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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
‘We and them’ politics The just concluded Local Government Elections have revealed many things about the voting population. For one there are voting enclaves that would remain unchanged over the years. Areas that have been lending political support to one or other of the political parties have done so in no small measure. Not so long ago there was talk about migration and population shift. Of course there were shifts in the demography with the construction of the various housing schemes. For example, back in 1994 there was no Diamond Housing Scheme, nor was there an Eccles Housing Scheme. The people who now live there lived elsewhere. But there was a local government area where these schemes now are. The political demography would have shifted one way or the other. There would be significant changes in the local authorities. The People’s Progressive Party, the main opposition party, is still smarting from its defeat at the polls just under a year ago. Its leaders keep insisting that its votes were stolen in 2015. With this in mind, the party sought to glean a large measure of success from the local government poll results. The General Secretary spoke of an overwhelming victory; while others close to the party spoke of the people turning their backs on the coalition government because of broken promises, and issues such as the pay increases granted to the government Ministers. There is a lot wrong here, because the results actually show that in places that count, there has been a large forward movement in support for the government. In 1994, just shy of two years after the People’s National Congress lost the General Elections, the party suffered a huge loss in the city. Georgetown has always been its stronghold, but the voters were sending a message to the leader of the party. Hamilton Green was a leader in the Burnham Administration until that electoral loss in 1992. Desmond Hoyte took the decision to keep Green out of the National Assembly, and make him General Secretary of the People’s National Congress. Green did not take kindly to this and made his objection known. When the elections came along, a vast majority of People’s National Congress supporters voted for Green’s party in the Local Government Elections. He won on a ‘punishment vote.’ The People’s Progressive Party appeared to have considerable more support in the city back then because it won eight seats. Today it secured a mere two seats. The figures are not readily available, but one would assume that more people cast votes this time round than in 1994. The bottom line is that the PPP has lost support in the city. It has also lost support in the Municipalities of Bartica, Linden and RoseHall, Corentyne. Better put, it appeared to have failed to expand or to maintain its support base in those communities, with the result that it attracted fewer votes this time around. Yet in the face of this performance, where it matters, the PPP has been talking of demonstrating that it remains a force to be reckoned with on the political stage. There is no doubting this. Similarly, one should not read too much into the level of support a political party gains at these elections. In some cases, had the voter turnout been different the results in some of the rural areas would have been different. Claims of stolen votes and rigged elections are doing nothing to heal the political divide; they are doing nothing to pacify the anger of the losers of the elections, especially the ordinary man who looked to his political party for shelter and support. He distrusts the other political party for ethnic reasons. The diplomatic community has been supportive of the elections. As it did in the General Elections, it pronounced, favorably, on the conduct of the elections. Indeed, the opposition is not enamoured with the diplomatic community at this time, but it could appreciate the conduct of the elections. Yet it says that the Guyana Elections Commission is not off the cards for criticism. This suggests that acrimony and ‘we and them’ politics would be a way of life for the foreseeable future.
Name a part of the Homestretch landscape after “Lightweight” DEAR EDITOR; I cannot vividly recall, seeing in the print media an artist impression/sketch; photograph, plan and last but not least and most importantly a budget of expenditure, which in my estimation could be hundreds of millions, all in the interest of accountability and transparency, in relation to the completed Durban Park, Entertainment Centre and Recreational Facility. Editor, it would be remiss of me not mention that while such a massive undertaking is extremely welcomed. Nevertheless, “John Public” ought to have some meaningful insight, as to how the taxpayers dollars, if any are being spent; costs over-run, duration and the sports disciplines that benefit the nation. Suffice it to say under whose jurisdiction would the facility fall? Maintenance cost, equipment, labour force et.al. Meanwhile, since a lot have already been said, at this juncture reference is hereby being made to the subject matter: The late “Light Weight” Kissoon. A former Councillor, M&CC, Social Activist, Community Worker and Sports Administrator, “Extra Ordinare”, “Lightweight,” as he was fondly called
was also a founding member of the now defunct Lodge Rovers Football Club. Additionally, it was the late individual, who firstly organised the only true and meaningful, Lodge Village Day of Sports. Circle Tennis, Cricket, Football, Basketball, Cycle Race, Athletic Road Race and Bird Race. This was/is against the backdrop of the current “bubble sessions” filled with lewd and noisy pollution emanating from Sound Systems/Stereo Sets! The late individual despite his political (in) differences never discriminated, based on ethnicity. He was always receptive and accommodating to one’s view. In two instances, the first between 1993-96, Harold, including myself as part of a delegation to reach with the former Minister of Human Services, Hon: Indra Chandrapaul, towards Durban Park’s r e s t o r a t i o n . P a r a d e G r o u n d ’s restoration, to facilitate the reinculcation of Christ Church Secondary School, Inter-House, Junior and Senior Football Competition, initiated a discussion with officials from the M&CC. Finally, least before I forget, the then Georgetown Football League (GFL)
and presently Georgetown Football A s s o c i a t i o n ( G FA ) u n d e r t h e Presidencies of Messrs. Winston Callender and Oliver Hinckson, at the insistency of “Light Weight” was in pursuit of becoming a “perspective leasee” of land at Durban Park, for a football facility. While a banked track for cycling, closer to Homestrech Avenue, in the vicinity of the former grandstand, became a reality, utilizing manual self-help labour! As a mark of respect, dignity and honour in memory of the late Harold “Light Weight” Kissoon, a major part of the sports’ facility must be named in his memory, for his sterling contribution, vision and development of sports, not restricted to Lodge alone and Durban Park, by extension. Honourable mention should also be made to Steve Grant, a long standing resident of Lodge; former M&CC, Councillor, the late Rudolph “Coffee” Harris and others too numerous to mention. With the phenomenal achievements the late individual truly deserves honourable mention at the decommissioning of Durban Park, with his name on a plaque! Lester Sealey
Land of many waters but only for some DEAR EDITOR, In a news media letter of March 20, Mr. Ganga Persaud, a rice farmer from Hague on the West Coast of Demerara claimed that GuySuCo has been hogging the available irrigation water from the Boerasirie Conservancy to the detriment of other users. The Conservancy extends from Potosi on the West Bank of Demerara to the Bonasika River on its western boundary and is intended to provide irrigation water for sugar, rice and mixed farming cultivations along its perimeter. Waramia is a relief sluice for the Conservancy and not a reservoir. Management of the Boerasirie Conservancy and its resources rests with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), a Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and not with GuySuCo. Therefore, NDIA decides how the available water from the Conservancy is distributed to all users including those in the Declared Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) areas such as the rice growers at Hague, Tuschen and the mixed produce farmers at Parika as well as GuySuCo. In foregone days NDIA directly managed the water distribution from its conservancies but in recent
times it has delegated most of its authority to the NDC’s whose management skills leave much to be desired causing ‘feast and famine’ with respect to the availability of water for rice farmers at critical times while GuySuCo, a Govt. owned subsidiary appears to have first preference on water extraction from the conservancies. NDIA and its agents have the responsibility for the control, management and regulation of all the conservancies. As is evident, they have failed to carry out
their mandate resulting in poor service for all users. The full supply levels of the conservancies should not be drawn down by unused releases to lower levels without assured predictions of heavy rainfall to prevent overtopping since when the need do arise as is the current situation, insufficient water will be available at lower conservancies levels to meet the needs for all crops. Pumping helps to top up the conservancies but it would be unable to restore sufficient gravity irrigation
to the fields if it starts when conservancies levels are at dead storage. Hence the plight of the farmers to get the water onto their fields without auxiliary pumping from the feeder canals as NDIA was too late in its primary pumping to provide them with gravity irrigation. Mr. Persaud needs some answers as to how the Boerasirie Conservancy is managed to provide a fair distribution of its water to all users. After all they are paying taxes for this service. Charles Sohan
Minister Jordan says salary increase can be unsustainable DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Mr. Lincoln Lewis’s letter captioned ‘Finance Minister is bordering on double standards’ (KN, March 20). In the opening sentence of his salvo, he states erroneously, “Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s position that he is guided by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) position on the issue of wages and salaries for public sector workers cannot be allowed to go unnoticed.” For the record, at the press conference, the Finance Minister, Hon. Winston Jordan, was asked whether he agreed with the IMF’s position on wages for public servants. In replying, the Minister said that, as an Economist and Minister of Finance, he shared the IMF’s view, which was contained in the Concluding Statement of the 2016 Article IV Consultation in this particular instance.
He also reminded the reporters that since assuming the office of Finance Minister in 2015, he has cautioned against meeting exaggerated demands for wage increases, as even in good times, such increases can become unsustainable and result in serious short and long term impacts on the economy as well as upset macroeconomic stability. This observation of the IMF therefore, only echoes the Minister’s view which has been public for many months now. The APNU + AFC Coalition government is committed to the collective bargaining process - one that results in the progressive improvement in the welfare and advancement of public servants. This was reinforced in the 2016 Budget Presentation. Wanita Huburn PRO, Ministry of Finance
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Random traffic stops are out Confronting the factors of control on the East Bank that give rise to suicide
DEAR EDITOR; I write in connection with the utter disgust that is senselessly being perpetrated on hapless motorists on the East Bank of Demerara by policemen. It is now the norm rather than the exception that policemen are always conducting random checks on the road way at Providence and Grove Police Stations. During the rush hours there is always a build-up of traffic in these two areas which can be disgusting, frustrating and tantamount to an exercise in futility which can only be described as idiotic. Apart from these two points, police conduct random checks in other areas including Eccles, Diamond, Hope, Friendship, Coverden etc. After a hard days’ work it is an absurdity to be subjected to a traffic crawl on your way home at the whims and fancies of some uncouth policemen. On Sunday 13th March, 2016, I was stopped for random checks at Provi-
dence, Diamond, Grove and Hope while driving to Soesdyke. My description of this being “idiotic” is putting it mildly, as no motorist would be stopped in any other part of the world or rather planet earth, on four successive occasions for random checks within a distance of about ten miles. This continuous nightmare falls under the purview of the Commandeer of “A” Division who incidentally lives on the East Bank Demerara and who, should be aware of this detestable imposition. He turns a blind eye; The Commissioner appears toothless and sadly, the traffic chief is now incapacitated through an accident. It will be interesting to identify the source of authority that is responsible for this unjustifiable police harassment stated here-in and, to whom a complaint can be made. The situation is further exacerbated by some policemen whose level of traffic control and ability to maneu-
ver directional changes to ensure a coordinated flow of traffic are poor and leaves a lot to be desired. Again, this is quite evident on the East Bank where the functions of the traffic lights at Eccles, Demerara Harbour Bridge and Diamond are often being usurped by police ranks whose intervention would creates confusion rather than alleviate traffic congestion. This is also being manifested with regularity at Regent and King Streets much to the disgust and annoyance of motorists. It is regrettable that articles of this nature which should generate remedial action are generally considered inconspicuous jargon and at best, relegated to the archives for reference. It is any wonder that policemen have been known to solicit help to be transferred to the traffic department? The obvious reason lies in the wallets of motorists. Concerned motorist (name supplied)
DEAR EDITOR; The Justice for Walter Rodney Committee took President Granger at his word, when he announced on March 2, 2016 that the report would be laid before Cabinet, given to the political parties in the coalition government, tabled in parliament, delivered to the widow and family of Walter Rodney, and released to the Press. Since then we have seen many persons with close affinity to the government continue to speak in disparaging ways of a report that is not yet public. The Justice for Walter Rodney Committee has deliberately withheld comments on the report out of respect for the judicial process and of the Office of the Presidency. From the outset we asked for the public release of the report; and at this moment we repeat that call. The President must recognize that the delay in the release of the report opens its contents to misinformed speculation as represented by some of the letters and comments appearing in the press. The circumstances of the politics of the unnatural death of Walter Rodney, and the politics of the decisions surrounding the holding of the inquiry should not cloud the good name of the Office of the President. This was a Presidential Inquiry, and the Presidency has certain constitutional, moral and public responsibili-
ties. Among these is to reach out to aggrieved parties. The Presidency must stand above the fray. It is of concern to us, as it should be to any concerned person or organization that up to this moment the report has not been received by the Widow and family of Walter Rodney, and counsels representing all parties at the inquiry. While we commend the President for encouraging the parties within the coalition to study the report and possibly speak, we are con-
DEAR EDITOR; The letter of March 20th 2016 “The Education Ministry has a favourite printer” was not a startling one as it speaks to reality. The beast might change but the basic nature remains! As much as I am a supporter of the government and have welcomed the refreshing change in my country, the fact is that some old customs die hard. Favouritism and partiality are intrinsic parts of any government as they have to get the business of government done. The only caution is that such favouritism and partial-
cerned that none of these parties have spoken. The report should immediately be made public, and it is our considered opinion that the Ministry of the Presidency should give the public and those concerned a timetable on when the report will be sent to the family and to all counsels representing parties at the inquiry, when it will be tabled in parliament, and when it will be published and available for sale to the public. Wazir Mohamed
DEAR EDITOR; During my cross country visits and talking to youths, teachers, parents and community leaders in various communities, a few commonalites stood out as it relates to the suicide problem in Guyana which I feel, if addressed correctly, would have a positive impact on saving lives. These are some of the area where immediate action can help. Unlike the large cities like Georgetown where there is a reasonable ratio of counsellors to schools, I noticed that in the in the areas where suicide is prevalent, there are very few or no counsellors or social workers in the schools. The youths in these areas, predominantly in Regions 2 Essequibo Coast and Region 6, Berbice, Corentyne, have no trained individuals available to counsel them through their problems, which ultimately leads to them ending their lives prematurely. To help close this gap, I recommend that teachers need to be trained on observing behavioral changes in their students, and be able to identify early signs of depression. This would mean having personal conversations with troubled youths and develop a trusted and safe forum where the youths can openly share their concerns. Understanding the root cause of the problem would enable the teachers to be better able to address the concerns with student and parents. This should not replace having trained behavioral health counsellors in the school districts. Next, is the concern of child molestation, abuse and incest. Although children are
encouraged to report these to the police, many don’t because they know the police will most likely release the perpetrator with a bribe etc, and they fear the consequences of facing the individual again. They are afraid to tell anyone because of being labeled as a liar or be alienated. Their fear of going home or being in the vicinity of their attack causes severe anxieties and contemplation of death becomes more real for them. Domestic violence is another area of concern. It poses a serious threat to children’s emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing, particularly if the violence is chronic. In addition to witnessing the horrifying acts of violence on one parent, children in homes with domestic violence are also constantly being verbally and physically attacked by a parent. They worry about their safety or the safety of a parent. This adds to the current pressure the youths are facing to succeed at school, as such it takes a toll on their mental and emotional state. I spoke with several youths who have attempted suicide and some have shown me their self-mutilation they have endured to themselves with the attempt of ending their lives or seeking attention for help. Alcohol and drug use is very common. Users believe it eases their pain when in fact it masks the problem for that short period. Once sober and they realize their problem is still there, they revert back to consuming more thus developing an addiction.
ity should not be blatant as the consequential interpretation is that only the government has changed while the same customs continue. You Mister Editor are privy to the named person in that letter and hopefully you would use your good offices and forward that to the President’s Office as a moral duty and to bring to notice what that ministry felt might be a secret ‘secret’! Now I would like to add my concern and complaint about the very Ministry of Education which recently awarded a catering contract
to a totally unqualified person. The established facts about that catering contract which was very recently awarded are: 1. The person has no established catering establishment 2. The qualifying conditions were changed to accommodate that person 3. The person is a strong party person 4. The main official dealing with the contract is a close friend of that person. I have said time and time, over and over, that Guyana is a small country, and that very few secrets
are ever secrets. Guyanese like to talk and worst of all boast when they strike it good in any activity. The past government was not afraid to award contracts in openingly blatant favouritism. That should not be a part of this government. Note my words ‘openingly blatant.’ I name no names in this matter but any quick check on the recently awarded catering contract would indicate how factual my facts are. Time to straighten up and fly right you folks in the Education Ministry. Carl Veecock
Walter Rodney’s family is yet to receive the report
In Guyana, power habits do not die
Alcohol and drugs cause hallucination, clouds judgment, lowers inhibitions, and worsens depression which leads to other mental health challenges and ultimately suicide. Parents need to understand that their vision for their child does not always equate to what their child’s vision is for themselves. Please sit and talk with your children and get to know then and understand what their thoughts and concerns are. Learn to embrace their vision and support and nurture their strengths. Due to the lack of psychologist, behavioral therapist or counsellors to help these troubled youths, they have no one to turn to for help. They are unable to communicate with their parents because of the cultural premise of a child should be seen but heard. I have encouraged them to report any abuse incident to law enforcement (although they don’t have confidence in this) and to speak with their teachers, spiritual leaders, friends or someone they feel they can confide in. However the level of trust is not there and many feel they will be betrayed. Communities throughout have expressed concerns regarding the lack of efforts by the Ministries and other government agencies in providing support to curb the suicide crisis facing their local communities. My encouragement to the communities is not to wait for the government officials to provide a solution. Instead work together, since it would take everyone’s help in putting an end to this problem one village at a time. Together we can do a lot more and lessen the suicide rate if individuals in the mental health professional field can volunteer their time in order to have a constant availability of resources to address these issues. These are just a few of the key drivers of this crisis. If you have the skills set required to provide counseling please message us. Tell us your areas of expertise and geographical location you can assist. We will then connect you with someone in the location. Keep in mind this is a volunteer service. Roy Ganga Citizens Against Suicide (Guyana)
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
LGE Elections… ABC countries: Guyana’s
low voter turnout part of a complex situation - steer clear of blame game
By Abena Rockcliffe While the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) blames contestants of the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) for the low voter turnout; and the contestants blame GECOM, representatives of the ABC countries are saying that the situation is much more complex. United Kingdom High Commissioner, Greg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner, Pierre Giroux; and United States Ambassador, Perry Holloway held a joint press conference at the Canadian High Commission yesterday. The envoys, who called on a wealth of experiences to make their assessment of the event, said that there are a number of variables that could have contributed to the low turnout, which was below 50 percent. However, they say that the turnout, in the grand scheme of things, should be viewed as a success. They reinforced their joint statement that Friday’s Local Government Elections were transparent, free and fair. Holloway suggested that anything that could have compromised the integrity of the elections would have been identified as the U.S. Embassy had observer teams consisting of some 70 members spread throughout nine regions on Election Day just as it had observers in the field on disciplined forces voting day. He said that his team witnessed an orderly process in conformity with Guyana’s laws. Holloway added it is the US’s considered opinion that the process to date has met the international standards for free, fair and credible elections. “For that, we congratulate the Guyana Elections
Canadian High Commissioner, Pierre Giroux Commission, particularly its Chair, Dr. Steve Surujbally, its Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and all those who worked the polls on Election Day. “We also extend our congratulations to all those who contested or participated in these polls, and we look forward to working closely with the men and women who will comprise Guyana’s new local governments,” said Holloway. He said that while a higher turnout would have been desired, “It is completely understandable that, in the absence of local elections for more than 22 years, there would be some anxiety, apprehension, and uncertainty among some voters on what these local elections were all about.” Holloway said that for nearly a generation people looked at familiar party symbols. Now citizens were asked to look beyond that and learn what individual candidates and new groups stood for. “This is a process that will take time.” “Was it lower than Gen-
eral Elections? Yes it was! But should you expect it to be the same? I would say no,” he added. Holloway said that he has seen LGEs in about 10 different countries and the turnout in Guyana might have been the highest he has seen. “People for whatever reason decide that this is not as important as the National Elections.” High Commissioner Quinn told reporters that a 38 percent voter turnout in an LGE held in the UK would be considered quite high. He said that globally, LGEs always tend to have a lower turnout. “It is not a question of one person or one group of individuals being responsible for the turnout… everyone needs to get involved. Now the people have seen how the first election in 22 years has gone and will see what the local councillors can actually do, hopefully that will encourage more to go out in 2019.” The envoy said that it would be quite mistaken if he or his colleagues were to point directly to one reason and say that is responsible for the low voter turnout. However, Quinn explored a number of reasons including the possibility that a large percent of the population did not quite understand the process or why it was important for them to participate in the elections. He also noted the fact that LGEs are new to a large percent of the voting population. High Commissioner, Giroux said that Guyana is now faced with a glorious opportunity to, instead of speculating, analyze the turnout. The envoy who was quite alert at the polls, said that he
noted a pattern in the persons who participated in the elections. He said that there was a significantly higher percent of women than men and the same was observed between the old and young respectively. Giroux said that if that pattern is to be analyzed contestants can then be able to have a more interested and informed approach to their campaign in the next three years. “It is not best to speculate, go to the figures, look at the list, and check the pattern. It will be interesting for a social science study. High Commissioner Quinn told reporters that some problems did arise but these were quickly identified and resolved. JUST THE BEGINNING High Commissioner Giroux said that the LGEs, coming for the first time in 22 years, mark another step up to a stronger democracy. However, he stressed that it is just one step. The envoy said that it is now left to be seen how the elections will affect the daily lives of the citizens. He said that Guyana can truly be proud when Mayors and Councillors put processes in place to encourage participation of the people as well as display accountability to ensure that the practice of democracy will be enforced daily. These sentiments were echoed by High Commissioner Quinn and Ambassador Holloway. Holloway said, “Citizens will now hold local government officials accountable for their performance in their respective offices. If they do not perform, the people will speak
Local Government Election results represent victory for the people - Communities Minister Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, says that the results of the recently held Local Government Elections “represent victory for the people of Guyana and not for any political party”. Addressing the media at a press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Saturday, the Minister with oversight over the newly elected Councils and Councillors said that “the results of the elections represent an opportunity for the elected officials to serve the residents of their constituency.” He said that as far as the successful coalition candidates are concerned, the elec-
tions offer them an opportunity to participate, and to lead in the renewal of the communities “and the reversal of the decay that have behest many.” As far as the Ministry of Communities is concerned, the holding of the longawaited elections represents the first of three components in the restoration and rehabilitation of the collapsed system of local government. “Going forward from the democratic renewal of the life of Councils, the other two main components that have been identified and articulated are to ensure that there is institutional strengthening and
building of capacity within the new Councils. This component is particularly geared towards the core of Councillors who are coming into office with a great degree of enthusiasm but who (are) probably lacking the requisite experience to be able to manage the affairs of their communities,” Bulkan explained. He said that the third component of the rehabilitation efforts is to ensure that the Councils have access to sufficient financial resources so as to execute their responsibilities, towards the residents of their communities.” Local Government elec-
tions were successfully completed in Guyana, after a 22year delay, on Friday March 18, 2016 According to preliminary results, the APNU+AFC coalition candidate won in Georgetown. The coalition also managed to secure most of the seats in the Municipalities of Lethem, Bartica, Linden and New Amsterdam. The main Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), is tied with the coalition for the township of Mabaruma, but is reported to have won the townships of Rose Hall, Corriverton and Anna Regina.
United States Ambassador, Perry Holloway
UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn
again and new representatives will be elected.” He said that voter education must be a priority. “The parties, GECOM, the media, the private sector, civil society, and others must continue to educate voters on the process. A process that we hope
will continue to be enhanced both through new legislation that addresses long-standing concerns on campaign finance, equal access to media, and use of state resources and through the introduction of electronic registration, voting, and tabulation.”
Woman acquitted of attempted murder Justice Jo Ann Barlow yesterday admonished Stacy James to stay out of trouble at all cost after the woman was acquitted of an attempted murder charge at the Georgetown High Court, yesterday. The 12-member mixed Jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict after a few hours of deliberation. James also faced an alternative charge of wounding with intent. She wore an anxious expression on her face prior to the announcement of the verdict. According to the particulars of the case presented by State Prosecutors, Tuanna Layne and Tameika Clarke, James allegedly stabbed and injured Wanita Mendonca during a heated confrontation. The incident took place at Anira Street, Queenstown, on January 21, 2007. James pleaded not guilty to the charge. She was represented by Attorney-at-Law, James Bond. According to James, she and the virtual complainant had a misunderstanding on the day of the incident. She said that the woman attacked and hit her in the head with a rolling pin but she grabbed a knife and stabbed her to the chest. Mendonca had told the court that there was some bad blood between them. She said that she lived in the same
apartment building with James some time before the altercation. At the time of the stabbing, James was 19 years old and the victim was 35. Following yesterday’s verdict, Justice Barlow told the former accused that although she is freed of the charge she must seek to avoid such confrontations at all cost. The Judge warned that is better to walk away in the face of insult than face a charge of attempted murder. “You could have been facing a murder charge.” Last week, a 25 year old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was found guilty by a 12-member mixed jury on a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The sentence was handed down by Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the Georgetown High Court. Alvin Ragobar was initially charged with attempted murder. The alternative charge was for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was convicted for wounding Nowrattan Wilmont with the intent to maim, disable or disfigure him. The incident took place on October 3, 2007. The case was presented by State Prosecutors Shawnette Austin, Tuanna Hardy and Tomeika Clarke. Ragobar was represented by Attorney Sonia Parag
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Legislators in Haiti reject nominee for PM PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — Haitian lawmakers Sunday night rejected economist Fritz Jean as the country’s new prime minister sending the provisional government in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country into a state of uncertainty. Jean, named by Interim President Jocelerme Privert needed at least 60 of the 119 members of the Lower House to support his nomination. But when the vote was taken on Sunday evening, he received 38 votes with 36 against with one legislator abstaining. “Mr Prime Minister, 38 deputies voted in favour to your general policy statement, as the majority required in terms of section 158 of the 1987 amended Constitution is at least 60 votes, which constitutes the absolute majority required, your general policy statement is rejected.” The vote leaves President Privert without a person to run the government’s day-to-day affairs and he also failed to get support for the new Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) that is needed to organise the twice-postponed presidential run-off vote now tentatively scheduled for April 24. President Michel Martelly left office on February 7 without any successor being elected and last week Sandra Honore, the top UN
Economist Fritz Jean envoy for Haiti, told the United Nations Security Council that Haiti was at a “critical juncture” in consolidating its democracy and the next few weeks would be decisive. Jean had been nominated and then sworn in at a ceremony at the National Palace in the hopes his experience and reputation as an economist and former governor of Haiti’s central bank would overcome objections from opposition lawmakers. In his inaugural speech on Sunday, he told lawmakers that the new government “is committed to providing to all institutions involved in the electoral process the necessary means for achieving the objectives. “The new CEP will be put into condition to strengthen the mechanisms of voting.
We will ensure to recreate the confidence of key players involved in the electoral process, knowing that the results will have to reflect the real choice of the people,” he said. He told the lawmakers that the government, if approved by them, would play its role in creating a peaceful climate ensuring that “these elections… will allow our country to return to constitutional order. He said his government would also deal with the issue of justice, adding “we want a constitutional state where every citizen is equal before the law, in which each citizen is accountable for his actions. “The current situation in Haiti requires the urgent to redress public finances through the adoption of measures allowing institutions of perception to execute their strategic reform plans; to improve performance,” the US-educated economi st said, adding “it is our responsibility to meet the sanitation challenges in order to restore confidence, eliminate apprehensions and dissolve anxiety”.
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THE PPP ACHIEVED ONE OF ITS OBJECTIVES The PPP, as expected, dominated the elections for the sixty-two Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). Its margin of victory in the NDCs demonstrated that in a number of areas the ruling APNU+AFC coalition was complacent. APNU+ AFC, on the other hand, dominated the Municipal Elections to the extent where the PPP was humiliated in Georgetown. The PPP’s share of the votes in the city was less than 50% of what it obtained in 1994. The PPP also fared badly in Lethem and did not take control of Mabaruma. The Stabroek News was quick to highlight the losses of the PPP in the Municipalities but has only reported on what the PPP has said in relation to the Neighborhood Democratic Councils. The PPP had a deliberate strategy of not campaigning in the Municipalities. It contested in all of the Municipalities but it was not an active campaigner in these areas. This was part of its strategy for which its leader was forthright. He made it clear that the strategy for these elections were to consolidate the party’s main support base. He
said that the party was aware that it had lost ground in the towns because it had not matched its development of the infrastructure with political work. He pointed to the loss of support of almost nine percentage points in Linden between 2006 and 2011. The PPP got hammered in Linden in the Local Government Elections failing for the first time to gain a seat. It barely managed two seats in Georgetown and its representation on the council in Bartica is insignificant. The PPP did not concentrate on winning or trying to do better in the towns but its poor showing in the towns may have shocked the party and forced it to question whether the strategy it used had backfired. The strategy of the PPP in the Municipalities was not irrational. It may have gambled that if it had a low profile campaign in the towns, then it would not be perceived as a threat to APNU+AFC. It may have been hoping that the independents, in these circumstances, would have split the APNU+AFC vote and that the PPP’s invisibility would encourage the loss of votes for the ruling coalition.
Dem boys seh...
Monkey see, monkey do There is a saying that you can’t control de wind but you can adjust your sail. Is de same thing wid politicians; people know dem can’t control dem but you can keep dem in check. You can expose when dem thief. A few days ago dem boys find out that Donald Dumb best friend get 35 acres in house lots. De whole country know that Donald Dumb ain’t suh smart. Something had to happen. Den dem boys hear, yesterday, that Donald Dumb did see a document which show Ali Baba Jagdeo give away to ee best friend 28 acre in house plots in Providence. But de land ain’t deh in de best friend name. It deh in one of Babbie workers name. Donald Dumb seh that if Ali Baba Jagdeo can give he friend 28 acres, he can give he friend 35, seven more. Was a case of monkey see, monkey do. Dem boys intend to do dem own forensic audit to find out wha more de two scamps give away that belong to de people of this country. Dem boys certain that in dem forensic audits dem gun ketch one-one of Soulja Bai people inside. De way how some of Soulja Bai people behaving dem had to be waiting just to get inside de government. And from de time dem get in dem start mekking deals wid some of de very people who been in deh and who was mekking deals wid Ali Baba Jagdeo and ee 40 thieves. Dem boys believe that Soulja Bai is a good man but he got some scamp closing in pun him. One ah dem allow Brassington to get away; another one does go and meet Brassington steady in Florida cutting deals. Soulja Bai should go pun de ground and talk to people. Dem vex wid him fuh being so slow. One year done and he can’t do nutten bout de airwaves. And while he pussyfooting de very people using de same airwaves fuh tell de nation how he, Soulja Bai, is a damn scamp. Dem using dem same radio to tell people how dem win, and how dem win big. Soulja Bai better act fast or people gun link him wid Donald Dumb and de two of dem gun be known as Dumb and Dumber. Talk half and wait fuh see if Soulja Bai gun behave more stupid than Donald.
The PPP could then do better if its supporters in the towns voted along party lines. Consistent with this strategy of not campaigning much in the towns, the PPP therefore allowed a number of political unknowns to be its representatives in a number of constituencies. It also went back with persons who were part of its 1994 slate. This proved to be disastrous considering the fact that the majority of persons were voting or the first time. The lesson that the PPP
learnt at the end of the elections was that it has to campaign if it intends to do well. Another lesson is it that it has to start courting popular and credible candidates. Its strategy backfired. Its own supporters did not vote or did not vote for the party. The result is that the party was humiliated in the Municipal Elections. The PPP, of course, has always had a problem with finding competent persons in sufficient numbers to be part of the Local Government system. When you are in govern-
ment, you have to find persons for Parliament, find persons to work in government, then to find persons for the Regional Administrations. It is not easy, after all of this, to find sufficiently capable persons to fill over eight hundred positions in the NDCs and Town Councils. The PPP is not in government and may have found it even harder to find sufficient capable candidates in a number of areas.The PPP may have factored all of this into its overall campaign strategy
The recount sought by the People’s Progressive Party in Berbice and parts of Region Three did not affect the final results of the elections, said the Guyana Elections Commission, yesterday. The Guyana Elections Commission also released figures indicating that the voter turnout for the historic Local Government Elections (LGE) on Friday was 47 percent. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had called for limited recounts in District 6 because it was not satisfied with its showing in the Municipal Elections (New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton). According to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, the request for
recounts was made in the Municipality of Rose Hall, while limited recounts were requested in Constituencies 5 and 7. He had noted that in the Municipality of MaidaTarlogie, on the Corentyne, there was a request for a recount. In addition, he had noted that in the Macedonia/ Joppa Local Authority Area there was the request for the recount of one constituency. In Rose Hall, Lowenfield had said that there was a probable tie that might have resulted in the call for a recount. Lowenfield had added that there were still some “statutory subsets” for GECOM to satisfy before the entire exercise could be
brought to a close over the next few days. In the 1994 elections the PPP won Rose Hall outright. The election was held in 71 Local Authority Areas, which includes 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and nine Municipalities – an overall total of 508 Constituencies. Of the 542 constituencies, 149 were a “no contest” since only one party would have expressed interest in contesting in each. In the voter turnout results released by GECOM yesterday, 507,584 voters were captured on the Official Voters’ List and 1,562 Polling Stations were open to facili-
and decided that it is best at this stage that it uses the Local Government Elections to consolidate its base. It has done so effectively but it may still live to regret that it did not mobilize and campaign harder in the towns where it was humiliated by APNU+AFC.
2016 LGE had 47% total voter in District 6, Region 3 turnout - GECOM - recount produce unchanged results
tate voting. However, there were 239,070 votes cast in total, with 2,747 being rejected or spoilt. The Local Authorities (Elections) Act was amended in 2009 to include as many people as possible, apart from political parties to present themselves as candidates. There were 83 groups, three political parties, 63 individual candidates three Political Parties and 17 voluntary groups.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
A very complicated Georgetown election result Sunday night on a Channel 9 panel to analyze the Local Government Election process and the results, I mentioned that the Alliance For Change was seriously affected by the rural voting patterns. In response, Vincent Alexander said that those who voted for the PPP were the die-hard PPP supporters. But even if that was so, those Indians who stayed home, chose not to vote for AFC. It will need a separate column to analyze the implications of the 2016 LGE for the future of the AFC. But the result has
far-reaching implications for the PNC, not APNU, –after 2020, I think there will be no other parties in the APNU arena but the PNC). If one goes through the Georgetown LGE result with a fine teeth comb, the PNC should be happy. First, the low turn out is not what is important in assessing the winner and loser. So context comes into play here. As an example, we can start with the Action Tyre owner, Ron Persaud, who won constituency 7. He spent a lot of money on his campaign. His popular business place on Croal Street was plastered with huge posters. Here are the results. Of 1,116 votes, Persaud with his vehicle of resources and visibility got 724 ballots. Three
unknown persons, in comparison to Persaud, together pulled 392. This was hardly a landslide. Almost 200 votes together went to Team Benschop and Youth for Local Government. In that constituency, Indians voted for the PPP candidate, Bisham Kuppen but African Guyanese split their votes between APNU-AFC, Team Benschop and Youth for Local Government. The candidates for the last two groups were African-Guyanese. My point is that if you go through the voting pattern for the LGE 2016 for Georgetown, African Guyanese in the constituency structure did not rush to give APNU-AFC a landslide and that is because AfricanGuyanese in Georgetown voted for other Black candidates Let’s go to constituency 14 which takes in South Ruimveldt and its adjoining areas. This is an historic PNC enclave. It saw a turn out of more than eighty percent at the General Elections last
May. All the candidates were Africans. I will leave out the 66 votes the PPP got. Sherod Duncan of APNU-AFC, with the exception of Mark Benschop in that constituency, is far better known than any other of the contestants. Duncan got 1, 828 ballots. The other five contestants among themselves (I have left out the PPP person) polled 1,137. For a formidable PNC fortress that constituency 14 is, African Guyanese gave 1,137 votes to other Black contestants. Duncan beat them by roughly 700 votes. Is that a landslide? Now let us go to context. In the context of the APNU-AFC machinery, 822 votes went to non APNU candidates in constituency 14 that hardly anyone in Guyana knows. I have subtracted the 315 Benschop got because he is a nationally known personality. My point is that 1,137 votes out of 2965 went to Black candidates other than the ruling party. That to my mind, these statistics have
implications for PNC (not APNU) politics in the future. Let’s move on to constituency 9 which takes in Lodge and its adjoining area. This is even a more die-hard receptacle of support for the PNC. Leaving out the PPP votes, five independent candidates, all of whom are African Guyanese, picked up 1, 184 votes to 1, 655 for the APNUAFC candidate. That is certainly not a beating. The big machinery of the APNU-AFC with its vast resources conceded substantial votes in Georgetown to candidates that, outside of Mark Benschop, people didn’t know. Take Ivan Bentham in constituency 9. Bentham, an individual candidate pulled 88 votes. He told me that he did not put up a single poster. The tantalizing thing in one’s mind is what would have been the LGE result in Georgetown if people like Bentham and the dozens and dozens of others like him, had a well oiled machine with big
Frederick Kissoon bucks and big support. The brutal, frightening fact is that large unknown persons stood up against the might of the ruling coalition and captured a large number of votes in those fifteen constituencies. Independents will do vastly better in three years’ time. My point is that the outcomes in this recently concluded LGE have extensive implications for 2020. I couldn’t believe that Albert Cromwell, AKS, “Bulldog” who is before the court for assaulting another candidate carted off 44 votes in constituency 2. Please tell me that this is not true.
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Judiciary did little to ease overcrowding during my tenure - Rohee - despite meetings between Executive, Judiciary Following on the heels of recent meetings between the Executive and the Judiciary to work out ways to ease prison overcrowding, former Minister of then Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, has claimed that such meetings were held before, but the Judiciary took little interest in addressing this issue afterwards. Stating that during his tenure, things were done administratively to ease overcrowding, Rohee said that there was a meeting in 2013 with the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Magistrate. “That same meeting that they just had,” Rohee related yesterday, “We had a similar meeting in 2013, where we spoke of overcrowding issues at the prison and nothing happened out of these meetings. The bulk of the responsibility rests with the Judiciary and Magistracy to take action.” He acknowledged that former Chief Justice, Ian Chang did take the initiative to give bail to a number of prisoners. “The only ones that we (Home Affairs Ministry and Prison authorities) did not consider for remission were rape, murder and crimes committed with firearms,” Rohee said. “But the thing is, the criminal justice system was just very slow, and that is why the Home Affairs Ministry, together with the prison, decided to take certain action.” Rohee noted that this was all done within their mandate, but that he could only hope for results in an area, the Judiciary, over which the administration had no control. VISITING JUSTICES There had been testimony from a prisoner, Owen Belfield, during the COI that measures that were supposed to be in place in the prison were not there. One of these was the visiting Justices, as stated in the Prison Act Chapter 11:01 of 1957. The Act states that “There shall be in respect of each prison in Guyana a Board of visiting Justices and the Minister may appoint for such time as may be specified in the appointment such and so many justices to be members of such Board.” These were mandated, under the Act, to “visit any prison in respect of which he is a visiting justice and may inspect any part of such
Camp street prisoners
Former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee prison, may enquire into and examine the food, diet, clothing, treatment and conduct of prisoners, may question any member of the prison staff or prisoner may 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.” Questioned about the visiting Justices, Rohee acknowledged that the measure was never established. However, he explained that the parole board was functioning. “The parole board was very active,” he said. “And we also had the meeting with the (judiciary). They were expected to take action, but I don’t think any action was taken. We also were pushing for uniformity in community sentencing. In other words, rather than sentencing people for these small petty crimes, they would do community service.” Finally, Rohee spoke of the work the Cops and Faith community initiative did. This initiative was launched in 2013. He noted that a bottom line of this initiative was to keep youths out of the court system. Last week, the talks between Executive and Judiciary lasted over two hours and were held in the Boardroom of the Court of Appeal. Present were the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Attorney General
and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams; and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. The justice system was represented by the Chancellor Carl Singh, Acting Chief Justice, Yonette CummingsEdwards; Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar Hack and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Chancellor Singh had assured the delegation that all necessary initiatives will be considered to expedite trials and to review bail to reduce the number of prisoners on remand. Of concern, however, is the fact that the large number of prisoners on remand has been prevalent for years. Meanwhile, Rohee rejected calls that he ought to appear before the Commission of Inquiry (COI), which is being held at the Ministry of Public Service and is probing the circumstances of a prison fire that claimed the lives of 17 inmates. It was felt that Rohee and other past administrators
could provide insight into prison conditions leading up to the fire. “I think the COI should get as much information as they want from the
former Ministry of Home Affairs. All the records are there, whatever they want to know on the Georgetown prisons, there is a plethora of docu-
ments and information on every single aspect of the prison operations at the Home Affairs/Public Security Ministry and the Guyana Prison Service.”
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Govt. reviewing existing Honorary - Minister Greenidge Consuls Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice President, Carl Greenidge, has said that a review of existing Guyanese Honorary Consuls is currently in progress. The Minister said that questions are being asked to consider the way forward. “One has to decipher why some of the people who have been appointed have been appointed? Why some of the places that have been the locations of honorary consulates have been chosen? What is their link to Guyana and what do they do? What can they do? What commercial dimensions does the person have an interest in? What do they know of Guyana? What use has he/she made of the office since appointed? Those questions we are working on with a view to rationalizing the list,” Greenidge said. Since, taking office last May, the David Granger administration has been making a number of changes in its
overseas missions. Already, new persons have been named to China, Canada, United Kingdom, Cuba and Belgium. The Minister explained that as a developing country, Guyana cannot afford to finance many international missions, including Consuls General, High Commissioners and Ambassadors. He said that Guyana currently has 13 Ambassadors and High Commissioners, and 38 Honorary Consuls worldwide. The Honorary Consul is an officer who provides consular services to Guyanese in the country in which they are established and are bestowed with representational benefits and diplomatic privileges for voluntarily carrying the cost. “If you are a professionala doctor, lawyer or you’re in commerce it becomes easier for you to provide that service because you already have the overheads such as
office space. You devote some part of it for Guyanese to come and request your assistance. You might have to write to the police or you might have to go to the police station or the lockups or the courts or hospital … a range of functions,” the Foreign Minister explained. He noted that an Honorary Consul must have the time to make representations and an officer who can provide office support services such as answering the telephone, collecting passports and returning them as well as other document services that go with the office of an Honorary Consul.” “The person has to be reasonably well off as well as having those facilities mentioned. People tend not to understand and believe it’s a matter of placing friends. There are some material requirements so you cannot just appoint anyone,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.
Apart from meeting the material requirements, the person being appointed cannot have any criminal record or have any ‘run-ins’ with the police, the Foreign Minister further added that it is the authorities and police that must find the person and their accommodation acceptable. “You can’t be entertaining those people at your home; it has to be a separate and recognizable office… that makes it a lot more challenging.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the only Ministry responsible for the appointment of Honorary Consuls. Consuls relate to the Director General of the Ministry and the Chief of Protocol. Guyana currently has Honorary Consuls in Antigua &
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Greece, Jamaica, Jordan, India, Lebanon, Nepal, Palestine, Peru, Philippines,
South Korea, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Syria, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey and in California, Miami and Georgia in the United States of America.
Captured jaguars may have strayed because of dry weather - EPA
One of the captured jaguars
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was involved in the capturing of two jaguars that were likely responsible for attacks of domestic animals on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two. According to the agency, it received reports of jaguar attacks on livestock and promptly responded, by conducting investigative visits to three affected communities of Lima Sands, Tapakuma and Whyaka Mainstay. During the visits, detailed discussions were held with the affected communities which pointed to the need for the jaguar situation to be treated with urgency. Several farmers and residents have complained of losing animals and seeing tracks that appeared to be that of a big cat. The EPA said it started to conduct awareness sessions with the communities encouraging them to keep livestock and cattle in enclosures to deter the jaguar (s) and preventing animals from becoming easy prey. As a last recourse, traps were built, by
both community members and the EPA team, and set at strategic locations in the communities where the jaguars were known to frequent. The EPA said that it received news on Friday, February 19, and Thursday, March 11, 2016, that a female and a male jaguar were caught in the traps set. “On receipt of this news from residents, of the Mainstay Community, the EPA quickly coordinated with the Wildlife Management Authority, Protected Areas Commission, Transport and Harbours Dept, Anna Regina Police Station and Guyana Livestock Development Authority for the safe transport and relocation of the jaguars.” Officers of the EPA and the Wildlife Management Authority, accompanied by a veterinarian, then promptly travelled to the Mainstay community on both occasions to secure the jaguars and ensure their safe transport to Georgetown. The jaguars were relocated to the Guyana Zoological Park where they were (Continued page 23)
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Sexual harassment, access to health services still challenging issues for women On Thursday March 17, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and the Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) – Guyana Project, held their seventh monthly “Lunch Talk” forum. This month the discussion focused on “Women and Workplace Discrimination” as part of a series of activities being held to commemorate International Women’s Day 2016 observed on March 8. Under the theme “Pledge for Parity,” Commissioner Renata Chuck-A-Sang on the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) sat with Ms. Renuka Anandjit, Programme Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), and Mr. Nicholas Persaud, Stigma and Gender-Based Violence Specialist at APC, to discuss how women still struggle for equal rights and opportunities, particularly in the workplace. The session was moderated by Secretary of SASOD’s Board of Directors, Ms. Alana Da Silva. GENDER INEQUALITY APC’s Stigma and Gender-Based Violence Specialist, Nicholas Persaud, called for strong policies to be implemented, not just drafted and
sitting on paper. “A National Policy on Sexual Harassment does not exist but even if we do have legislative support there needs to be a unit to oversee that this policy is adhered to and that everyone follows the guidelines. We have transgender people being shunned and facing discrimination for simply being who they are by “cross-dressing” to attend court.” Cross-dressing is only illegal if done for an undefined “Improper Purpose” – Persaud pointed out. “This too doesn’t have a policy but where is the Unit to support people who are discriminated against? “Women being sexually harassed in the workplace have no unit, nowhere to go to and it reaches the media before any authorities take action.” He highlighted the need to educate and enlighten colleagues about discrimination and harassment in the workplace, direct concerns to administrators and encourage anyone who can address concerns through realistic policies and most of all work towards respecting and implementing them. “Another thing we have
to look at” according to the Stigma and Gender-Based Violence specialist, “is the gender disparity – There are differences in accessing healthcare, attaining services, employment and pay. “We need equal gender spread in the National Assembly, electing not only based on ethics and qualifications but diversity of our leaders; we need more diversified representation in institutional bodies because Boards and Governments of mostly men are a disadvantage to social progression in all forms.” ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES Programme Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Ms. Renuka Anandjit, spoke on equity and equality of genders in society, calling for the involvement of all in policy development and implementation but also, importantly, education and public relations. Medical termination of pregnancy has been legal in Guyana since 1995, but this knowledge and even the institutions that offer abortions are not widely known. This she described as shocking that for two decades healthcare specifically for women is not widely avail-
Motorcyclist dies weeks after road accident A young Lima Sands resident has died from serious injuries he sustained after colliding with a cow several weeks ago while heading home. Traveal Green died early Sunday morning at a hospital in Georgetown where he was a patient. He had suffered internal injuries and broken bones. His breathing was initially affected. According to reports, Green was riding his motorcycle to his Lima Sands home when he collided with a cow on “Pitch Road”, which leads into Lima Sands. Because of the desolate area, Green was not immedi-
Traveal Green ately rescued. The injured young man was later flown to a City hospital where he subsequently died. Ever so often
there have been many complaints by residents of the dangers of stray animals roaming the streets.
GBCHA gets ministerial... From page 16 trained as Peer Educators to share knowledge and resources in their workplaces and communities. GBCHA also facilitated awareness sessions that reached over 400 persons through health awareness sessions at workplaces on HIV and other STIs, prostate and breast cancer, nutrition,
diabetes, hypertension, suicide, mental health and domestic violence. Resource Distribution has also been an undertaking of the Coalition. This translated to the dissemination of materials to members such as brochures, flyers, posters, condoms, lubricants, etc. GBCHA also catered to technical assistance by supporting
organisations during planning of health fairs, awareness walks, and workplace health awareness sessions. Persons have also been able to benefit from confidential HIV counselling and testing and at no cost from GBCHA's testing site and at workplaces of companies. It has also been involved in case navigation and other referrals.
able, and even moreso, that there is a complete lack of awareness. GRPA, an organisation that provides a range of health-related services vulnerable groups such as disadvantaged women, sex workers, sexual and gender minorities, has partnered with the Ministry of Public Health in several projects on sexuality and family planning. Women can now access abortion services from three national healthcare institutions: Suddie Hospital in the Pomeroon-Supenaam area (Region 2), New Amsterdam Hospital in the East BerbiceCorentyne area (Region 6) and at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in the capital (Region 4). The Diamond Diagnostic Centre and Linden Hospitals are preparing to implement these services. “We need to enable greater access to services for women and girls; we need to
reduce these rates: the highest rate of suicide in the world, the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Latin American and Caribbean region; sexual violence and domestic abuse – we are only increasing the vulnerability of women if we do not strengthen policies and have these services across the board and this need to be of top priority,” Anandjit added. PRESSURE THE JUDICIARY Commissioner Chuck-ASang of the Women and Gender Equality Commission expressed that Guyana has some strong laws, like the Domestic Violence Act 1996 and particularly the Sexual Offences Act 2010 which are modern, progressive and gender-inclusive legislation. Section 8 of the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 prescribes that “any act of sexual harassment against any employee committed by an employer, managerial employee or co-worker shall constitute unlawful discrimination based on sex within the
meaning of section 4 of this Act.” In her response as to what the Women and Gender Equality Commission is doing to tackle gender inequality in the workplace generally and workplace discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LBT) women who are often forgotten in these conversations the Commissioner made a strong charge for the public to test the legislation and pressure the judiciary to hold the government accountable. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity are not included from the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997. She called this unfortunate on the premise that people, women especially who identify as lesbian, bisexual or transgender, do not have any legislative backing. “I encourage anyone to find a lawyer who is willing to test the laws. We do not have many lawyers in Guyana with such interests, but the people need to test the laws and hold the government accountable,” the commissioner said.
Page 22
Kaieteur News
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 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 JADESCO offers: Architectural designs (house plans), 3D designs, construction, rehabilitation works and estimates. Call:612-0468; 649-3059 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822
EDUCATIONAL Easter 2016 Offer: Register now – 9 Courses, office 2016, windows 8/10 @ Micrograhics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057 Easter 2016 Offer: Computerize Accounting, 4 courses, QuickBooks, Peachtree, POS, Excel 2016 $35,000 @ Micrographics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 Private Custom Brokerage Certificate: training course29th March 2016. Register now! Call: 223-1506; 694-8322
WANTED One experience captain to ply from Georgetown to Bartica must be 55 years and over. Contact: 650-0402 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
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
Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
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One bulldozer operator to work in West Bank area. Call: 694-3978; 627-9909 Responsible hire car drivers. Call: 231-7200; contract cars. Call:226-0765 Bill clerk (girls) to work at grocery stall in Stabroek Market, experience is an asset. Call: 226-9800 1 Male cook (baheir) to cook in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 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 SALES PERSONS WITH CAR,WANTEDFORAFOOD DISTRIBUTOR COMPANY. SALARY + COMMISSION. APPLICATION & POLICE CLEARANCE. CALL: 2318529 1 Male cook to work in the Interior $100,000-$110,000 monthly & workers for land dredge. Call: 694-2310 We pay cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Parfaite Harmonie, Farm, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Berbice & East Coast. Call: 611-7223; 6042207 1 Girl to sell scoop ice cream on canter. Call: 693-2897 Live in domestic must know to cook and bake -$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-5043 Live in waitress must be able assist with lotto and top up$70,000. Call: 610-3974 Highly skilled person who can fillet fish. $5,000 per day. (2) A computer operator who has a knowledge of Quickbook. Must be able to download accounts & to enter them into a Quickbook programmes. Call 697-5221
Tuesday March 22, 2016
VACANCY Male security, male desk staff, 30-45yrs old @ 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 2250198 ACCOUNTS CLERK, MINIMUM qualification CXC Accounts Grades I,II, familiar with QuickBooks POS & Accounts. Email : info@guygas.com Site Engineer/Technician, experienced Human Resource Personnel, good salary and opportunity for personal development. Call: 261-2280; 668-7104 Vacancy for maid; specialized in Indian and English cooking. Call: 231-0734 1 Female cleaner apply @ Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. 1 Maid for East Bank area. Call: 614-4353 Porters, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling.
Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 3068 Amelia’s Ward Linden: 4 bedrooms, 1 self-containedCall: 640-4731; 641-6450 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. Transported property, prime, furnished liquor restaurant & bar, 2 freezers, 1 pools table, double lot @ E.C.D$26.5M neg. Call: 600-7228 Diamond: $15M & $14M, Grove: $9.5M, New Road V/ Hoop: $6M, Pouderoyen:$45M, Goed Fortuin : $7M, La Grange $10M. Call: 604-6724 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
5 Acre farm at Pearl E.B.D, bearing fruit trees, equipped chicken pens etc, terms of sale negotiable. Call: 692-1999 Live and pluck chicken- Call: 220-1043; 621-4304 Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call: 225-9032;647-2943;6045198 ADORABLE PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 615-0146 Labrottie puppies (jet black) for sale @ $50,000/each; 5 weeks fully de-wormed & vaccinated. Call: 654-7683 Leyland DAF55, Flatbed truck-in, excellent condition. Call to negotiate: 675-4287; 628-0016; 667-2536; 233-2383 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 One Toyota Spacio PPP series in excellent condition. Call: 600-2466 (9 Stalls) 64 to 72 (47feet long x 7 feet wide) @ La Penitence Market Albouystown. Call: 663-1597; 218-4837
House & land at Good Hope E.C.D -$32M negotiable. Call: 654-4312 & 629-3344 House & land @ Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D -$27M neg. Call: 654-4312; 629-3344, serious inquiries only. Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 6247341 2 Storey concrete building, 1 master room, 3 bedrooms 30’X58’ @ Xora Avenue, Eccles -$56M negotiable – Call: 672-4190 La Parfaite Harmonie: $1M & $1.3M, Uitvlugt: $3M, Providence: $9M & $4.5M, Kitty-$18M, Sandpit @ Yarrowkabra -$90M. Call: 6046724
VEHICLE FOR SALE 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 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 One Toyota Premio PTT series. excellent condition, reverse camera-$1.850M, prices negotiable. Call: 6280481 Smart choice Auto: 08&06 Premio, 08&06 Allion, 212, Runx, IST, Fielder. Call: 6523820; 665-4529 Prado TZ, Automatic diesel, PHH series -$4.5M, fully loaded-Call: 233-2546; 688-5554 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
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
1 Land Crusier Prado PGG 9024 manual, in good condition. Call: 681-2523
TO LET Executive furnished suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call: 600-2466 2 Bedrooms apartment for rent with toilet & bath inside at Section ‘B’ Field, Turkeyen. Call: 231-2669; 646-4976
Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701 LAND FOR SALE Eight (8) Acres farm land at Kuru Kururu with creek passing through-Call: 6431861
Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Herstelling (100ftX50ft) -$3M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt$2.5M, Eccles-$5M. Call: 6042207; 611-7223
TAXI SERVICES G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
PEN PAL Indian male is seeking female, age 30-33yrs. Write: M.D, 7475 Goreway DR #47 Mississauga on L4T 3T3 Canada.
LEARN TO DRIVE Register Now: Be Ready Driving School @ Vreed-enHoop, certificate program. Call: 264-3057
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Bus driver gets bail on Captured jaguars may... another car theft charge Raymond Samaroo, a former patient of the National Psychiatric Hospital, Fort Canje, Berbice who had appeared in court on offence of car theft was once again granted bail for allegedly stealing another vehicle. Samaroo, 26, of Kitty, Georgetown is accused of stealing one Toyota Premio motorcar valued at $1.7M along with $15,000 cash, property of Farida Hamid Samaroo on March 17, last. The route 40 minibus driver was released on $75,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and ordered to return to court on April 25, when he will appear before Magistrate Alex Moore. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, did not disclose any facts of the matter to the court. But he pointed out that the defendant was referred to the psychiatric hospital because he was deemed unfit to stand
trial by State Psychiatrist, Dr. Bhairo Harry. However, Jeffers said that Raymond Samaroo was discharged from the mental institution last Wednesday and committed this offence the following day. Prosecutor Jeffers also told the court that the defendant
has matters of a similar nature before Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Magistrate McLennan after listening to the prosecutor ’s submission stated that the man has to be mentally fit to stand trial since he was released from the institution. Last June, Samaroo was remanded to prison for allegedly stealing a $5M motorcar from Rishi Lall at Sheriff Street, Georgetown. He is also accused of stealing this same vehicle again from in the vicinity of the Kitty Police Station on Alexander Street, Kitty. Raymond Samaroo is also before the courts for the alleged theft of a Honda motorcar valued at $5M, a cell phone and $30,000 cash belonging to Rhonda Joaquin. This incident occurred at Garnett Street, Kitty. These matters are still engaging the attention of the court.
case, a Bartica Hospital laboratory technician was remanded to prison on a charge of possession of illegal firearm and ammunition. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was 32-year-old Shemroy Peters. He pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on March 20, at Itabali
Police Check Point, Mazaruni, he had a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol in his possession without being the holder of a Firearm Licence. Peters denied that on the same day, he had seven live rounds of 9mm ammunition. This matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for April, 17.
From page 3 before the court soon. This newspaper was told that when the fire started, the alarm went off and prison wardens rushed to put out the blaze with extinguishers. By the time fire fighters arrived at the prison, the fire was already put out and the 27-year-old was moved to another section of the prison. Kaieteur News was told that Alleyne has threatened to burn wherever they put him. The suspect was remanded to prison on the charge of murder. He is accused of murdering Danrasie Ganesh in her Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. Images believed to be that of the suspect beating the elderly woman to death
were captured on surveillance cameras in the house and led to his arrest. Early this month, 17 prisoners were killed after being trapped in the Capital A Block of the prison. That fire is believed to have been started by prisoners who were venting their frustration at what they felt was the inordinate length of time they were on remand while awaiting trial. A Commission of Inquiry is currently ongoing into that matter.
Raymond Samaroo
Soesdyke man jailed for cultivating ganja
A Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara man was yesterday jailed for a total of seven years by City Magistrate Dylon Bess, after he was convicted for cultivating marijuana and possession of illegal firearm ammunition. Terry VanSertima, of Yarowkabra, Soesdyke, was busted cultivating the prohibited plant on March 18, by police acting on a ‘tip off’. He was caught tending to approximately four acres of land which had about 4,000 of the prohibited plants. VanSertima was also sent to prison for having a 12 gauge shotgun, a 9mm pistol, a Smith and Wesson pistol along with matching rounds of ammunitions when he was not the holder of a Firearm Licence. After police discovered the marijuana plant, VanSertima took the ranks to his nearby camp where the cache of guns and ammunition was discovered. VanSertima was sentenced to three years imprisonment for cultivating marijuana and was fined $15,000. He was jailed for two years each on the gun and ammo charges and ordered to pay a fine of $50,000. The jail terms will run concurrently. Meanwhile, in another
Inmate lit matress in cell to get rid...
From page 12 allowed to acclimatize for four days before visitors were allowed to view them. The EPA said that while in both cases, trapping and relocating was the last recourse, there are many preventative measures that can be taken to deter a jaguar from attacking livestock and from entering communities. The agency yesterday explained that the jaguar is the largest cat of the Americas weighing up to 100kg (220 pounds). They prey on forest dwellers such as peccaries (bush hogs), deer, tapir (bush cow), turtles, armadillos to maintain their body mass. “Being a predator at the top of the food chain, jaguars play an important role in maintaining a healthy environment, for example, simply by controlling the population of animals lower down the food chain.” EPA said it believes that jaguars have been straying to the coastal areas for one simple reason - food. “Jaguars are shy by nature. Fortunately, there are still a few thousand jaguars left in Guyana, but even people that walk the forests frequently do not see them because these predators tend to be elusive, hiding from sight and avoid-
ing interaction.” While the quest for food may be a reason for jaguars “trespassing” into human space, old age or injuries have been also known to cause these cats to encroach into villages. “Also, when the animal can no longer hunt agile, alert wild prey, they will try to survive on the more sluggish and less vigilant domestic animals. Additionally, a healthy but young individual in search of its own territory could also accidentally stumble upon the richness of easy foods near homes and decide that this area serves perfectly well as a territory.” EPA also believed that the long dry spell currently being experienced may be the reason why two jaguars were captured on the Essequibo Coast area, in the vicinity of the villages. “With the forest being very dry at present, regular prey may have moved closer to water sources. As such, the jaguar in moving in search of other sources of food or even in following the prey, stumbled upon “easy” food in the communities.” EPA advised that to keep jaguars away from human dwelling space, it would require keeping domesticated
animals in well-constructed pens or corrals at night. Motion-triggered light or loud sounds near the livestock have also proven to work. The surprise effect is what will make the cat change its mind and seek food elsewhere. Jaguars are legally protected in Guyana under the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations. Over the weekend, two Mainstay/Whyaka cousins who were responsible for the capture of two jaguars are contending that they would not broadcast the capture of any other ones. The two are insisting that once reports of the jaguars are reported in the media, it would gain the attention of the EPA and they would come and retrieve the jaguars without rendering any monetary incentive. Chris Allen, from Mainstay/Whyaka was responsible for capturing the first jaguar, at an area called “Jump, Jump”. Allen reportedly constructed a wooden trap into which the jaguar was lured. However, Allen and his cousin, Troy Fredricks, caught the second jaguar a fortnight ago. The jaguars had travelled from the Savannahs in search of food.
28 acres of Providence lands... From page 14 officials, including the Land Administration Division, failed to take steps that he either toe the line or to take back the lands as the agreement allowed. Luxury's transaction is not dissimilar to that of Queensway, a Water Street company controlled by Mohamed 'Arafat' Qualander. Three days before the November 28, 2011 General Elections, CH&PA entered into an agreement with Savitrie Qualander, Mohamed 'Arafat' Qualander and Saudia Qualander, Principals of Queensway. Mohamed Qualander is said to be a close friend of former President Donald Ramotar. The agreement for Block 22A of Block Y, Golden Grove described the plot of land as being 35 acres, The price was $18.375M or $525,000 per acre. Each acre
could provide up to eight reasonably sized lots. According to the agreement, the Qualanders were to pay $10M up front and the balance with the passing of the Transport. The price would raise eyebrows as other developers were made to pay between $4M and $9M per acre, further north on East Bank Demerara, in the Providence and Herstelling areas. There are no lands remaining on the East Bank Demerara for CH&PA to distribute to the more than 25,000 applicants on file. Under the previous PPP/ C administration, it appeared that thousands of acres of lands under the authority of
CH&PA and former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali, were given away for little or nothing. The lands that were sold under questionable arrangements to the private developers are all considered prime real estate, worth billions of dollars at the current market rate. There have been numerous complaints of citizens waiting for years for house lots. CH&PA and its new Board of Directors have been coming under fire to take back the lands. Last October, government officials carried out a surprise inspection on several plots in control of the developers and found that works were way behind.
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Berbice farmers embroiled in new legal battle for lease lands Rice farmers of Seafield, West Coast Berbice (WCB) are embroiled in yet another court battle over lease lands. According to court documents, the Seafield Cooperative Land Society (SCLS) has filed a constitutional motion against Mahaica-MahaiconyAbary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) and some 26 rice farmers who are said to have leased several plots of land in the area. The action was filed following a ruling by the court that cleared the way for a group of rice farmers from Seafield WCB, to repossess farm lands which were previously reclaimed by the MMA/ADA. Last October, rice farmers, Philip Johnson, Rawle Miller and Rupert Blackman had moved to the courts through Attorney Anil Nandlall after the MMA/ADA cancelled their leases for several acres of plantation lands granted under the hand of former President Donald Ramotar. A ruling was subsequently handed down by former Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang, which quashed the MMA/ADA‘s decision. The then Chief Justice (CJ) noted that the agricultural body had no authority to cancel a lease granted by the President on the ground that it was granted unlawfully. However, the SCLS in a motion filed by Attorney
Saphier Hussein outlined that the Cooperative Land Society was registered and operated before the MMA/ADA with members of the society occupying some 574 acres of the land exclusively from 1976 to 2014. The SCLS said that the lands were under the Peoples National Congress, (PNC) but in July 2014, the MMA/ADA under the previous administration reclaimed it. The Cooperative Society contends that the portions of lands were seized by the MMA/ADA, without adequate consultation and consideration for its owners. The applicants claimed that this is against the laws of natural justice. According to the SCLS, they along with their predecessors have been rice cultivators of the said lands for about over 100 years, but they suffered discrimination at the hands of MMA/ADA, threats and physical clashes from the farmers who were subsequently granted leases by the former Government. As such, the SCLS are seeking a declaration by the court that portions of land converted from state to private lands are contrary to law and Article 142 and 149 of the constitution. Based on articles 139, 142, 144 (8), 149 and 153 of the Constitution of Guyana, the Cooperative Society is seek-
Eyewitnesses set to... From page 13 satisfaction in the manner in which the hearings are being conducted thus far. He said that the Commission has displayed a level of maturity and fairness as it seeks to inquire into the fatal scenario. He said, however, that there are concerns about the issues of procedure. Todd raised the contention about inmates who would have been called before the Commission the last few days. He noted that none of the prisoners could have given evidence which indicate that they had substantial knowledge of the incident. “If there was any need for someone (inmates) who would have witnessed the incident
then we must look to those who were outside. This is the application by Counsel and I think for the Commission to accept and grant that would be very good for the purpose of the (COI). Todd was joined by Attorney Darren Wade who was recently retained by a group of prisoners who are said to be eyewitnesses to the event. The inmates belong to Capital C of the Camp Street Prison. Wade told the media that he is hoping that his clients' version of the story would be heard and the truth of what really transpired in Camp Street will be revealed to the nation. Wade said that he believes Guyana deserves to know the truth.
ing a declaration that leases issued by the MMA/ADA and published in Saturday November 3, are void for violation of Constitution of Guyana Articles 142, 143 149 Arbitrary and Ultra Vires and contrary to Cap 62:04 State Grants (President Signature Act ) in that the said leases were not signed by the President. A Declaration that the decision made by honourable Justice Ian Chang on the October 8 2015 is unconstitutional, void and of no effect and a contravention of Articles 139, 142., 144 (8) 149 and 153 of the constitution of Guyana 1980 and the amendments thereto. The matter is set to commence on April 14, 2016. The Attorney General is also named as a respondent in the case. This case is on close heels with legal challenge against the MMA/ADA by a group of independent farmers from Seafield WCB last year. According to their statement of claim, the farmers argued that a decision by the MMA/ADA to revoke their leases for lands in Seafield WCB was discriminatory, arbitrary, capricious influenced
The three farmers, Phillip Johnson, Rawle Miller and Rupert Blackman following the ruling last month. by irrelevant consideration, unconstitutional, and unlawful. The farmers had contended that the issue stems more from collusion between members of the MMA/ADA and a selected few farmers who control the majority of lands in the West Berbice District. But the MMA/ADA stated the leases issued were contrary to an Order of the
Court and in the circumstances, were cancelled. As a result of the arguments, former Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang handed down a ruling quashing the MMAADA‘s decision. He noted if the MMA-ADA was aggrieved by the Presidential grant, the authority or any aggrieved person could have taken proceedings to court,
not against the President but against the Attorney General challenging the legality of the grant made by him. Additionally, the Full Court of the High Court had previously granted the farmers injunctions which restrained the MMA-ADA from further interference of the farmer’s peaceful occupation of the lands.
Microcephaly is of international, concern not Zika virus - Dr. Adu Krow
Dr. William Adu Krow
The mosquito borne Zika Virus is not of international concern; it is the number of babies that are being born with microcephaly that is worrying. This is according to Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)’s country representative Dr. William Adu Krow during a briefing yesterday. He said that while there are a number of babies being born with small heads for a number of reasons every year, the number of microcephaly cases doubled in some countries by the end of
last year. While this condition has been linked to the Zika virus, Dr. Adu Krow said that further investigations are being conducted by the organization to determine what other factors are contributing to babies being born with small heads. He said that Brazil at one time had over 5,000 suspected cases of the virus. Out of that amount, 500 pregnant women were tested positive but only 14 babies were born with microcephaly. “There would be other things we cannot say for sure.
We have to study more,” the health official stressed. He added, “If say in Guyana every April, we have 10,000 cases of diarrhea. Next year April if you have 10,000 cases of diarrhea you will still be worried but it will not be a major issue for us because that’s a norm.” There are five confirmed Zika cases in Guyana but none are pregnant women. Zika, which is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti, emerged in monkeys in the Zika forest in Uganda in late 1940s. It then spread across
other parts of Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. Its emergence in the Americas occurred last May in Brazil, which presently has reported nearly 6,500 cases of microcephaly. Microcephaly causes babies to be born with deficient brain development. Zika is now present in 23 countries and territories in the Americas. People can seek to prevent mosquito bites by wearing light coloured clothes that cover the body, arms and legs. They can also help to protect themselves by applying insect repellents to exposed body parts and use household insecticide sprays, coils and candles to ward off mosquitoes.
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 25
Providence ‘remigrant’ scheme.. Gunpowder residue found on O’Riley’s Central Housing officer decided who is a remigrant alleged killer -suspect admits to dropping victim home Forensic experts have found gunpowder residue on the hands and clothing of a detained night club security guard, who is the suspected trigger-man in the killing of O’Riley Small. Kaieteur News understands that some of the residue was retrieved from a ‘hoodie’ that detectives retrieved from the suspect’s car shortly after arresting him at the night club at which he was employed. An eyewitness had told police that the gunman who killed Small was dressed in a similar ‘hoodie.’ “Based on (forensic) analysis, large quantities of gunpowder residue were detected on both the jacket and body of the suspect. “This is consistent with evidence gathered so far that ‘Max’ (the suspect) was the trigger man,” a police source said. A postmortem revealed that Small, 31, was shot nine times at close range with a firearm that used .40 ammunition. The ammunition, which is of a larger calibre than the 9mm ammunition, left gaping holes in the victim’s chest, stomach, back, neck, jaw, thigh and one of his hands. The cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage. While the suspect has denied killing Small, he has reportedly admitted to dropping the victim home on the night he was slain. Both the alleged gunman and his target were employed at the same night club. Police, who appear confident that they have cracked the case, have applied to the High Court to keep the alleged
Executed: O’Riley Small gunman and another detained man in custody for a further 72 hours. But they are still to detain the alleged mastermind, who police have described as a known drug dealer. Investigators have declined to comment on the possible motive for Small’s execution. Small, of Lot 2 Smyth Street, was riddled with bullets just as he returned home from one of the city night spots. According to information received, he had just entered the front gate and was walking through a dark pathway at the side of the house to get to the back of the property when a man, dressed in a hooded T-shirt, confronted him. There are reports that the father of one said, “Hey boy move from deh” to the gunman who then opened fire. This newspaper understands that as Small lay on the ground, the hooded shooter proceeded to pump several more bullets into him. He died (Continued on page 08)
Launched more than five years ago, the Remigrant Housing Scheme was heralded as a showpiece. It was supposed to offer a glimpse of what it would be like to bring North American living style to Guyana. But poor planning and administration have left the Providence Gardens project in trouble. There are now questions about who exactly benefitted from the lands. Two of the persons benefitting are said to be a prominent sportsman who represents Guyana while the other is an executive who has lands at Pradoville Two, East Coast Demerara. The housing scheme was part of the biggest plan to positively transform the East Bank of Demerara. Today, just over 100 plots have been sold. Most of the lands remain overgrown. According to officials of the Ministry of Communities, who are investigating the transactions of the scheme, recent checks found just two completed homes and six others under construction. Former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, whose party lost power in May last year after early elections, had said that over 5,000 applications had come in for lands in the Remigrant scheme. A few months ago, as land owners complained about conditions, contractors started to build concrete drains and pave roads into the area. But all that may pale in comparison to what is being discovered. According to CH&PA, applications for lots in the socalled ‘Remigrant Scheme’ had to be done online on its website. It appeared that the person processing the applications was a senior official in the Information Technology
Ex-Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali department. From indications, he replied to online applications and determined who could be considered a remigrant. Under the country’s regulations, only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can determine who becomes a remigrant (a person returning to Guyana to live). A number of persons who owned lands said that they never had any transactions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The lands were advertised to be sold for $4M to $7M for each lot, which range between 6,000 square feet to 8,000 square feet. However, in a number of cases persons paid $10M or $13M, indicating an inconsistency in how the lands were sold. According to CH&PA’s online brochure, to be eligible for one of the lots, the applicant must be a Guyanese, 18 years and older. The brochure is a little sketchy here, saying the successful application must show he or she resided legally over-
seas for at least five years. The successful ‘remigrant’ could also be a Guyanese student attending or has attended a training institution and residing overseas for at least four years. According to the Ministry’s officials, while the Land Administration Division is supposed to be responsible for managing the project, there is little evidence of an official policy on how the scheme would have been administered. The programme requires allottees to build within six months. However, the absence of infrastructure works, like drains and roads, saw disinterest by land owners. CH&PA did nothing to enforce the timelines, similar to the little monitoring it did with the hundreds of acres of lands it sold to private developers on East Bank Demerara. The ‘remigrant’ scheme is located north of the Mocha Main Road, about one mile east of the Providence Police Station compound.
In many cases, the ‘remigrant’ lands were sold to overseas-based Guyanese who saw it as an investment. There was no hurry to start building as CH&PA was not moving to enforce its sixmonth construct regulations. The authority also appeared not to have set out conditions where the successful applicant has to show evidence that he or she is returning with the family to live within a certain period. Rather, according to various news reports, the ‘remigrant’ scheme, according former Minister Ali, would become kind of like a vacation home. The emerging evidence would indicate how overtime CH&PA kept changing the story. CH&PA is facing intense fire from the David Granger administration for a number of housing projects, lands allocation and billions of dollars it has been spending annually. The new Board is set this week to decide whether it should send home two senior officials pending an investigation. Government has been complaining about the quality of homes under a 1,000homes project at Perseverance, behind Providence, East Bank Demerara saying that it reeks of corruption. Pic filed as remigrant scheme Infrastructural works ongoing in the ‘remigrant’ scheme, EBD. remigrant scheme2 Very few homes are being built in the ‘remigrant’ scheme, EDB.
Page 26
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Bandits shoot bus driver and delivery man in separate robberies Bandits shot Linden bus driver Elvin Lorrimer and wounded a Royal Castle delivery man during separate robberies in Hadfield Street and Garnett Street, Campbellville last night. Lorrimer, 53, of Kara Kara, Linden, was shot in the chest at around 20.00 hrs while sitting in his vehicle at the Linden bus park in Georgetown. He reportedly sustained at least two gunshot wounds, and was said to be undergoing surgery at press time. There are reports that
Lorrimer, who is also a pastor, was wounded when he resisted his attacker. An eyewitness said that she was standing nearby when she heard a gunshot. She then saw Lorrimer lying on the roadside. According to the woman, she then heard another gunshot, and saw two men on a motorcycle riding in the direction of the Stabroek Market area. Lorrimer was then rushed to the GPHC, where his condition is listed as critical. His distraught wife said that the father of four has been working as a minibus
driver for some 18 years and has a church at Moblissa, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. He left home at around 09.30 hrs yesterday. She received word of the attack from an individual who plies his trade at the Linden bus park.
Brazil impeachment drive accelerates, Lula fights back
INANOTHER BRAZEN ROBBERY LAST NIGHT, Satycharran Karran, a 36year-old Royal Castle employee, was shot in the left hand and the leg while making a delivery in Garnett Street, Campbellville. The robbers made off with Karran’s CG motorcycle.
Gunpowder residue found... (From page 07) on the spot. Small’s aunt, Gail Ann Edwards, said that she was awakened by the sound of gunshots and then heard her nephew’s screams. Some eyewitnesses recalled seeing a silver-grey car parked near Small’s residence prior to the shooting. In January 2010, Small was shot when a gunman opened fire and killed one of his friends, Vibert Weekes, a short distance away from the popular “Red Dragon” night club on Robb Street. There are reports that a
bet of $100,000 made between Small and the gunman cost Weekes his life. In January 2012, Small was remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge. The allegation was that on January 9, 2012, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully and maliciously w o u n d e d N e w Yo r k based Guyanese, Felix Alleyne, who lost one of his kidneys after Small shot him. That case was subsequently dismissed after Alleyne refused to testify. In June 2012, Small, a
former footballer was shot three times at a football match by a gunman who approached him from behind. In November 2013, he was among three who were jointly charged with break and enter and larceny committed on Central Electronics located on Robb Street, Georgetown. It was alleged that they stole $9.2M worth of items, including a flat screen television set and a metal safe, along with cash. Some have suggested that Small may have been slain for his alleged role as an informant. In February, 2013, three bandits were shot dead by police, while attempting to enter the premises of businessman Wayne Heber at Premnaranjan Place, Prashad Nagar. Relatives of Leon Gittens, one of the slain men, alleged that O’ Riley Small had come to Gittens’ home and called him out that night.
Brasília (AFP) - Brazil’s struggling leftist government was battling on two fronts yesterday as impeachment proceedings resumed against President Dilma Rousseff and legal battles plague her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Rousseff ’s presidency appears to be in peril as she fights impeachment, protests, recession and scandal, and her decision to call Lula to the rescue backfired last week when a judge blocked his nomination as chief of staff over pending corruption charges. A congressional impeachment committee was to hold its second session yesterday to weigh allegations that Rousseff fudged the government’s accounts to boost public spending during her 2014 re-election campaign and downplay bad news on
the Latin American giant’s sinking economy. Lula, a left-wing icon tarnished by corruption charges, meanwhile is fighting a Supreme Court injunction blocking his political comeback — and the ministerial immunity that comes with it. Lula (2003-2011) faces money-laundering charges linked to a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal at state oil company Petrobras. Prosecutors have requested his arrest — a threat he will escape if he can get the courts to let him take up his cabinet post, since ministers can only be tried before the Supreme Court in Brazil. Lula’s lawyers appealed Sunday to the Supreme Court to annul a ruling by one of its judges suspending his appointment and sending his case back to criminal court.
His foundation, the Lula Institute, lashed out at what it called a “series of arbitrary actions” by the judiciary. It condemned Lula’s detention for questioning earlier this month as “violent, coercive... and baseless,” and said the request for his arrest is “arbitrary” and “unconstitutional.” Until the Supreme Court reaches a final ruling on Lula’s appointment, he risks being placed in preventive detention by the crusading anti-corruption judge leading the investigation, Sergio Moro. The court is not due to reconvene until March 30. - PETROBRAS TALLIES DAMAGES The Petrobras investigation chalked up its first international arrest as Portuguese police arrested a businessman wanted in Brazil on charges of bribing corrupt executives at the oil company. Portuguese-Brazilian national Raul Schmidt Felipe Junior was arrested at a Lisbon apartment “where he had been hiding out for months,” a source close to the investigation told AFP. Lula and Rousseff started the week under the cloud of explosive accusations made at the weekend by a former ally charged in the Petrobras case. Senator Delcidio do Amaral, a former congressional leader for the ruling Workers’ Party, said in an interview that Lula masterminded the graft scheme, and that Rousseff “knew everything” and used some of the proceeds to fund her presidential campaigns. Investigators say Petrobras execs colluded with contractors to overbill the oil company by some $2 billion over the course of a decade, bribing politicians and political parties to keep the scheme going. Petrobras, which has been devastated by the scandal, will report its 2015 annual results Monday after the markets close. It lost $7.2 billion in 2014. - IMPEACHMENT GAINS MOMENTUM Brazilian politics has been upended by the scandal, after 13 years of dominance by the Workers’ Party. The crisis has triggered angry protests laying bare sharp divisions in the country of 200 million people. Mass rallies for and against Rousseff rocked Brazil last week, just months before the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday March 22, 2016
Obama spars with Castro on human rights during historic Cuba visit
Cuban President Raul Castro answers a question during a news conference with U.S. President Barack Obama. (Reuters/Carlos Barria) (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama pushed Cuba to improve its record on human rights and sparred with President Raul Castro during a historic visit to the Communist-ruled island yesterday, while Castro hit back by decrying U.S. “double standards”. Human rights remained an impediment to strengthening ties with Cuba despite the rapprochement reached by the two leaders in December 2014, Obama said, adding a “full flowering” of the relationship could happen only with progress on the issue. “In the absence of that, I think it will continue to be a very powerful irritant,” Obama said at a sometimes tense joint news conference that was broadcast live on Cuban state television. Castro appeared at times uncomfortable and showed flashes of anger as he made the rare step of taking questions from journalists. Obama, the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years, is under pressure from critics at home to push Castro’s government to allow political dissent and
to further open its Sovietstyle economy. Some opponents of the visit say he has already given away too much as he improves ties, with too little from Cuba in return. At yesterday’s news conference, which followed talks between the two leaders, Castro responded sharply to the pressure over his record on rights, saying the U.S. stance reflected a double standard as a country that also violated human rights. He said no country met all international rights agreements, and that Cuba was strong on many areas such as health, access to education and women’s equality. “Let’s work so that everybody respects all the human rights,” he said. Cuba frequently criticizes the United States on subjects such as racism, violence and the prison the United States maintains at its naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Asked by a journalist about Cuba’s detention of political dissidents, Castro demanded to see a list of such detainees, implying that Cuba
held none. “What political prisoners? Give me a name, or the names, so that when this meeting is over they can give me a list with the prisoners. And if there are these political prisoners they will be free before nightfall,” he said, glaring at the reporter. He offered Cuba’s recipe for better relations - saying the two countries could achieve much better ties if the United States lifted its 54year-old trade embargo on the island and handed back the Guantanamo base to Cuba. For decades, Obama’s trip would have been unthinkable. It became possible after secret talks led to a 2014 agreement to normalize relations between the two Cold War-era foes. The White House had pushed for a joint press conference between Obama and Castro for some time, in line with U.S. practice on other foreign trips, but the Castro government resisted. Yesterday, whether the two leaders would take questions at all was not clear up until they appeared before journalists.
Paris suspect ‘worth weight in gold’ to police: lawyer
(Reuters) - The only suspected participant in Nov. 13 Paris attacks to be captured alive has been cooperating with police investigators and is “worth his weight in gold”, his lawyer said yesterday. Belgium’s Interior Minister, Jan Jambon, said the country was on high alert for a possible revenge attack following the capture of 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam in a flat in Brussels on Friday. “We know that stopping one cell can ... push others into action. We are aware of it in this case,” he told public radio. French investigator Francois Molins told a news
Salah Abdeslam conference in Paris on Saturda y t h a t A b d e s l a m , a French citizen born and raised in Brussels, admitted to investigators
h e h a d w a n t e d t o blow himself up along with others at the Stade de France on the night of the attack claimed by Islamic State; but he later backed out. Abdeslam’s lawyer Sven Mary said he would sue Molins for making the comment public, calling it a violation of judicial confidentiality. Molins, speaking in Brussels on Monday alongside his Belgian counterpart, insisted he had the right to make elements of the inquiry public in an “objective” manner. Mary said Abdeslam, who is fighting extradition to France, was now fully cooperating with investigators.
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Johnson proud to be in the company... (From page 31) at this level. While Johnson could be considered unfortunate not be selected for any of the four Tests series preceding his last one, his one flaw is his conversation rate but this season converted two more of his half-centuries into hundreds. “My batting has been consistent this season, its pleasing to have scored the majority of my runs away from home, just a bit disappointed to be out twice in the 90s but I am pleased to have scored the most runs” Johnson disclosed. The Guyana Captain spoke of the importance of having the young players as a part of the Guyana set-up. “It’s always important to have young players in and around the team, in a few years they will be the backbone of the team so it’s important to have them around now whilst we are doing well so that they
learn for the future,” Johnson explained. “Hetymer came into the team for a vital match and showed his quality and that he belongs here. He has been earmarked as a future leader so it arguers well for our cricket, while young Chanderpaul has been good at the top of the order for us as well,” said Johnson who added that Motie was exceptional in his first season of First-Class cricket and carried the bowling attack in the first few rounds when the senior spinners were absent. “I won’t single out any player as key, we all needed each other to perform, throughout it was a total team effort,” Johnson added. Meanwhile, Head Coach Esaun Crandon was high in praise for Leon Johnson’s batting and captaincy during the course of the 10-match tournament. This is the best I have seen Leon bat, he seems
now fully matured as a person and a cricketer and that maturity was also reflected in his captaincy. I have no doubt that he will be back in the West Indies team. Crandon, a former Guyana First-Class pacer, said that excellent preparation, dedication and hard work were the main reasons for the team’s success. Crandon informed that the team received tremendous support from Cricket
Umpire Shannon Crawford... (From page 29) Seonarine, Wazeer Dhanraj of Essequibo, the late Clyde Duncan, Eddie Nicholls, Nigel Duguid, Joseph Jeffrey, Colin Alfred, Davteerth Ananjit along with WICB Senior Panel Umpires, as well as WICB Rawl Lewis and ICC Umpire Coach David Levens have played a big role in my Development. My aim and
Tuesday March 22, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Don't press your luck with your loved ones. If you can include them in your plans, do so. A little volleyball or other outdoor sports should be on your agenda. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't let peers distract you or push their work your way. You can stabilize your financial situation if you make property investments. Short trips will prove to be more fruitful than you imagined. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may jump from the frying pan into the fire if you make a move today. Be prepared to step into the limelight if you wish to promote your ambitions. Hard work will not go unnoticed. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your charm will mesmerize members of the opposite sex today. Your ability to organize and get everyone together will enhance your popularity and bring interest from potential mates. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Do your job and then spend some time with family; you'll be glad you did. Daydreaming will be your downfall. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Tempers will mount if you're too pushy at work or at home. Self-improvement could bring amazing results.
Guyana and all the support staff. The early commencement of training and the addition of the Academy players to the training schedule have also been of tremendous advantage to our success. Coach Crandon was delighted with the success of two of the team’s youngest players in 19-year-old Shemron Hetymer and 20-year-old Gudakesh Motie who are both from Berbice.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Expect to pay more than anticipated for entertainment or other purchases. Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with, but try to do things by the book. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate. Don't forget to let your mate know how much you care. Make the necessary changes that will enable you to advance financially. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Keep your feelings to yourself if you want to avoid embarrassment. Spend some quality time with the one you love. Your talents will shine at work. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may be tom between two possibilities. This has left you in a confused and uncertain state. Romance will unfold through business trips. Someone envious of your popularity may challenge you to a debate. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Keep your thoughts to yourself for the time being. You may have some difficulties with someone you live with. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can get a great deal accomplished if you bring work home. Opportunities for romance may develop through dealing with groups that have a purpose.
objective is to continue working hard, being coachable, fine tune all aspects of Cricket Umpiring for continued growth and development,” he said. Meanwhile, the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council has extended congratulations to Crawford on his elevation. In a release the GCUC stated that Crawford is a prudent umpire who is always willing to learn and assist others. His elevation came as no surprise and is a result of his hard work, dedication and commitment. The Council would like to wish him well is career.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Memorex Under-17 Two-innings Cricket Competition in Berbice
Deimanauth Persaud slams 137 as Blairmont amass 354 for 7 declared The 2016 Memorex Under-17 Two-innings Cricket Competition organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for clubs in the Ancient County started recently. Deinanauth Persaud hit the highest score of the early
matches when he slammed 137 for Blairmont Community Centre against Achievers. His knock, which included 16 fours and 8 sixes, together with 55 N.O. from Berbice Under-15 cricketer Nigel Deodat and 43 from another
Berbice Under-15 player Marvan Prashad, allowed Blairmont to declare their first innings at 354 for 7 in response to Achievers paltry 24 all out. When Achievers batted again, they fell for 35 to lose by an innings and a whop-
-Benjamin and Seecharran also score centuries
Deimanauth Persaud
Emmanuel Seecharran
Garfield Benjamin
ping 295 runs. Former Berbice Under-15 left arm pacer Javed Karim took a hat-trick in Achievers first innings. After offspinner Antonio Kempadoo took 6 for 21 from 8 Overs to help Port Mourant bowl out Whim National for 120 in their first innings, Emanuel Seecharran slammed 110 N.O. to guide Port Mourant to first innings points and 225 for 9 at the close of play. After Tucber Park bowled out East Bank for 105 in their first innings, last year’s Guyana Under-15 selectee Garfield Benjamin hit 100 N.O. to see Tucber Park to 185 for 5 declared. East Bank held on for a draw, reaching 52 for 7 at the close. In summarised scores:
At Blairmont, Blairmont Community Centre beat Achievers by an innings and 295 runs. Achievers 1st innings 24 with Javed Karim 4 for 4, Keon Gangoo 3 for 20 and 2nd innings 35 with Keon Gangoo 3 for 12. Nigel Deodat 2 for 10. Blairmont Community Centre 1st innings 354 for 7 declared with Deinanauth Persaud 137, Nigel Deodat 55 N.O; Mervan Prashad 43, Javed Karim 28, Carlos Peterkin 2 for 33 and Trenton Dundas 2 for 64. At Port Mourant, Port Mourant took first innings points from Whim National in their drawn match. Whim National 1st innings 120 with John Prince 44, Makesh Charran 38 and An-
tonio Kempadoo 6 for 21. Port Mourant 1st innings 225 for 9 with Emanuel Seecharran 110, Kameshwar Chatterpaul 39, Ryan Appadu 3 for 38 and Ron Munroe 2 for 35. At Edinburgh, Tucber Park took first innings points from East Bank in their drawn match. East Bank 1st innings 105 with Sylvester Bacchus 44, Melvin Singh 3 for 23. Brandon Stewart 2 for 22, Nelson Bristol 2 for 7 and 2nd innings 52 for 7 with Sylvester Bacchus 23, Ravishkar Budhoo 3 for 10 and Brandon Stewart 2 for 20. Tucber Park 1st innings 185 for 5 declared with Garfield Benjamin 100 N.O. and Malcolm Mickle 29.
MotoGP: Defending champion Jorge Lorenzo wins Qatar opener BBC Sport - Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo got the defence of his MotoGP title off to a winning start with victory in Qatar. The three-time champion held off the challenge of Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso after passing the Italian on lap nine. Spain’s Marc Marquez came third on his Honda, while Italy’s seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi, 37, finished fourth on his Yamaha.
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow crashed his Honda on the seventh lap following a mistake on turn four. Fellow Briton Bradley Smith, who will join Austrian manufacturer KTM in 2017, finished eighth on his Yamaha, while Scott Redding was 10th on his Ducati. Northern Ireland’s Eugene Laverty, who equalled his best MotoGP performance in qualifying, finished 12th. Spanish rider Lorenzo, 28, was pleased that his gamble
of switching to a soft tyre following an off-the-pace warmup lap paid off. “To choose the right tyre was very important” he said. “I tried the warm-up lap with a hard tyre but I did not get the best feeling. “It was very risky to go for the soft tyre, as our main rivals Rossi and Marquez chose the hard one. “But it turned out well, as I made the fastest lap of 1:54.9 seconds [late in the race], which was impressive.”
Port Mourant U-19 defeat visiting... (From page 28) 158 in 29.3 overs. Leading from in front was opening batsman Brendon Mangal who made a polished 42 (3x4) he got support from Veramootoo Senwasane with a run a ball 24 (2x4), Daniel Samaroo 17, Ezekiel Kempadoo 14, Kameshwar Chaterpau13 and Nickolas Seenarine10. Bowling for Qarsa Tranzac Cricket Academy R. Sandhu had figures of 5-20 from five
overs while A. Dorsammy picked up two, R. Patel and J. Lancaster one each. In their turn at the crease the Qarsa Tranzac Cricket Academy were dismissed for 133 in an identical 29.3 overs. Their effort was led by Sandhu with 30 (5x4), R. Rushil with an undefeated 22(1x6, 2x4), Lancaster 19 and Joshi 11. Daniel Samaroo crowned a fine all round performance when he returned with the ball
to snare 4-13 from five overs. Also among the wickets were Kevin Latif with two and Emmanuel Seecharran, Cheddi Budhoo and Kameshwar Chaterpaul with one apiece. The visiting Qarsa Tranzac Cricket Academy from Toronto, Canada is presently touring Guyana and has been engaging teams across the country in a series of matches. (Samuel Whyte)
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Berbice Volleyball Association, GABF statement on inconclusive... junior team departs for Trinidad
Guyana Junior Squad at CJIA before departure. Levi Nedd is at the right, Nadine Benjamin is at left. The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) has been given the mandate to fly the national colours are expected once again to make the country proud, just as they did last year. Around 08:00 hrs on Monday the BVA -Guyana Junior Male Volleyball(U19) team winged out of Guyana to participate in the FLOW Volleyball Easter Classic Invitational Players League 5 Tournament organized by the Trinidad & Tobago Volleyball Federation which is scheduled to be played at the Mayaro Indoor Facility from March 25 to March 27, 2016. Although Guyana is affiliated to the CSV ( South American Volleyball Confederation) and is not part of the CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association), Guyana’s Junior team was invited by the TTVF (Trinidad & Tobago Volleyball Federation) based on their remarkable performance in winning a Goodwill Tournament in Trinidad last year. The local lads will clash with teams from St. Kitts, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad
over the Easter Weekend. According to Chief de Mission and Coach/ Manager, Levi Nedd, the team’s participation will serve as part of their preparation for the Inter –Guiana Games (IGG) and the CSV Inter –Continental Tournament billed for later this year. The team includes seven players with international experience in the form of Yoganand Dhoray (Captain), Devendra Latchman (Vice Captain), Ravi Rampertab, Klondyke Rodney, Samuel Fraser, Lezon Khan and Rolwyn Heywood- all members of Guyana’s IGG 2014 Champion Team. The other players are- Vickram Nandram, Kellon Leitch, Reaad Razak, Marcelous Hector, Joel Cort, Jermaine Munroe And Joel Hughes who will all be looking to impress. The assistant coach is Devendra Budhu, while female players Malika Jervis and Nadine Benjamin are the other officials accompanying the team. Klondyke Rodney, who is a middle blocker and the
team’s tallest player and one from whom much is expected during the tournament, in an invited comment said the team is well prepared for the tournament. The confidence level is high and they will do their best to bring top honours to Guyana once again. Coach Nedd, who is also the President of the BVA and the Vice President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation, expressed gratitude to several organizations and individuals for making the team’s participation possible in the twin island republic. Among them being- the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the National Sport Commission, the Guyana Volleyball Federation, Guysuco, the Management and Apprentices of the Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC), Mr. Poonai Bhigroog of Poonai’s Pharmacy, members of the Business Community and the wider community of Volleyball friends and supporters. The team will return to Guyana on March 28th. (Samuel Whyte)
Anguilla ready to battle... (From page 30) possible.” He {Linton}also informed that the nation is in the process of rebuilding and the majority of players drawn in this current squad are part of the top two teams from their league. ”It’s always difficult for an association or federation to decide when it’s time to rebuild, when it’s time to move forward from what you already had or the players you have had before. We have started our preparation already for 2022; long term succession planning is always effective.” While accepting that enough homework was not
done on the Guyanese team ahead of this clash, Linton is of t h e v i e w t h a t enough preparation would have been put in tactically and technically and they have a winning strategy. The squad has about four Under-20 players with the youngest being a 15 yearold. Head Coach Leon Jeffers in his remarks noted that this tournament presents the opportunity for his young team to showcase what was achieved during the period of training. He noted that the Anguillans are also ready for the other team in the group, Puerto Rico whom they face on Saturday at home in
Anguilla. ”We just want to invite the general public to come out and see us tomorrow (today) performing.” Team Captain, veteran Kevin Hawley stated that he was very happy to be leading a new and young team of players who have been drawn from the country’s national league. ”We are confident in our abilities; we are confident that we can compete against Guyana and expect a good resu l t . S o w e j u s t l o o k forward to do our best for our country, for our families, for ourselves and make the most of this opportunity.”
(From page 31) countless others including myself, were of the view that no call should have been made by the referee. Just as a motorist should not be penalised by the Police for not stopping at a green light, a foul call should not be made against a player for catching an uncontested rebound. Moreover, if the driver expresses his or her mild objection to the stop by the police officer, and as a result of this objection the driver receives a traffic ticket; it is an abuse of authority by the police officer - I think Freddie Kissoon will agree with this point. The ensuing technical fouls after the initial call were seen to be highly questionable, except for the last technical foul, as the foul call created a disrupted state of affairs that was virtually impossible to continue - with teams leaving their bench before the game was over, among other infractions. As much as we cannot condone indiscipline, errant calls by referees should not be given a pass merely because the person making the call is a referee.
Games between Linden and Georgetown or between top-ranked clubs from Linden and Georgetown are competitive as has been the case over the last eight months, resulting in the most thrilling and competitive basketball Guyana has to offer. Thus, referees have to be “thick skinned” and recognise that Basketball is a players’ game. Referees ultimately have to at all times recognise that sports are a stage for the players to perform and that the important role for referees and umpires is to ensure compliance with the rules. Referees have been the targets of harsh and insulting attacks from coaches, players and fans of the sport, both on and off the court. The GABF will have to put measures in place to eliminate or significantly mitigate the occurrence of abuse targeting referees. The problem is not limited to games between Linden and Georgetown, where some referees refuse to officiate, but also extends to Inter-Association games. Coaches and players disgrace the sport of basketball by insulting, berating and ridiculing referees. This practice must also
stop. The GABF will meet shortly to resolve this matter in the best interest of our affiliates, sponsors, clubs, fans and the image of basketball in Guyana. My expectation is that the 2016 National Club Championships Finals will be replayed using the best referees locally and from the Caribbean region. Alan Dershowitz noted in his book Supreme Injustice “In order to be fair, justice must be blind - not to the facts, the law, or even the policy implications of its decisions, but most certainly to the name and party affiliations of the litigants.” Likewise, we in the GABF have to ensure that our affiliates act in a manner that is fair and impartial. Sincerely, Nigel Hinds GABF President
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Tuesday March 22, 2016
Starting team to pay tribute to Mohamed Qualander and Sekau SEL as Guyana face Anguilla Fredericks emerge champs Guyana NRA / Industrial Safety Supplies / Everall Franklin Memorial Shoot
Everall Franklin Memorial Hand Gun winners, Mohamed Qualnader (right) and Seku Fredericks. The pair of Mohamed Qualander and Seku Fredericks emerged winners of the inaugural Guyana Na-
tional Rifle Association (Guyana NRA) / Everall Franklin Memorial Hand Gun Shoot sponsored by Indus-
Port Mourant U-19 defeat visiting Qarsa Tranzac Cricket Academy from Toronto Port Mourant Cricket Club made light work of the visiting Qarsa Tranzac Cricket Academy from Toronto, Canada defeating them by 25 runs in a feature, 40 overs, U19 cricket match played recently at the Port Mourant Cricket Club’s ground, Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice. Port Mourant won the toss and elected to take first strike on a good batting track
in bright sunshine and lost an early wicket with the score on nine. They however recovered to reach 52 before the next wicket fell and progress further to 95 before losing their third wicket. However they began to lose steady wickets and were 126 for 6 before suffering a lower order collapse to be dismissed for (Continued on page 26)
trial Safety Supplies which took place on Sunday last at the Guyana Defence Force Timehri Ranges. Attracting 15 teams of two shooters each, the competition shoot saw Qualander, a former national Hand Gun Champion and Fredericks shooting their way to total of 547 points and 10 Bulls which was enough to ink their names on the challenge trophy ahead of a number of other good shots. Occupying second place were Gordon Richards and Romesh Latchana on 508 points and 7 Bulls whilst third were James Singh / Ray Amjad on 491 points and 4 Bulls. Fourth place was occupied by the pair of Lawrence Layne / Stafon Dundas – 478 / 4 and fifth place, Murtland Smith / Jermaine Softley also with 478 points but two less bulls. Guyana NRA Small Bore Captain Dale Hing said that they were very pleased with the turn out of shooters but will be aiming to better this next year as more entities will be invited to compete. He expressed gratitude to committed sponsor, Industrial Safety Supplies for their continued partnership with the national body in fostering the development of the sport.
Co-Captains Christopher Nurse (left) and Gregory Richardson (2nd left) shares the head table with Co-Coaches Jamaal Shabazz (right) and Wayne Dover. By Franklin Wilson ”At least 63.6% of the starting team would be players out of the Stag Elite League (SEL) and at most it could be 82% when the final decision is made after the session tonight (last night).” Stats shared with the media by Co-Coach of Guyana’s Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz when the Guyana Football Federation hosted a press conference at the 704 Sports Bar yesterday ahead of today’s opening Group 5 clash against Anguilla in the Caribbean Football Union Men’s Caribbean Cup at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence from 19:00hrs. In showering praises on the SEL, Shabazz underscored that the level of the players coming to the national team have been vastly improved as a result of them playing consistently at a competitive level comparable to the players that come in from overseas. Co-Coach Wayne Dover, who has been working in partnership with Shabazz for a number of years at this level, noted that the competition for places in the 18-man squad has been fierce. Dover too, complimented the SEL and the role it has and continues to play when it comes to support of the national set up.
He posited that with the return of some of the tested, tried and proven players integrating with the young and exciting brigade, fans and the nation is in for a moment of greatness come this evening. ”With the likes of Gregory Richardson who has demonstrated a lot of discipline this time around leading from the front, Christopher Nurse, Walter Moore we can light up the match tomorrow (today) where the fans will benefit immensely. We want the fans to know that tomorrow’s (today) game is more about us qualifying and giving them a result that is needed for them to be happy as they always want to be.” Shabazz announced that both Christopher Nurse and Gregory Richardson have been appointed Co-Captains of the Golden Jaguars for today’s match. Richardson thanked the coaches for putting together a good team which he says is strong and will put on a good show for all. Nurse in his remarks shared that they have been as thorough in preparing as possible and will not be taking the Anguillans lightly. ”We are preparing in the best way we can and taking them seriously We’ve watched videos, we’re doing the right things in training and making sure that tomorrow night (tonight) we go out
and give our best.” The long serving National Captain proffered that the team has something to prove reflecting on the last competition game that the Guyanese played here against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A lot of us left that night, we felt like we let the country down because it was a game we thought we should have won and progress. So we have a point to prove, we have a game to win. So we encourage the fans to come out and support the team.” Team Guyana: Alex Murray, Solomon Austin, Joshua Browne, Kester Jacobs, Eon Alleyne, Vurlon Mills, Gregory Richardson, Devon Millington, Daniel Wilson, Dwight Peters, Quincy Adams, Walter Moore, Samuel Cox, Christopher Nurse, Trayon Bobb, Neil Danns, Brandon Beresford, Anthony Whyte, Clive Nobrega, Marcel Barrington. Team Anguilla: Kevin Hawley, Adonijah Richardson, Rene’ Thomas, Keivois Lake, Leo Richardson, Ricardo Petty, Damian Bailey, Khamal Harding-Hodge, Alrique Rogers, Kasem Thompson, Jaleel Scarborough, Jonathan Guishard, Aristo Richardson, Aaron Richardson, Steven Austin, Jaheel Herbert, Tre Gumbs, Keanu Richardson, Matthew Brown, Joseph Gumbs.
Port Mourant U17 boys whip Rose Hall Town female’s seniors in Memorex U17 cricket Port Mourant Cricket club U17 cricket team continued their campaign in Memorex U17cricket competition with an easy lopsided win against the Rose Hall Town senior female team in a two innings game played at the Port Mourant ground. The RHT females are being allowed to compete with the U17 boys so as to give them much needed match practice. The RHT females won the toss and boldly decided to take first strike. However, their batters were never allowed to settle and were blown away for a paltry 41 in a mere 20
overs. None of their batters passed eight with numbers two, three and four being dismissed for ducks. Bowling for Port Mourant, Cheddi Budhoo had figures of 4-14 from six overs. He was ably supported by Kevin Latif and Kameshwar Chaterpaul with three for 5 and 9 respectively, while Emmanuel Seecharran grabbed one. Port Mourant in their turn at the crease declared at 1654 with Sarwan Chatternarine scoring 49(2x4), Antonio Kempadoo 43(5x4), Chatterpaul 13 Not out and Seecharran 12 being the main scorers.
Bowling for the RHT Females V. Budhoo picked up two wickets while there was one each for Erva Giddings and Shamaine Campbell. In their second turn at the wicket the females fared a little better being dismissed for 70 with S. Vanderstoop 29 and Campbell 12 reaching double figures to lose by an innings and 54 runs. Chatternarine had a good game as he returned with the ball in the second innings to lead the way with 3-5 with Chatterpaul and Eziekel Kempadoo taking two each, while there was one apiece for Antonio Kempadoo, Latiff and Seecharran.
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Everest, MSC register victories Watkins, Azeez hit tons, Rasheed grabs 6, Hutson 5 By Zaheer Mohamed Everest CC and Malteenoes Sports Club recorded victories when the latest round of matches in the Georgetown Cricket Association/Noble House Sea Foods second division two-day tournament concluded on Sunday. At Everest, the host thumped Diplomats by a mammoth 408 runs. Trailing by 182, Diplomats began the final day on six runs for the loss of five wickets and only managed to add three before their second innings closed at nine runs for the loss of eight wickets; two players failed to show up. Left arm spinner Javed Rasheed bagged 6-4 to end with match figures of 11-17, while Troy Gonsalves had two. Scores (Everest 235-4, Akshaya Persaud 98 and 235 with out lost Shaheed Mohamed 107* and Persaud 100* beat Diplomats 53 all out, Rasheed 5-12 and 9-8; innings closed, Rasheed 6-
5). At Malteenoes SC, the home team defeated Sophia by 396 runs. In reply to MSC first innings score of 369, Sophia resumed on their overnight 87-8 and were sent packing for 92. Mario Parsram 24 and Sherwin Whyte 22 were their principal scorers as Orin Forde claimed 3-15, Joseph Cupidore 2-5 and Steven Sankar 2-23. MSC opted to bat again and rattled up 2259 declared, extending their lead to 502. Marcus Watkins slammed 113 and shared in a second wicket stand of 84 with Nichosie Barker who made 58 (4x4, 4x6). Watkins struck seven fours and eight sixes as Parsram took 2-29. Sophia were shot out for 111 in 13.3 overs in their second turn at the crease. Wayne Peters made 45, while Parsram and Steffon Hope got 12 each as Floyd Rollins snared 4-7 and Timothy Mitchel 3-34. Scores (MSC 369, Floyd Rollins 119 and Barker 94 and 225-9, Watkins 113 beat
Javed Rasheed Sophia 92, Orin Forde 3-15 and 111, Rollins 4-7). At GNIC SC, Police and the host played to a draw. GNIC SC resumed the day on 118-4 in response to Police first innings’ 304-9 and scored 232 all out. Dwayne Dick hit 66 (12x4) while Gajanand Sukanand got 41 and Joshua Vantull 19; Rocky Hutson bagged 5-28 and Vishal Jaigobin 2-43. Leading by 72, Police reached 221-9 at stumps, batting a second time. Rawl Browne led with 56 (8x4) while Reginald Rodrigues
Umpire Shannon Crawford makes first class debut Thirty Eight year old Shannon Stanton Crawford made his First Class debut last Friday in the 10th round of the WICB Professional Cricket League between Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpion at the Guyana National Stadium. Crawford, a Fire Officer with the Guyana Fire Service became a fully qualified Cricket Umpire in 2006 when he emerged as top student of the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Oral and Practical Examinations with 93%. He was then elevated through ranks of various Umpires’ panel of the Guyana Cricket Board officiating in Inter-County and National Cricket Competitions. In 2011 he was appointed to the WICB Junior Umpires’ Panel officiating in Regional Age Groups Tournaments, then elevated to the WICB Emerging Umpires’ panel in 2015. Known for his excellent deportment, attention to d e t a i l s w i t h a comprehensive knowledge of the Laws and Playing
Umpire Shannon Crawford watches as Damion Jacobs bowls to Rajendra Chandrika. Conditions, Crawford who is the president of the Georgetown and Demerara Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, has so far officiated as on Field Umpire in Forty-Eight (48) WICB Regional Age Groups Cricket Matches, and Standby Umpire in Nine (9) First Class Matches Along With Four (4) Lists ‘A’ Matches. He admits that it a tough task that requires continuous training and studying, dedication, commitment, hard work and an undying Love for the Job.
Crawford thanked GOD, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the GCUC, WICUA, GCB and WICB for their confidence in his ability as well as his family, especially mother Carmen, whom he describes as his inspiration, the Guyana Fire Service particularly Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle and the umpiring fraternity in West Indies. “My Mom sets high standards and my achievements bring her joy in life and that inspire me to work harder, while Umpires Dasroy Balgobin, Deonarine
Marcus Watkins got 51 (8x4), Jaigobin 43 and Hutson 24. Orlando Fraser claimed 3-72, Andrew Clifford 2-20 and Sukanand 2-36. Scores (Police 304-9 declared, Rodrigues 63, and 221-9, Brown 56 draw with GNIC SC 232, Dick 66, Hutson 5-28). A t G a n d h i Yo u t h Organisation (GYO), the home team and Transport Sports Club (TSC) contest ended in a draw. In reply to TSC first innings total of
Azeem Azeez 200, GYO got to 357 all out. Trevon France supported Alex Ramalho (79) and Abilash Dookie (75) with 49; Sunil Singh picked up 442, Keon Morris 2-45 and Kevin Ross 2-82. Batting a second time, TSC posted 305 all out. Azeem Azeez struck nineteen fours and one six in scoring 112; he added 85 for the fifth wicket with Shawn Massiah (10). Singh slammed 69 and Adrian Hinds 32. Abilash Dookie had 3-42, Trevon France 3-
72 and Wazim Alli 2-35. Set 149 to win, GYO were 89-4 when stumps were drawn. Garfield De Roche made 21; Owen Andrews snared 3-39. Scores (TSC 200, Singh 69, De Roche 5-75 and 305, Azeez 112, Dookie 3-42 drew with GYO 357, Alex Ramalho 79 and Dookie 75, Singh 4-42 and 89-4). At Bourda, Georgetown Cricket Club and Demerara Cricket Club played to a draw. DCC managed 241-8 declared in reply to GCC first innings 170. Tevin Imlach cracked 55, Dexter George 41, Sachin Singh 38, Romain Muniram 28 and Jamal Hickson 22. Devon Lord had 4-81 and Steffan Wilson 3-55. Trailing by 71, GCC finished on 120-1 with Manny Forde scoring 64, Umesh Boodram 34 and Joshua Rajabar 20. Scores (GCC 170, Martin Pestano Bell 40 and 120-1, Forde 64 drew with DCC 241-8 dec. Imlach 55, Lord 4-81).
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Stag Crown Your Community Awareness Competition
Killer Warrior are Timehri champs Killer Warrior won the Timehri leg of the Stag Crown Your Community Awareness 5-a-side football competition on Saturday night last at the Timehri Red Ground. Coming up against Taxi in the final of the eight team competition, Killer Warrior won the match 2-1 to win the $100,000 top prize with Taxi earning $30,000. Colin Mc Lean and Quacy Holder were the scorers for the winners; Kelsie Benson scored the lone goal for Taxi. In the semi finals, Taxi were too good for Mean Machine, wining that encounter 4-0.
Roy Goring, Tyrell Khan, Marvin Joseph and Kelsie Benson hitting a goal each. Killer Warriors needled Ice House through a Colin Mc Lean goal. In quarter final play, Taxi defeated Airport 3-1 on penalty kicks, Killer Warrior tamed Wild Life 3-0, Ice House cooled off Hill Top 10, while Mean Machine got past Real Madrid 2-0. The Stag Crown Your Community competition will see the top community among the eleven (11) competing winning Three Million Dollars towards the enhancement of their
Killer Warrior - Stag Crown Your Community Timehri Leg winners. ground. The competing areas and grounds vying are the Bartica Community Centre – B a r t i c a , Ti m e h r i R e d Ground – Timehri, New
Amsterdam - Berbice, Monedderlust Ground - #5 Village West Coast Berbice, Golden Grove Ground – East Coast Demerara, Christianburg Ground –
Linden, West Ruimveldt Ground – Georgetown, Camptown Ground – Campbellville, Walton Hall Ground – Essequibo, Grove Playfield – Grove East Bank
and Den Amstel Community Centre Ground – West Coast Demerara. The promotion will conclude at the end of this month.
CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup
Anguilla ready to battle Guyana as they start rebuilding of national brand
Anguilla National Team Captain Kevin Hawley (right) with Head Coach Leon Jeffers (center) and Manager Nigel Linton at yesterday’s press conference. By Franklin Wilson Guyana’s biggest win in its history was achieved against Anguilla on April 16th, 1998 at the Caribbean Cup tournament which was played in Antigua and Barbuda and it is the worst defeat ever suffered by Anguilla, 14-0. Eighteen years hence, the two nations will clash again in Group 5 action of the Caribbean Football Union Men’s Caribbean Cup with the Golden Jaguars having home advantage tonight at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence from 19:00hrs. A huge crowd of
supporters decked out in their yellow or golden jerseys are expected to fill the stands and roar in support of the home team. One might be tempted to say it will be a David vs Goliath scenario with Guyana ranked at 156 in the FIFA Coca Cola World Rankings to Anguilla’s 204 but in the modern world of football, no one will be taking the other for granted. Nonetheless, the Golden Jaguars are expected to roar to a resounding win against a side that has an average age of 23, their most seasoned player and Captain, Kevin Hawley, with over 20 years experience will have his
work cut out against a star studied local outfit. Team Manager Nigel Linton in remarks at a press conference held yesterday at the 704 Sports Bar, Albert and Lamaha Streets, said that the team had a solid period of preparation which commenced about two and a half months ago following the conclusion of their national league ahead of today’s match and they are here to do their best. ”We have our objective set out, we have worked tirelessly and with a young team we are here to do our best to put our country first and represent in the best way (Continued on page 27)
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Florida Cup Masters Champion “Floodlights” to play this Sunday at Crabwood Creek
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Johnson proud to be in the company of Lloyd & Harper Says total team effort helped Jaguars to repeat titles
The victorious Floodlights Masters team at the Florida Cup. They will be in Crabwood Creek this weekend. The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association will field three teams at Crabwood Creek on March 27, this Easter Sunday. Floodlights Legends, Floodlights and Trophy Stall Angels will do battle with Crabwood Creek / Corriverton Masters, Crabwood Creek Open and Karibee Girls. Just two week-ends ago Floodlights played undefeated at the 2016 Florida Cup Masters
tournament played in Fort Lauderdale, USA. They defeated New York Better Hope, Tri-State Masters, local team Regal in the preliminary round, Orlando Florida in the semi-finals and South Florida in the finals to take the title. The finals was played at USA’s only cricket stadium in Lauderhill. These three feature 15/15 overs softball matches playing this Sunday at the
Crabwood Creek cricket ground are being held as a fundraiser for the renovation of the washroom of the Crabwood Creek Primary School. Matches will start at 9:30in the morning and conclude at 6:00 in the afternoon. Admission is $200 and there will be over 50 gate prizes to be won by spectators; i n c l u s i v e o f Ta b l e t s , portable DVR, Yap Jack etc.
GABF statement on inconclusive National Championships Final The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) deeply regrets the fact that the 2016 National Club Championships Finals: Colts vs. Raiders was halted in the fourth quarter of the game; for this we apologise to our fans and sponsors. The 2016 National Club Championships - Road to Mecca III was played with a high degree of competitiveness and was presented to the Guyanese public with the intent of keeping high standards, maintaining discipline and providing a great experience to the supporters of Basketball. Fans filled the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday, March 19th to watch the high-powered and high-quality game. The GABF was on the verge of attaining these goals when during the fourth quarter of the finals, an unwarranted (as per the video replay) foul call made by one of the referees, followed by three technical fouls from the same referee against Retrieve Raiders, a club based in Linden, resulted in an exciting and competitive game coming to a premature end. When the initial foul call was made, Colts were ahead by three points (54-51) in the fourth quarter, so it was vitally important that during this stage of the game that calls by referees are warranted, even more so during the deciding period of a high intensity, competitive finals, with the winner receiving $500,000. Having the good fortune of E-Networks filming the Finals allowed for a review of the video of the initial call by the referee. It was clear to all who viewed the initial foul call that it was unwarranted and absolutely not a foul. All who viewed the replay, including Mr. Dexter Douglas (President Guyana Basketball Official Council), who was one of the referees in the finals; Mr. Rawle Toney, another experienced referee, and (Continued on page 27)
Nigel Hinds
WICB’s Director of cricket Richard Pybus presents Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson with the winning trophy on Sunday at Providence. By Sean Devers & 2012. produce on the field is just a Johnson joined Clive reflection of the way we train At 28 Guyana Jaguars Lloyd (75 & 83) and Roger and prepare for games,” said C a p t a i n L e o n R a y o n Harper (87 & 87) as the only the GCC left-hander. Apart Johnson not only became the Guyana Captain to win the from Johnson, his deputy only Guyanese Skipper to title twice after Rohan Vishaul Singh is only one of win consecutive First-Class Kanhai led Guyana to its first four batsmen with 700 runs titles, but he led also from the title in 1973. Carl Hooper is ( 7 1 2 ) i n c l u d i n g t h r e e front with bat with the most the only other Guyanese centuries. runs in the tournament from Captain to lift the Trophy in We s t I n d i e s U - 1 9 10 matches, Johnson was the 1998. “It’s great to be in the Captain Shemron Hetymer, only batsman with 800 runs prestige company of Mr. who scored his maiden ton in (807) he also made two Lloyd and Mr. Harper in his only match on his return centuries and five fifties at terms of titles won, Guyana from India from the youth an average of 57.64 and hit has produced high quality Wo r l d C u p , R a j e n d r a the most sixes (19) and took players and teams in the past C h a n d r i k a a n d A s s a d the second most catches but has never been able to Fudadin have all scored (17). But the crowning repeat as champions so that’s hundreds this season. But moment for Johnson, who a feather in the cap of me and Johnson, who has not played has two fifties in four Tests, the team,” Johnson said with a Test since his half-century was seeing Gudakesh Motie a smile as broad as the against South Africa in at long-on, run to his left to Kamauni Creek where he January last year feels catch Dennis Bullie off hails from. bowlers win matches, “Our Veerasammy Permaul to Johnson, who began his strength this season has been give Guyana an innings and First-Class career as a 16- our bowling, on eight 54-run win against Jamaica year-old at Enmore in 2014, occasions we have been able and its eighth Regional First- explained why he thought to take 20 wickets and win Class title. No team has won the Jaguars have extended games. more than eight matches in a their unbeaten run to 17 I am a firm believer that single season and the victory since their defeat against bowlers win matches, so against Jamaica was the Barbados in November 2014 once we the batters put the eighth for the Jaguars. The at Providence. “I think one of runs on the board we give the Jaguars also won eight the main reasons for us bowlers the chance to games last season. Jamaica remaining unbeaten has been express themselves,” said is the only other team to win our consistency in all Johnson, who has four tons eight games in a season departments including the and 28 fifties from 73 games which they achieved in 2008 way we prepare, what we (Continued on page 25)
t r o Sp CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup
Anguilla ready to battle Guyana as they start rebuilding of national brand
Ready to battle! The Anguilla and Guyana Captains and Technical Staff pose for a photo after the press conference.
Starting team to pay tribute to SEL as Guyana face Anguilla Guyana NRA / Industrial Safety Supplies / Everall Franklin Memorial Shoot
Mohamed Qualander and Sekau Fredericks emerge champs
Competitors, including prize winners at the inaugural Evrall Franklin Memorial Hand Gun Shoot pose with their silverware following the presentation on Sunday at the GDF Timehri Range. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210