Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
The voters in LGE should get what they voted for DEAR EDITOR, The subject of politics should be taken seriously and probably not one for joking about. But I found myself chuckling when I read the recent letter about the upcoming local government elections, with the hope for change. How lovely and optimistic, I thought. I had remembered my conversation in early-2000 with a senior staff member in the Georgetown Town Hall department that dealt with the matter of home extensions, about a recent home extension. I noticed that seemed larger than the original house. He told me that did not matter. There was no law against it! An extension could be virtually any size. Surprised, I could make no comment. Used
to strict British local government laws and rules, where extensions had to follow building regulations, plans having to be submitted in advance for approval, and proportions and things like access of light and the effect on neighbours had to be taken into consideration, the work inspected at every stage by the local authority building staff, etc., I was at a loss for words. However, I sincerely hope that when ”citizens come out and exercise their franchise so that they can elect the persons who they want to represent them on the various councils and municipalities” they get what they expected to have voted for. “Hope springs eternal...........”. Geralda Dennison
Green maintains his position on Rodney’s death DEAR EDITOR, The letter published in Thursday Kaieteur News Headline - Hamilton Green should explain why he did not testify, written by Shakuntala Lall, seeks to put in question, the letter published by me dealing with the Dr. Walter Rodney CoI. I Hamilton Green would only testify based on empirical evidence, facts, knowledge and creditable circumstances. As such, there was no need for me to give any evidence that went beyond the above. If I had wanted to speculate, I may have gone beyond the fact that Dr. Rodney and his brother identified a spot outside the walls of the Georgetown
Prison and could have suggested that the walkietalkie or explosive device was intended to break the walls of the prison, allowing the prisoners to escape in mass to cause mayhem and confusion in the middle of the City, as part of a revolutionary process. In my letter I did not do any of the above, as most of witnesses did - hearsay, gossip and third-hand information. His brother who was driving the car is yet to explain why that location was identified. Not the Parade Ground, not outside a Sports Club, not outside the Seawalls or anywhere else. Shakuntala Lall continues the use of the word assassination, which suggests
that someone other than Rodney caused his death with all the evidence presented. This has not been established and the only creditable theory is Gregory Smith’s account of the incident Lall must know that the Report is shameful with one obvious intention as a propaganda tool by the PPP. I thank Lall for the recommendation that I should write, well I have already completed a draft to deal with events that led up to our Independence Jubilee. The article will be titled “Our Rocky but Righteous Road to independence.” If Lall address is sent to me, I will send a complimentary copy to him when it is published. Hamilton Green
Talking suicide prevention with the school children of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Citizens Against Suicide Guyana a grassroot outreach group, took their Suicide Is Not The Answer program to several communities across Guyana and spoke to over 3,500 students in 17 secondary schools on finding their purpose and choosing life over death. This group consisting of a few overseas based Guyanese, Roy Ganga a motivational speaker and his wife Valerie from Atlanta, Georgia; Shalini Ramkinshun a Social Worker from Toronto Canada; as well as local Representative Orin Thomas. These individual after reading about the suicide
epidemic in Guyana, pooled their personal resources and used their time to share their expertise with students and communities. Their focus was through general education by talking to the students, teachers and parents on the importance of life as a whole, which includes handling bullying, peer pressure, child molestation, sexual orientation/ gender identification, parental pressure, depression and alcohol & drugs usage, with the hope that their efforts will supplement what the authorities (Health and Education Ministries) are doing to empower citizens with the knowledge and tools to curb this epidemic. Continued on page 23
Page 5
I have a problem with Mr. Erskine’s presence DEAR EDITOR, I do not think that the entire Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the recent riots in the Camp Street Prison should be a public spectacle. Neither do I think that Mr. Dale Erskine should be a sitting member the commission. Except that the inmates who testify will be placed in some kind of a witness protection programme, I think that their testimonies should be off camera, minus Mr. Erskine. I have visited and worked with prisons in several countries and if there is one thing I believe I am an expert in, it is criminology and matters relating to prison inmates and the offender population. I also know that if this CoI will get to the bottom of this issue, in a way to remedy the situation; (a) Mr. Erskine will have to recuse himself from the commission, (b) parts of the hearing (especially the parts where the inmates testify), will have to be off camera, or (c) the inmates will have to be guaranteed their complete and protracted safety if they speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I understand that there is an option for the inmate to request confidentiality of his testimony, however, if what he says in private is different, or more in depth, from what the others say in public, the ax will fall at him. There are a few words and terms that are known for their standard meaning in any English speaking prison around the world. One is Conjugal Visit – this is where a spouse or loved one is allowed to enter the prison confinement and have intimate relationship with their incarcerated lover. Another is Prison Mentality – this is where the ex-offender behaves like an inmate, even while he is free. Another word is Snitch or Snitching, which is the most universal of all the prison slangs. Snitching is where a prisoner tells the authorities about the violations that happen in the prison. What
this CoI is asking the inmates to do, in essence, is snitch. They are asking the current inmates to finger prisoners or prison officers who allowed or committed offences behind the prison walls. Snitching could have some very serious repercussions for an inmate; ranging for mild mistreatment to undignified death, depending on who is affected by the snitch. For example: If an inmate was to say to the CoI, on camera, that officer “X” takes money to allow matches, cell phones and drugs to enter the prison. The result could be that all those (officers and inmates alike) who benefit from the business of drugs, cell phones and matches entering the prison will seek to do harm to that inmate. Therefore, it is very unlikely that any inmate will tell the commission what they really need to know, while the cameras are rolling or while the former Superintendent is sitting there. Knowing this as a fact, I will tell you, Editor, that the current approach and construct of the CoI will yield only limited success. However, if the intention of this inquiry is to really get to the root of the causative factors that lend to the recent riots and if the intentions are to prevent a repeat, then the format and the personnel of the CoI will have to be adjusted. It is the perception that this Commission is conceptually and unintentionally flawed and in situations like these, perception is reality. While the tax payers and the media are owed the courtesy of knowing the findings of the CoI, I am sure they will prefer that systems be put in place for the obtaining of tangible and substantive information that
will solve the issues at hand. Editor, I would personally like this issue to go away. Coincidentally, I live just a few houses from the Camp Street Prison, so I am very concerned about what obtains there. I am also very interested in the safety of those living directly around the Prison. Several of them had expressed to me fear for their lives during the recent riots. As a matter of concern to me also, is the financial losses to the businesses that have to close, or to which access is restricted, every time the inmates act-up. Additionally, this prison is in Werk-en-Rust area and I am vying to represent this Wortmanville/ Werk-en-Rust constituency in the upcoming Local Government Elections, so what bothers my constituents, bothers me. Editor, I have absolutely no problems with Mr. Dale Erskine. He has served both this country and the Guyana Prison Service with exceptional proficiency and he continues to be an asset to us, even in his retirement. Mr. Erskine is obviously well intentioned. However, because of my professional expertise and because I know how the average inmate thinks, I would highly suggest that the conveners of the CoI take another look, both at the construct and the approach of the commission. Just by way of comparison; we just had the report from another CoI, the validity of which has been called into question, by some, in part, because of construct and the approach of that commission. History should be our teacher. Wendell Jeffrey, Pastor Independent Candidate Wortmanville/Werk-enRust Constituency #8
Page 6
Kaieteur News
Monday March 14, 2016
Prime spots on broadcasting spectrum gone - GNBA officials By: Kiana Wilburg Signals from Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo that he may issue new broadcasting licenses instead of rescinding those illegally granted under the Jagdeo regime are not being well received by several officials within the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) and other critics outside of the entity. The officials who spoke with Kaieteur News yesterday said that Nagamootoo would be making a big political mistake were he to follow through with such an approach. They made it clear that the system has to be regularized. Towards this end, the officials emphasized that the illegalities in the Broadcasting sector, one of which includes the unlawful granting of radio and cable licenses by Former President Bharat Jagdeo to his friends and “favourites”, must be addressed. Significantly, Kaieteur News was also made aware by several officials within GNBA that all the prime spots for television channel frequencies, as well as cable are all gone because of the PPP’s ad hoc scheme. They noted that while some space is still available in the radio spectrum for new applicants, some major spots are already taken up. Considering this, some
- “PM Nagamootoo must say where he is putting new applicants,” - Dr. David Hinds
University Professor, Dr. David Hinds officials within GNBA and even critics outside of the entity are questioning Nagamootoo’s reasoning for favouring the award of new licenses without addressing expeditiously, those illegally granted. On several occasions, the Chairman of the GNBA board, Leonard Craig has been questioned on this state of affairs. Before Nagamootoo’s utterances to the media, Craig had failed to give any clear answer on the revocation of unlawful licenses. He would only say that the Board will host a press conference with the media. He made this promise last year and this year and it is yet to be fulfilled. Last night, Craig told this newspaper that the board has made no decision to rescind the licenses but noted that legal advice suggests that it
is better if the board does not. The Chairman also declined to reveal who the “legal minds are,” except to say that they are “well respected.” Asked if the board is inclined to follow the legal advice given, he responded, “The PM (Prime Minister) seems inclined. We work for him.” With regard to the long awaited press conference, Craig said that the Board has a Public Relations Officer who will be handling that matter. Speaking with this publication yesterday, University Professor, Dr. David Hinds said that his political view is that the licenses should be rescinded. “I base my conclusion on the grounds that they were not fairly awarded. I have read the opinion of the legal luminary, Mr. Brynmore Pollard and think that they are legally sound. He makes the case for possible compensation for those who will be affected by a possible termination of the licenses. But such an argument ignores the case of those who were originally denied licenses.” The University Professor said that the arbitrary manner, in which the licenses were granted by Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, represents a grave injustice to those who were arbitrarily denied licenses at the time. Given the nature of Guyana’s politics and the
identities of those granted and those denied, Dr. Hinds said that one can see a clear case of partisan political motivation. “If one were to follow Mr. Pollard’s logic, should those who were denied licenses sue the State for denying them equality before the law? The Prime Minister apparently is trying to correct this injustice by granting more licenses, presumably to include those who were denied by Mr. Jagdeo.” “But it’s been almost five years since they were denied. Those who were granted
GNBA Head, Leonard Craig
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
inherent unfairness that he favors termination of the licenses and for the process to be started on a clean slate. “I have already commented on the political optics for the government.
all it breeds cynicism among your supporters who may eventually opt out of the process again.” He cautioned that there is definitely need for balancing caution with forthrightness. Jagdeo, leaving office in 2011, approved several radio and cable television licences for mainly friends and his party members. In so doing, he sidelined applications from several prominent media houses including Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, Capitol News, HBTV Channel Nine and CNS Channel Six. Jagdeo’s best friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, received one with multiple frequencies. Also receiving a similar number of frequencies was The Mirror, a newspaper which belongs to the ruling party and Telcor, a company with close links to the then Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud. The disclosures of the licences, which also included approval for two cable TV operations, sparked court cases and several days of protests, as well as local and international condemnation. Former President Ramotar had promised to examine the issue but three years after entering office, there was no word from him.
“Since May 2015 they (Govt.) cannot point to any significant action beyond a few firings. While the government may be trying to downplay charges of witch-hunting it is in the process of opening itself to charges of weakness and collusion with the past. Once that characterization sticks, it is hard to remove.” licenses have had an advantage. During that time they have developed a monopoly in the industry because of little competition and then the issue of prime spots on the frequency. Have these prime spots been given away already? If so, then that creates another problem that cannot be corrected by simply granting more licenses. Nagamootoo must also say where he is putting new applicants if such a situation exists.” The University Professor stated that it is because of that
They continue to go soft on burning issues that relate to over-reach by the previous government.” He emphasized that these issues fired up Government’s supporters to go to the polls. “But since May 2015 they cannot point to any significant action beyond a few firings. While the government may be trying to downplay charges of witchhunting it is in the process of opening itself to charges of weakness and collusion with the past. Once that characterization sticks, it is hard to remove. And worse of
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 7
Merkel’s party suffers drubbing Trump on campaign protesters in German state votes - ‘I never hear their voices’
Reuters - Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives lost out in two out of three regional state elections yesterday as Germans gave a thumbsdown to her accommodating refugee policy with a big vote for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD). The poor showing in both Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate represented a worst-case scenario for Merkel, who has staked her legacy on her decision last year to open Germany’s doors to over 1 million migrants. The backlash was also visible in Saxony-Anhalt in former East Germany, where Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) remained the largest party but the AfD grabbed 21.5 percent. “We have fundamental problems in Germany that led to this election result,” said AfD chief Frauke Petry, whose party entered all three regional parliaments. The result is a setback for Merkel just as she is trying to use her status as Europe’s most powerful leader to seal a European Union deal with Turkey to stem the tide of migrants.
Angela Merkel She alarmed many EU leaders last week by agreeing a last-minute draft deal with Turkey to stop the migrant flow and demanding their support. Now weakened by the state polls, she must seek their backing again later this week to seal the deal. In Baden-Wuerttemberg in the southwest, a CDU stronghold for more than 50 years before turning to a Green-led coalition with the SPD in 2011 after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, the Greens came home first with 32.5 percent. The CDU took 27.5 percent, according to exit polls on the broadcaster ZDF.
Even more damaging for the CDU was the result in Rhineland-Palatinate, the state of former chancellor Helmut Kohl. There, the CDU’s Julia Kloeckner, who had positioned herself as a candidate to succeed Merkel one day, lost out to Social Democrat (SPD) incumbent state premier Malu Dreyer. The SPD won 37.5 percent of the vote to the CDU’s 33 percent, the ZDF exit poll indicated. In Saxony-Anhalt, the CDU remained the biggest party on 30.5 percent, but the AfD grabbed 21.5 percent, even surpassing the SPD, Merkel’s coalition partner in Berlin. It was the first time the AfD had become the secondbiggest party in any regional state.Already represented in five of Germany’s 16 regional parliaments, the antiimmigrant party campaigned on slogans such as “Secure the borders” and “Stop the asylum chaos”. Turnout in all three states was much higher than in 2011, rising by 5.7 percentage points in BadenWuerttemberg, by 9.7 points in Rhineland-Palatinate, and by 11.8 points in SaxonyAnhalt.
Reuters - Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump refused to take responsibility yesterday for clashes at his campaign events and lashed out at protesters who have dogged his rallies, forcing him to cancel one in Chicago last week. When a protester interrupted his speech in Bloomington, Illinois, yesterday minutes after it began, Trump derided him as a “disrupter” and told the cheering crowd, “Don’t worry about it - I don’t hear their voice.” “Our rallies are so big and we have so many people, I never hear their voices. I only hear our people’s voices saying, ‘There they are, there they are,’” Trump said as the audience roared. Later, the billionaire businessman spotted a man whose voice he did want to hear, a supporter wearing a Tshirt reading “Legal immigrants for Trump.” The candidate brought the man on stage to address the crowd briefly. Trump is trying to cement his lead over his remaining rivals - U.S. Senators Ted Cruz of Texas
Donald Trump and Marco Rubio of Florida and Ohio Governor John Kasich - in five states that hold presidential nominating contests on Tuesday. Voters in Florida, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina and Missouri will vote in Republican, as well as Democratic, primaries. The four Republicans and Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are vying to run in the November election, whose winner will succeed President Barack Obama. Trump used a round of yesterday morning television
appearances to beat back strong criticism from Republican rivals and Democrats alike that he was encouraging discord with divisive language disparaging Muslims and illegal immigrants. “I don’t accept responsibility. I do not condone violence in any shape,” Trump said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” The N e w Yo r k e r defended his supporters and said he was considering helping pay the legal fees of a 78-yearold white man who punched a young black man at a Trump rally last week in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The man, Trump said, “got carried away.” “I’ve actually instructed my people to look into it,” he said. The man, John McGraw, was charged with assault and later with communicating a threat after he said he enjoyed hitting “that loudmouth” and threatened next time “to kill him.” Trump had earlier promised to help cover the legal fees of supporters involved in clashes at his rallies.
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Monday March 14, 2016
Jamaican in important role as groups form coalition to agitate for youth PRETORIA, South Africa – Youth worker organisations from across the Commonwealth have joined forces to establish an international coalition to advocate for the interests of young people and spearhead efforts to professionalize the youth work sector. The new Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Work Associations ( C AYWA ) w i l l b r i n g together national youth worker groups from Commonwealth countries, including the Jamaica Professional Yo u t h Wo r k e r s A s s o c i a t i o n , w h o s e f o u n d e r, Ta n y a Merrick Powell, is convener of the steering committee set up to develop the alliance. The steering committee was established on We d n e s d a y at the C o m m o n w e a l t h Conference on Youth Work in Pretoria, South Africa, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the Government of the Republic of South Africa, the University of South
Founder of the Jamaica Professional Youth Workers Association, Tanya Merrick Powell (centre) with the other members of the steering group of the Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Work Associations. Africa (Unisa) and the National Yo u t h Development Agency. The alliance will be made
up of organizations dedicated to the professionalization of youth work and creating and implementing standards for
youth work. Over the next year, the steering committee will work with the Commonwealth Secretariat
and other stakeholders to establish the alliance ahead of the next Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in
Uganda in 2017. The alliance is an opportunity to build capacity at the local level, and to share resources and expertise. We are eager to come together to have a collective voice in this journey of professionalisation,” Merrick Powell said. “This will give us leverage to influence our governments to join us on this journey. It is an opportunity we need to maximize.” Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj noted that about 60 per cent of the Commonwealth’s two billion citizens are under 30 and youth work therefore has the potential to be “wholly transformative upon the life chances of young people and wider society”. “ T h e professionalisation of youth work, and our other ongoing commitments to youth development and empowerment, will directly aid our member countries to achieve the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development,” he said. (Caribbean360)
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 9
A PRIVATE MATTER The matter involving some dismissed workers from the New Building Society (NBS) is not likely to find its way onto the parliamentary agenda. Even if the dismissals form the content of a Special Report or appears in the Annual Report of the Office of the Ombudsman, does not necessarily have to be specifically debated by the National Assembly. A number of agencies and public offices table their annual reports in the National Assembly. They are required by law to do so. One of the first acts of the new APNU+ AFC
government was to table a number of annual reports of government agencies and a number of agreements. The Office of the Auditor General submits his report to the Speaker of the National Assembly each year. Those reports are not always debated in the Assembly. It is difficult to recall either a report from the Auditor General or from the Ombudsman being debated on the floor of the National Assembly. One of the persons dismissed from the NBS has taken the building society to court and therefore if the
issue of the dismissal is raised as part of any consideration of the Report of the Ombudsman, the Standing Orders of the National Assembly would prohibit it being debated. Matters before the Courts can only be mentioned in the National Assembly in a non-prejudicial way. It is difficult to imagine how a debate on the dismissals at the NBC cannot be prejudicial to the legal action filed. There is of course no relevance in the matter being raised in the National Assembly. This dismissal of the employees has nothing to
Dem boys seh...
Soulja Bai got to watch Moses wid de airwaves Every Christian on earth know that a man name Moses part de Red Sea and free de Israelites. We got a Moses who can’t free heself much less any lites. Jagdeo, that scamp, give way all de prime radio station to he Pee Pee Pee party, ee best friend, Babbie, Robert sister, who is an American citizen, and staunch supporters of heself and de party. Soulja Bai, Rum Jattan, Lil Joe and de present day Moses couldn’t tek it when dem hear wha he do. Dem cuss left, right and centre, when dem been in de opposition, and promise to tek back dem radio station. Dem seh all was illegally granted. Moses stand up and seh he gun deal wid it. Now when dem boys call pun him to deal wid it. Everybody expect de new govt to tek way dem illegally granted licence and redistribute dem in a fair and transparent manner. Instead Moses seh he gun issue more radio licence. De big question here is whether he tek bribe or he really didn’t understand de airwaves in Guyana. Since Jagdeo give away and tek all de prime spots in de radio frequencies, what Moses is really giving to de other people who got to get radio station? Is like a stadium
wheh you sell out all de prime seats. De only seats wha lef is de mudflat. That is wha Moses plan to give Kaieteur News, Enrico, Stabroek News, and Sharma, plus Rambarran. First of all de radio ain’t got dem channel wha Moses plan to give out. It mean that de announcers gun be talking and listening to demself because nobody can’t hear dem. As fuh de TV channels, de last one is illegally occupied by Vish Hook. It ain’t got no more. When it come to de cable, it wuss. None licence ain’t issue yet and still dem don’t have any. Yet Leonard Shadick, de man who tek over from Bibi, tek she name and she wuk; he look like she, wukking like she and even smelling like she, suppose to be independent. Is not dem boys seh suh Is de new govt seh Leonard and he board independent. But dem boys hear de same Leonard Shadick seh if Moses seh lef dem wid de channels, wha dem want he do. Dem boys suggest that Soulja Bai investigate Moses relationship wid some of dem who was granted illegal TV and operating cable business in Guyana. Soulja Bai must also send home Leonard
Shadick. Dem boys want he go home fuh a couple days suh can set he head straight. What dem boys want de world to know, not only Moses and Shadick, if dem don’t want to grant radio, cable and TV licence to de Waterfalls paper, dem can go shove it wheh Polly shove de nut. Talk half and open you all eyes, bigger that how you use to open dem pun Jagdeo.
do with the government. The New Building Society is a private institution. It is not a government institution and there is nothing that the government can do to have the men reinstated or to have whatever benefits may be due to any of them paid. The issue of the men being dismissed is a dispute between NBS and the persons concerned. Some of them may feel that there were political motives at work but that does not in any alter the fact that this is essentially a private matter for which the government really cannot intervene and should not intervene since the latter course would be highly irregular. There are a great many people who suffer injustices in society or they feel that they suffer such injustices. These persons often appealed to the government to intervene to resolve these matters. However in many instances the government has nothing to do with the perceived in justice or of resolving the matter. People feel good when they appeal to government and government can intervene and help them out. But there is a danger with government involving itself in private disputes. It is not for government to get involved in resolving
private disputes unless of course the law makes provision for such involvement. For example, the labour laws provide for recourse to the Ministry of Labor if someone is not paid for work done as an employee. While it is always nice for government to help citizens get justice, the government must avoid imposing itself in private disputes, whether they involve persons being dismissed by the New Building Society, or involve sums owed by one person to another that are not covered by our labour laws. It was reported in the Guyana Chronicle of March 3, 2016 that through the intervention of the Ministry of Natural Resources that a female miner who was owed monies by someone to whom she had rented out her mining lands was able to receive the monies owed to her because of the intervention of that ministry. This may seem to be heartwarming story of a caring government helping someone who was owed money to receive what was due to her. What was disturbing though - and this is where the danger lies - is the explanation that was given in that report. It was conceded that the Ministry was not in a position
to force members (of the public) to do what was right but that those miners ( who owed other persons) would want to benefit from concessions offered by the administration and that the ministry could say to them they are ineligible for those concessions based on records. Now what does this mean? Does this mean that if a miner has a private dispute with another person and that person files a report to the Ministry that the duty free concessions due to the miner can be withheld until he or she settles his private dispute with the person whom he or she is alleged to owe money to? Is this what is being implied here? Is it being implied that the withholding of concessions can be used to encourage people to settle private disputes? The Ministry of Natural Resources should clarify what is being implied here because if the explanation is that concessions can be withheld until personal disputes are settled, then it is the perfect example of the danger of government imposing itself into private disputes.
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
US$138M CJIA Expansion… The review of contracts signed under the previous administration may be seen by some critics as a slow process, but Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson assured that it is a procedure that will be fulfilled effectively. To support his position in this regard, he made reference to the fact that Government has made the bold move of reviewing the contract of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport granted to China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC). The now amended contract he says removes unfair practices and policies which were signed in the deal. Patterson said that while some of these changes have already been explained to the media, he highlighted that one “sweetheart tax privilege” that was removed was the arrangement for the former Ministry of Public Works to pay all customs duties for CHEC, should any of its requests be refused by
Govt. will not honour “sweetheart tax privileges” PPP granted contractor
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). This was enshrined in the initial US$138M Contract. In a brief but impassioned statement, the Minister of Public Infrastructure asserted, “The coalition administration is determined to regularize the system of
how contracts were granted and how they were crafted under the previous regime. But we want to ensure we do this the right way. In addition to this, when we review contracts, Government, I assure, would not follow through with honouring sweetheart privileges granted to contractors under the past regime. It simply can’t because it would only foster an unfair, bitter and lopsided environment, the very kind that we are making moves to destroy.” Several senior Government officials who spoke with Kaieteur News yesterday also said that when they served in Opposition, the “sweetheart tax privilege” between CHEC and the former regime was a provision they objected to and found the removal of the clause to be significant. The contract which has been highly criticized for its numerous concessions to the Chinese Contractor was inked on November 10, 2011, days
Corentyne shop owner, family beaten and robbed The premises that was robbed.
Two bandits armed with a shotgun and cutlass inflicted a beating on a Corentyne shop owner and family before escaping with their valuables last Friday. The family lives at Lot 347 Ankerville, Corentyne in a two- flat house and operates a shop at the front of the building. Reliving the ordeal, Kavita Daiaram stated that she was at home with her father, Sookram Diaram, her mother, Sabitri Diaram, and her 10-year-old son. It was about 18:20 hrs and they were about to close the
Page 11
shop when two men attacked them. One of them struck her on the head with a cutlass and she collapsed. The men then used duct tape to bind her father. Her mother began to scream and ran to her daughter’s side, but was immediately beaten and dragged to the ground. The bandits began demanding cash and jewellery. While one man kept guard, the other went into the shop and removed the day’s sales along with a quantity of phone cards, beverages and
other valuables. They then escaped through a hole they had cut through the back fence. Neighbours who heard the family’s screams only ventured out after the bandits had left. The police were contacted and according to the family, took more than an hour to respond. The injured were treated at the Port Mourant Hospital. The family was robbed on the March 10, 2015 and around January and February 2015. No one has been arrested.
before the then president, Bharrat Jagdeo demitted Office. According to the
document which was secretly inked in Jamaica, all Goods and Equipment imported by the CHEC into Guyana shall
be exempt from all taxes, duties, royalties and fees imposed by the Guyana Continued on page 23
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Monday March 14, 2016
26 more women graduate from First Lady’s Success in Business workshop First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, yesterday presented certificates to 26 women from MahaicaBerbice (Region Five) who graduated from her fifth Self Reliance and Success in Business Workshop. In her address at the graduation ceremony, held at
the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Office in Rosignol, the First Lady said she is heartened by the response to the seminar. “It is always a pleasure to feel the energy and excitement at the end of these workshops. I am sure you, the women feel much more
confident now and I hope that when you leave, you take whatever you learn, back to the communities,” Mrs. Granger said. The workshop, which aims to empower women to become self-reliant, was initiated under the auspices of the Office of the First Lady,
with support from the Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. Ms. Janice Whyte, a Management and Financial Analyst at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), who delivered the feature address, told the graduates to ensure that they put what they have learnt into practice. “Take what you do seriously. You cannot expect to be effective and successful unless you believe in what you are doing,” she said. Ms. Whyte further urged them to utilise their skills and training not only to develop themselves, but their communities as well. The participants praised the workshop, noting that they have now been provided with the skills to grow and develop their businesses so that they can enjoy a better standard of living. Ms. Britney Nestor, a participant, said: “It feels [good] to be empowered. This now enables me to manage my money better and [has taught me] how I can do promotions to promote my business, so I feel good. This will really help me to move forward with my business.” Ms. Lynda Todd, from Tempe Village, said that while she manages her own business, the workshop has now taught her how to promote it. “I learnt how to market what I sell and how to promote my business…I want to say thank you to the First Lady and the Ministers because it was definitely worth the while. I will be taking back whatever I have learnt here, over the past days, to my community and hopefully I can share with a lot of people.” The workshop was first
First lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger presents a certificate of completion to one of the recipients of the Self Reliance and Success in Business workshop held for Region Five women. launched at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, with 12 women, and was later taken to Blue Berry Hill, Linden; Lethem, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine); Mabaruma, Barima-Waini (Region One) before it reached Rosignol. The sessions are being conducted by Mr. Wayne Barrow of Interweave Solutions, who said that at the end of the training, the women will be empowered to manage a small business, develop small business plans, and write grant proposals, among other skills. Interweave Solutions is a nongovernmental organisation that helps local organisations and congregations in developing countries to determine their own destinies by providing them with the necessary training to implement and promote their own business plans.
The other graduates are Ms. Euclin Abrams, Ms. Coreen August, Ms. Nichola Bacchus, Ms. Thornzia Benjamin, Ms. Lolita Chesney, Ms. Donette Cummings, Ms. Abiola Daniels, Ms. Stacey Fraser, Ms. Cordella Halley, Ms. Louisa Haynes, Ms. Shurva Isaacs, Ms. Melissa King, Ms. Simonica London, Ms. Ann Joseph Marks, Ms. Ruth McFarlane, Ms. Nina McKenzie, Ms. Tumika Ms. Pherson-Lewis, Ms. Amanda Mingo, Ms. Sherrol Mingo, Ms. Reneque Mitchell, Ms. Jennifer Monah, Ms. Britney Nestor, Ms. Carlyn Peters, Ms. Feona Robinson, Ms. Lynda Todd and Ms. Alexis Wray. To date, over 120 women have completed the programme and are on their way to establishing themselves as successful small businesses owners. (A Ministry of the Presidency release)
Mrs. Granger receives a locally made, embroidered pillowcase from one of the ladies who benefitted from the five-day workshop
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 21
FREUD AND THE SOURCE OF FUN The Communication University of China offers a Master’s Degree in Pubic Relations, a Doctor Deborah Gabriel in a post tagged under “Pubic Relations” showed off the fully clothed student who had won the prize for the best Dissertation paper, and the Urban Dictionary says, “There aren’t any definitions for pubic relations yet. Can you define it?” If I had to define what “pubic relations” is, I would say it is most likely a typographical error but most people call it a “Freudian Slip”. In late 1970, I worked as a Press Officer in the Public Relations Division of the Prime Minister’s Office in Trinidad and even now I am very careful in ensuring that I do not leave out the “l” in “Public”. In those days, working on a battered Remington typewriter with a worn and torn ribbon, I had to be ultra-careful because hitting any key was no guarantee that you would get the letter your typed or, for that matter, any letter at all. I had to make sure, though, that I did not incur the wrath of the irascible Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams, so I beat the living “l” out of the typewriter. A “Freudian Slip” is a
phenomenon that was explored by Sigmund Freud in his 1901 book; “The Psychopathology of Everyday Life”. He looked at the reason we make errors in what we say, write and do, and focused on the subconscious mind as the cause or “trigger”. He called it “psychoanalysis” but later it became a “Freudian Slip”: or “parapraxis”. So if in discussing why power is an aphrodisiac and you write, “The penis mightier than the sword” you have made a Freudian slip. If you p r o n o u n c e “Psychotherapist” as “Psycho The Rapist” that’s another. In fact, Freudian Slips affect one in sex people. Like George Bush (Sr.), Vice President to Ronald Reagan. Making a speech about his years with Reagan, Bush said, “For seven and a half years I’ve worked alongside President Reagan, and I’m proud to have been his partner. We’ve had triumphs. We’ve made some mistakes. We’ve had some sex —setbacks.” It was a serious setback when the audience laughed. Bush’s son, George W., who declared his intention, “I’d like to spank all the teachers…” meant “thank” but it was too
late. One that was even worse was when George W’s Secretary of State and former Provost of Stanford University, Condoleezza Rice, had her Freudian slip. It was long believed that Rice had something going with the married George W., so when she said, “As I was telling my husb—as I was telling President Bush” it took off like Air Force One. As one commentator said, “The Freudian slip seemed to reveal perhaps some hidden feelings the unmarried Rice might hold toward her boss.” Even though the Pope is infallible in matters of faith and morals, like any other human he too can fall victim to the irrepressible Dr. Freud. There was the Argentinian, Spanish-speaking, Pope Francis well into his Sunday Sermon at the Vatican and speaking fluid Italian when he slid into Freud. He used the word “cazzo”, which can be translated into English as a four-letter word beginning with “F” meaning “sexual intercourse” but can also mean “penis”. The word he wanted was ‘caso’, meaning “example”. The Pope quickly corrected himself and set the “caso” for rectitude but not before the video was posted on many
websites and YouTube videos. As Freudian Slips go this was more like a half-slip but it had legs. During a televised speech on education, Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy was supposed to say, “Our national interest ought to be to encourage the best and brightest.” Instead, Kennedy accidentally said breast - his hands even cupping the air as he said the word. As one journalist said, “While he quickly corrected his error and continued, the slip of the tongue seemed revealing considering his hand gestures and the family’s reputation for womanizing.” Four examples from Psychology Today add to the overall picture. “Nice to beat you,” smiles a woman when she meets the ex-girlfriend of her husband. A dinner guest thanks his host “for the hostility.” Soon after the adulterous Tiger Woods complained of a neck injury, a female reporter blurted that the golfer withdrew from the 2010 Players tournament due to “a bulging di**” in his back (meaning “disk”). When Osama, the founder of alQaeda, was finally ambushed and killed last year, a critic of
the president said, “Obama is dead and I don’t care.” Psychiatrist, Dr. Bernard Baars found that someone is likely to make Freudian slips if he is repressing a feeling of anger or sexual interest. This is why when my friends drew my attention to a recent remark by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago I was concerned. Essentially a story was leaked about a Government Minister trying to make a huge cash deposit at a local bank. The story was that the bank’s internal investigative unit picked up on the transaction and called Robinson-Regis to explain the source of funds as a declaration form was not submitted. The Minister, annoyed at the leak, withdrew all her money from the bank and closed her account with
much fanfare. The Prime Minister supported her with a curious analogy, “You ask if I’m comfortable and the answer is ‘no’. I have a credit card at FCB (the bank) and suppose I go and buy some underwear for my wife and I didn’t deliver it in time to her, and somebody tells the press, then you have another ‘story’.” I can see Freud thinking about this for a while and then saying in his inimitable Viennese accent, “Freudian slips I can take credit for, but Freudian panties?” *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that hearing Trump speak he can understand why former U.S. Vice President, Dan Quayle, said, “Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child.”
Page 22
Kaieteur News
SERVICES
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? 1 Security Guard at Eccles BIRTHDAY PARTY, Industrial Site, with a valid GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, police clearance. Call: 233ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – 2473 CALL DIAMOND TENTS: Contract cars and taxi drivers. 216-1043; 677-6620 Call: 231-0002; 231-0316 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana One General Domestic. Apply passport application. Graphics in person @ R Sookraj & design, advertisement. Tel: Sons 108 Regent Street. (Opp 626-7040; 265-4535. GBTI) Building Construction: Live in waitress must have house plans & estimates, secondary education, 18floor sanding, lacquering & 25yrs -$70,000 monthly. Call: painting, boat for Santa 610-3974 Mission –Call: 650-4362 Large quantity of selected Repairs & spare, fridge, 18months old coconut plants freezer, A/C, washers, to buy between 2-3ft tall. Call: stoves – Contact Nick: 683- 231-1408; 642-9191 1312, 627-3206 Boys to work in the Interior, INNOVATIVE MARKETING shop attendants. Call: 674& PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 1767 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business A General Manager for operation. cards, posters, etc, Diamond placements of ads included. Attractive Salary. Call: 2237165 Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and all other electronic Experienced pastry maker, equipment. Ordering of cake decorator, counter circuit boards. Abdul servers, cashier, roti/puri cooks, apply at Hacks Halaal, Electronics. Call: 225-0391 5 Commerce St. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, Contract cars & drivers. Call: washing machines, dryers, 227-1720, 227-1721 or 660TV, microwaves & freezer- 6102 Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 One experienced cook, with knowledge in baking, apply in person @ Bistro, 36 Public Road, La Grange W.B.D-Call: 678-3400 Experienced cashier & salesgirls wanted, please drop off application @ American Variety Store, 140 TAXI SERVICES Regent & Light Sts. ASAP. GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: Commercial spot for rent: 219-5000; 227-1982 & salon & barber station. 225-7878 (24HRS) Motorcycle 250 rebel & night hawk, foxtail palm plants for sale. Call: 680-1198 Experienced drivers with pleasant personality, able to read & write, apply @ Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce St. with hand-written application. One handyman to work in the Interior, must be 18-25yrs. TOURS Call: 680-2702; 661-3328 SURINAME EASTER 1 Male cook (baheir) to cook WEEKEND TOUR TRIP: in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 SHOPPING, FUN, TOURS & SIGHTSEEING DOLPHINS MARCH 23RD -28TH, 2016. CALL: 692-7270; 6655171; 639-2663; 223-0056 Rodeo Tours: get your chance to be @ The Rupununi Rodeo this Easter Weekend, unbelievable prices. Call: 226-3463 or email:delbon360@ hotmail.com
EDUCATIONAL Private Custom Brokerage Certificate: training course29th March 2016. Register now! Call: 223-1506; 694-8322
Monday March 14, 2016
SALON
PROPERTY FOR SALE
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
Transport property located @ Rosignol W.B.B: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Call: 679-3496; 6026333; 330-2576; 699-4689 (motivated settler)
Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106
Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 3068 Amelia’s Ward Linden: 4 bedrooms, 1 self-containedCall: 640-4731; 641-6450
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 Executive 2 bedrooms apartment in exclusive Residential Area , close to the Ogle Airport. Call for appointment: 653-2920 Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 2272993 One two bedrooms, fully furnished house, Lot 5 Bougainvillea Park, gated community and security guard. Call: 678-1234 4 Bedrooms house in Bel-Air Gardens; all modern conveniences; no agents!Call: 231-7839 during working hours House in Bel-Air Park: 3 bedrooms upstairs/ downstairs, all modern conveniences - $1600US monthly-Call: 231-7839 during working hours
Furnished 6 bedrooms house with attic, 4 self contained bedrooms located @ Anna Catherina, New Housing Scheme. Call: 611-5354; 615-4728 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Property for sale at Harry’s Avenue, 1 minute drive from Public Road Friendship, E.B.D- Call: 654-5385 Lall & Sons: property in Diamond -$9M, $14M, Grove-$12M, Middle Road $22M. Call: 604-6724 House & land @ Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D -$28M neg. Call: 654-4312; 629-3344, serious inquiries only. House & land (3yrs old) for sale at Canal No.2 Polder, 53/4 rice land elsewhere. Call: 718-6579040; 266-2897; 690-9331 Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701
Land in 11th Street Diamond, EBD- Call: 698-7807 LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Land 95X65 in high income gated community -$9.3M negotiable. Call: 609-0783 Vacant land for sale in Eccles, East Bank Demerara 70’X100’- Call: 623-6136
TO LET Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment in Festival City with car parking etc. Asking $G70, 000. Call: 619-2141; 616-7366 Three bedrooms concrete bottom flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens -$80,000. Call: 218-1949
VACANCY Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 1 Domestic cleaner, must able to prepare vegetarian meal, apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.
1-4Cylinder, English Perkins with bearing block, already beded, in excellent condition. Call: 698-6796
Sales Representative (with license), Industrial Engineer (Diploma/Degree) – Telemarketer, Labourer. apply:jkeshwani.alesie@ gmail.Com- Call: 269-0026
5 Acre farm at Pearl E.B.D, bearing fruit trees, equipped chicken pens etc, terms of sale negotiable. Call: 6921999
Male security, male desk staff, 30-45yrs old @ 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198
Live and pluck chicken- Call: 220-1043; 621-4304 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 Brand new KIA sports SUV. Call: 624-5650 Brand New HP Laptop: AMD Quad Core Processor, 15.6 LED Display, Widows10. Price: $ 120,000-Contact:6880407- 2263554 Jet-Ski for sale: 1500cc, super charged. Brand New! Call: 231-7839 during office hours Leyland DAF55, Flatbed truck-in, excellent condition. Call to negotiate: 675-4287; 628-0016; 667-2536; 233-2383 Transported property with furnished liquor restaurant, 2 pools table, fridges & freezers, etc. Call Lovin: 2257796
LAND FOR SALE
LEARN TO DRIVE
K ’s D r i v i n g S c h o o l (Berbice)- learn to drive with a professional instructor. Call: 615-8536; 649-0979 for more information.
1 Mercedes Benz – C200- Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033
Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135
Lall & Sons: Parfaite Harmonie$1M, $1.3M, $1.6M, Tuschen $3M, Uitvlugt, Providence $9M, Kitty-$19M,Sandpit Yarrowkabra -$90M. Call: 604-6724
Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 6895997
FOR SALE
Bulldozer operator, site engineer/technician, experienced Human Resource Personnel. Good salary-Call: 261-2280; 668-7104 Persons to hand work and pressing in sewing factory. Call: 264-2763; 642-6079 Experienced waitresses, cooks, bartenders, bouncers needed @ Eden Bar & Lounge (East Bank). Call: for appointment 652-0074 One Housekeeper for Xenon Hotel contact 225-0254 Bl a c k H a w k S e c u r i t y Services is ac c e p t i n g applications. Must be able to read & write. Call: 2318232 for appointment, MonFri; 9:00-5:00 Live in housekeeper to care for child. Call: 656-1284 Industrial sales person needed, must have own vehicle; age: 21-yrs old. Contact: 688-0407- 2263554 Security officers wanted by security company-Contact: 672-1920, between 8:00am5:00pm DRIVER/Salesman: 3 years driving experience with Van or Lorry. Call: 676- 6700
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
Need professional counselor. Call: 670-5759 Nursery teachers with good morals, good speech, and the ability to be a successful fundraiser. Call: 690-9378
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.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 Reliable Rentals: cars for rent…. Low rates and security deposits, special rates for long term. Call: 2272322; 614-3509
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2001 Toyota Allex, Mileage 77,000km, $1.6M negotiable, first owner (female), in excellent condition. Call: 687-1263 Toyota Avensis in immaculate condition. Call: 676-0706 between 09:00am-06:00pm Continued on page 23
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 23
SOMETHING DR. DAVID The things Donald Ramotar chose not to say HINDS SHOULD KNOW DEAR EDITOR, In a media letter of March 10, Ex-President of the Republic, Donald Ramotar claimed that Mr. Badrie Persaud, formerly Managing Director of the Guyana Oil Company Limited (Guyoil) w a s unceremoniously dismissed from his post by the newly elected APNU-AFC Govt. Mr. Persaud claimed that he was entitled to due process which he was not given before he was relieved of his duties. However, his appointment with Guyoil was political as he was an ardent supporter of the PPP and therefore he should have been prepared for an employment change without cause when the political landscape shifted. Most newly elected Democratic Governments including the USA usually change the top personnel of agencies under their control at the start of their administration to ensure political loyalty for execution of their agenda and other reasons. The democratically elected APNU-AFC Govt. was apparently no exception to adopt such considerations and specifically with respect
to the dismissal of Mr. Persaud there appeared to have been, “more in the mortar than the pestle” as the revelations of an Auditors Report on Guyoil may have given the Govt. ‘just cause’ for his dismissal. In listing Mr. Persaud’s management achievements, Ex-President Ramotar claimed that during the 10 years period 2006 - 2015 he increased Guyoil revenue by over 150% but he failed to note that during the same period the price for a gallon of gas increased by over 400%. He made investments in new stations and wharves but these were intended to make Guyoil more efficient and competitive and less to do with Guyana’s development per se as claimed. Further, no mention was made of the large unaccounted losses of fuel and lubricants as well as financial improprieties which occurred at Guyoil during Mr. Persaud’s management. Finally, contrary to ExPresident Ramotar’s claim, cheaper aviation fuel provided by Guyoil will not automatically result in more flights full of visitors to and from Guyana. Evidence has shown that
the significant drop in airlines fuel costs over the past year have not reflected in substantial reduction in airfares in the USA and elsewhere. Therefore, development of the tourism sector in Guyana will require much more than cheaper air fares, extension of the Cheddie International Airport, a specialty hospital and a fancy priced room at the Marriott. These facilities would hardly be considered or be on the wish list of tourists eager to see the ‘land of many waters’. Safety and security are major concerns for visitors to Guyana and recent events have shown that criminal activities in the country have been on the rise and are getting progressively worst. Further, a Capital City strewn with garbage, poor infrastructures such as lack of potable water, reliable electricity and a good and reliable transportation system (land & water) are disincentives to attract potential tourists. Therefore much work remains to be done to truly make Guyana a tourist destination. Charles Sohan
We slaved for Guyana; we... From page 4 whom came after them, were paid and given lands. Third, the last 25 years have seen foreign firms receive huge swaths of lands at giveaway prices while Africans have received none. Any Government or people interested in social cohesion, equity, equal access, economic and social justice…. would take immediate steps in our 50th anniversary year, to grant lands to Africans for the massive and unparalleled contributions that have made to Guyana. To begin this process, the Government of Guyana
immediately freeze of the granting of land leases to anyone, local or foreign, until the reparatory land issue is addressed. In the meanwhile, I call on the Amerindian Peoples Association, the National Toshao Council, the Catholic Church and all other religious groups, as well as any other Guyanese who believes in justice ,to support this just cause. We salute the Amerindian Community for their intensified advocacy in the media since this new Government has come to power. Today, Africans have less than 5% of the economy.
One of the biggest reasons is their exclusion from lands owed them for the free labour they provided and for the “crimes against humanity’ and 450,000 lives lost while building the Guyana all others enjoy today. The last government understood this issue but deliberately made it worse by undergoing the “greatest transfer of State wealth in the Caribbean and possibly Latin America” to their ethnic supportbase ‘during the last 23 years. In Justice Eric Phillips Chair Guyana Reparations Committee
Govt. will not honour “sweetheart... From page 11 Governmental and statutory authorities. If the exemption is not granted, however, the customs duties payable and paid shall be reimbursed by the Ministry of Public Works. That Ministry under its obligations to the Chinese Contractor—who is now woefully behind schedule with the expansion project— has also agreed to endorse the necessary exemption documents prepared by the Chinese Contractor for presentation in order to clear Customs. Another glaring aspect of the contract which has been heavily criticized for being lopsided in favour of the contractor
undertaking the expansion programme is the fact that Government has agreed to supply and deliver free of cost, more than 500,000 truck-loads of the sand required for backfilling of the extension of the airport runway. According to that country’s regulatory body, CHEC, since in 2014, has been illegally quarrying hillsides on lands the company purchased in that area, without approval from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and other entities. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan had also revealed that more than 70 percent of the money for the project had already been handed over to the contractor and expended.
DEAR EDITOR, I read in Sunday edition of the Stabroek News the letter by Senior Counse,l Bryn Pollard about the announced preference of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to issue additional radio licenses rather than revoke those issued by former president Jagdeo. Sound legal advice from a great legal mind. I hope the government heeds his advice and accepts the thinking of the Prime minister. In his article in various sections of the media yesterday, Dr. David Hinds argued that these licenses should be revoked because this was the promise made by the Coalition to its supporters prior to elections. Certainly David Hinds must know that a government cannot act merely on promises it made prior to becoming the government. It has to act within the law and seek to, by its
decisions, avoid hefty litigation costs, and perhaps eventual embarrassment and the payment of monetary awards. On another note, Freddie Kissoon in a recent column in this newspaper made mention of me as, among other things, a frequent letter writer. He is right. I am a frequent letter writer. I write because I care. I write because I am of the firm view that as a Guyanese, notwithstanding that I am in the diaspora, I am entitled to express my opinion. I write because I believe in constructive dialogue. I write because I believe in sharing information and experiences. I have no problem with those who do not share my opinion. I respect their right to disagree. Finally, I write because I love Guyana ! Wesley Kirton
Talking suicide prevention with... From page 5 The local communities were extremely supportive and receptive of the groups’ effort. He went on to further state that by reaching the youths through real life scenarios will make a positive impact on their lives. Being a stroke survivor, having to live with a visual disability and experiencing bout of depression, Mr. Ganga can relate to individuals battling similar mental health issues by letting them know they are not alone. We emphasized that mental health is not a character defeat and it does not mean that individuals are weak or flawed, it only means that they have more pain than others can cope with and even thought it might seems overwhelming and permanent at this moment but with time and the right support they can overcome their problems. During his visits and talks, we observed a few areas where we feel immediate action could be taken that would have a positive impact on saving lives due to suicide. Unlike the large cities like Georgetown where there is a reasonable ratio of counsellors to schools, we noticed that in the cities/ villages where suicide is prevalent, there are no or very few counsellors or social workers in the schools. The youths in these areas, predominantly in Regions 2 Essequibo Coast and Region 6 Berbice, Corentyne, have no trained individuals that would be able to counsel them through their problems, which ultimately leads to them ending their lives prematurely. To help close this gap, we suggested that teachers need to be trained on observing behavioral changes in their students, and be able to identify early signs of
depression. This would mean having personal conversations with troubled youths and develop a trusted and safe forum where the youths can openly share their concerns. Understanding the root cause of the problem would enable the teachers to be better able to address the concerns with student and parents. Another noticeable observation is the level of poverty facing families across the country. There are scenarios where students who cannot afford anything of substance, even to have lunch, are taunted by their peers. Additionally, whenever there are school functions where the students need to contribute, the students that cannot afford to contribute are told not to participate because they never bring anything. Shockingly enough some of these remarks are made by their teachers. Also observed is an instance where a school has refused to accept a disabled child because the teachers cannot spend time and address the needs of this student. As a result this 7 year old child does not attend school. Communities throughout have expressed concerns regarding the lack of efforts by the Ministries and other government agencies in providing support to curb the suicide crisis facing their local communities. In collaboration with the Sai Organization of Guyana, this group intends to provide ongoing outreach
support to the communities. He believes that it will take a village to help solve the crisis by involving everyone to step up, reach out and make things happen. Roy Ganga
From page 22
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Carina 212 -$1.1M, Toyota Ipsum -$2.2M, Nissan Pathfinder -$1.6M, Toyota Vigo -$4.5M. Prices negotiable- Call: 609-7766/ 225-8427 Unregistered Allion: 2004, fog, dark interior, TV DVD, CD. Price: $2M- Call: 617-5536 Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage $2.3M. Call: 655-3400 PPP Series, Premio, excellent condition- Call: 695-9927; 639-7844 Honda CRV (RD5), stick gear, PNN series - $2.1M negotiable. Call: 691-1198 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Prado TZ, Automatic diesel, PHH series -$4.5M, fully loadedCall: 233-2546; 688-5554
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Obama to visit London in bid to keep UK in the EU Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama will come to London in April and urge British voters to back continued membership of the European Union, The Independent yesterday newspaper reported. Britons vote in June on whether to remain part of the world’s biggest trading bloc and Obama has previously said he wants Britain to stay in the EU and help maintain the post-war transatlantic partnership. Most opinion polls show voters are split with a large number of people as yet undecided. Obama is due to attend a technology fair in Germany in late April and a source told the Independent yesterday he would visit the British capital around that time. “It would be pretty
President Barack Obama shocking if he didn’t ask voters to stay in the EU,” the source was quoted as saying. The White House declined to comment and Prime Minister David Cameron’s office did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.
Female constable found dead in trench The body of a female employee of the New Amsterdam Constabulary was yesterday afternoon fished out of a trench along the Republic Road in the vicinity of Savannah Park, Stanleytown, New Amsterdam. Her body had no visible mark of violence while her bicycle which was reportedly intact was also found in the trench. The woman has been identified as Davon Shepherd, 45, a mother of two of Alexander Street, New Amsterdam. When she was found she was clad in her working pants and a multi coloured top. She was wearing a ring and was carrying a bag. Reports are that the woman worked on Saturday afternoon and left to attend the wake of a brother of a colleague at Number 57 Stanleytown. She never arrived. The woman, who has been employed as a constable at the constabulary for the past 10 years was scheduled to work on Sunday morning, but after she did not show up for work, calls to her phone went unanswered . The body was spotted in the trench around 16:00 hrs by passersby.
Page 25
SYRIA TALKS SET TO STRUGGLE DESPITE FOREIGN PRESSURE Reuters - Syria peace talks due to begin in Geneva this week look set to struggle with the sides showing no sign of compromise over the issue at the heart of the fiveyear-long conflict: the future of President Bashar al-Assad. The U.N.-led talks getting underway today with U.S. and Russian support are part of the first serious diplomatic effort towards ending the conflict since Moscow intervened last September with air strikes that have tipped the war Assad’s way. With the crisis approaching its fifth anniversary this week, Western states seem more determined than ever to bring an end to a war that has driven hundreds of thousands of refugees towards Europe and helped the rise of Islamic State. But while recent cooperation between the United States and Russia has helped to reduce the level of violence and brought the parties to Geneva, the positions of the government and opposition reveal little ground for a negotiated settlement. Pointing to a possible escalation in the war if there
is no progress, the Russian defence ministry said rebels had used an anti-aircraft missile to shoot down a Syrian warplane on Saturday. Rebels said it was shot down with anti-aircraft guns, rather than a missile, a weapon fighters have sought but Western countries want to keep out of their hands because of the potential threat to civil aviation if militants acquire them. Reflecting the Damascus government’s confidence, Foreign Minister Walid alMoualem warned the opposition on Saturday it was deluded if it believed it would be able to take power at the negotiating table, and ruled out any talks on the presidency. The opposition meanwhile appears to be holding out little hope that Geneva will bring them nearer to their goal of toppling Assad. Announcing its decision to attend the Geneva talks, the main opposition umbrella group said the government was preparing for more war. Rebels say they are ready to fight on despite their recent defeats. They hope foreign backers - notably Saudi
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault (L) and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attend a news conference after meeting over the crisis in the Mideast, at the Quai d’Orsay ministry in Paris, France, yesterday. REUTERS/GONZALO FUENTES Arabia - will send them more powerful weapons including anti-aircraft missiles if the political process collapses. “I expect that if in this round the regime is stubborn, and doesn’t offer anything real, it will be the end of the talks and we will go back to the military solution,” said Bashar al-Zoubi, a prominent rebel. The peace talks aim to build on a “cessation of hostilities” agreement
brokered by the United States and Russia that has brought about a considerable reduction in fighting since it came into effect on Feb. 27. It marks the most serious effort yet towards deescalating the conflict, surprising many and allowing for aid deliveries to besieged areas, though the opposition says the deliveries to rebelheld territory fall well short of needs.
Page 26
Kaieteur News
Monday March 14, 2016
UWI promises no decline in commitment to regional students BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies has given the assurance that the current drive to attract more international students will not impact its commitment to students from Barbados and the Caribbean.With a decline in the student population from 9,000 before the introduction of tuition fees for locals, to 6,065 at present, Cave Hill campus is keen to increase its enrolment figures among as part of an overall strategy to boost its finances. Vice-Chancellor Sir Hillary Beckles told a news conference weekend following the campus’ council meeting that this is the first stage of a much broader programme of the university. Principal Eudine Barriteau, meanwhile, noted that the campus has the capacity to accommodate up 10,000 students. “And I want everyone to understand quite clearly that our core mission is educating Barbadian and Caribbean
Sir Hillary Beckles students. So we’re attracting international students, but they become the topping up. We’re not going to move from our core mission,” Barriteau told reporters. The campus is currently targeting the Central American countries of Costa Rica, and Panama, and their neighbours to the south, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. “We are engaged in conversations with colleagues in Brazil. We have
a strong Brazil project on which we are working, and beyond the hemisphere we are looking also at Asia, we’re looking at Africa. “And so what we are trying to do in UWI on all of our campuses, and with Cave Hill taking the lead in this regard, we are seeking to make our programmes, our skills our capacities available on a global basis,” Sir Hilary stated. As it relates to funding for the university, he said the tertiary institution is working with regional governments “to turn the conversation around where the university is not seen as a site for public expenditure, but a site that generates foreign exchange and generates revenue”. According to Sir Hilary, a recent economic impact assessment of the Cave Hill Campus conducted by economics professor Dr Winston Moore showed that as a business enterprise, Cave Hill generates as much foreign exchange on an annual basis as many other sectors in the economy.
Greece steps up efforts to move migrants to sheltered camps
Migrants walk on a railway track at a makeshift camp on the Greek-Macedonian border, near the village of Idomeni, Greece. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov Reuters - Greece increased efforts on Saturday to move thousands of migrants near the border with Macedonia to sheltered camps, as the spread of infection became a concern with one person in a sprawling tent city diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Stranded in filthy conditions near the northern border town of Idomeni, at least 12,000 people, among them thousands of children, were waiting to cross the frontier although Macedonia and other
nations along the so-called Western Balkan route have closed their borders. Scuffles broke out at the camp in recent days as destitute people scrambled for food and firewood, while many have been sleeping in the open, often in the rain amid low temperatures. Greek authorities handed out leaflets in Idomeni on Saturday informing people that the main route to northern Europe was shut. The pamphlets urged them to move to buildings and hospitality centres across
Greece that have been set aside for the purpose, according to a government official from the country’s refugee crisis management coordination body. “Our aim is not only to relieve Idomeni from the people, our aim is that no Idomeni (camp) even exists anymore. There are structures, why should people stay in the mud?” he said. Leaflets would also be distributed in ports and on islands to discourage people from going to Idomeni, the government official said.
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Page 28
Kaieteur News
Massive anti-government protests shake Brazil
Demonstrators protest against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and the ruling Workers Party (PT) at Liberty Square in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, yesterday. SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - Protesters poured en masse onto the streets of Brazil’s major cities yesterday to demand the removal of President Dilma Rousseff, raising the stakes for the leftist leader as she struggles to pull the country out of its worst political and economic crisis in a generation. The demonstrations were the latest in a wave of antigovernment rallies that lost momentum late last year but has gained strength as a sweeping corruption investigation nears Rousseff’s inner circle. The magnitude of yesterday’s protests could be crucial in persuading a divided Congress to back ongoing impeachment proceedings against Rousseff. No official estimates for the number of protesters across Brazil were immediately available. But two government sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the demonstrations could be bigger than anti-government rallies in March 2015, which
gathered as many as 1 million people. The demonstrations were peaceful, with tens of thousands wearing the national yellow and green colours and holding banners that read “Dilma out” and “Stop with corruption.” “I support her impeachment and new elections because the presidential vote in 2014 was financed with dirty money from corruption,” said Alexandre Cortes, a 39-yearold engineer draped in a Brazilian flag in a festive rally in Sao Paulo, the country’s biggest city and financial capital. Many blame Rousseff for sinking the economy into its worst recession in at least 25 years. Opinion polls show that more than half of Brazilians favour the impeachment of the president, who was re-elected by a slim margin for a second four-year term in 2014. Rousseff is the latest leftist leader in Latin America to face social upheaval as a decade-long commodities boom that fueled breakneck
Food, toilet paper traded for guns Trinidad Express - Toilet paper and fast food are being traded for guns between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, Asst Commissioner of Police Surajdeen Persad has said. The illegal barter has been fuelled by economic woes affecting Venezuela, Persad said. The former deputy director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), made the statements as he addressed a police town meeting at the Tunapuna Community Centre on Friday night. Persad said the number one priority for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) for this year is to reduce firearm related violence in the country. In order to accomplish this, the police need to remove firearms from the streets, he said. Last year, Persad said, 690 firearms were seized and between 2011 to 2016 the Police Service’s Northern Division seized 576 firearms.
growth rates comes to an abrupt end. Ahead of the demonstrations, tensions were high after Sao Paulo state prosecutors requested the arrest of Rousseff ’s political mentor and predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on moneylaundering charges. A judge still has to decide on the request, which can be rejected. As in previous protests, yesterday’s rallies were led by middle-class Brazilians angry over growing allegations of corruption in Rousseff ’s administration. The poor Brazilians who form the traditional base of her ruling Workers’ Party have not turned out in great numbers at the recent protests, but their support has faded as the recession has deepened and inflation has climbed. “This government helped many people buy homes, cars and electronics, but we still don’t have health, education and basic sewage,” said Paulo Santos, a waiter who stopped at the demonstration in Rio de Janeiro before heading to work. In the capital, Brasilia, protesters inflated a giant doll of Lula wearing a striped prison uniform and chained to a ball that read “Operation Carwash,” the name of the investigation centered on state oil company Petrobras. Police estimated about 100,000 protesters in Brasilia alone. A few hundred government supporters wearing red shirts and holding banners that read “There will not be a coup” stood outside Lula’s home on the outskirts of Sao Paulo. The probe has implicated senior politicians from Rousseff’s coalition as well as top business executives.
Monday March 14, 2016
PM accuses steel and mining company of being “disrespectful in the extreme” PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley weekend said that his administration views as “punitive and disrespectful in the extreme” the decision by ArcelorMittal Point Lisas, a subsidiary of the world’s leading steel and mining company, to end its operations here and send home more than 600 employees. “It is with a sense of sadness and deep disappointment that the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago have received the news of the actions of ArcelorMittal’s decision to close the steel producing business in our country,” Rowley said in a statement. “This far reaching action, taken without reference or discussion with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, affecting thousands of our citizens, we view as punitive and disrespectful in the extreme,” he said. He said it was particularly hurtful “as it was done on the heels of a
decision where the workers had their rights defended in a Superior Court of Record in the state of Trinidad and Tobago. Rowley said the government “is very cognisant and mindful of the fact that this is a period of economic hardship and challenges in many industries all over the world. “It is precisely because of this understanding, that we as a people, have appealed to all our stakeholders to be resilient and caring for the people and their families who were there contributing in the good times and who now require respect, support and even the milk of human kindness as the ravages of worldwide recession negatively affect us all.” The move by the steel and mining company came less than 24 hours after the Industrial Court had ruled against the company and fined it TT$24,000 (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) as well as criticising the procedures used in laying off over 500 of its employees last December
Dr. Keith Rowley President General of the Steel Workers Union (SWUTT) Christopher Henry told reporters that at least 700 workers had been terminated by the company. Henry called for “an immediate intervention” by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, noting that the decision of the company places a “tremendous burden” on the existing state of the local economy.
WHO BETRAYED PORTIA? Expert blames Simpson Miller’s handlers for election defeat The Gleaner - A psychotherapist, who drew much criticism late last year when The Gleaner reported her projection that then Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller would be booted because of the actions of her handlers, has declared that she now feels vindicated. “Simpson Miller became both a captive and victim of her own public relations,” asserted the psychotherapist, who studies human behaviour and has repeatedly requested that her name be withheld. She said she has been studying the metamorphosis of the PNP president since 2011. “It is fascinating to watch from a psychoanalytical perspective.” Explaining that for professional reason she could not permit release of her identity, the psychotherapist added: “In the end she was like Marie Antoinette, a tragic figure who was powerless to change her circumstances.” Marie Antoinette, then wife of French King Louis X1V, was executed by the use of a guillotine, after she was accused of helping to provoke unrest that led to the French Revolution and the overthrow of the monarchy in
Portia Simpson Miller August 1792. “Now she (Simpson Miller) will face the guillotine alone,” the psychotherapist lamented. “The good news is that she is now wealthy and self-sufficient. She added: “The lady from Woodhall did good, but her legacy was allowed to be tarnished by people with raw political agendas that did not serve her interests.” Last year, the psychotherapist told The Gleaner that from a clinical perspective, Simpson Miller’s handlers engendered a type
of complex in her to make her feel she was no longer accountable to anyone. “It comes off as delusions of grandeur,” declared the psychotherapist. “I am sure this is not who she is, even as they transformed a very confident person into a selfembarrassed figurehead.” Speaking with The Gleaner last week - six months after her initial prediction - the psychotherapist said: “The fallout will be tough, many careers are now exposed and they will be weighed and found wanting.” She continued: “The PNP will find themselves in the position that most old political parties have.” According to her, the young people within the PNP are now impatient. “They believe their time has come and are eager to retire the old guard.” She lamented that, “After all his hard work, Dr Peter Phillips (former finance minister) will have to fight for his political life as many are laying the loss at his feet. “Portia cannot and might not even be inclined to help him,” said the psychotherapist.
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Australian High Commissioner Big B’s Restaurant backs Roy Fredericks Memorial T20 pays courtesy call on GCB
Secretary Anand Sanasie handing over a token of appreciation toHigh Commissioner of Australia in Guyana, John Pilbean (3rd left). High Commissioner of A u s t r a l i a in Guyana, John Pilbean, paid a courtesy call on the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Friday last, and engaged a high level delegation of GCB Executives in wide-raging discussions on the upcoming ODI tri-series featuring West Indies, South Africa and Australia. The GCB delegation was headed up by its President Drubahadur, Vice President Fizul Bacchus, Secretary Anand Sanasie, Marketing Manager Raj Singh, Competitions Chairman Colin
Europe and TDO Colin Stuart. The series will consist of ten matches, slated for June 2016. The first leg will be played in Guyana with all of the matches to be played at the Providence National Stadium; Australia versus South Africa on the 3rd, West Indies versus South Africa on the 5th, and West Indies versus Australia on the 7th. The second leg is slated for St Kitts, while the final four ODIs, including the final, will be held in Barbados. Australia last limited overs matches in the Caribbean came in March
2012 when they played five ODIs. The two sides split the ODI series - with two wins each and a tie in the third ODI at St Vincent. The gathering had fruitful and wide ranging discussions surrounding the logistical and security arrangements and other pertinent issues regarding the Australia team stay whilst in Guyana. The GCB is eager to host Australia, South Africa and West Indies teams and is confident that Guyanese will come out and support the matches.
GTT, Sign Arts assist BCC for Roy Fredericks Memorial T20
Hilton Wong (left) of GT&T presents the cheque to BCC head Shabeer Baksh.
Trevor Harripersaud (right) of Sign Art hands over the cheque to Shabeer Baksh.
Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and Sign Arts of West Berbice have assisted the Blairmont Cricket Club for the staging of the Roy Fredericks Memorial T20 tournament slated for March 19 and 20. GT&T presented $100,000, while Sign Arts handed over $50,000 to the club recently. Both entities also pledged to be present at the ground on both days to offer service, discounts and giveaways. The two day event will see ten teams tussling for supremacy; namely; Cotton Tree Die Hard, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Youth and Sports Club, Bath Underdogs, Blairmont Blazers, Skeldon Gladiators, West Berbice Super Kings, Black Bush Rangers, Bush Lot Strikers and Lusignan Emperors.
Abeeda Ali of Big B’s Restaurant presents the cheque to Mohamed Samad in the presence of her colleagues. Big B’s Restaurant of D’ Edward village, West Bank Berbice has supported the Blairmont Cricket Club (BCC) for the staging of the Roy Fredericks Memorial T20 tournament which is set for March 19 and 20. The entity recently presented a cheque of an undisclosed sum to the club. Mohamed Samad a representative of the BCC expressed gratitude to the management and staff of the restaurant, while staff member Abeeda Ali congratulated the club on such a venture, adding that they are happy to be part of the competition. The fundraiser will look to address main concern of the club including covers for the pitch. The club is also hoping to host a Spelling Bee and a Math Quiz for grade six students in Region 5 to
prepare them for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) with the blessing of the Ministry of Education in the latter part of the year. Among other attractions for the weekend are Domino Competition, live commentary, Ice Cream and Air horns giveaway, Bouncy
Castle, Trampoline and live musical entertainment from local artist. For more information about sponsorship rights or participation, individuals can contact Shizad Ali (Green’s Massive) 627-5215, Nigel Trotz 643-4289 or Shabeer Baksh 628-6767.
BVA adopts Anti Suicide... From page 31 different types of training techniques. During the workshop the participants were taken through a full regiment of practical drills which include techniques training. Warm up without ball- to prevent injuries and further preparation; warm up with ball and warm down. Attack from different positions- left, centre, right. Defence includes blocking moves, learning court positions, different attacks, panning. Different types of setting-simple, complex, tipping among other plays. Tactic training- the planning and execution of a training programme: weekly daily long term. Some 23 participants attended the workshop. (Samuel Whyte)
Page 30
Kaieteur News
Colts, Ravens in Mackeson Mecca III déjà vu By Edison Jefford Colts United and Dyna’s Ravens played in the National Basketball Championships: Mackeson’s Road to Mecca III first semifinal last night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall after respective wins in the quarterfinal round the night before. Despite a hot start from Pepsi Sonics, the team fell 4870 to Colts after a second half offensive meltdown that was inexplicable. Guard, Jason Squires set Sonics on a winning trajectory with backto-back three-point jumpers that put them up 21-11 in the first quarter. Sonics went up 31-21 before shooting guard, Shelroy Thomas hauled Colts to within three points to end the first half down 28-31; Sonics then scored four points in the third quarter and 13 points in the fourth quarter for a combined 17 points in two quarters to gift-wrap the game for Colts that struggled offensively early. Colts scored 42 points in the last half to secure their semi-final berth. Thomas dropped 24 points, while Shane Webster scored 16 points and grabbed 19 rebounds. Swingman, Stanton Rose ended with 15 points for Colts. Sonics’ Shooting guards, Trevor Smith had 18 points
while Squires finished with 17 points and nine rebounds. In the second game, Ravens ensured that they were back among the top four clubs in Guyana when they beat Guardians 78-63. Guard, Ryan Stephney scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, most of which came in a heroic fourth quarter performance, for Ravens. Point guard, Dominic Vincente also had 15 points while Jermaine Slater added 12 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double. Ryan Gullen had nine points, while Darcel Harris rolled back some years with two huge jumpers from downtown and vintage Showtime layup. For Guardians, guard, Nikkoloi Smith had 26 points while Ron Campbell finished with 17 points in the game. Ravens ended the first half up 31-28 before a third quarter 4646 deadlock. However, Stephney led Ravens offence in the final quarter where they outscored Guardians 32-17 to bounce away with the win. The Final Four playoffs were held last night. Ravens played Colts in the first game, while Raiders came up against Pacesetters in the final game. The Final of the National Basketball Championships will be held on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
West Indies beat Australia by three wickets in Kolkata in final World Twenty20 warm-up ABC.net.au - Australia have completed its preparations for the World Twenty20 with a three-wicket loss to West Indies in a warmup game at Kolkata. Aaron Finch seemingly shored up his place in Australia’s XI for their World T20 opener against New Zealand, outperforming Usman Khawaja in the practice match. Finch scored 33 opening with Shane Watson at Eden Gardens, sharing a 76-run stand to lay the platform for a total of 9 for 161. Watson top-scored with 60, while Khawaja scored five before he was caught behind off the bowling of Carlos Brathwaite. Josh Hazlewood, expected to sit out Friday’s trans-Tasman clash in Dharamsala, grabbed a hattrick as West Indies collapsed to 4 for 27 in response. But skipper Darren Sammy slammed an unbeaten 50 off 28 to get his side over the line with one ball remaining. The defeat will frustrate skipper Steve Smith, especially given his side had complete control of the contest after Hazlewood’s opening spell of 3 for 4. A middle-order collapse of 4 for 11 will also be cause for concern. However, the alarm bells
Jorcell Troyer is St. Stanislaus College Chess Champion Jorcell Troyer was crowned St Stanislaus College Chess Champion when the Royal Chess Academy (GCA), in conjunction with the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), staged the Saints Chess Competition at the school’s Brickdam location last Saturday afternoon. The three days tournament commenced Saturday March 4, continued last Friday afternoon, with the finals on Saturday. Troyer amassed 6 ½ points, while Ghansham Alijohn finished in second place with 5 points. Joshua Gopaul also scored 5 points but was relegated to the 3rd place after the tie break system was employed. Jaden Taylor did not place among the podium players but he managed to score 3 points. He was consequently awarded for being the youngest player in the tournament while Felicity Sonaram was adjudged the strongest female player after she had amassed 4 ½ points. The other female, Jessica Callender scored 3 points. The other points standing reads, John Wong, Kristoff Persaud (4 points each), Jessica Callendar, Leroy Greer (3 points each), Aden Johnson and Rayscon Johnson (2 ½ points each). Samuel James (2 points). Two of the participants, John Adams and Robert Williams failed to register a point. The outstanding players were presented with their prizes upon the conclusion of the tournament. Meanwhile, National Senior (Men’s) champion and FIDE Instructor, Wendell Meusa, was instrumental in the efficient staging of the tournament. He said that he would not have been able to do so devoid of the input of members of the corporate community. He is very grateful to those individuals including Chancellor Gentle Ellias and Politician, James Bond. Mr. Meusa also extended gratitude to Ron Mootilall and President of the GCF, Irshad Mohammed for their input in making the function a success.
Monday March 14, 2016
Dwayne Bravo breaks into a jig after taking a wicket, Australia v West Indies, World T20 warm-ups, Kolkata, March 13, 2016. Getty/ICC
- Josh Hazlewood grabs hat-trick
Darren Sammy tucks the ball fine, Australia v West Indies, World T20 warm-ups, Kolkata, March 13, 2016 ©AFP will not be sounding yet. David Warner, James Faulkner, Nathan CoulterNile and Ashton Agar were the members of Australia’s 15man squad sitting out the warm-up fixture. John Hastings played but did not bowl an over. Faulkner has a sore hamstring but team
management expect he will be fit for Friday’s game, where Warner and Coulter-Nile will also return. Skipper Sammy guides West Indies to winning position With the help of a quickfire 33 from Brathwaite and a knock of 29 from Andre
Russell, Sammy pushed his side to a point where they needed 10 off the final two overs. Mitch Marsh kept things tight in the penultimate over but Smith’s side did not have enough runs to play with. Andrew Tye logged figures of 2 for 35 from 2.5 overs, while Watson opened the bowling and went at nine runs an over. Selectors will look at more than one match when determining who will open alongside Watson against NZ. But in what was essentially the final selection trial, it was a timely reminder of former T20 skipper Finch’s talent. It was not the powerful Victorian’s most dominating innings; he cracked six fours and did not clear the rope once. Yet Finch, Watson and Smith, who contributed a measured 36, were Australia’s standouts with the bat in the clash. Towering left-arm tweaker Sulieman Benn raised further questions about Australia’s capacity to crumble against spin. Benn was on a hat-trick after dismissing Glenn Maxwell and Marsh.
Monday March 14, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 31
STAG Elite League – FINALE
Den Amstel Mash Cup
Pele beat GFC; Monedderlust and Buxton draw
Pouderoyen edge Uitvlugt on sudden death PKs to win championship; Eagles take third
Pele are back into the top four on goal difference ahead of the GDF following their 2-0 triumph over Georgetown Football Club (GFC) as roundfive play in the STAG Elite League FINALE continued on Saturday night last at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice. The feature match of the night saw the home team, Monedderlust and Buxton United battling to a 1-1 stalemate. Buxton clawed their way back into the match in the second half after they found themselves training the home team from the 25th minute when Sean Jackman put them ahead. As he has done before, Denvor Dennis stepped up to the plate for Buxton to score the equalizer in the 57th minute. The point maintains the East Demerara’s side sixth place position in the points standings while Monedderlust came off the bottom of the table with their second point of the FINALE. Pele’s win saw them moving ahead of the Guyana Defence Force into fourth place with a better goal
Denvor Dennis
Omallo Williams
difference. It was GFC’s fourth loss in five matches in this second half of the league while it was Pele’s second win in five matches. GFC did keep the score sheets clean by the end of the first 45 minutes to their credit but it was the depth of Pele that saw them finally breaking down the stubborn resistance of GFC. Royan Morrison it was who finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. GFC still kept on fighting
and it was until the 85th minute that Pele were able to double their lead to effectively seal full points and their second win. It was Omallo Williams who performed the honours of scoring. The first half of matches in Round six is set for Wednesday at the Tucville ground. Pele and Fruta Conquerors will contest the main match with the opener at 18:00hrs between GDF and GFC.
Points Standings at the end of Round 5 Club GP W L Slingerz 5 5 0 F/Conquerors 5 3 1 Alpha United 5 2 1 Pele FC 5 2 2 GDF FC 5 2 2 Buxton United 5 1 2 Monedderlust 5 0 3 GFC 5 0 4
D 0 1 2 1 1 2 2 1
GF 14 9 10 4 5 5 3 3
GA 2 6 5 3 10 6 11 10
GD +12 +3 +5 +1 -5 -1 -8 -7
Pts 15 10 8 7 7 5 2 1
BVA adopts Anti Suicide Principle at two-day coaching course/workshop The workshop was held at the Port Mourant Community Centre, Corentyne Berbice. The facilitator was former National Captain and present National Coach and BVA President Levi Nedd. The course was held under the theme: “Live Up don’t Give up with Suicide”. During the sessions the participants were taught techniques, tactics, physical conditioning and did a good amount of psychology training and were given a brief history of the game. Volleyball was invented by Mr. William Morgan in 1895 in Holyoke Massachusetts, USA. In 1896 the name was changed to volleyball. The game was mostly spread around the world by the Young Men Christian Association (YWCA) and soldiers during world war one. Beach volleyball was started in Florida USA.
In the beginning nine players used to occupy the court for play in rows of threes. This is still practical in some parts of China. Digging was invented by Japanese women, also crossing and hitting, rotating and arm swing. In 1964 volleyball was introduced in the Olympic which was held in Tokyo Japan. Beach volleyball was first played in the Olympic Games in 1996. By 1997 there were 218 countries affiliated to the FIVA. The participants were also shown and guided on the organizational chart of FIVA. The attributes of a coach includes being a teacher, a leader an organizer, be positive, be an educator, have prestige, have good personality, be a communicator and a role model. Communication and its importance to the game was
also looked at. Among some of the key points dealt with were: Coaching -Service skills, attacking and defensive skills. Principles of trainingwhen selecting players to form a team, drills should be compatible with player’s skills. Key elements of the training workout include duration, volume, rest and repetitions, warming up. Preparing and the importance of training sheets- Systems of play, sequence of play, attack, blocking, defence, counter attack. Types of passing- W formation, cup formation, spoon formation, bowl formation Types of attacks-spread, cross, swing, wild, tandem or change. What to look for when selecting a player and Continued on page 29
The renewal of rivalry between old rivals Pouderoyen and Uitvlugt Warriors was well received on Saturday night last when the two sides clashed in the final of the Den Amstel Mash Cup at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground. It was billed as a potentially grinding affair and that it exactly how it unfolded, neither side willing to give up territory. Chances were created at both ends of the pitch but no goals materialized during regulation time. Even the spells of rain during the match could not cool down the heat between the two sides but it was the West Bank lads who were able to hold their nerve at the end of proceedings to defeat their West Demerara rivals on sudden death penalty kicks, 2-1 after their first five kicks each, were scored. The small but appreciative crowd on hand which included Director of Sport Christopher Jones was treated to a fine display of penalty kick shooting, Uitvlugt not being able to keep up with Pouderoyen. Scoring the first five kicks for Pouderoyen were Marvin Frank, Morgan Denny, Addasaffi Walcott, Quessey Alleyne and Dwayne St. Kitts. Reciprocating for Uitvlugt were Kevin Duke Shomol Smith, Daniel Floy, Carlisle Carroll and Keion Duke. Sudden death kicks were then required to decide the winner, so it was down to whose nerves could have withstood the pressure. Again, the Pouderoyen players hit the target with Troy Allicock and Kevin Frank emulating the earlier scorers. Uitvlugt scored their first
Daniel Clarke (right) and Jalen Williams, Eagles FC scorers. through Jermaine Accra and all would have felt that their most potent forward Seon Boob would have also sunk his shot but that was not to be. Bobb stepped up to the spot with all confidence but his shot went just outside the right upright must to his disappointment but delight for Pouderoyen as it sparked wild celebrations by the players and fans. The win spelt $200,000 for Pouderoyen as champions along with bragging rights for the next year as the organisers have pledged to ensure that the tournament which was held before but not for a few years, continues annually. Uitvlugt for their efforts will collect the 2nd place prize of $100,000. In the third place playoff, Eagles United flew to an upset 3-2 win over the host team, Den Amstel. Sixteen year-old Daniel Clarke (16th, 21st) netted a first half double, while teammate Jalen Williams opened their account in the
6th minute. The game looked virtually sealed for Eagles which continues to show excellent development and will surely be one of the teams on the West Side to watch going forward; but Den Amstel came out running for all its worth in the second half. The host team fired in unanswered goals off the boot of Kevaughn Ward in the 40th and 69th minute but it was too late as time was not on their side in the 70th minute clash. Eagles won for themselves the third place cash prize of $75,000, while Den Amstel will not walk away empty handed, they will receive $50,000 when the presentation of prizes is held on a date and time to be announced shortly. Making the knock-out tournament possible were Banks DIH, RDC Region #3, National Sports Commission, Attorney James Bond and Forrester Lumber Yard among others.
Regal Masters exit Florida Cup... From page 34 booked their place in the final of the Open category with a convincing semi-final win over Untouchables of New York City. SFSCL posted 207 all out from their allocated 25 overs. Michael Rangasammy made 57 and Steven Taylor 30. Former Guyana player Andrew Gonsalves was the chief wicket taker with 4 for 32 for Untouchables who were bowled out in the 22nd over for 130 to lose by 77 runs. SFSCL’s opponents are Enforcers, also from New York who booked their place in the final by defeating Mercenary by seven wickets. Mercenary made 144 all out from 23 overs. Fiaz Samad scored
60; Balieram Beharry cpatured 4 for 16. Vicky Sugrim 60 and Amarnauth Woarti 37 then raced to 145 for 3 from 23 overs with only D. Glasgow 3/35 looking to upset the plans. The Regal Master’s team’s journey to South Florida is made possible through the support from the Director of Sports Mr. Christopher Jones and the National Sports Commission, Mr. Kawal Narine of Jemtex International in New York, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Regal Sports, Top Brandz Distributors, Crown Mining Supplies, Mr. Lennox Cush of Stars Party Rentals, Mr. Danny Persaud of Ink Plus and Mr. Joseph Ramkumar of Payless Variety Store.
Page 32
PCL FIRSTCLASS CRICKET
Kaieteur News
Monday March 14, 2016
Jaguars forced to follow-on by Hurricanes Johnson’s 27th fifty keeps hope alive
Shiv Chanderpaul plays a dismissive pull off Alzarri Joseph during his 48 yesterday.
By Sean Devers in Antigua In association with Care Cottages Antigua & Noble House Seafoods Set 240 to avoid an innings defeat, Leon Johnson was leading from the front with an unbeaten 51 to help the Guyana Jaguars to 108 in their second innings after they were bowled out for 190 an hour after Lunch in their first innings on the penultimate day of their
Kenyan athletes’ rep quits in frustration over doping crisis NAIROBI (Reuters) The Kenyan athletes’ representative, Noah Ngeny, has quit his post, saying that the country’s sporting authorities were not doing enough to tackle a doping crisis. Kenya is a global leader in endurance running, both on the track and in city marathons but more than 40 of its athletes have been banned for doping in the past three years. Several senior officials have also been suspended for misusing funds and other allegations. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has given Kenya until April 5 to prove it can successfully tackle the doping issue, or face exclusion from the Rio Olympics. “Athletics Kenya (AK) has ignored my advice to spend money in sensitizing athletes on matters of doping. I find that unacceptable,” said Ngeny, the 1,500 meter champion at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Sponsors have withdrawn their support and questioned AK’s spending practices, he said. Ngeny retired from international athletics in 2006 and has been the athletes’ representative in AK Last month AK Chief Executive Isaac Mwangi was provisionally suspended by the Ethics Board of the sport’s world governing body after being accused of seeking bribes to reduce doping suspensions of two athletes. Former AK President Isaiah Kiplagat, his former deputy, David Okeyo, and former AK treasurer Joseph Kinyua have all been suspended by the IAAF Ethics Commission on charges of misusing funds from a sponsorship by U.S. sports manufacturer Nike. The officials have denied wrongdoing.
ninth round PCL First-Class cricket match against the Leewards Hurricanes at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium yesterday. Shiv Chanderpaul (48) and Raymon Refier (45) added 79 for the seventh wicket in the first innings to rescue the Jaguars from 86-6 but once Reifer who batted 85 balls, 80 minutes and struck six fours and a six, was dismissed just after Lunch, the Jaguars lost four wickets for 25 runs. Chanderpaul batted for 126 minutes, faced 98 balls and hit five fours and a six. Gavin Tonge was the pick of the bowlers with 4-37, while Rakeem Cornwall (3-59) and Alzarri Joseph (2-34) supported. The Jagaurs are in danger of suffering their first defeat in 16 matches at this level and first since November 2014 when Barbados Pride beat them at Providence and need another 132 runs to make the Hurricanes bat again. Johnson has so far hit eight fours and faced 117balls and batted for 168 minutes and is 14 short of being the first batsman to reach 700 for the season. Vishaul Singh has faced 91 balls for his 16 and has shared in an unfinished 54-run stand with his Captain. When Guyana began their second innings Chandrika pushed Joseph elegantly for four, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul hit Joseph for two boundaries. Jeremiah Louis seemed very lucky to have his caught behind appeal upheld when Chanderpaul (8) played a reckless shot and clearly missed the ball at 19-1. But Johnson and Chandrika played confidently and brought up the 50 in 58 minutes with eight fours with the left-handed Johnson scoring the bulk of the runs before Chandrika (20) edged Cornwall to slip at 54-2. Guyana’s two leading batsmen came together and while Johnson looked to score,
Singh dropped anchor and took 25 minutes to move from five to six but in the context of the game the time he spent at the crease was as valuable as Guyana’s Gold. Johnson reached his 27th fifty at this level from 102 balls, 143 minutes and was decorated with eight well timed boundaries while the 50-run stand for the third wicket came off 121 balls. Earlier, on a day blessed with brilliant sunshine the Jaguars began on 61-3 in reply to the Hurricanes’ 430 and lost night watchman Devendra Bishoo (8) 18 minutes into the day and his overnight partner Singh three minutes later. Both batsmen departed with the score on 72. Bishoo pushed forward to off-spinner Cornwall and was caught at silly mid-off while Singh, who batted for 104 minutes and 89 balls for his 25, edged Tonge to Cornwall at second slip. Shiv Chanderpaul pulled Tonge nonchalantly behind square for four before Chris Barnwell (7) edged Tonge to the Keeper to leave the wounded Jaguars in a precarious position at 86-6. This was the perfect situation for Chanderpaul to once again bail his team out and 41-year-old left-hander with more experience than anyone else in the tournament was the perfect man for the job with the Hurricanes threatening blow the Jaguars away. Chanderpaul eased onto the front foot and easily tucked Tonge for three before stroking the burly Cornwall effortlessly back past him. An impeccable timed extra cover drive then raced away for back-to-back boundaries. Reifer off-drove Tonge for three to bring up the 100 from 294 balls and the Jaguars were desperately trying to escape from Hurricanes’ path of destruction. Chanderpaul, who scored the third fastest Test century against Australia at Bourda in 2003, slapped the lively Joseph behind point for four when the West Indies U-19 pacer bowled short and wide. Joseph ran in hard and bowled fast and tested both batsmen with short balls in an entertaining contest but Chanderpaul and Reifer counter-attacked. Reifer just evaded a well directed bouncer but pulled the next ball for four and deposited Joseph for six when he insisted on bowling short as Reifer fought fire with fire. Chanderpaul was in a rare aggressive mood and hooked Joseph for three, forcing Peters to pull him out of the attack. But the change made little difference to Reifer who banged Jeremiah Louis for consecutive straight boundaries on one the best kept outfields in the Region. Reifer cut Louis and then sweetly drove him down the ground for successive fours and the over 15,000 Guyanese living in Antigua were missing an exhilarating battle as the Jaguars
posted their last 50 in 16.3 overs. Chanderpaul danced into Taylor and clobbered the off-spinner for six before using his feet and blasting him down the ground next ball for four to post the 50 partnership from just 47 minutes. By Lunch Chanderpaul and Reifer were staging a terrific fight back on a good cricket wicket and had progressed to 161-3 with both batsmen on 41. After the interval Reifer was stumped off Taylor to leave the score 165-7 and break the seventh wicket stand which included 10 fours and two sixes. Anthony Bramble joined Chanderpaul who chopped it onto his stumps when two runs from his 134th fifty at this level as the Jaguars slipped to 172-9. The Jaguars lost three wickets in 25 minutes after Lunch as the pendulum swung back in the Hurricanes’ favour. With 10 away from a batting point Permaul (10) was removed by Joseph an hour after Lunch leaving the Jaguars with a huge deficit. Johnson and Singh’s partnership is the hope of the Jaguars holding for a draw today.
SCOREBOARD Hurricanes 1st Inns K Powell c Reifer b Barnwell 55 K Carty c & b Permaul 33 M Hodge not out 149 D Cruickshank lbw b Permaul 43 O Peters c wkp Bramble b Beaton 29 J Hamilton LBW b Beaton 20 R Cornwall c Johnson b Barnwell 11 J Taylor LBW b Bishoo 6 J Louis c T Chanderpaul b Bishoo 18 G Tonge c T Chanderpaul b Reifer 59 Extras (lb-1, w-1, nb-1, b-4) 7 Total (for 10 wkts off 130 overs) 430 Fow: 76, 114, 172, 237,267, 283, 298,338, 429, 430 Bowling: Beaton 25-5-82-2, Reifer 27-5-83-2 Barnwell 18-2-68-2, Bishoo 39-8-115-2, Permaul 40-16-77-2 Jaguars 1st inns R Chandrika c wkp Hamilton b Joseph 4 T Chanderpaul c Hamilton b Cornwall 13 L Johnson c wkp Hamilton b Tonge 12 V Singh c Cornwall b Tonge 25 D Bishoo c Hodge b Cornwall 8 S Chanderpaul b Tonge 48 C Barnwell c wkt Hamilton b Tonge 7 R Reifer Stp Hamilton b Taylor 45 A Bramble c Powell b Cornwall 5 V Permaul c Tonge b Joseph 10 R Beaton not out 3 Extras (lb-5, b-4, w-1) 10 Total (for 10 wkts off 80.1 overs) 190 Fow: 6, 23, 52, 72, 72, 86, 165, 175, 177, 190 Bowling: Tonge 20-3-37-4, Joseph10.1-1-342, Louis 8-2-25-0, Cornwall, 31-10-59-3, Taylor 8-2-19-1, Cruikshank 2-0-6-0, Powell 1-0-1-0, Taylor 2-1-2-0 Jaguars 2nd inns (following on) T Chanderpaul c wkp Hamilton b Louis 8 R Chandrika c Peters b Cornwall 20 L Johnson not out 51 V Singh not out 16 Extras (lb-10, b-2, nb-1) 13 Total (for 2 wkts off 48 overs) 108
Raymon Reifer hits Alzarri Joseph for six.
Fow: 19, 54, Bowling: Joseph 8-1-23-0, Louis 4-1-11-1, Tonge 7-3-24-0, Cornwall 15-9-181, Taylor 2-0-12-0, Cruickshank 8-6-3-0, Peters 4-2-5-0