Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
Minister asserts City Council has legal jurisdiction over Town Clerk DEAR EDITOR, I thank Mr. Clinton Urling for contributing to the discourse on local government by penning a letter published under the caption, ‘Clinton Urling says Vincent Alexander is wrong,’ (KN, March 14). I acknowledge too, his commendation of the administration for holding local government election within one year of coming into office, proof of our sincerity towards local democracy. I note though, that Mr. Urling had made statements in his letter that may not be entirely factual and I take this opportunity to offer some clarification. Mr. Urling erroneously asserts that the mayorship is “a ceremonial position” and the “system resides executive and administrative functions to the Town Clerk.”However, according to Section 8A (a) of the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Act 2013, which amends the principal legislation i.e. Chapter 28:01, ‘The general duties of the City Councillors shall be to – consider the interest of the municipality as a whole and bring to the attention of the council
anything which would promote such welfare or interest; (b) develop and evaluate policies and programmes for the municipality. Clearly, The Council, headed by the mayor – not the Town Clerk – is responsible for the welfare of the municipality. Significantly, Section 8A (g) of the Act states that, ‘The general duties of City Councillors shall be to – ensure that the municipality is managed in a professional and competent manner by a qualified Town Clerk.’ This Section contradicts Mr. Urling’s assertion that the elected council cannot hire or fire the Town Clerk. Obviously, in order to give effect to this provision of the Act, the councillors must be so empowered. Mr. Urling’s position that the mayor and councillors are ceremonial and weak is incorrect; the Act evidently puts that question to rest. The Town Clerk is, in fact, a servant not a master of the council. Opportunity is taken to reaffirm the fact that this government, unlike past administrations, intends to respect the autonomy that local government organs
enjoy under the Constitution. There is no equivocation on the part of the administration on the role of local democratic organs. We recognize that they are an indispensable part of the democratic organisation of the State. President Granger has repeatedly emphasized the government’s strategic direction. Speaking at Anna Regina on Friday March 11 2016, His Excellency said, “Win, lose or draw, we will respect the authority of councils elected next week.” The Ministry looks forward to partnering and cooperating with the new councils. There will no longer be domination by central government. The Ministry will work hand in hand with local government organs to transform all of our communities as is being done in Georgetown, where one can see and smell the renewal and revival of our Capital City. I hope that this letter serves to inform Mr. Urling of what actually obtains, and provide the public with some clarity regarding the role of councils. Ronald Bulkan Minister of Communities
DEAR EDITOR, Banks DIH Limited wishes to respond to a letter written by Mr. Lester Sealey and published in the Kaieteur News on March 18th, 2016 captioned “Why is Banks DIH putting the Independence Arch elsewhere”. Please note that Banks
DIH Limited has agreed to support the construction of the Arch in observance of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence in keeping with the Company’s Social Responsibility programme. The decision to locate the Arch on the East Bank of Demerara was made by Central Government.
We were advised that the decision to move the location of the Arch from Ruimveldt, was based on the fact that the boundaries of the Capital City were extended and Agricola is now considered as the “Gateway” to the City of Georgetown.Allforyourinformation. Troy H. Peters Communications Manager
Government made the Arch decision not Banks DIH
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PPP Parliament chides Minister Lawrence DEAR EDITOR, Politics aside children really are the future for our nation. It is for this reason that this story is particularly disturbing. When the Minister of Social Protection, but more importantly the Minister responsible for child care and protection, Volda Lawrence was questioned by the media about the selection of the APNU+AFC candidate Harding despite his reported charges for child molestation offences she stated, “Do you think that me, the minister in charge of that (social protection), would have someone like that running? Do you think that the party would expose itself like that? We are aware of the situation but he was never charged,” the Minister maintained. Even more disturbing the sector minister further went on to say that child
molestation is a “family issue”. Well it was reported that the APNU+AFC candidate was indeed charged several times for child molestation offences so these statements by the minister evinces unequivocally that after nearly one year in her post as minister she is totally unfamiliar and cheerfully unconcerned with the responsibilities of her portfolio. In addition, Lawrence’s laziness to, at least, say “let me take a moment to find out if he was indeed charged with child molestation offences” especially since she took an oath to protect all the children of Guyana means very simply that she is totally unfit for the position she holds. As a consequence, the parents in Guyana can and will never feel that their children can be
protected by the state under Lawrence’s watch. Furthermore, the statements must raise, by necessity, questions in the minds of the officers in the Child Protection Agency and other bodies charged with protecting children, both local and international, about the competence, authority and legitimacy of the Minister Lawrence. Finally, it is very disturbing that Minister Lawrence, who is a PNC member, is prepared to play politics with the execution of her ministerial duties towards the Guyanese people by intentionally or negligently failing to investigate these reports because he is a member of the political party she represents. The children of Guyana deserve better. Charles S. Ramson MP (PPP).
DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Alfred Bhulai’s correspondence in Stabroek News on March 18, 2016, titled “Gecom Ad contains errors”, is one of the many examples of the rhetoric articulated around Local Government Elections (LGE). It is a clear indication of wholesome democracy and the freedom of expression in our society. Whether accurate of inaccurate, it is important for all to listen to the varying viewpoints and observations. It is equally important for us to provide guidance where there is misconception. In his letter, Mr. Bhulai referred to a full page Public Awareness message issued by the Guyana Elections
Commission, which contained an animated sketch of the voting process, supported by text, explaining the steps for balloting. He pointed out that “Panel 3 in the illustration shows the left hand being checked. (A two- handed, full- figured person is drawn in other panels)”. This point speaks to the composition of images and layout of the artwork, in lieu of actual content on the voting process. Panel three (3), which contains the image of the hands, as pointed out, has the text which states “Your fingers are checked for ink or stain”- it does not say your left hand is checked. The text that the artwork supports in this
advertisement, clearly explains what a voter is required to do at the Polling Station. Moreover, the animation in the advertisement cannot stand alone to convey the message. It required the written component, which accurately guides the average reader. While Mr. Bhulai has his differences with the artwork provided, there are no errors in the information given. Tamara Rodney Public Relations Officer
GECOM says it made no mistake
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
Treasurer’s Department among Voting on E’bo...Near empty polling stations areas need tightening up at City Hall tell story of Local Government Elections There are key areas in the Georgetown Municipality that must be tightened up. This was the firm assertion of Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green who, ahead of the dissolution of the City Council, held the position of Deputy Mayor. She was at the time speaking at a farewell event for outgoing City Mayor Hamilton Green at City Hall on Thursday. And Chase-Green said that she is particularly saddened by the operations of the Treasurer’s Department. According to her, too many people are treated with disrespect when they attempt to access the services of that Department. “You come to the Treasurer’s Department, (you’re told) come back tomorrow, come back the next day (and are told) ‘Oh we ain’t get it yet, come back the next day’...Nobody takes the time to ask if you have the passage (money) to come back or if you are going to be allowed time off to come back.” “Sometimes you come for your salary and you hear ‘Oh come back’. They don’t know if you’ve got to take your sick child to the doctor with that money and I am disturbed about that,” said an evidently irked Chase-Green. Chase-Green in a passionate presentation there said that she is confident that with the new Town Clerk, Mr. Royston King, at the helm of
Patricia Chase-Green City Hall it is expected that the sad state of affairs that obtains in some departments will soon be reversed. The former Council had recommended that staffers, particularly those tasked with working at counters, be exposed this year to communication training to help improve their interaction with clients. It is Chase-Green’s hope that the training will commence shortly as according to her, counter staff are tasked with being the face of the Council and therefore must treat those with whom they attend to, respectfully. “No one should have to come to this Council and sit down for four hours and be told to return for any business they come to conduct. We must be able to run an efficient Council,” asserted an animated Chase-Green. And she certainly did not downplay her support for the current Town Clerk who some believe was hired on the basis of favouritism. “He would’ve passed an interview, we didn’t hand-pick he like how others were handpicked. And so the officers that are supporting him I am asking you to let today (Thursday) be the turning point for this new city, this
modern city that you are responsible for building. “It is not the Councillors, we will make the policies and we will say we want all the nice roads and all the nice parks and so, but it is you who have to go on the ground and produce that nice park, produce that good road, clean those drains,” said ChaseGreen. In essence, she disclosed that without 100 per cent support from the municipal staff, the incoming Council will be worthless. And she expects to continue to be a part of the Council, she was among the contestants at the Local Government Elections yesterday. And she anticipates that she will continue to work closely with King even as she alluded to his efficiency. She recalled that it was King who after assuming the office of Town Clerk responded to the many concerns of workers. She disclosed, for instance, that the calls from workers of the Cemetery for improved working facility were among the concerns addressed by King. “How many years we have been bombarded at the Council that the (Cemetery) office doesn’t have lights, it doesn’t have a proper chair? The office of itself looked like where it was, dead. And I don’t think even the dead wanted to visit (there) either,” said a passionate ChaseGreen. She therefore noted that the Municipality is not merely for persons who have a desire to run for a position but rather for people who are ready and capable to manage the city. “All of them who want to run; athletic sports coming up in November...they can go and run that race. We want to manage a city not run it,” insisted Chase-Green.
Voting at Annandale, Essequibo The turnout at varying constituencies on the Essequibo Coast was reportedly low on Friday as Guyana conducted Local Government Elections 21 years later. Throughout all of the Polling Stations, there was a registered low turnout. In areas such as Dartmouth, Richmond Village, Anna Regina, persons were seen visiting Polling Stations by the twos and threes while in other areas, the number was less. In Windsor Castle,
however there was reportedly a reasonable turn out. Gaston Boston, a rural Sergeant of Dartmouth Village said that this is the second Local Government Elections in which he is participating. He deemed the process as a normal one. Boston noted that in his area persons visited the Polling Stations in Dartmouth randomly. Another villager, Venna Pitman, said that it was her second time voting at the Local Government Elections league. Pitman said that she was motivated to vote
because in her community, there is a great need for employment among youths. Pitman said there were also a huge number of children who are unable to attend school because of the financial situation that they are facing. Meanwhile, residents in all of the hinterland communities including Capoey, Tapakuma and Mashabo didn’t vote since those communities which are primarily Amerindian dominant are already run by Continued on page 24
Malaysian timber giant, Samling Global Limited– the parent company of Barama Company Limited in Guyana, may lose its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard, after the company allegedly boycotted the sawmill industry in New Zealand. According to the Barama Company Limited’s website, Barama is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samling. It was established in Guyana since 1991. The Barama company was granted a lowland, mixed tropical forest concession for approximately 1.6 million hectares in the Northwest region making them the holder of one of the largest forest concession in Guyana. The FSC however, is an international body that issues sustainability certificates to timber operators and Samling is accused of boycotting local efforts to build up a woodprocessing industry and failing to provide sufficient economic opportunities to one of New Zealand’s economically weakest regions, an article by the Bruno Manser Fund stated. Samling was brought under the microscope after reports were made accusing
the company for exporting the bulk of timber harvested in New Zealand as unprocessed logs. This issue would sound familiar to most Guyanese since Guyana over the past years, has been a victim of “sweet-tooth” investors and their promises – assurances are made, but scarcely are they lived up to. Several investors have so far managed to grab from Guyana’s forests while the state and its people, are still waiting to benefit. In an article published by a New Zealand Media House, despite Samling being a key player in the local timber business, the Malaysian group has consistently refused to provide timber at market rates to a new woodprocessing facility built up by the Gisborne District Council, the Eastland Community Trust and Activate Tairawhiti in a joint effort to revive the local economy. The FSC principles clearly state that “a timber operator is required to enhance local communities’ social and economic well-being and should maintain and enhance long term economic, social and environmental benefits
from the forest.” “Samling operates a 25,000 hectare forest farm planted with North American Pinus radiata trees in the Gisborne region. During the 2013-2014 harvesting period, it cut 780,000 tonnes of timber, of which 97 per cent were exported as unprocessed logs. The plantation has been FSC-certified since 2005 and was recertified last year by the Rainforest Alliance,” an extract from the internet read. A spokesperson for the complaints just recently stated in New Zealand that the council have acknowldeded the receipt of the complaint. Samling’s Hikurangi Forest Farms Ltd are currently expected to reply to the complainants, according to the FSC Dispute Resolutions system. In case of noncompliance with the FSC principles, Samling may face a loss of its certification. The article continued that in 2007, Samling lost the FSC certification for its operations in Guyana. Later on, the company was fined for illegal logging and blacklisted by the Norwegian Government Pension Fund.
Barama’s Parent Company accused of boycotting sawmill industry in New Zealand...
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
EU, Turkey seal deal to return migrants, but is it legal? Or doable?
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and France’s President Francois Hollande (R) at the European Union leaders’ summit on migration in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. (Reuters/Francois Lenoir) The European Union sealed a controversial deal with Turkey yesterday intended to halt illegal migration flows to Europe in return for financial and political rewards for Ankara. The accord aims to close the main route by which a million migrants and refugees poured across the Aegean Sea to Greece in the last year before marching north to Germany and Sweden. But deep doubts remain about whether it is legal or workable, a point acknowledged even by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who has been the key driving force behind the agreement. “I have no illusions that what we agreed today will be accompanied by further setbacks. There are big legal challenges that we must now overcome,” Merkel said after the 28 EU leaders concluded the deal with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. “But I think we’ve reached an agreement that has an irreversible momentum,” Merkel said, adding it showed that the EU was still capable of taking difficult decisions and managing complex crises. Under the pact, Ankara would take back all migrants and refugees, including Syrians, who cross to Greece illegally across the sea. In return, the EU would take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with more money, early visa-free travel and faster progress in EU membership talks. Migrants who arrive in Greece from Sunday will be subject to being sent back once they have been registered and their individual asylum claim processed. The returns are to begin on April 4, as would resettlement of Syr-
ian refugees in Europe. While many in Brussels hailed the agreement as a game-changer, Amnesty International decried it as a “historic blow to human rights”, saying Europe was turning its back on refugees. “Guarantees to scrupulously respect international law are incompatible with the touted return to Turkey of all irregular migrants,” the rights advocacy group said, criticizing Ankara’s track-record on human rights. “Turkey is not a safe country for refugees and migrants, and any return process predicated on it being so will be flawed, illegal and immoral.” Turkey’s human rights record has drawn mounting criticism amid a crackdown on Kurdish separatists, arrests of critical journalists and the seizure of its best-selling newspaper. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte sought to reverse the narrative, saying the idea was to discourage illegal and perilous voyages across the Aegean and open legal paths to Europe instead. “There is nothing humanitarian in letting people, families, children, step on boats, being tempted by cynical smugglers, and risk their lives,” he said. DOABLE? The EU would also accelerate disbursement of 3 billion euros already pledged in support for refugees in Turkey and provide a further 3 billion by 2018. It would help Greece set up a task force of some 4,000 staff, including judges, interpreters, border guards and others to manage each case individually. “All new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey
into Greek islands as from 20 March 2016 will be returned to Turkey. This will take place in full accordance with EU and international law, excluding any kind of collective expulsion,” the deal said. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said it would be a Herculean task for Greece to handle the returns and the chairman of the EU leaders’ summits, European Council President Donald Tusk, said the deal was not a silver bullet. “Reality is more complex,” Tusk said, noting a broader EU strategy to control migration that included keeping the land route from Greece to Germany closed to irregular migrants. Just as the deal was clinched, Turkey said it had intercepted hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos. “It’s a historic day today because we reached a very important agreement between Turkey and the EU,” Davutoglu said. “Today we realized that Turkey and EU have the same destiny, the same challenges and the same future.” Turkey’s four-decade-old dispute with Cyprus had been a key stumbling block. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades insisted there could be no opening of new “chapters” in Turkey’s EU talks until Ankara de facto recognizes the Cypriot state. But the issue was sidestepped as EU leaders agreed to open a negotiating chapter that was not one of the five blocked by Nicosia. Anastasiades said he was “fully satisfied” after the sides agreed to swiftly open only chapter 33 on budget policy.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
Corruption scandal
‘We got him’: Paris attacks Brazil judge blocks Lula top fugitive captured
appointment to govt.
Brasília (AFP) - A Brazilian Supreme Court judge blocked ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from becoming presidential chief of staff and sent the corruption case against him back to criminal court. The preliminary injunction, a heavy blow for embattled President Dilma Rousseff, applies until the full Supreme Court can rule on the legality of her controversial decision to appoint her predecessor and mentor to head her cabinet. A flurry of court challenges were filed in the wake of Lula’s appointment, alleging his nomination was aimed at saving him from arrest in an explosive probe into a multi-billion-dollar corruption scam at state oil giant Petrobras. Cabinet ministers in Brazil have immunity from prosecution in criminal court, and can only be tried before the Supreme Court. Supreme Court judge Gilmar Mendes returned the corruption case against Lula to judge Sergio Moro, the
A judge issued an injunction against Lula’s appointment shortly after he was sworn in. (Reuters photo) man leading the highly damaging Petrobras investigation. Mendes said the fact that Lula’s appointment had the effect of removing him from Moro’s jurisdiction “could amount to an act of fraud against the constitution.” Moro caused an uproar after the appointment was announced when he leaked a wire-tapped phone call
between Rousseff and Lula suggesting she appointed him so he would gain ministerial immunity. Anti-government protests erupted after the release of the recording from Lula’s bugged phone, in which the president told him she was sending him a document with his official ministerial appointment, to be used only “if necessary.”
Committees to prevent prison discontent... From page 2 hear complaints from any prisoner, may enquire into any abuses and irregularities in any prison and shall ascertain as far as possible whether the provisions of this Act and the prison rules are being complied with and may make a report upon any such matters to the Minister.” “A court composed of two visiting Justices appointed under section 47 (1) or of one ex-officio visiting Justice, sitting in prison shall have all the powers of the Director in relation to the trial of any major or other prison offence or in relation to any appeal under Section 43.” Such a provision is important, as it is supposed to weed out mal-administration and preempt disturbances stemming from prisoners' discontent. Former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee had stated, after the fire that such a committee was in place during his time and was supposed to be functioning, though he could not be sure that prison authorities were allowing it to. Speaking to Kaieteur News afterwards, Ram noted how telling it was that a body,
set up to gather information, anticipate and prevent incidents such as occurred on March 2 and March 3, was not functioning at the time. He noted that the individuals responsible for setting up these bodies ought to testify before the Commission. “This is why we need the records,” Ram related. “Just to test how well they have been doing their jobs. And if they were doing their jobs as well as they should, we should not have had that kind of overcrowding in place. We would have had the parole board and visiting Justice doing their work.” “There is no evidence,” he continued. “Certainly, the witness has never seen any of those things in place. It is extremely troubling for the state. And it would be good if Rohee could come and testify in front of this Commission, as well as past and present Ministers of Home Affairs, now Public Security. It is the Minister of Public Security who is responsible for the prison, the fire service, and the police.” Meanwhile, Attorney-atLaw Slewyn Pieters, who is representing the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and the
Guyana Police Force (GPF), labeled the prisoner's testimony as it relates to drills as “inaccurate.” He stated that prisoners have, in fact, been taking part in drills. “Fire drills were conducted only the week before,” Pieters said. “(There is) evidence of a full joint operation one week prior to the fire at the prison. That was a reckless comment. There is objective evidence that one can see and touch.” As regards the purportedly non functioning visiting committee, Pieters was confident that he would provide evidence to contradict this. The COI, which was set up on the orders of President David Granger, has been tasked with investigating the circumstances leading up to the fatal camp street fire, including the role and functioning of authorities in the prison. The COI, which has been taking place at the Ministry of Public Service boardroom, has so far painted a bleak picture of those roles, with testimony from prisoners attesting to, among other things, orders from officials that the prisoners be locked in prior to the fire.
(Reuters) - The mostwanted fugitive from November’s Paris attacks was arrested after a shootout with police in Brussels yesterday, the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said. Local media reported that Salah Abdeslam, the 26-yearold French suspect, was wounded in the operation as EU leaders met on the other side of the city to discuss Europe’s migration crisis. Television footage showed armed security forces dragging a man with a sack on his head out of a building and into a car. “We got him,” Belgium’s Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Theo Francken, said on Twitter. Several bursts of gunfire rang out earlier in the capital’s Molenbeek area - the scene of past investigations into the Paris attacks - and police officers were seen surrounding an apartment block there from around 4 p.m. (1500 GMT). French President Francois Hollande and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel left the EU summit to discuss the operation, officials said. Two explosions were heard after the arrest, though it was unclear whether they were part of a new operation or the clear-up. Media reported two people had been arrested, a third suspect may have been involved and Abdeslam had been shot in the leg, though there were conflicting accounts. FINGERPRINTS Belgian police had found fingerprints belonging to Abdeslam at the scene of an apartment raided on Tues-
Belgian-born Salah Abdeslam day, prosecutors said earlier. The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office also said an Algerian killed during that earlier operation was probably one of the people French and Belgian investigators were seeking in relation to the Islamic State attacks in Paris on Nov. 13. Public broadcaster RTBF said it had information that Abdeslam, whose elder brother blew himself up in Paris, was “more than likely” one of two men who police have said evaded capture at the scene before a sniper shot dead 35-year-old Belkaid as he aimed a Kalashnikov. A man named Samir Bouzid has been sought since December when police issued CCTV pictures of him wiring cash from Brussels two days after the Paris attacks to a woman who was then killed in a shootout with police in the Paris suburb of St. Denis. She was a cousin of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Belgian who had fought in Syria and is suspected of being a prime organizer of the attacks in which 130 people were
killed. Both died in the apartment in St. Denis on Nov. 18. France’s BFM television said the fingerprints were found on a glass in the apartment, where four police officers, including a Frenchwoman, were wounded when a hail of automatic gunfire hit them through the front door as they arrived for what officials said they had expected to be a relatively routine search. Abdeslam’s elder brother was among the suicide bombers who killed themselves in Paris. The younger Abdeslam was driven back to Brussels from Paris hours later. Belgian authorities are holding 10 people suspected of involvement with him, but there had been no report of the fugitive himself being sighted. There has long been speculation in Belgium that he could have fled to Syria. Investigators believe much of the planning and preparation for the November bombing and shooting rampage in Paris was conducted in Brussels by young French and Belgian nationals, some of whom fought in Syria for Islamic State. The attack strained relations between Brussels and Paris, with French officials suggesting Belgium was lax in monitoring the activities of hundreds of militants returned from Syria. Brussels, headquarters of the European Union as well as Western military alliance NATO, was entirely locked down for days after the Paris attacks for fear of a major incident there. Brussels has maintained a high state of security alert since then, with military patrols a regular sight.
Defiant North Korea fires ballistic missile into sea, Japan protests North Korea fired two ballistic missiles yesterday, one of which flew about 800 km (500 miles) while the other exploded shortly after launch, U.S. officials said, as the isolated state stepped up its defiance of tough new U.N. and U.S. sanctions. U.S. officials told Reuters the medium-range missiles appeared to be fired from road-mobile launchers. One missile, fired from north of the capital, Pyongyang, flew across the peninsula and into the sea off the east coast early yesterday morning, South Korea’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
said in a statement. That would mark North Korea’s first test of a mediumrange missile, one of which was capable of reaching Japan, since 2014. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the second missile flew a short period before exploding. South Korea did not confirm the type of missile but U.S. officials said they were mediumrange ballistic missiles. A range of 800 km was likely beyond the capability of most short-range missiles in North Korea’s arsenal. The North’s Rodong missile has an estimated maximum range
of 1,300 km (810 miles), according to the South’s defence ministry. North Korea’s action provoked a barrage of criticism and appeals. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang urged it to abide by U.N. resolutions and not do anything to exacerbate tensions. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the United States was “analyzing the results of those launches,” but called on Beijing to use its influence over Pyongyang. “China could do a lot more,” Carter said, adding Beijing should seek a nuclearfree North Korea.
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
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NO EXCUSE The IMF report on Guyana indicates clearly that the APNU+AFC government inherited a very strong economy. It also confirms that the Budget deficit has been reduced. The IMF which is very rigorous in its examination of the economy has not disputed the growth rates of the economy but it has questioned whether the 4.4% increase in GDP this year is realistic. It has also, cautioned, as it has always done, for the government not to increase the wages bill. It has not said that significant increases cannot be paid. It has voiced
its usual philosophical position that the growth in wages should be constrained. Guyana is not in a fund programme and is not likely to be in one ever again and therefore the IMF report is merely of academic interest. The government is not bound to follow any of that advice. It is however morally committed to honouring its campaign promises to the electorate. The IMF report presents a good report on the health of the economy. Therefore, why cannot the government honour its promises to pay ‘‘significant” salary increases to public sector workers? The
state of the economy cannot be the excuse why these increases cannot be paid because the economy is on a firm footing. Yet the government continues to insist that large increases cannot be paid. How come it did not know this when it was campaigning for the elections and promised workers a significant increase in salaries and a reduction in VAT, none of which has happened? The top officials of the government demonstrated their near perfect understanding of democracy when they gave themselves a fat increase of 50% but asked the rest of the public
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo and Lula seeking protection Donald Dumb been to de doctor yesterday for a medical checkup after he read de Waterfalls paper. De paper report that he give he close 35 acre of prime property at $500,000 per acre. When he go to de doctor de doctor ask him if he got any history illness in he family. He seh he got an uncle who voting fuh Donald Trump. He seh, “This is de same uncle who did come back and vote fuh me and mek me tun a half term president.” Dem boys believe that Donald Dumb believe that he woulda stay de full term. He tell dem boys de mistake he mek was to mek Jagdeo, that scamp, he special advisor. That wasn’t enough; he mek de man de financial chief of Guyana. That is why Guyana find itself in de boat it in now. De scamp had an economic plan in which he and all de Bees were digging one hole to full one hole.
Lula, de ex-president of Brazil is that scamp Jagdeo buddy panda. He is another scamp. Right now he in more trouble than Jagdeo and Brassington. He is de one who train Jagdeo. He put in he woman friend as President when he came off. Jagdeo do de same thing. He put in ee man friend, Donald Dumb. He control Donald Dumb in every way shape and form. Is de same way Lula control ee woman friend. Now stories of corruption buss out in Brazil. Lula in trouble. De woman who he put as president trying to save and protect him. She go so far to appoint him Chief of Staff so nobody can arrest him. But she lie. A judge push three spoke in she. Is de same game plan Jagdeo did set up wid Donald Dumb. De aim was to protect one another in de event that de poe bore. Talk half and hope Guyana get judge wid Brazilian Balls.
service to wait until a commission of inquiry has completed its work before making a decision on how much will be paid. The report of that Commission of Inquiry has not yet been made public. Yet, the government is about to enter into negotiations with the unions that represent public workers. Why the rush now? Why not await the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and use that as the basis for determining what the various categories of workers will be paid. The answer to where the monies will come from to fund massive salary increases needs to be provided. The money can be found easily. Firstly, there is nothing wrong with running a higher deficit. The deficit is now extremely low and the
government can easily increase that to finance increased wages. The money can be found. Secondly, GPL each year absorbed a huge chunk in subventions to subsidize electricity. With the huge reductions in the acquisition cost of fuel, GPL should no longer have any need for the billions in subventions it receives each year. The government should plough these resources back into the Budget to pay workers the significant increases promised. Thirdly, the government indicated that it was going to withdraw in phased manner more than sixty billion dollars that government has tied up in the banking system. The government can use some of this money to pay workers their increases.
Fourthly, the government can find the resources from within the Budget to finance increases. The money is there. If the fat is cut out of government, if some of the perquisites of office are reduced, if the waste of public expenditure is reduced, the the money can be found. The school uniform programme, for example, benefits both rich and poor students. If that programme is more selective, then a huge fortune can be saved to plough back into increased wages. The time for making excuses is over. The government has been in power for three quarters of a year. It is time to deliver on promises not make excuses.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Those vendors’ stalls are too small
I went to buy at the weekly Thursday market that is held at Merriman Mall. The vendors moved back to their original spot between Cummings Street and Orange Walk. City Hall has drastically reduced the total space of occupation. The market no longer runs from Orange Walk to Cummings Street. Only half the space is now available. It doesn’t touch Cummings Street any longer. The market has been reduced by half the size. As to the actual square feet of each stall, it is insulting. Merriman Mall is a long stretch of land. There is no
shortage of spots. Were the vendors consulted? The fee for each stand went up by five hundred percent. The vendors rejected that but there was no compromise. This is the problem with Guyana. It has an enduring authoritarian culture. It also is a country living in a masquerade. When the first Local Government Elections debate was put on at the Theater Guild, there was a press conference after. When questioned on the power of the Town Clerk, every LGE debater was in total agreement – the Town Clerk should be subordinate to the
Council. Minister Ronald Bulkan says the Town Clerk is a servant of the Council that has power to administer the city. Yes and no. Council has legal jurisdiction over the Town Clerk. The elected City Council cannot remove the Town Clerk if it passes a motion to dismiss him/her. There can be a vote of no-confidence, as what happened with Carol Sooba, but the Town Clerk can choose to ignore it as Sooba did. Only the Local Government Commission can remove the Town Clerk. There is no Local Government Commission so the power to effect changes at City Hall resides with the Minister of Communities. But the caricature that is named Guyana lives on. When the Local Government Commission comes into being, the majority of its members are appointed by the President. The masquerade lives on. It is like the University of Guyana. It is legally
independent of central powers. But its chief, the Vice Chancellor, is appointed by central powers. It is like the Commissioner-General of the GRA. The office is independent of central powers but the Government appoints the Commissioner. It is like the Police Commissioner. He is independent of the Government but the Government renews his contract. These are forms of farce, caricature and masquerade that we will be hidden when we spend the $300 million allotted to the 50th Independence anniversary. If the City Council is to take its democratic place in a modern world, then it has to have statutory power. Why Guyana wants to have local government elections but in the capital city, the powerful office of Town Clerk does not come under the legal ambit of the elected councillors? The councillors acting in unison cannot demand that he execute policies passed. Despite the amendments to three pieces of local
government legislation, as it stands today, the City Council does not have legal jurisdiction over the Town Clerk. Should the newly elected Council request an extension of each stall on Merriman’s Mall, the Town Clerk can refuse such a request. The Town Clerk’s office administers the by-laws of the City. It was that office that downsized the land space of the Merriman’s Mall. It was that office that built a paid car park on East Street that is totally deserted. Interestingly, to avoid the cost of parking, ($380 for the first hours, then $180 for every additional hour), vehicle owners are parking around the outer perimeter of the construction. City Hall officials requested the police to stop parking there. The police refused saying that they will do so when it becomes a hazard. As it stands now, the structure is a cemetery. It is the Town Clerk that is in charge of the City Constabulary. Here is where the power of the Town Clerk is graphically displayed. The elected City Councillors has
no jurisdiction over the city police. They can complain. They can pass motions. But they cannot discipline. The brutal fact is that a powerful public office in Guyana, the Town Clerk of the Mayor and City Council can only be disciplined, suspended or removed by the central government. One hopes by moral persuasion of the City Council that the Town Clerk expands the service area of those vendors. The size of those people’s stands is truly disgraceful. At the time of writing, I don’t know what the composition of the Council is like but I hope the results give Guyana a glimmer of hope. My fingers are crossed.
A 47-year-old man who told Magistrate Alex Moore that he found a quantity of marijuana while sweeping, and kept it to give it to someone that smokes, was sentenced to serve 25 hours of community service. Alan Martin, a father of one, was found with three grams of cannabis in his
possession by police. When the man appeared in court on Wednesday he told the Magistrate that he was sweeping up a y a r d when he found the illicit substance and placed it in a zip lock bag. He claimed that he was keeping the drug to give it to somebody that uses it since he does not
smoke. Martin said that unexpectedly police were patrolling the area at the same time and caught him with the marijuana in his pocket. He was instructed to complete the community service on or before April 15. This case will be called on April 22, for reports.
Frederick Kissoon
Community service for father caught with ganja in pocket
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Investigation into operations at New vending fees at Merriman Mall linked to improved facilities GPHC still ongoing – Minister - Michael Khan’s 200 days leave to end next month The 200 days’ leave Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan, was sent on last year, to facilitate a probe at the hospital, will come to an end next month. But it is still unclear whether he will return to work or be replaced. As of now, former New Amsterdam Hospital CEO, Alan Johnson, is acting in Khan’s place at the medical institution. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, in a recent interview, said that the probe into the operations at the health institution is still ongoing. He revealed that investigationS so far have not found anything to incriminate Khan. He could not say when the investigation will be completed. Questioned if Khan will return to the hospital as the CEO if his name is cleared when the probe is completed, the Minister said that he cannot make that decision. “The hospital has a Board and they (members) will have to make that decision,” the Minister explained.
Khan, when contacted yesterday, said that he has not heard anything from the hospital Board which is headed by newly appointed Chairman, Dr. Carl Max Hanoman, or the Minister of Public Health. He stated that his leave will end some time in April. Khan was asked to proceed on leave on August 31, last, allowing further investigations to be conducted in the operations of the institution. That investigation would determine whether he will remain as CEO or be replaced. This newspaper was told that the first audit which was done at the hospital since the coalition Government took office, recommended that certain individuals be sent on leave to allow for a more indepth audit in the operations. Back then, the Public Health Minister told reporters, “When the Government took office, we ran into some difficulties where accounts could not have been made for some departments.” He continued, “The general rule was made where forensic audits were
requested. The results of those audits came out and it recommended that in order for them to continue a more in-depth audit, those persons should be asked to go on their administrative leave.” In 2013, the CEO was also sent on leave to facilitate a probe into the disappearance of over $4M at the facility by the then Chairman of the Hospital Board, Nirmal R e k h a . He subsequently returned to the hospital on the order of then Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford.
A leading Caribbean business executive is urging Guyana to guard against possible economic pitfalls that accompany the commercial production of oil. Addressing the opening of Massy’s Supermarket at Providence, East Bank Demerara, President and Chief Executive Officer of Massy Group, Gervase Warner, urged Guyana to use its expected oil wealth wisely. “There is a lot that can happen in the oil and gas industry in Guyana. It is really a ‘Dutch disease’ so I really hope that when oil does come and it comes big, that it is really used to continue the transformational path that
Guyana is pursuing,” the businessman told the gathering of government and private sector representatives including an official of the oil exploration company, REPSOL. Warner’s reference to the likely economic consequences that could arise from the oil and gas sector, came against the background of ExxonMobil discovering deposit of high quality crude oil offshore Guyana. Making reference to the economic downturn in Trinidad and Tobago as a result of the huge slide in the international oil price, Warner sounded a word of caution.
“We have had and enjoyed the benefit of that in Trinidad and Tobago and we understand when things go…it makes for great difficulty,” he said. Warner called on authorities in Guyana to “collaborate with these multinationals” to “do it right” because it is a “great opportunity for a new day.” The Government has announced that it would ask the National Assembly to approve the creation of a sovereign wealth fund so that earnings from all the country’s natural resources, including oil and gas, would be managed in a manner that benefits all Guyanese.
GPHC’s CEO, Michael Khan
Guyana urged to guard against economic pitfalls of oil industry
Despite reports from certain sections of the media claiming negative responses from operators of the Georgetown Municipal Wholesale Depot, the Georgetown City Council (M&CC) in a statement yesterday said that vendors have accepted a new fee of $1,500 per day to ply their trade. It was related that wholesale vendors operating at the Merriman Mall had previously been required to pay $300 to vend at the location. However, the significant increase to be implemented saw some media houses claiming that vendors were not happy with the situation. Reacting to these reports, the Municipality’s authority said they were unaware of what was being termed as “rising concerns” regarding the issue. Town Clerk Royston King said that there was no concern as far as the Council and the vendors were aware.
The Town Clerk said too that the vendors are fully aware of the significant upgrade the facility has received, as well as the added amenities the vendors now have access to. “The vendors were quite happy to pay the fees given the improvements we made them aware of,” outlined the M&CC’s statement which added, “As far as we (Council) know, no one has registered any concern or complain about the matter. They did try to negotiate with us but after we explained things to them, they understood.” It was related that while previously, vendors had to remove all their items after a day’s work; this is no longer a burden to them. With the newly constructed stalls, vendors will not have to
handle large trays and other equipment needed to display their produce. Improved lighting, sanitary facilities and a better organization facility are what the vendors agreed to, King said. At this point, the Town Clerk noted, “Our main concern is getting the vendors back to their location, while providing a clean, safe and comfortable environment for them to function. This is a win-win situation for both sides.” “The improvements made to this location will eventually enable the Council and the vendors, together, to improve the service provided,” said King who also added that “more will be done to make the facility the best it could be.”
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
Government’s first priority is to uphold the rule of law - Ram -Must have a united position on revoking radio licences
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, has decried the inconsistency of the Government’s position on the granting of radio licences, following comments by Prime Minister and Minister of Information, Moses
Nagamootoo. He also made it clear that Government’s first priority is to uphold the law. Speaking about the radio licences which were granted by former President Bharrat Jagdeo to his associates and best friend just before he demitted office, Nagamootoo recently said that he would prefer to see new licences being issued as opposed to the revocation of others. Noting that it seemed as though Nagamootoo’s own colleagues had problems with his statement, Ram stated that this is an issue on which Cabinet must have a united position. “It also seems as though his own colleagues have problems, because (Minister Khemraj) Ramjattan clearly does not agree with him,” Ram stated. “And I would have
thought this is something that Cabinet should have had a position on.” “And we have the Attorney General,” he also noted. “You would have expected a consistent position would have been taken.” Ram also noted that the radio spectrum was a technical issue. He said that instead of bringing some kind of clarity to the issue, Nagamootoo’s comments have introduced an element of confusion. He also stated that since the issuance of the radio licences is currently under judicial consideration, inappropriate policy statements must be avoided. Ram added, “For the Prime Minister to announce a completely new policy
position is extremely surprising.” . He made it clear that a Government’s first priority is to uphold the rule of the law. “I have also heard this thing about legitimate expectation, that these people have spent money,” Ram noted. “Legitimate expectation does not apply where there is an illegality. Of course an illegality has to be proven and that is exactly what is taking place in the court.” “So what we ought to be doing is getting the matter in the court expedited and (for) the broadcasting authority to have a review of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU). They need to explore and expedite this matter.” Just before Jagdeo
demitted office in 2011, he 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 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
Guyana will soon establish a diplomatic mission in Geneva. This was recently disclosed by Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, in a Government Information Agency interview. He said the new mission will mean a lot to Guyana as it will be responsible for trade. Guyana has been the spokesman for the Caribbean in relation to the last WTO meeting on the DOHA round which took place in Nairobi. The challenges experienced prompted the decision to establish the Mission. “Whilst the heart of the discussion in preparation for Nairobi took place in Geneva at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) we had no officer there...an officer had to be travelling from Georgetown and from Brussels to undertake that work,” Minister Greenidge explained. He said that the establishment of a diplomatic mission means that the Guyana officers who are coordinators for trade for the
Caribbean region can be on site and lead effectively by participating in necessary meetings. This capacity was constrained by the absence of those skills in Geneva. “We can be more effective on the trade front, representing ourselves and where appropriate, other groups whether ACP or CARIFORUM, CARICOM if we have an office there,” Greenidge explained. This move was the subject of lengthy deliberations because Switzerland is a very expensive place to live and Geneva and Berne are among the most costly of cities. Nevertheless, the Swiss Government has offered and Guyana has accepted, to come to an arrangement where Switzerland would defray some of the cost of the office in Geneva or in Berne. “The Officers appointed there will need to work also with the Swiss because it will be a bilateral office too…the officers will also work towards developing relations with the Swiss with whom we
Christopher Ram operations, sparked court cases and several days of protests. They also attracted local and international condemnation. Former President Ramotar had promised to review the issue but never did.
Switzerland offers to share cost of Guyana diplomatic office
have not really done a great deal,” the Foreign Affairs Minister added. Famous Guyanese author, Edgar Austin Mittelholzer, had shared roots from Switzerland. The Swiss government upon learning this provided an additional connection to foster deeper ties between the two countries. “They were rather fascinated to learn that we have connections and we will be building on that in material ways, culturally as well as economically and socially and we can see the fruits of that relationship in the coming years,” Minister Greenidge said. Switzerland has maintained diplomatic relations with Guyana since 1977. It has been particularly involved in debt relief for this country and signed a bilateral investment protection agreement in 2005 at Guyana’s instigation. In 2011, Switzerland imported goods worth about Swiss Franc 0.1m, which were primarily agricultural products. Exports to Guyana amounted to 700,000 Swiss Francs and consisted of metal and machinery. In 2015, Swiss Ambassador to Guyana, Ambassador Sabine Ulmann Shaban, was accredited. Switzerland and Guyana have also signed agreements in areas such as lifting visa requirements for holders of a diplomatic or service passport, extradition and investment protection.
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Brazil joins the Caribbean Development Bank Workers being ‘severely misled’ - GuySuCo Rose Hall Estate strike, protest...
With the protest and industrial actions being carried out by approximately 735 workers of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) said yesterday, that the workers are being “severely misled”. GuySuCo reported that the union, the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) reportedly went back on their word after they assured the corporation that there will be no further strikes. GuySuCo stated that prior to the strike on Tuesday March 9, 2016; the management was in regular contact with GAWU’s Field Secretary and workers’ representatives to develop a clear understanding of the Union’s intentions in order to proceed with better planning. The Corporation also said that since the beginning of the crop, the GAWU President has been on record as stating that the Union’s General Council has sanctioned a strike every Tuesday within the industry. “Notwithstanding, in an effort to minimize the deterioration of canes burnt and to reduce possible losses resulting from these strikes, the Corporation has been taking relevant precautionary
measures.” The corporation continued that the programme of strike action being led by the GAWU Central and local officers is continuing to deplete production targets; denying workers the opportunity to achieve the weekly production incentive that they would normally earn. In recent reports – the workers “stormed” the administrative building demanding that management provide an explanation as to why they were refused work on Monday and Tuesday. This action seemingly got out of control. The law enforcement officers in the area had to intervene on both occasions. GuySuCo revealed, yesterday, that the reason for not providing work to the workers was due to the “fact” that on Mondays, the Rose Hall Estate undergoes statutory maintenance. GuySuCo has since written GAWU saying that it is disappointed with the “conduct” of its Central and Local Officers, who they claim, have breached the normal Industrial Relations Protocol and Practices by escalating the protest action and taking it into the estate’s compound.
“A few workers, behaving in an unruly manner, proceeded to enter the Administrative building accompanied by their Union representatives and carried out actions which were inappropriate and of great cause for concern. “This breach of the Industrial Relat i o n s Protocols and Practices has raised the question of what are the real motives of GAWU, since the higher the productivity of the workforce, the greater the benefits for all stakeholders, including the union.” The corporation said that despite this “aggressive action”, the estate management has agreed. It met with the Union delegation yesterday, “providing there is full resumption.” Thus far, the outcome of that meeting has not yet been provided to this publication. The Corporation said that it is imploring employees to think of their families and the communities, which are depending on the viability of the industry and to allow good sense to prevail by encouraging GAWU to make “smarter” decisions on matters relating to their livelihood.
Alleged airport bandit charged for shooting at another cop Collis Collison, one of the men who allegedly trailed an off duty cop to his Kitty home from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was on Thursday, slapped with another charge of discharging a loaded firearm. This time his alleged target was Police Sergeant Richard Ramotar. Collison, 23, of South Better Hope, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on October, 7, 2015 he discharged a loaded firearm at Sergeant Ramotar with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm. Collison along with now dead prisoner, Shawn Thom, of Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, were remanded to prison last year, by the Chief Magistrate on several charges which stemmed from a confrontation they had with police in Kitty. The charges against Thom have since been withdrawn. Collison is also accused of discharging a loaded firearm at off duty Prim Narine,
Collis Collison a Detective attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm. The incident took place on October 7, at Kitty, Georgetown. It was further alleged that on the same day at Kitty, Georgetown, Collison had a .38 revolver in his possession, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. Further, it was also alleged
that on October 7, at the same location he had three rounds of .38 ammunition in his possession. According to reports, on the day in question, the off duty cop had gone to the CJIA to pick up a relative, when he noticed a yellow IST following him all the way to the airport. It was reported that the rank contacted his colleagues, informing them about what he had noticed. Kaieteur News understands that the police turned up close to the rank’s home in Kitty and waited for him to arrive from the airport. When the rank arrived in front of his yard, a car with three men stopped a corner away from his home. Two of the gunmen reportedly exited the vehicle and were liming at a bridge, while one remained in the court. The gunmen and the police exchanged gunfire, which left Collison and Thom injured. Magistrate Alan Wilson ordered the unrepresented man to return to court on April 19, for trial.
The Federative Republic of Brazil is the newest member country of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), signaling that country’s commitment to sustainable development of the region. This became effective on December 31, 2015, following a process that began with Brazil’s application to membership in 2007 and its acceptance by the CDB Board of Governors in 2008. Brazil is CDB’s 28th member, and the fourth nonborrowing regional member, joining Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela in that category. The announcement was made on March 9, at CDB’s first Board of Directors meeting for 2016. “We are delighted to welcome Brazil and thank its Government and people for joining hands with us to advance our mandate of reducing poverty, and promoting economic growth and sustainable development in the Caribbean. Brazil’s membership is another
historic seal of its relationship with Caribbean and strengthening of Latin American-Caribbean cooperation,” said Dr William Warren Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank.Rafael Ranieri, Brazil’s Alternate Director to the CDB was in attendance. “Brazil is pleased to join the Caribbean Development Bank in support of its important role within the Caribbean Region. We expect that Brazil’s membership will contribute to strengthened relations between Brazil and the Caribbean and lead to greater collaboration in building a better future for the people of both our countries,” said Mr. Ranieri who is the General Coordinator of Relations with international Organisations in the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management and Secretariat of International Affairs. Brazil’s Director to CDB’s Board is Carlos Eduardo Lampert Costa, Deputy Secretary of International
Affairs. The Governor to CDB is Francisco Gatani, ViceMinister and Rodrigo Estrela de Carvalho, Secretary of International Affairs serves as Alternate Governor. All three are from the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management and Secretariat of International Affairs. Brazil is the world’s seventh largest economy with GDP of US$2.5 trillion and a population of more than 200 million. It shares many common geographical, historical and demographic similarities with the Caribbean. CDB’s other recent addition is the Republic of Suriname which joined as a regional borrowing member in 2014. Membership in the Caribbean Development Bank is open to States and Territories of the region; nonregional States which are members of the United Nations or of any of its specialised agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency; and Institutions.
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Kaieteur News
SERVICES
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Farmer to work and live in – Call: 622-4386; 696-4397
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and all other electronic equipment. Ordering of circuit boards. Abdul Electronics. Call: 225-0391 Austin Power’s Repairs & Services: Re-gas, fridge, AC, freezer, stove, house wiring & washers.Call:685-2588;613-1711 Specialised in A/C installation, service, repair fridges, freezer & re-gas systems. Call: 656-6708, 648-3955
Live in waitress must have secondary education, 1825yrs -$70,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974 1 Live in domestic to work, salary -$60,000. Call: 6741767, 685-8720; 661-5992 1 Skilled bobcat operator must have at least 3yrs experienced. Call: 265-3024; 609-0766 Hairdresser/sales representative needed for hair products. Must have a vehicle. Call: 231-4999; 6770480, email:irbcguy@gmail. com One bulldozer operator to work in West Bank area. Call: 694-3978; 627-9909 Contract cars & drivers. Call: 227-1720, 227-1721 or 6606102 One experienced cook, with knowledge in baking, apply in person @ Bistro, 36 Public Road, La Grange W.B.D-Call: 678-3400 One salesgirl for shop on E.C.D age 17-24. Text your information to: 617-7823 1 Male cook (baheir) to cook in the Interior. Call: 678-0565
TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
LEARN TO DRIVE
One domestic cleaner & must be able to prepare vegetarian meals, apply in person @ Alabama Trading G/Town. Housekeeper to cook for an Indian Family in Turkeyen, 6 days @ $15,000 weekly. Police clearance and reference required. Call: 655-6766 Porters: apply in person on Tuesdays & Thursdays at Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Must be18yrs old
K’s Driving School (Berbice)learn to drive with a professional instructor. Call: 615-8536; 649-0979 for more information. Register Now: Be Ready Driving School @ Vreed-enHoop, certificate program. Call: 264-3057 PEN PAL Indian male is seeking female, age 30-33yrs. Write: M.D, 7475 Goreway DR #47 Mississauga on L4T 3T3 Canada.
SALON
PROPERTY FOR SALE
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)
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572
5 Acre farm at Pearl E.B.D, bearing fruit trees, equipped chicken pens etc, terms of sale negotiable. Call: 692-1999
Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 3068 Amelia’s Ward Linden: 4 bedrooms, 1 self-containedCall: 640-4731; 641-6450
Live and pluck chicken- Call: 220-1043; 621-4304
AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154
Leyland DAF55, Flatbed truck-in, excellent condition. Call to negotiate: 675-4287; 6280016; 667-2536; 233-2383
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154
Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call: 225-9032;647-2943;604-5198
Prado TZ, Automatic diesel, PHH series -$4.5M, fully loaded-Call: 233-2546; 688-5554
Table hands – Call: 225-7417 between 11:00hrs-16:00hrs One experience captain to ply from Georgetown to Bartica must be 55 years and over. Contact: 650-0402
TOURS SURINAME EASTER WEEKEND TOUR TRIP: SHOPPING, FUN, TOURS & SIGHTSEEING DOLPHINS MARCH 23RD -28TH, 2016. CALL: 692-7270; 6655171; 639-2663; 223-0056
Saturday March 19, 2016
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 House for rent, top flat 3 bedrooms, bottom flat, 3 bedrooms @ First Bridge Diamond. Call: 664-1030; 6135212 Gold and Diamond mining land for rent in Ekereku & Siparuni area. Call: 615-8810 or 668-3100 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 Upper flat, 3 bedrooms at Golden Grove Housing Scheme- Call: 625-4195; 6248120 Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-$90,000 monthly, furnished (for visitors) USD$600USD$1,000 monthly- Call: 677-9638 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban): Professional/Office/ Business space, (no food retailing). Call: 677-9638. Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993 Two bedrooms, bottom flat, with A/C, hot & cold, security, overseas clients only- Call: 226-1519
House & land fully furnished, 3 self contained rooms, 1 master bedroom, alarm systems, 9 cameras, 7 AC units. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536 2-2 Storey concrete structure 26X58- Call: 644-9552. 26X40Call: 622-9903, Anna Catherina, New Scheme, special deals, serious enquiries only. Tr a n s p o r t e d p r o p e r t y, prime, furnished liquor restaurant & bar, 2 freezers, 1 pools table, double lot @ E.C.D- $26.5M neg. Call: 600-7228 House & land @ Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D -$28M neg. Call: 654-4312; 629-3344, serious inquiries only. Furnished 6 bedrooms house with attic, 4 self contained bedrooms located @ Anna Catherina, New Housing Scheme. Call: 611-5354; 6154728 Brand new house in Republic Gardens, E.B.D: 3 bedrooms, all self contained, selling as is -$22M negotiable, owner migrating, need quick sale. Call: 639-8182; 233-5117 2 Storey property: 4 bedrooms ( 1 m a s t e r ) , grilled, toilet (both flat) , concrete fence @ Q68 Guyhoc Gardens, Ruimveldt. Call: 231-9174 House & land (3yrs old) for sale at Canal No.2 Polder, 53/ 4 rice land elsewhere. Call: 718-657-9040; 266-2897; 6909331 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 6247341
Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135 175 DAF dump truck #GNN 5366- Call: 664-1030; 613-5212 Jet-Ski for sale: 1500cc, super charged. Brand New! Call: 231-7839 during office hours Labrottie puppies (jet black) for sale @ $50,000/each; 5 weeks fully de-wormed & vaccinated. Call: 654-7683 One complete snow cone cart in excellent condition. Call: 600-5325 Land in Diamond. Call: 6987807 Complete 48 feet fishing boat: 1-48 & 1- 40 Yamaha engine, 2700lb seine, GPS, solar, ice box Contact: 663-0457, 6575171. Brand new KIA sports SUV. Call: 624-5650 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500
VEHICLE FOR SALE Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage $2.3M. Call: 655-3400 Honda CRV (RD5), stick gear, PNN series - $2.1M negotiable. Call: 691-1198
2005 SPACIO -$2.2M NEG, 2006 PREMIO-$2.3M NEG, NOAH & VOXY-$1.7M NEG. ALL VEHICLES FULLY LOADED & UNREGISTERED. CALL: 642-7295 One Toyota Hilux E/Cab pickup M/T 3RZ engine. Call: 676-0931 Toyota Runx Motor Car, No: PRR2733. Call: 628-2876 Toyota Fielder & L-Touring Wagon, AT192, AE100, Funcargo, Tundra, Pickup 4X4 solid DEF, (Ducati 1098cc). Call: 644-5096; 6971453 HB Allion for sale “as is, where is”, best offer. Call: 690-2250 Toyota Carina 212 -$1.1M, Toyota Ipsum -$2.2M, Nissan Pathfinder -$1.6M, Toyota Vigo -$4.5M. Prices negotiable- Call: 609-7766/ 225-8427
Dachshund puppies -$10,000. Call: 216-0521; 694-3567 One Toyota Spacio PPP series in excellent condition. Call: 600-2466
TO LET Two bedrooms apartment in Eccles, fully furnished for short & long term. Call: 2253234; 698-7807 Executive furnished suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call: 600-2466
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Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Camp Street prisoners update Facebook page daily, access narcotics From page 22
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Inmates at play The last two testimonies from prisoners at the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that cell phones and narcotics do not exist within the prison were largely contradicted by prison inmate Owen Belfield yesterday. In addition, photographs taken from the Facebook page of prisoner Collis Collison also tell a different story. Belfield testified before the Commission into the deaths of 17 prisoners at the Camp Street jail, which is being held at the Ministry of Public Service boardroom. His testimony comes after
inmates Michael Lewis and Desmond James testified otherwise. On Wednesday, Lewis had been ‘firm in his testimony that he had never seen narcotics, improvised weapons, cell phones and other contraband within the cell block. In fact, Lewis’ sworn testimony was that the only cell phones he saw were those owned by prison officers. Selwyn Pieters, legal representative of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and Guyana Police Force (GPF), was clearly incredulous when
Lewis stated that in his twoyear stay at Camp Street prison, he had never noticed prisoners with contraband items. However, Lewis had maintained his testimony. On Thursday, inmate Desmond James had also been adamant that he never saw these things. He had denied that he was adopting an anti “kochore” stance, that is, covering for those who had these contraband. However, when Belfield was asked by Pieters yesterday, he admitted that there were cell phones and
Local democracy must go... From page 4 However, it may be prudent to have all of the rules and provisions for discipline and recall of elected and appointed officials in a simple Local Government Rules Book. The demise of our system of local government is well known. The last local government elections were held in 1994 shortly after the PPP had won the general elections in 1992. That government was never amenable to sharing power at the local level, so by 2015 it succeeded in undermining the Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NCD’s) and installed Interim Management Committees(IMC’s) and the rest is recent history. The damage has been done and the central government and local government relationship must be re-established where the people, their councilors, overseers, and other elected officials decide on jobs and services in their communities. My recommendations are mainly for the preparation, education, and training for local government officials and the masses they serve through processes that can be
followed to solve the problems in the long term: 1. Racial divisiveness A formal curriculum plan for Civic Education which addresses the meaning, cultures, institutions, rights, and responsibilities of Guyanese citizenship specifically in elementary and high schools. (Note: The CXC curriculum is devoid of any such consideration) 2. Public Management – A University of Guyana course in “Local, Regional, and Municipal Government” in the tradition of Dr. Paul Singh, Attorney-at-Law Hewley Griffith, and Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander extended to each Region for upper and middle-level elected and appointed officials. 3. Mentorship – Outreach work by retired Headteachers of the caliber of McGowan, Ainsworth, and London to guide local leaders and committees through the local government management processes. 4. Literacy awareness Apprenticeships and Workshops for a cadre of youths that will integrate literacy and skills training with the basics
of local government structure and processes. Permit my final reflection. Every country which is a shining example of a democracy had to find consensus in areas such as race relations and religion. Guyana is no different. We can create consensus around greater and more meaningful participation in the democratic process and around the principles of equality and fairness. Max Wallerson
Late inmate Rayon Paddy and another prisoner, with cell phones. that he once posed for pictures to be taken, with another inmate named Collis Collison. This photo was later posted to Facebook. Belfield, who admitted to having a facebook page, testified that he did not know the picture was posted. However, a visit to Collison’s Facebook page revealed postings of pictures of narcotics, women and even guns. Several of Collison’s photo uploads showed the now dead Rayon Paddy and a group of prisoners in the prison, with a football. Others showed inmates, including Paddy, while using cell phones. One also showed Collison with a pile of marijuana bags laid out in front of him on a bed. Collison, who was charged with murder and armed robberies back in 2011, had been on remand after he was captured last year and charged for trailing and robbing passengers from the Cheddi Jagan International
Airport (CJIA). Belfield testified that he did see the officer who closed the door on the instructions of someone who previous testimony identified as Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels. He identified the officer as one “Officer Elligan.” However, Pieters suggested to Belfield that Samuels’ orders was because prisoners were rushing the door. This Belfield denied. He also denied suggestions from Pieters that the prisoners were rowdy and that after the door closed they threw urine on the officers outside and poked them. Kaieteur News understands that video recordings were made of the fire, one by a prison officer and one by the surveillance cameras. Pieters suggested to the prisoner that when those videos were played, they would provide a different version of what really happened.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
Cattle owner accuses traffic Duo on bail for separate break-ins Two men from Alberttown objections to bail. that he co-owned the yesterday, released on This matter has been property. rank of attempting to kill him were bail after answering to adjourned until April 11, for He claimed that the A cattle owner and diesel mechanic is alleging that he was kidnapped by a known traffic rank and another person on Tuesday night last. He contended that the men had the intention of killing him. The man, Darvendra Hoopnarine, called “Bob”, 36, said that he was taking his cattle to settle in for the night on Tuesday when he was stopped by a Traffic Officer who he recognized and another male in a white Toyota 212 motor car at the Number 58 Middle Walk Dam, 58 Village Corentyne, Berbice. Hoopnarine recalled that at around 21:00 hrs he was asked by the Traffic Officer and the male “What are you doing here? You thiefing cows?” He said that he hesitated a moment and was again asked by the traffic rank “ Why you not answering. You know who is talking to you; this is Sergeant Brown,” pointing to the driver of the car. Hoopnarine related that he told the officer, “Is me cows, sir. I taking them to the pen”. He added that he knew the other person who was introduced as Sergeant Brown was not who the police said he was because he knows Sergeant Brown. “I know the next one was not a policeman cause I know Sergeant Brown and he a is big built person and this was a small person. But at no time did he say anything bad or try to hurt me. It was the
Darvendra Hoopnarine claims he escaped with his life by jumping from a car. traffic officer that I know who said things “. Hoopnaraine said that the men left and he continued along his way. As he came out of the street he once again met the duo in front of a popular supermarket. Again the traffic rank stopped him. “I was stopped by the Traffic Officer and asked where I going; if I tracking them...He come out the car and tell me ‘Get in, you going to the station.’ So I put my bicycle in the truck and they drive off but this time the police drive and the other guy sat next to me in the back seat. “ Hoopnaraine related that the vehicle headed in the direction of the number 52 Police station but as they as they approached the Number 56 Water Treatment Plant Road, the vehicle turn into the dam. “I ask them where we going. I thought you taking me to the station. The policeman then tell me, ‘me gon stuff you mouth and kill you now.’” The traumatized man said it was about 200 meters into the dam when the traffic rank said that and as the car began to slow down he jumped out and ran into the bushes.
“I run for my life. I was scared; imagine somebody tell you that, all you can do is think what you gon do to save your life so I just run as fast as I could ...I feel if I didn’t escape I could be a dead man and nobody wouldn’t know anything. Why would they take me at the back deh?” Hoopnariane said that he ran from the dam to Number 55 village where he stopped at a businessman, Ahmad Rajab, whom he knows very well, and related what transpired. The businessman took him to the Number 51 Police Station where a report was made. The following day (Wednesday), as the police conducted their investigation into the matter the bicycle belonging to Hoopnarine was found at the home of the Traffic rank. He was called to the station to identify the bicycle which he did and added that the said traffic Police rank was there and approached him and apologized saying he was sorry. “ I tell he when you de telling me you gon kill me you didn’t feel sorry”. He said that he was taken back to the scene by investigators on Thursday morning to identify the area where he was taken. The traffic rank is stationed at the Albion Police station and lives at number 58 Village. Hoopnaraine said the rank has been known to him for over 10 years and they never had any issues that could prompt the recent behaviour. He is still fearful his life may be in danger. Meanwhile, Commander ‘B’ Division Ian Amsterdam in an invited comment said he would not be able to comment on the issue at the moment. However as details become available to him he will be able to speak on it.
separate charges of break and enter and larceny, when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The first charge was read to Jan Clarke, of Lot 117 Third Street, Alberttown, Georgetown. It is alleged that between March 3 and March 4, at Lot 12 Lamaha Street, Queenstown, he broke into the shop of Hardial Harripersaud and stole one monitor, seven Pioneer DVD decks, $200,000 cash, one Compac laptop among other items. Clarke pleaded not guilty to the allegation and was ordered to post $75,000 bail. An attorney for the defendant had argued that his client is a dispatcher at the Ambassador Taxi Service. He requested that his client be admitted to bail in a reasonable sum because he has no prior convictions or pending matter. The lawyer pointed out that Clarke was kept in custody beyond 72 hours. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones had no
statements. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Joel DePeazer was released on $20,000 bail on a charge of breaking into a home and stealing a gold chain. DePeazer, of Lot 115 Third Street, Alberttown, told the court that he was a businessman. He is alleged to have stolen the item valued at $240,000 from the home of Calvin Ramotar on March 14, at Georgetown. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. He told the court
complainant is in the habit of threatening and abusing him. The defendant alleged that Ramotar would sometimes follow him with his car and call him insulting names. In addition, he stated that the complainant has a dislike for him and that the charge against him stemmed from a business related issue they are having. He was ordered to return to court on April 11, for statements.
Voting on E’bo...Near empty... From page 6 Village Councils and the Toshao. Last Friday, President David Granger and a team visited the Essequibo Coast where he attempted to encourage his support base not to be complacent, but to vote. Granger warned that the Local Government Elections were crucial and it was important that persons vote to elect their local electorates since it would have been
another of his promise which he fulfilled just eleven months in office. Guyana hosted its last Local Government Elections in 1994. The Anna Regina Municipality is currently administered by an Interim Management Committee. That fraction of administration would however be dismantled once the Mayorship is restored after the LGE. (Yannason Duncan)
GEA board, GuyOil investigate PetroTrin... From page 20 Harmon. A forensic audit on GuyOil was recently completed and handed in to Government. His comments came in the wake of startling revelations concerning these agencies, by whistleblowers. Harmon also made it clear that such an investigation would be separate from the investigation that the GEA's Board of Directors has started, with Sharma and his staff having to provide details. He stated that it would cut across the respective agencies. “Of course, there will always be investigations into matters like this where large sums of money is being spent, especially the people's money,” he related. “So certainly yes, this is not just GuyOil. It has to be the Guyana Energy Agency and the Guyana Revenue Authority. So there is going to be an investigation.”
It was reported that Guyana loses more than $150M in taxes weekly from Venezuelan fishing boats that bring fuel here. While the fishing industry enjoys tax free concessions on fuel, the boats that brought them were reportedly selling them to others, including miners and gas station and wholesalers. Minister Harmon also expressed surprise at the fact that Chinese Company, China Zhonghao Inc. has been granted a fuel export licence, despite the fact that Guyana is still years away from exporting fuel. The company's licence was issued in such a way that even insiders were allegedly taken by surprise, as they are not aware of any prior grants. “I thought that Exxon (Mobil) had started pumping and that licences were being granted,” Harmon said. “But these are things that we will have to investigate because
what (he) might be doing is buying fuel from one country and then allowing a company here to export it to another third party.” The grant of China Zhonghao Inc.'s licence appears to have given the company the first jump in the country's fuel export business. The details were published in the Official Gazette of February 13, last, and are raising eyebrows. Indeed, the amended Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations of 2014 allow for applications to be made for an export licence for fuel. The licence for China Zhonghao will be the first. The regulations indicated that an applicant desirous of exporting petroleum and petroleum products has to apply to the agency and must lodge supporting documents. These documents are the same as for wholesale or import wholesale licences.
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
GPSU agitated by Jordan’s ‘inappropriate’ remarks on salary increases The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) took offence to remarks made recently by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, to the effect that public servants should not look out for a significant salary increase anytime soon. The Union said that Jordan’s comments were highly inappropriate. At his most recent press conference, Jordan said that before the next budget is presented, public servants can expect a top-up. He cautioned, however, that expectations for handsome increases need to be tempered. His warning in this regard comes on the heels of a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This report said that Guyana must be mindful of its increases in wages when one considers the extent of economic challenges facing the Government. The Finance Minister said that he agrees with the IMF position on this matter. “In the good times, paying exaggerated salaries has serious long and short term impacts. Trinidad and Tobago is feeling the effects of paying salaries which at one time seemed sustainable,” explained Jordan. He added, “But given our economies, where we are exposed to the vagaries of the international market for our products, we could see that at one time, price just dramatically falls and then you are
left hanging. Then there are two options before you. “You either cut salaries or cut employment so to avoid being caught in that situation; one has to be extremely careful and prudent on matters of wage increases.” The Union however stated that it is to say the least, inappropriate for Jordan to publicly pronounce in the manner that he did as though he were fulfilling an expectation. It said that it notes with interest the “suggestion” made by the International Monetary Fund in a March 7, last in a statement appearing on its website about “moderating the growth of wages...” The Union said that it shudders to think that the Minister – whether on his own volition or acting on some other directive -- might be seeking to infuse an element of unhealthy prejudice into the negotiations with the GPSU on a salary increase for public servants ahead of the start of these negotiations. It added, “What we also find particularly disconcerting, is (his) reported response to a question regarding negotiations for a pay increase for public servants …‘I don’t know about room to negotiate…we will negotiate a salary increase that is sustainable and that we can meet with projected growth’ remark.” The GPSU said that those are not the words of an indi-
vidual who is amenable to negotiations, but one who comes to the table with preconditions that taint the negotiating environment long before the discourse even begins. GPSU also said that Jordan’s remarks are not consistent with what was said by President David Granger about the importance of the Public Service as a critical institution in the envisaged development of Guyana. “Indeed, and regrettably so, in the Union’s view, what the Minister had to say bears an uncanny resemblance of the dismissive posture which the previous political administration was customarily inclined to take in its dealings with public servants.” GPSU said that it would be comforted by an official public assurance that the sentiments attributed to the Minister of Finance are not reflective of a collective official disposition. Anything less, we believe, could have the effect of creating an unwholesome environment ahead of the much-anticipated negotiations on a meaningful increase in wages and salaries for Public Servants. It is the view of the GPSU that public servants are entitled to urgent assurances that the ensuing developments are not about to take them down a path of bad faith as the time for negotiating salary increases approaches.
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Trinidad Prime Minister fires Housing Minister PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Six months into his new administration, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has fired his Housing and Urban Development Minister Marlene McDonald following reports that she hired her common-law husband and his brother at her constituency office, in breach of Parliament rules. He announced in a statement Thursday night that McDonald has been replaced by Randall Mitchell who was previously Public Administration Minister. That responsibility has been passed on to Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie. The Cabinet changes also include the assignment of the portfolio of Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister to Stuart Young – an addition to his responsibilities as Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General.
McDonald was sacked a day after the Trinidad Express newspaper published a story in which head of pressure group Fixin T&T, Kirk Waithe, said he had information from Parliament which showed that her common-law husband, Michael Carew, and his brother, Lennox Carew, were employed at her Port-ofSpain South constituency office for five and four years respectively. Parliament rules restrict parliamentarians from employing their relatives, including spouses and cohabitants, in their constituency offices. Prior to the revelation about the constituency hirings, there had been calls from the Opposition for her to be fired over several allegations, including that she misused her ministerial power, back in 2008 under a previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administra-
discuss the various elements of the immigration initiative – with the principles of the original legislation forming the basis of their terms of reference – and then make recommendations before any legislative changes are made. “The working groups are to submit their input to a fixed schedule that would allow Parliament to consider immigration reform in stages, through the current session to the start of the next session in November,” Dunkley said. The Pathways to Status initiative which the ruling One Bermuda Alliance was trying to implement, seeks to allow people not born in Bermuda but working there for at least 15 years to gain permanent residency, and then citizenship after 20 years. But it faced stiff opposi-
tion from the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), a pressure group called the People’s Campaign and other groups who insisted there should have been wider consultations on the proposals. Early in the week, more than a thousand protesters linked hands and surrounded the Parliament building, preventing legislators from entering to debate the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2016 which would have facilitated the changes. Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell resigned later in the week, partly because of government’s insistence on pressing ahead with the immigration plan. He said at the time that he had lost confidence in Premier Dunkley’s leadership. (Caribbean360)
tion, to get a Housing Development Corporation house for her Carew. She had also been under investi g a t i o n b y t h e I n tegrity Commission regarding a TT$375,000 (US$57,208) cheque made out to Calabar Foundation, of which the Carew brothers are directors, in May 2010. (Caribbean360)
Rousseff backers take to streets as Brazil crisis rages
Bermuda government withdraws controversial immigration legislation HAMILTON, Bermuda – After five days of protests and strike a c t i o n o v e r planned immigration changes, government has agreed to withdraw the controversial Pathways to Status legislation. As a result, bus and ferry operations, garbage collection and port services which have stalled since strike action began last week Friday, were expected to resume yesterday. “The agreement . . . will see us press the reset button on the immigration reform schedule, setting the stage for wider input in specific reform proposals,” Premier Michael Dunkley said Thursday night. “This is a good result and it emerges after days of disruption and duress.” He disclosed that consultative working groups will
Marlene McDonald
Unionists and members of the Workers Party (PT) demonstrate in support of former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Sao Paulo, Brazil Yesterday. (AFP Photo/Nelson Almeida) Sao Paulo (AFP) - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s supporters took to the streets yesterday to fight back at attempts to oust her, as a flurry of court battles raged over her controversial cabinet appointment of predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Rousseff’s appointment of her embattled mentor as
her chief of staff has triggered outrage among opponents, who filed some 50 court cases challenging the nomination over allegations that Lula was seeking ministerial immunity to avoid arrest in an explosive corruption scandal. A Rio de Janeiro federal court ruling blocking him from taking up his new post was overturned on appeal, mean-
ing he can join the government. But dozens of similar challenges are pending, and the Supreme Court has yet to rule on the government’s request to definitively settle the matter. With Rousseff fighting a newly relaunched impeachment bid and financial markets apparently betting her government will collapse, the leftist leader’s supporters began taking to the streets for demonstrations aimed at showing their strength. They shut down the main avenue through the heart of the financial capital, Sao Paulo, waving red flags and banners marked “Dilma.” In Maceio, in the impoverished northeast, thousands of demonstrators turned out to support the president. Demos were also expected in the capital Brasilia and dozens of other cities. Anti-government protests have swept the country since Sunday, when between one and three million people, according to different estimates, took to the streets nationwide calling for Rousseff’s departure. Yesterday’s pro-government demos are an attempt by the ruling Workers’ Party to show it still retains the support that made it the dominant force in Brazilian politics over the past 13 years.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
U.S. sees new Chinese activity around South China Sea shoal (Reuters – Exclusive) The United States has seen Chinese activity around a reef China seized from the Philippines nearly four years ago that could be a precursor to more land reclamation in the disputed South China Sea, the U.S. Navy chief said yesterday. The head of U.S. naval operations, Admiral John Richardson, expressed concern that an international court ruling expected in coming weeks on a case brought by the Philippines against China over its South China Sea claims could be a trigger for Beijing to declare an exclusion zone in the busy trade route. Richardson told Reuters the United States was weighing responses to such a move. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes every year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have rival claims. Richardson said the U.S. military had seen Chinese activity around Scarborough Shoal in the northern part of the Spratly archipelago, about 125 miles (200 km) west of the Philippine base of Subic Bay. “I think we see some surface ship activity and those sorts of things, survey type of activity, going on. That’s an area of concern ... a next possible area of reclamation,” he said. Richardson said it was unclear if the activity near the reef, which China seized in 2012, was related to the pending arbitration decision. Asked about Richardson’s statement, Lu Kang, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said it was hypocritical for the United States to criticize China for militarizing the region when it carries out its own naval patrols there. “This is really laughable
and preposterous,” he said. The Philippine foreign ministry said it had yet to receive a report about Chinese activity in Scarborough Shoal. A Philippine military official who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media said he was unaware of a Chinese survey ship in the area. “China already has de facto control over the shoal since 2012 and they always have two to three coastguard ships there. We are also monitoring their activities and movements,” the official told reporters. Richardson said China’s pursuit of South China Sea territory, which has included massive land reclamation to create artificial islands elsewhere in the Spratlys, threatened to reverse decades of open access and introduce new “rules” that required countries to obtain permission before transiting those waters. He said that was a worry given that 30 percent of the world’s trade passes through the region. Asked whether China could respond to the ruling by the court of arbitration in The Hague by declaring an air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, as it did to the north, in the East China Sea, in 2013, Richardson said: “It’s definitely a concern. “We will just have to see what happens,” he said. “We think about contingencies and ... responses.” Richardson said the United States planned to continue carrying out freedom-ofnavigation exercises within 12 nautical miles of disputed South China Sea geographical features to underscore its concerns about keeping sea lanes open. JOINT PATROLS? The United States responded to the East China
Sea ADIZ by flying B-52 bombers through the zone in a show of force in November 2013. Richardson said he was struck by how China’s increasing militarization of the South China Sea had increased the willingness of other countries in the region to work together. India and Japan have joined the U.S. Navy in the Malabar naval exercise since 2014, and were due to take part again this year in an even more complex exercise that will take place in an area close to the East and South China Seas. South Korea, Japan and the United States were also working together more closely than ever before, he said. Richardson said the United States would welcome the participation of other countries in joint patrols in the South China Sea, but those decisions needed to be made by the countries in question. He said the U.S. military saw good opportunities to build and rebuild relationships with countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and India, which have all realized the importance of safeguarding the freedom of the seas. He cited India’s recent hosting of an international fleet review that included 75 ships from 50 navies, and said the United States was exploring opportunities to increase its use of ports in the Philippines and Vietnam, among others - including the former U.S. naval base at Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay. But he said Washington needed to proceed judiciously rather than charging in “very fast and very heavy,” given the enormous influence and importance of the Chinese economy in the region. “We have to be sophisticated in how we approach this so that we don’t force any of our partners into an uncomfortable position where they have to make tradeoffs that are not in their best interest,” he said. “We would hope to have an approach that would ... include us a primary partner but not necessarily to the exclusion of other partners in the region.”
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Women’s World T20, Group A, MohaliMarch 18, 2016
Bates, Devine steer New Zealand to thumping win ESPNCRICINFO - Suzie Bates’ swift 60-ball 82 and her 104-run partnership with Sophie Devine for the second wicket set the base for New Zealand Women’s massive 93-run win over Ireland Women in the World T20 match in Mohali. New Zealand got off to a blistering start after opting to bat, as opener Rachel Priest struck three fours in the first over before falling to mediumpacer Amy Kenealy in the second over. The wicket brought Bates and Devine together at the crease, and the pair built on the early momentum in their century stand. By the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand were 48 for 1 and except for a couple of quiet overs, the pair found the boundary with ease. Devine fell in the 15th over to Isobel Joyce, after a
Suzie Bates 34-ball 47, and Bates then propelled the score past 150. The New Zealand captain struck two successive sixes off Kim Garth in the penultimate over before falling for 82; her knock also included seven fours. She became the fourth player to score more than 2000 runs in women’s T20I cricket and is second on the list of highest
run-getters with 2063 runs, ahead of Sarah Taylor and Stafanie Taylor. Ireland’s chase simply failed to get off the blocks. They lost two wickets within the first four overs for a score of 16 and by the tenth over had reached only 34 for 3. The required run rate was already more than 14 by that stage and it was only Joyce who showed some resistance with a 33-ball 28, the top score in an Ireland innings that eventually petered out to 84 for 5. Offspinner Leigh Kasperek had economical returns of 1-10 in her four overs while legspinner Erin Bermingham took 2 for 17. Scores: New Zealand Women 177 for 3 (Bates 82, Devine 47) beat Ireland Women 84 for 5 (Joyce 28, Bermingham 2-17) by 93 runs.
Saturday March 19, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Use your added discipline to get what you want. Put your efforts into physical fitness programs or competitive sports. You may attract attention if you get out socially. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Avoid any petty ego confrontations; they could lead to estrangement if you aren't careful. Your emotional state could leave you vulnerable and confused. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You would be wise to consider attending lectures that will broaden your awareness concerning your professional direction. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Rely on the one you love for support and affection. You may want to stay in the background today. Your partner may be erratic today if you haven't paid enough attention to him or her. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You can make financial deals, but it may be best if you're not using your own cash. Don't hesitate to enlist the aid of friends or family if you have a big project to finish in your domestic environment VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You have your own family to consider as well. Go after your professional goals. You can meet potential new mates if you socialize with friends. Do a little shopping. You're
likely to find a real bargain. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may want to clear the air where older relatives are concerned. Travel will promote new romantic encounters. It's time to let loose. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Yo u m a y f i n d y o u r s e l f caught in the middle of an argument that has nothing to do with you. You may make someone else look bad. T ry not to get involved in other people's problems. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Uncertainty regarding your mate may emerge; reevaluate what you see in each other. Fitness or weight loss programs will help your self esteem. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Travel will promote new romantic encounters. You could experience unusual circumstances and meet eccentric individuals. Risky financial ventures will result in unrecoverable losses. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You are likely to reveal information unintentionally. Take your time; do not make any decisions in haste. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't let your health suffer because of worry. Talk to someone you trust. You can make gains if you work in conjunction with others.
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Jaguars in control against... (From page 28) leg-spinner Jacobs was arguable the shot of the day as he reached his first fifty from 66 balls and 71 minutes with seven fours and a six. The left-handed teenager was again dropped at gully by Bullie off Thomas on 93 but a firm on-drive by Hetymer off Thomas brought him his ton from 127 balls, 147 minutes aided by 14 fours and an effortless six off Jacobs. By Tea the score was 182-2 with Hetymer on 68 and Johnson on 9. After the break Hetymer was bowled by Jermaine Blackwood to break the 87run third wicket stand. Vishaul Singh was put down at slip by John Campbell off Browne on three as the butter-fingered Jamaicans continued their poor catching. Johnson pulled Blackwood for four to post the 250 in 82 overs to give his team their second batting point. Singh punched Browne behind point for four to move to 10 and joined Johnson as the only batmen in the tournament with 700 runs. He celebrated with a second four in the over. Singh then slashed Browne over slip for another boundary before he played on shot to a ball that came back and was bowled by Browne for 23 at 286-4. Night watchman
New National Basketball Champ... (From page 31) pressure of Colts guards. It will be a balanced contest given the notable advantage of both teams. Before the Final, Candace Fields will woo patrons with the National Anthem. Fields perform for the halftime breaks as well. In addition to Fields, models, cheerleaders and props will dominate a final hoorah to bring the curtains down on the Championships. The Mackeson Girls and Stereo Sonics Sound will add to the entertainment. Patrons will be able to win I-phones and Tablets during the breaks. Generally the night is set to be pulsating with the sport and entertainment colluding for a riveting climax. Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine is the host. The winning team will pocket $500,000 while second place will go home with $250 000, third $150,000 and fourth $100 000 respectively. The national team for assignments this year will be selected from this tournament.
Devendra Bishoo (1) joined Johnson (58) and they batted out the day. The Jaguars will look to make a huge score today to force an outright win since Barbados, just seven points behind them, bowled out the Leewards Hurricanes for 119 and were leading by 26 runs with six wickets in hand at close in St Kitts yesterday. Meanwhile, in scores from the other matches: Leewards vs Barbados – Barbados 145/4 (stumps) -
Chase 22* Dowrich 17* Brooks 2 Braithwaite 31 Phillips 42 Hope 27 Wkts: Taylor 1 Cornwall 3 Leewards 119 - Hamilton 42Powell 33 Cummins 2/ 30Roach 2/21 Chase 1/ 15Warrican 3/33Brathwaite1/ 4 T&T vs Windwards Windwards 33/0 (stumps) Smith 13* Theophile 20* T&T 211 - Deonarine 91*, Khan 39 Hope 28; Wkts: Mayers 3, Johnson 1, L. Edwards 4, Sebastien 2.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
Herstelling A overcome Laluni World Twenty20 2016: New Zealand Herstelling A defeated host Laluni by two wickets when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 50-over tournament on Sunday. Batting first, Laluni made 112 all out in 28.4 overs. Junior Lacarus got 31 and Wayne
La Rose 15; D. R. Esau claimed 4-20 and Williams grabbed 212. Herstelling A responded with 114-8 with Esau scoring 24, A. Bharat 18 and T. Paris 14; Derrick Tajnarine claimed 4-34 and Alex Dundas 2-29. The competition contin-
ues today with Providence playing Ruimveldt at Farm and Sandpiper facing North Soesdyke at Laluni. On Sunday Farm will host Combined United and Nandy Park will take Silver Bullet at Laluni. Matches start at 09:30 hrs.
edge Australia to close in on semis
GCA second division continues this weekend The Georgetown Cricket Association will continue with its Noble House Sea Foods second division twoday tournament this weekend. University of Guyana will host St. Stanislaus (Andre Horry and Dion Feassal),
GNIC SC will entertain Police (Peter Montfort and Heuvel Cunha), Sophia will journey to Malteenoes SC (Matthew Kissoon and Abena Parker), Demerara CC will travel to Georgetown CC (Totoram Ramnarine and Ravi Latif), Gandhi
Yo u t h Organisation will stay at home to Transport SC (Cyril Garnath and Reginald Grant) and Diplomats will play Everest at Everest (Mark Scott and Clyde Layne). Matches start today at 11:00 hrs.
Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club celebrates 12th Anniversary tomorrow The Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club will be celebrating its 12th Anniversary with a grand 4 way Cricket Competition and Hot Dog Sale tomorrow, Sunday
March 20th, 2016. Participating teams include; Lusignan (Bean Singh Team), Buxton All Star, Buxton B Team and Buxton under-23 Team.
There will be Trophies and Medals up for grabs, while hot dogs would be on sale all day. For further information contact Mr. Peters event coordinator on 665-3185.
Mc Arthur to officiate in WCQ in Jamaica Former FIFA Referee Roy Mc Arthur who is now a FIFA accredited Referee Assessor has been appointed to officiate i n t h e Wo r l d C u p Qualifying match that will see Jamaica hosting Costa Rica on March 25th, next. The Referees for the
match are all from the USA, Antonio Marrufo, Frank Anderson, Adam Garner and Edvin Jurisevic. The match is set for the Jamaica National Stadium and would be McArthur’s third WCQ appointment from FIFA in the lead up to Russia 2018.
Roy Mc Arthur
Guyana Rugby Football Union National Trial game set for today After winning the 15s title in 2014, the Guyana National Rugby Team, the Green Machine, has been optimistic about future competitions. With such optimism, Guyana’s quest to qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2019 will commence on Saturday April 23, 2016, when the team will face Barbados. In preparation, the Guyana Rugby Football Union has shortlisted players for National trials. Training
sessions are scheduled to be conducted every Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays under the watchful eyes of the union appointed coaches Lawrence Adonis, Clinton Clarke, Theodore Henry and Kenneth Grant Stuart. Practice matches will be played on every Saturday leading up to April 23, 2016. The Union urges all ruggers shortlisted, to attended and be punctual as time is limited.
Trail matches kick off at 16:00HRS (4pm) sharp and players will be evaluated as the selection process progresses. “As we celebrate our Independence Golden Jubilee, it is our hope that we succeed. With a cheerful heart, the union thanks all stakeholders for their support and trust that the relationship grows as we aim to build and catapult our country, Guyana,” a release from the GRFU stated.
Martin Guptill shapes to hit the ball, Australia v New Zealand, World T20 2016, Group 2, Dharamsala, March 18, 2016 ©Associated Press BBC Sport - New Zealand took a big step towards the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 - and exacted revenge for the 2015 World Cup final - with an eight-run win over Australia. For the second game in a row, the Black Caps looked to be below par with the bat, subsiding to 142-8 after Martin Guptill’s explosive 39. Australia appeared to be cruising as they raced to 37-0 after four overs. But Mitchell McClenaghan’s 3-17 was decisive as they crumbled to 134-9. And just as in their victory against India, New Zealand’s spinners were influential, with Mitchell Santner taking 2-30 and Ish Sodhi conceding just 14 runs off his four overs. Kane Williamson’s side now sit atop Group 2 with two wins, and victory in their next game against Pakistan on Tuesday may be enough to guarantee their passage to the last four. Australia, meanwhile, face a difficult path to the semis, with their match against India on 27 March likely to be a contest that eliminates the loser. McClenaghan shines as Kiwis squeeze again For the second match in a row, New Zealand opted to leave out star seamers Tim Southee and Trent Boult, instead opting to bring in McClenaghan at the expense of all-rounder Nathan McCullum. But, once again, the selectors were totally vindicated as McClenaghan claimed three key wickets. First he halted Australia’s rollicking start by inducing Shane Watson to hit a catch to mid-off, then he wrapped up victory with a superb penultimate over that accounted for the dangerous duo of Mitchell Marsh and Ashton Agar, both caught on
the fence. McClenaghan’s heroics were part of a superb team effort by New Zealand with the ball, Santner following up his man-of-the-match performance against India with the wickets of Steve Smith and David Warner to become the leading wicket-taker in the tournament proper. Australia - who left out the world’s number oneranked T20 batsman, Aaron Finch - failed to get to grips with the conditions, with many batsmen perishing to big shots on a pitch where timing proved difficult. The Black Caps may not be renowned for their mastery of slow surfaces but, well marshalled by Williamson in his first tournament as skipper, they look to have hit upon a formula to win low-scoring games in the challenging conditions of the subcontinent. Part-timers’ parsimony in vain for Australia Steve Smith’s side will take some comfort from a strong performance with the ball, fighting back tenaciously after New Zealand raced to 58-0 off the first six overs. The innings swung on the wicket of Guptill, whose fluent 39 off 27 balls before being caught at deep mid-wicket proved impossible to match as the pitch slowed up and Smith cannily introduced his part-time bowlers. Glenn Maxwell accounted for Williamson and Corey Anderson - both caught by Agar at long-off - in quick succession as Australia took a stranglehold on the innings, with New Zealand going six overs without finding the boundary. The quartet of Maxwell, Watson, Marsh and James Faulkner gave the batsmen no pace to work with, and despite the late impetus added by Grant Elliott (27 off 20), Aus-
tralia seemed to be in the ascendancy. But, while the four allrounders bowled 14 overs with combined figures of 688, it was the profligacy of Australia’s frontline bowlers that proved decisive, with Agar, Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter-Nile’s six wicketless overs costing 54 runs. What they said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson: “We’re fortunate to play on two wickets that were very similar. It was nice to get a score on the board that, on this surface, was tough to chase. “It’s important that you read the conditions and select accordingly. Today we thought we had to be different again and I’m pleased with the way the boys stepped up. “It’s important we gel well. We look at the task at hand and perform as best we can.” Australia captain Steve Smith: “I thought around 150 was about par. Obviously their spinners bowled extremely well again and we didn’t respond well. You can’t lose wickets in clumps like that we couldn’t get any partnerships together. “We didn’t apply ourselves enough. We should have knocked the ball around a bit more rather than going for the big shots. But these things happen and we have to move on.” What’s next? New Zealand face Pakistan in Mohali, while Australia’s next match pits them against Bangladesh in Bangalore on Monday. Scores: New Zealand 142 for 8 (Guptill 39, Elliott 27, Faulkner 2-18) beat Australia 134 for 9 (Khawaja 38, Marsh 24, McClenaghan 317) by eight runs.
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Sukhpaul Enterprise on board for Young Warriors Mash Cup 2016 fundraiser tomorrow All preparations are in place and a huge crowd is expected to converge at the picturesque Cumberland Cricket Ground in the East Canje area for the Young Warriors Cricket Club annual fundraiser, Mash Cup 2016. The tournament was slated for Mash Day, Tuesday February 23 but was postponed, is now set for tomorrow, Sunday March 20 at the Cumberland Ground. As sponsors continue to show confidence in the work of the club and the popularity of this tournament, Sukhpaul Business Enter-
prise, owner of Shell Gas Station and Auto Same, New Amsterdam is the latest to come on board. At the presentation held recently, Steven Profitt, employee attached to the New Amsterdam Branch said that his company is again pleased to be associated with this event and is impressed with the way it was organised it over the years. His company is also happy that proceeds from this event will go towards the development of the youths in the community. Profitt took the opportunity to congratulate the club for
producing the first World Cup under-19 winning captain in young batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer who successfully led West Indies under-19 team to World Cup glory in Bangladesh. Collecting the sponsorship cheque on behalf of the club, club coach Hubern Evans thanked Sukhpaul Business Enterprise for coming on board once again. The YWCC wish to thank the following sponsors for their support so far: ANSA McAL, Ashiek and Sons Motor Supplies and Auto Sale, Massy Distribution, Roshan
Milo U-20 Schools Football Competition
Battle lines drawn for today’s final showdown -Strategies key for both teams By Rawle Welch Today’s final of the Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition between defending champs Chase Academic Foundation and former title holders Lodge provides a fitting climax to almost two months of entertaining football at the junior level. The venue is the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue and another massive outpouring of fans is anticipated as the two experienced teams aim at each other to see which one of them will be the first to claim two titles in the tournament’s short history. Lodge who won the title in the second year of the tournament’s existence will no doubt want to prevent the reigning champions from making it back to back wins so right away fans could expect a riveting showdown for the championship trophy and first prize. However, judging from Chase Academic Foundation’s emphatic display in their semi-final clash against South Ruimveldt who they clobbered 6-0 it would take a fantastic effort from Lodge to deny them a second lien on the trophy. The school has put together a star-studded unit laden with some of the best young ball-weavers in Georgetown and perhaps the country and no one has been capable of providing them with a stern test over the duration of a game to date. This is an observation that Lodge will be cognizant of and while this is true if there is one team that is capable of
creating an upset it is them because of their experience of playing for the title and their discipline as a team. Chase Academic Foundation has looked even more imperious as the tournament progressed and their irrepressible form at this juncture of the competition must be a worry to the Lodge coaching staff. The crafty Ryan Hackett, who for a few seasons donned the colours of Lodge, is in scorching form, hitting the scoresheet in their last two matches, netting some spectacular goals, while talisman Kelsey Benjamin, though, not lighting up the pitch in dominant fashion of late has been scoring as well and is expected to lead their charge for victory and a second title. Three is also the speedy Keith Caines and recent hero Ralph Parris, who lashed in a brace in the semi-final, all seemingly in rich form so Lodge is faced with an arduous task keeping so many natural goal-scorers in check. On the other hand, Lodge’s strength lies in their steely temperament; a feature that has taken them this far and obviously this kind of nature is what will be on show again today. However, it is not to say that they do not possess firepower to stand toe to toe with their opponents if need be, but it will be interesting to see which strategy the Coach employs to give them the best chance of success. Shamar Smith whose solitary strike took them to the final will be their main attack-
ing option, but solid support could come from players such as Frank King, Simeon Hackett and Leon Blake. They have not shown a proclivity to be explosive goal-scorers, but utilize a strategy to wear the opposition down mentally. How well it works against a team packed with lethal strikers will be known today. What is almost certain is that Lodge will want to grind out the regulation period and send it into overtime and possibly a penalty shootout, a familiar scenario for them, especially with a very good goalkeeper between the uprights. In the third place playoff between South Ruimveldt and Queen’s College the latter should be favoured to come out victorious. They played consistently before a defensive blunder cost them the spot in the final and to make up for that a third place finish should be the appropriate compensation. The skilful Michael Hunter, Stephen King and Kevin Wills should prove to be more than a handful for the opposition. South Ruimveldt on the other hand might struggle to recover from the onslaught they faced in their semi-final matchup. However, they have been a good team throughout the tournament and they too will obviously be aiming to finish on a high note. Cecil Jackman and Leon Charles will be the players leading their quest for a positive result. Kick off time is 16:00 hrs.
Satar Supermarket, A Ally and Sons Showroom, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Memorex, NBS Ltd, J’S Printery, Vickram Jewellery, Sham Beer Garden, Mr Mortimer George, Attorney at Law Murseline Bacchus, RHYY&SC, A Mahabir and Sons, Regional Democratic Council, Region No 6, Mundal Satar, Jim Bacchus Travel Service, Kris Jagdeo Construction Services, Kascon Engineering Service, Anirudh Ramcharitar Construction, Extreme Trucking Service, Price is Right, N Hamid and Sons, Zai Permaul, Suresh Auto Sale and Wash Bay, Altabh Khan of Silver Lining Establishment, Massy Industries, Balram Shane, Hand in Hand Insurance Company and Office Express. This event forms part of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club’s facilities and day to day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the No.19 to
Steven Profitt (left) from Sukhpaul Business Enterprise hands over trophy to club coach Hubern Evans. Gangaram area. The draw for the first round is as follows: Canefield vs Gangaram, YWCC vs Seawell, Buski vs Canje Pathfinders, No 19 ‘A’ vs No 19 ‘B’, Betsy Ground
vs Goed Bananen Land and Rose Hall Estate vs No 7. Incentives with the value of over $100,000 will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes, musical entertainment and ball by ball update by Spongy.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
PCL First-Class cricket
Jaguars in control against Scorpions By Sean Devers Watched by a fair sized crowd equipped with a large Radio to listen to the live commentary, West Indies under19 Captain Shemron Hetymer stroked an attractive maiden hundred (107), while half-centuries from Rajendra Chandrika (76) and Skipper Leon Johnson (58*) put Guyana Jaguars in a strong position at the end of the opening day of their final round PCL First-Class match against the Jamaica Scorpions at Providence yesterday. The Scorpions lacked venom as the Jaguars were aided by at least six dropped catches and a missed run-out opportunity with Chandrika stranded at mid pitch. By the close Jaguars reached 297-4 from 93 overs to leave them three runs short of at third batting points in a
Rajendra Chandrika plays off his pads during his entertaining 76 yesterday. match they must win to capture their eighth title and second in consecutive seasons. The Jaguars’ total was
Shimron Hetymer cuts for four during his maiden First-Class century at Providence yesterday.
built around three half century partnerships as they recovered from a slow first session in which four catches
were dropped and hosts just managed 73 runs. The 19-year-old Hetymer reached the boundary 15
England stun South Africa in highest World T20 run-chase MUMBAI (Reuters) England posted the highest successful run chase ever at a World Twenty20 tournament with Joe Root smashing 83 as they overhauled an improbable South Africa total by two wickets in a run-fest on Friday. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla struck half-centuries at the top while JP Duminy provided the late assault with an unbeaten fifty as South Africa posted a massive 229-4 after put in to bat in their Group One match at the Wankhede Stadium. If South Africa, considered one of the favourites for the tournament, would have hoped they have had amassed enough runs, they were in for a rude shock as England went after their bowlers with nothing but attack on their minds. England looked comfortable for most part of their chase before losing three wickets in seven balls towards the end but eventually reached their target with two balls to spare. Jason Roy (43) and Alex Hales gave England a rollicking start, posting 48 in just 15 deliveries before both were out to paceman Kyle Abbott. England broke a few team records as they looked to maintain their batting tempo though leg-spinner Imran Tahir tempered it with 1-28 in his four overs. But Root, who was out in the penultimate over, hit six
boundaries and four sixes in his 44-ball knock and added 75 for the fifth wicket with Jos Buttler (21), bringing the sizeable crowd to their feet. England were on the receiving end of a brutal onslaught from West Indies opener Chris Gayle during Wednesday’s defeat when their spinners struggled to grip the wet ball and that prompted captain Eoin Morgan to field after winning the toss. But Amla (58) and De Kock (52) tormented the English bowlers, plundering 96 runs off seven overs during an explosive opening stand. South Africa opted to use Amla and De Kock as openers and it proved it was the right decision from the onset. De Kock, who thrashed David Willey for 20 in the third over, hit seven fours and three sixes during his 24-ball knock before he fell to offspinner Moeen Ali. Amla, who was dropped on nine by Reece Topley off Ali, hit an identical number of boundaries before falling to the off-spinner. Duminy (54 not out) and David Miller (28 not out) provided the finishing touches for South Africa with an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 60. England paceman Chris Jordan conceded four fours and a six in the fifth over and finished with figures of 0-49 in three overs. Topley gave away 33 in his two overs.
times and cleared it once. The left-handed Berbician batted for 162 minutes and 135 balls and shared in partnerships of 76 for the second wicket with Chandrika and 87 for the third wicket with Johnson. Chandrika’s ninth fifty took 135 balls, 163 minutes and hit 13 fours, while Johnson’s unbeaten 58 lasted 127 balls, 143 minutes and was decorated with three fours and a six. Chandrika has put on 80 with Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who failed to make the use of two easy chances and was to LBW to leg-spinner Damion Jacobs for 21 from 104 balls and 139 minutes. The Jaguars, who left out Steven Jacobs and Keon Joseph, won the toss and elected to bat in sunny conditions on a two-paced track and a fast outfield with a few parched patches. Chanderpaul soon played a loose drive at left-arm pacer Gavon Browne in only his second game at this level, and was floored at second slip before Chandrika played a glorious cover drive off Browne for four. Chanderpaul (7) then pulled a short ball from Devon Thomas and Jacobs dropped a sitter at square-leg, while Chandrika almost ran himself out but the fielder at mid-on looped the ball wide of the mark. Chanderpaul, who looked very uncertain, rocked back of cut Thomas sweetly for four but soon saw Chandrika being dropped by the keeper off the unlucky Thomas who bowled impressively although his forte is wicketkeeping. The pair rode their luck but struggled to get the ball away against an attack badly missing the tournament’s leading wicket-taker left-arm spinner Nikita Miller who fell
ill and returned home. Chandrika broke the shackles with a pulled boundary off Thomas but Chanderpaul continued to find it hard to score. Left-arm spinner Dennis Bullie was introduced and Chandrika brought up the fifty from 85 balls 114 minutes with backto-back boundaries. Chanderpaul used his feet to Jacobs and dumped him for the first six of the game after spending 41 balls on 11, while Chandrika made a consorted effort to step up the run rate with two boundaries in Bullie’s next over and by Lunch the Jaguars had reached 73-0 from 30 overs. Chandrika, who hit nine fours in his fifty, was unbeaten on 50 and with him was Chanderpaul on 19 from 98 balls. The second session produced 110 runs for the loss of both openers to Jacobs. Chanderpaul was trapped LBW as debutant Umpire Shannon Crawford made his first decision in First-Class cricket to leave Guyana on 801. Hetymer joined Chandrika and together they upped the tempo with some delightful shots before Chandrika wasted the opportunity to get his second ton at this level when he was caught and bowled by Jacobs at 106-2. Johnson, the tournament’s leading run scorer with 714 joined Hetymer, in his first match since his return from India with Championship winning West Indies U-19 team and his seventh at this level. Hetymer was dropped on 34 but oozed confidence from the start of his innings and played an array of exhilarating shots while using his feet nicely to the spinners. A dismissive drive back past (Continued on page 25)
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Sunburst renews sponsorship for Badminton champion Narayan Ramdhani
Slingerz and Alpha flawless on the night Slingerz FC continued their march towards championships honours in the STAG Elite League FINALE which would see them claiming the historical double having won the GENESIS with another clinical display when they blanked West Berbice’ Monedderlust FC 4-0 on Thursday night last at Leonora Track Facility Football Field. The opening game also saw from undisputed national champions Alpha ‘The Hammer ’ United romping to a 2-0 win over Buxton United. In both matches the outcome was decided in the first half, Slingerz netting three while Alpha scored both. The consistent Trayon Bobb who has been in ominous form, a good sign ahead of next Tuesday’s Men’s Caribbean Championship match against the visiting Anguilla, was on target for the third match in succession when he scored in just the 5th minute to hand Slingerz the lead. That would be doubled in the 10th minute compliments of a Kithson Bain goal before Devon Millington made in 3-0 in the 39th minute. Monedderlust were able to stem the tide of goals in the second half but could not stop the West Demerara based side from netting goal number 18 in six matches. The inconsistent Domini Garnett was the player to score in the second minute of added on time, 90+2 to seal another compact win for Slingerz which have pushed them to 18 points, five more than
Trayon Bobb the second placed Fruta Conquerors. Alpha’s win was crafted by first half goals from Joshua Browne in the 25th minute and Colin Nelson, four minutes later. Buxton were not able to respond in like manner as they suffered their third loss in six matches while Alpha recorded their third win in six matches. Alpha (11 points) have now moved ahead of the Guyana Defence Force into third place by one point. SEL FINALE play will now continue on Thursday after taking a break this weekend as a number of players have been called to national duty with the Golden Jaguars for their Caribbean Cup match against Anguilla on Tuesday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. Thursday’s matches are set for the #5 ground where Fruta Conquerors face Georgetown Football Club and the home team Monedderlust oppose GDF. Kick off time is 19:00hrs.
Continental Agencies Ltd. [CAL] through its lead brand Sunburst Juice has c o n t i n u e d i t s partnership with Narayan Ramdhani as one of its Sunburst Brand Ambassadors. This was evident at a presentation ceremony where a sponsorship cheque was handed over to Narayan to assist with his training and international participation at upcoming badminton tournaments. Narayan Ramdhani recently won Bronze at the Peru Junior International March 5-12. He is now preparing for the Suriname Easter Junior International which will be held March 25-27. The young Ramdhani started Badminton at a very young age and has won all h i s a g e G r o u p Championships to date, starting at the tender age of 6 years Old. His first International at the age of 7 years at the Suriname Juniors International he won medals in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. He continued his career with triumphs at the South A m e r i c a n Yo u t h Championships, The Caribbean Junior Championships, The Pan American Junior Championships, The World Juniors Championships and he also qualified for the Senior Pan Am Games in To r o n t o w h e r e h e participated. Narayan is now World Ranked at No.53 in Singles, No.200 In Boys Doubles & No. 274 in Mixed Doubles. He is also ranked No. 1 in the Caribbean. The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is expressing thanks to Continental Group of Companies for playing a major role in making N a r a y a n ’s s u c c e s s a reality and look forward to carrying the Sunburst Band in more years to come. Marketing and Sales Manager of Continental Group of Companies, Mr. Avalon Jagnandan pointed out that Continental is very happy to continue its
Mr. Avalon Jagnandan (right), Marketing and Sales Manager for Continental Group of Companies hands over sponsorship cheque to Mr. Narayan Ramdhani in the presence of Mr. Gokarn Ramdhani, Father and Coach of Narayan, who is also the President-Guyana Badminton Association (GBA). engagements with Narayan since he has represented the Sunburst Brand well and has embraced the slogan of Sunburst which is “Juice of Champions” especially in recent times. He added that the young Ramdhani has moved up the international rankings and is now ranked # 53 in the World, # 3 in Pan America and # 1 in the Caribbean. Mr. Jagnandan noted that
over the years Continental Group of Companies through its Sunburst Brand has supported sports in Guyana in a wide array of areas, these being Motor Racing, Badminton, Football, Table Tennis, Karate, Hockey, Golf, Horse Racing just to name a few. He added that Sunburst Juice remains fully committed towards the
growth and development of youths and sports in Guyana. Mr. Jagnandan also thanked patrons for their support towards this locally manufactured juice, since it’s through the consumption of Sunburst Juice by con s u m e r s n a t i o n w i d e that Continental Agencies Ltd is able to give back to the development of youth and sports in Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday March 19, 2016
2016 Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup
Golden Jaguars commence training ahead of Anguilla clash
Members of the Golden Jaguars going through some warm up exercises yesterday afternoon at the Guyana Defence Force ground, Camp Ayangana. Captain Christopher Nurse is at right. By Franklin Wilson With the aim of qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time, Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’, the flagship senior team commenced training in earnest ahead of next Tuesday’s clash against Anguilla set for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. Head Caoch Jamaal Shabazz took the players minus the Finland based Walter ‘Boyd’ Moore and the England based duo of Neil Danns and Samuel Cox who will be joining them on
EBFA / Ralph Green U-11
Monday, through the paces at the Guyana Defence Force ground yesterday afternoon. Shabazz said the team is a mix of experience with a few dynamic youths involved with the focus being to build a very offensive unit. While stating that the entire set up will be treating this assignment as the most important of their lives, Shabazz noted that ultimately, the CONCACAF Gold Cup is something that they must work hard towards qualifying. The Head Coach also
noted that all the grassroots work among other programmes that are done are evaluated by where you are at the international level when you compete. ”So for us we want to qualify for the Gold Cup tournament and to do that we have to finish in the first four in the CFU tournament. That journey of a thousand miles starts with the step against Anguilla.” In order to make a successful first step, the Golden Jaguars is not short on leaders as the likes of Captain Christopher Nurse, Gregory Richardson, Sam
Cox and Neil Danns are all well equipped leaders according to Shabazz. ”We are not short on leadership; the challenge for us is cohesion. Bringing together the squad and having everybody on one page in that short space of time, I think that is the challenge. If we get that right, I think the sky is going to be the limit.” CROWD SUPPORT Asked to give his take on the level of support that is required from the fans to help propel the team, Shabazz said that the fans need to understand what’s
the meaning of home support. He posited that if the game was being played in Anguilla, the entire island would be out to support. ”The fans can’t play the game but they can come out and urge the team on and help the team as a 12th man reach heights. This is the connection that football makes in a society, it gives everybody the opportunity to be part and share this passion
that this game brings.” Training would continue twice today, once tomorrow and Monday before Tuesday’s match. The Anguillans are expected to arrive tomorrow. Guyana will play Puerto Rico at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium on March 29th. Anguilla will host Puerto Rico on March 26th, all in Group 5 play.
c o m p e t i t i o n . Jael Ross who scored for Diamond will be aiming to be on the score sheets again this time in a winning cause. Kick off time is 10:00hrs.
The top three clubs will receive gold, silver and bronze medals while the fourth placed club will get participatory medals. There will also be five individual
trophies that will go to the Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player, Most Disciplined Player and Most Promising Player.
Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz (left) and Assistant Wayne Dover, discussing strategy yesterday.
Herstelling and Agricola in crucial clash
Two more matches will be contested today in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) / Ralph Green sponsored Under-11 league at the Grove P l a y f i e l d . In the day’s feature game, defending champions Herstelling Raiders find themselves in a must win situation in their match against Agricola who are also in a similar spot. Herstelling suffered a shock 2-0 loss to debutants Friendship All Stars in the competitions first match, Shavi Atkinson netting both. Agricola were down to face Friendship last Saturday but failed to show up which meant that Friendship are the first team to secure a place in the final four as the winner of Group B with an unblemished record of two wins in as many matches. A win for either Herstelling or Agricola would see them also advancing to the final four which makes their clash a potential mouth watering
Action in the first match of the competition between Herstelling Raiders and Friendship All Stars. a f f a i r . The first match today between Diamond and Craig School is also a potential thriller as a win for either side will also see them going
through. Diamond cannot afford to lose as they lost their opening match to Grove Hi Tech 1-2 last Saturday while this would be Craig’s first match of the
Saturday March 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
New National Basketball Champion emerges tonight -Will it be Linden’s Retrieve Raiders or Georgetown’s Colts?
Dwayne Roberts By Edison Jefford After what is expected to be an entertaining National Basketball Final tonight at Cliff Anderson’s Sports Hall, a new champion will emerge from the contest that brings together two teams that are competing for their first national title in their second Finals appearance. L i n d e n ’s R e t r i e v e Raiders come up against Georgetown’s Colts United in the feature game of the National Basketball Championships: The Mackeson Road to Mecca III; they play for the coveted title and right to be called the best basketball club in Guyana. This headline game, which is basically a showdown between the two strongest sub-associations, Linden Amateur Basketball Association and its Georgetown counterpart, follows what should be an entertaining third place game between the 2014 Champs, Dyna’s Ravens and 2015 Champs, Pacesetters. The Ravens and Pacesetters game renews a decade-old rivalry among two of the best institutions in the sport in Guyana. The 1954 Ravens have stated that they are in the rebuilding phase; Pacesetters too are experimenting with their junior talent, but keeps the
Neil Marks old vanguard. The night begins at 6:30 pm when The Diplomatic Corps take on Pioneer Masters. This is before the best four clubs in Guyana take the court to decide the final ranking for the remainder of 2016. The night promises to be an epic climax to what has been an exciting tournament that took a turn when two unlikely candidates muscled their way to the Finals. The Championships game is therefore a match-up between Colts efficient backcourt and Raiders formidable frontcourt. Raiders’ strength is its height advantage with centre, Jason Alonzo, and forwards Marvin Hartman, Omally Sampson, Dwayne Roberts and Neil Marks, combining for an average height of about 6’4" in the paint. Colts’ backcourt will be challenged to get pass the Raiders towers. Point guard, Dave Causway leads an efficient backcourt that includes Shelroy Thomas, Kurt English and the sensational new addition from Kwakwani, swingman, 16-year-old, Stanton Rose. Colts will leave Onicko Fraser and national centre, Shane Webster to battle the ‘bigs’, while the Raiders will hope point guard, Keon Cameron withstand the (Continued on page 35)
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Shomari Wiltshire records upset in Kraft Toucan Industries Junior Skill level Tournament The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) in collaboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel is holding the Kraft Toucan Industries Junior Skill level tournament, its first Junior tournament for 2016 at the Georgetown Club Inc. courts. Play continued on Thursday night at the Georgetown Club Inc. courts with matches in eight categories. In Category A Shomari Wiltshire recorded the first major upset of the tournament when he defeated Alec Melville by three games to one. Like the previous evening against Taylor Fernandes, Alec lost the first game 9/11 and then won the second game 11/9. However, Shomari then won the third game 11/6. The fourth game was close throughout with the lead changing hands several times between the two players. At eight all Shomari hit the tin with Alec totally out of position and it seemed as if he had lost the advantage but he won the next three points to take the game and match 11/9. Ta y l o r F e r n a n d e s recovered from her loss the previous night against Alec Melville to record a straight sets victory over Alex Cheeks 11/8,12/10,11/7, while Benjamin Mekdeci recorded his second victory in a row when he defeated Larissa Wiltshire 11/5, 11/5, 11/5. In Category C Samuel
Shomari Wiltshire Ince-Carvahal proved to be too good for Ethan Jonas winning in three close games 11/7, 11/5, 11/9 while Michael Alphonso defeated Lucas Jonas 11/5, 11/7, 11/9 and Gianni Carpenter was much too strong for Dominic Collins easily winning 11/1, 11/3, 11/4. In Category D Madison Fernandes won the first two games against Jason Gomes 11/8, 11/5 but then lost a close third game 14/16, and then also lost the fourth game 11/3. She however regained her focus and comfortably won the fifth g a m e 11 / 4 . A b o s a i d e Cadogan secured her second win in the category with a hard fought three games to one victory against Aliyah Persaud. Abosaide won the first two games 11/5, 11/9 but lost the third game 10/12. She however won the fourth game 11/8. Results of all of the night’s matches were as
Larissa Wilshire battles Ben Mckedci. follows: Category A Benjamin Mekdeci beat Larissa Wiltshire 11/5,11/5,11/5 Shomari Wiltshire beat A l e c M e l v i l l e 11/9,9/11,11/6,11/9 Taylor Fernandes beat A l e x C h e e k s 11/8,12/10,11/7 Category C Samuel Ince-Carvahal defeated Ethan Jonas 11/7,11/5,11/9 Michael Alphonso defeated Lucas Jonas 11/5,11/7, 11/9 Gianni Carpenter beat Dominic Collins 11/1,11/3,11/4 Category D Abosaide Cadogan beat Aliyah Persaud 11/5,11/9, 10/12,11/8 Madison Fernandes beat J a s o n G o m e s 111/8,11/5,14/16,3/11, 11/4 Category E Georgiana Fernandes beat Nathan Rahaman 11/4, 10/12, 11/8
Mohyryan Baksh beat Kamir Khan 3/11, 11/6, 11/7 Nechemiyah Levans beat Kamir Khan 9/11, 11/8, 11/3 Nechemiyah Levans defeated Haley Carpenter 11/5, 11/4 James Mekdeci defeated Georgiana Fernandes 11/2, 11/8 Category F Mikhail Persaud beat Chad DeAbreu 11/8 11/9 Category G Beau Fernandes beat Geovanna Dos Santos 5/11, 11/5, 11/8 Jacintha Adams beat Teija Edwards 11/7, 11/7 Category H Shilol Asregado beat Rayden Persaud 11/2,11/5 Louis Da Silva beat Lajuan Munroe 11/4, 11/8 Category I Christiana Fernandes beat Grant Fernandes 11/4, 11/6 Matches continue today at the Georgetown Club courts starting at 10.00am.
t r o Sp
England stun South Africa in highest World T20 run-chase Joe Root drives off the back foot, England v South Africa, World T20 2016, Group 1, Mumbai, March 18, 2016 ©Associated Press
Jason Roy smacked 43 off 16 balls, England v South Africa, World T20 2016, Group 1, Mumbai, March 18, 2016 ©Getty Images
Milo U-20 Schools Football Competition
Battle lines drawn for today’s final showdown -Strategies key for both teams
Action in this year’s Milo U-20 Schools Football Competition promises to be fierce as it concludes today, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
New National Basketball Champion emerges tonight
PCL First-Class cricket
Jaguars in control against Scorpions
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