistently superb throughout the tournament. On the other hand, Naseer Khan, the Mighty Raja, - undeniably the person with the oldest attachment to the Lusignan Golf Club, having begun as a Caddy in 1964 – indicated that he had publicly predicted that Shanella would become a champion at golf, from the time he observed her superb swing and firm golf stance - 3 months after she started playing. Mr Bishwa Panday, as he congratulated the winners and responded to the President’s outline of some of his significant contributions to Guyana, repeatedly expressed how happy he was to have been involved in the day’s sponsorship and to be sharing time with many of his friends from several disciplines. He wished the Club well for the future and desired that their influences be used to improve the access road to the Club. He also gave a commitment for P&P’s sponsorship for the next year. Club President, Oncar Ramroop, adequately expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr Panday on behalf of the Club.