Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

The negatives and positives of the smart phone DEAR EDITOR, Permit me space in your newspaper for a follow-up to Frank Fyffe’s article entitled “The negative side of the functions of the Smartphone”. The points raised in his concern are quite valid, as the quantum leap into the world of technology is fraught with dangers seen and unseen. For about a century thanks to the invention of Alexander Graham Bell a phone was simply a tool used to talk to another person; it was not used to take pictures, or send messages yet alone play games. Now the Digital Age has turned the page and morphed into the Pivotal Stage. Yes, the Smart Phone device is so multimodal and contains such depth of information that they demand much of the human cognitive resources. However, it is my firm belief that his concerns, though well founded in fact, should be addressed specifically to parents. There are certain parents who gloat over the fact that their children are able to master technology, unbeknown to whose designated level of proficiency. Do not be fooled it is ultimately the parents who are on the eventual losing end. There is a new language that has been designed specifically for use with digital technology, and you can ask many parents in Guyana how savvy are they regarding the phone slang of their children. Some smart phones contain secret apps that keep inappropriate photos and videos hidden form parents in plain sight. Let me familiarize you with an App called Calculator%, which has all the external appearance of a calculator, but in reality it is a hidden vault. It is all good and dandy if you are searching for a calculator, but in essence and reality children use this app to hide things they do not want parents to see. On another note , in the same key, just go to the app store, and search the word “secret”, and almost immediately parents will learn very quickly that there is a growing number of apps wherein their children can conceal pictures, videos,

photographs, and any number of items from them, from as afore-stated something as basic looking as a calculator. Each digital device throws another monkey wrench in the parenting arena. Parents are forced to become super vigilant, super smart and be super savvy. Believe it or not the era of technology is determining how our future generation will be raised, and what it means as a parent to be on top of your children. Regarding the Smartphone the existing consensus among experts in child psychology, is that there exists no universal age at which a child is ready for a Smartphone. However, it was further pointed out that it is imperative that parents be attuned to the emotional and physical maturity of the child before handing them a smartphone. Sadly, parents will always be outside the loop or fall behind the curve, if they do not ask questions or fail to establish guidelines prior to the child receiving the phone. Parent and child meeting on common ground to

establish guidelines for proper usage and consequences for inappropriate site visiting etc. can serve to avert future tears, scares, and fears. Let us not be lulled into a false state of complacency the danger also lies in messages that employ codes that can lead down some not so nice paths. Communication is vital to prevent incidents that could lead to harm, so parents need to digitally connect with their children and know the language to decipher their codes. For example POS translated does not mean Putting on Shoes, but in technological lingo Parent Over Shoulder, CD9- Code 9Parents around. PAL—does not mean Peace & Love instead Parents are Listening, KPC—not Kentucky Popcorn Chicken—Keeping Parents Clueless. Simply put, look at the Smartphone as a car, useful yet dangerous. To quote Albert Einstein: It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity. Enough said, aptly put. Yvonne Sam

Vincent Alexander hopes the students’ hands are clean DEAR EDITOR, My attention was drawn to a letter published in Kaieteur News of March 18, captioned “UG and Vincent Alexander have been cruel to us”. I am not sure who composed that caption but to suggest that UG and Alexander, severally, were cruel, on a matter pertaining to students, is to suggest that Alexander took action in his personal capacity and that, through him or some other officer, the University also took action. I pity the journalist or Student-at-Law, who would have concocted such a caption about a matter that clearly has to do with the University and the affected students, and I further suggest that if Alexander had personally been cruel then he should have been dragged before the Court. As has been correctly stated, this matter goes back to 2003. Also stated are the various state officials to whom the students appealed but did not get the desired redress. That means one of three

The government is following the PPP’s incestuous pathways DEAR EDITOR, The letter Of March 20th 2016 “The Education Ministry has a favorite printer” was not a startling one as it speaks to reality. 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. Favoritism and partiality are intrinsic parts of any government, as g e n e r a l l y, t h e y t e n d t o trust those who support them. However, the Granger government must be acutely aware of being labeled as more of the same - the government has changed but the unfair

tendering practices remain. Now I would like to add my concern about the very Ministry of Education which it is rumored recently changed the qualifying requirements to award a catering contract to a party faithful - with no catering establishment. It has been said time and time, over and over that Guyana is a small country where 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 openly blatant favoritism. That

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should not be a part of this government. More of the same is not good enough. All tendering processes should be clear and transparent. Contracts should be awarded to the most qualified with a demonstrated track record of competence. And perhaps more importantly, once rules are established they should not be changed to accommodate favorites. Mrs. June Veecock

things: the officials were impotent, or Alexander was all powerful, or their cases had no merit, at least in the eyes of the officials and/or the system with which they, the officials, would have raised the matter. What was not stated was that the matter was addressed by four successive Vi c e Chancellor, who ruled on the matter after examining the facts. Not that I am distancing myself from the Rulings. As Deputy Registrar I was never the final arbiter. A d m i t t e d l y, as Registrar in the latter years, my view on the University’s approach to the matter differed from t h a t o f t h e t h e n Vi c e Chancellor, who by right pursued his own considered course of action, which resulted in the court proceedings that were chronicled in the March 8, 2016 article in the Chronicle. I take umbrage at Mustapha’s insinuation that my judgement should have been clouded by my advocacy for justice for blacks. I will always advocate for justice for any deserving case. I thank Mustapha for highlighting what he considers to be my destruction of the career of blacks. The fact is my disposition to the administration of justice is not clouded by my black consciousness. Mustapha’ s race card will not intimidate me. As for his contention that ‘I was responsible for the entire issue’ , he exposes his own incongruence. This matter has its origin in students not paying fees for as much of two years of their period of studies, while conspiring to write

examinations during the said period and years after seeking to retroactively establish an entitlement to have written those examinations. That’s where the matter originated. How can I be blamed for acts and their consequences when I had nothing to do with the acts, the primary causal factors. On my part, I refused, as a matter of principle and good governance, to be involved in the determination of this matter on the occasions beyond the students’ first approach, on this matter, to the University’s Administration. This is also my position now that I am at the Ministry. I wish them the best in their juridical quest. I hope their hands are clean. Let the chips fall where they may. Vincent Alexander Former Registrar University of Guyana EDITOR’S NOTE: we shape a caption based on the summary of the letter’s content. Examples will take up too much space suffice it to say, our caption is based on the interpretation of said content. We reproduce for Mr. Alexander’s benefit a line from the writer’s complaint against him; “this ‘champion of the black cause’ has singlehandedly destroyed the careers of two hard working Black men for no proper reason.” This can be considered an accusation of cruelty from the complainant towards the subject of which we make no judgement. We simply publish letters minus libel, based taste and intended mischief. We remind Mr. Alexander that it was not Kaieteur News that made the accusation of cruelty. We hope he appreciates our caption to his letter above.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Pres. Granger participates in Phagwah event As Guyanese prepared to celebrate the festival of Holi or Phagwah today, President David Granger, last evening, joined members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha for a Chowtal session on the lawns of State House. Chowtal is a genre of folk music originated from the Bhojpuri Region, Northern India and has been preserved for over 178 years in Guyana. In his brief remarks after a spirited round of Chowtal singing, the Head of State said that the festivities associated with the festival of Holi is an expression of the culture which is part of the Guyanese experience that started to flourish after the country gained independence. He explained that these festivals contribute to national unity, in that they help citizens to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the country’s diverse cultural mosaic. The President pointed out, however, that most of the festivities are confined to the coastland and urged the religious groups to visit riverine and hinterland communities and host some of these cultural activities there, so that people will get a better understanding of the Guyanese society. “The fact that you have

been able to preserve this tradition and this custom and still find joy in it and other people can find joy in it shows the power of culture, the power of retention of these norms,” President Granger said. He also said that the vibrant colours and fun associated with Phagwah, which herald the beginning of spring, make it one of the most joyous festivals in Guyana. He noted that the festival itself encompasses everything about regeneration and rebirth. Speaking about the high level of religious tolerance that exists in Guyana, the President said that it is important for all citizens to appreciate each other’s faiths and roots so as to better appreciate themselves. “We are not entitled to be exclusively hateful of other religions; we must be tolerant because other religions may have truths which we ourselves may not be able to discover…all of our religions teach compassion and when we lose that compassion; when we lose that love for fellow man and woman, we take a dangerous road…we see what is happening in countries where there is hatred,” President Granger said. Meanwhile, Mr. Ravi Dev, who is a member of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha said that a strong, all-embracing cultural policy is needed to bring together Guyana’s six peoples and move the nation forward.

President Granger with members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha during last evening’s event.

Prison deaths COI…

Inmates recall desperate cries for help, seeing headless remains Desperate cries for help, dead bodies, and the headless remains of fellow inmates are some of the chilling scenarios which occurred during the deadly March 3rd fire at the Camp Street Prisons, and were yesterday recounted by an inmate. This account of the event was given to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) established into the fatal incident yesterday as Steve Bacchus, an inmate of old Capital block at the Camp Street Prison testified. Seventeen prisoners were killed and several injured after the fire broke out at Capital ‘A’ of Georgetown Prisons. Bacchus is currently serving a two-year sentence for robbery. The witness had previously submitted a statement on the matter. In his evidence yesterday,

INMATE: Steve Bacchus Bacchus told the panel of Commissioners - former Justice James Patterson, former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine and human rights activist Merle Mendonca - that when the fire broke out, he was in the block (the old Capital Building) of the Camp Street relaxing. The prisoner recalled hearing his fellow inmates yelling “leave the man alone.” The noise, he said, was coming from the prison yard. The witness recounted that he ran towards the back of the building, and peered outside. He said that he saw a prisoner, Collis Collision, being assaulted in the yard of the State Penitentiary by Prison officers. The witness stated that prison officers along with at least four police officers had been standing in the middle of the tarmac. He said that some of the officers were armed. According to Bacchus, one of the prison officers shouted “lock the door and come out.” Bacchus said that moments later the disaster quickly unfolded. He

told Counsel for the Commission, Excellence Dazzell, that within minutes he saw thick black smoke emanating from the adjacent building. The black smoke, he said, quickly made its way to his block. At that point, he recalled that prisoners started to yell, “y’all open the door! Help we!” The witness told the commission that the inmates called repeatedly for help, but it was to no avail. He said that as the smoke continued to flood his section of the prison, those who were locked up with him began to call for help also. Their cries went unanswered. Although it was a situation to panic, the prisoner said that one of the inmates from his cell brought “a big wood” they used it to stamp and hit the wall in an effort to break it and escape the impending danger. After a few minutes, the witness related that they managed to break the wall and crawl outside. He said that his first thoughts were to assist his friends who were locked in the other section of the prison where the fire had been raging. Bacchus told the Commission that as he approached the Capital A, he saw some of the prisoners standing at the door; they were panting for breath. The witness said that he quickly ran to the front of the compound and alerted the Prison officers. “Dey got people alive in the building,” Bacchus recalled telling the officers. The prisoner said that at this point, “Officer Crawford grab his keys and rush to Capital A”. According to Bacchus,

Officer Crawford attempted to open the door of the building, but he was unsuccessful. They eventually formed a bucket brigade to quench the heat of the door and then used an object to pry it open. He said too that once the doors were open he and his other colleagues assisted to rescue the prisoners inside the building. “We wet we skin and put wet jerseys over we face to go inside, because the building was too hot.” The convict said that none of the officers joined them on the rescue operation. The witness recounted that those inmates who could have walked did so, but the others had to be carried out of the cell. He said that there were some who were carried out, placed on stretchers, and taken away in ambulances. At the back of the Unit there were those who perished in the fire. He assisted with removing their remains. While under cross examination by attorney representing the Police and the Prison Service at the CoI, Selwyn Pieters, the witness later detailed removing several badly burnt bodies from Capital A, before handing them over to officials. According to the witness, some of the bodies were recovered in the washroom and toilet areas. He recalled that “One was in the toilet. One was in the bathroom – Rudolph Marks was in the bathroom.” At one point, Bacchus said that while giving assistance he saw the “skull” of an inmate on a bed by itself. Further questioned by the lawyer, Bacchus revealed that one of the bodies found after the fire was indeed headless.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

Trudeau takes Canada back into the red to boost growth Ottawa (AFP) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government announced yesterday massive spending to try to force an end to years of stagnant growth recently compounded by the oil rout. The proposed budget projects a deficit of Can$29.4 billion ($22.5 billion US) this year. The government says it hopes to boost growth by 0.5 percent in 2016-2017, and by 1.0 percent the following fiscal year. Critics, however, say the scheme will create a larger government, not jobs. The opposition Tories also blasted the finance minister for squandering a small surplus inherited from the previous Tory administration. But the Liberals would have none of it. “Today, we begin to revitalize the economy,” Finance Minister Bill Morneau told parliament as he unveiled his first budget, signaling a hard break from austerity measures of the past. Economic growth has been weaker than hoped for several years, slowing to 1.4 percent for 2016. Private sector economists

Justin Trudeau forecast it will rise to 2.2 percent next year (before factoring in the stimulus). In his speech, Morneau reca l l e d t h e p o s t - w o r l d wars glory days, contrasting a then booming economy with the struggles facing millennials. “It’s no surprise that many Canadians feel they are worse off than their parents were at the same age — and they feel the next generation will do worse than their own,” he said.

“The reality is that we stand before a historic opportunity to shape and lead (the future). But to shape the future we must invest in the future.” Morneau reasoned that with interest rates at near historic lows (0.5 percent), there is no better time to borrow for the future. Some economists also argue that the central bank has little wiggle room to stimulate the economy through monetary policy, so it is up to the government to step in.

Suriname eases visa regime to boost tourism PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname — In an effort to boost its new emphasis on the tourism sector, the government of Suriname has recently abolished the requirement for a visa to enter the country from an additional 13 countries, including China, India, Indonesia and Turkey, four of the world’s most populous nations The nine other countries are from Latin America. The list does not include any African or Arab countries. However, to visit Suriname, citizens of these countries must purchase a tourist card, which costs US $35 at the Johan Pengel International Airport. The tourist card isn’t available at the official border crossing posts between Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana, which is an inconvenience for some travellers. Moreover, the immigration and customs processing to enter Suriname from Guyana at the South Drain Ferry Terminal is a long and arduous ordeal that can

take up to three hours. The Parliament of Suriname is expected to soon pass legislation to govern the tourism industry. Suriname, once isolated from the nonDutch speaking world, has in the past decade propelled itself closer to the Englishspeaking Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. Concluding bilateral air agreements with key countries has been very slow for Suriname, and the country’s national airline, Surinam Airways (SLM), is a loss making enterprise. The government is now looking to privatize SLM. The modernization and expansion of the Johan Pengel International Airport is still incomplete. Suriname, which the New York Times referred to as “South America’s hidden

treasure”, is slowing working to develop and improve its eco- and cultural tourism product. More recently, Suriname has been promoting its tourism product in Holland, Belgium and now Germany. However, there is little or no promotion in North America, and the Caribbean. Airlift is a major probl e m f a c i n g S u r i n a m e ’s unique and excellent tourism product. Airlift is mostly from the Netherlands and the Dutch ABC islands of the Caribbean. Suriname, like Guyana, is not linked to Venezuela or Brazil by air. It can cost more to fly from New York t o S u riname than from Amsterdam to Suriname. Connectivity is difficult and the prices are generally considered exorbitant. (Caribbean News)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Forensic audit report on GINA reveals…

Subhan, McCoy must account for Brazil’s Rousseff vows: $20M spent on NY newspaper It would appear as though the Government Information Agency (GINA) basically handed $20.1M to Neeaz Subhan and Kwame McCoy. Some of this money went to print and distribute a newspaper called “The Guyanese” newspaper which was circulated in and around the New York area. What is worse is that GINA did not even record an income despite the newspaper attracting paid advertisements. This was revealed in a special audit report conducted on the state agency. The special forensic audit report also found that a Rajiv Sanchara was the one who received the handsome salary to print and distribute the newspaper in the USA. Additionally, the report found that GINA also paid $8,373,355 for television and radio programmes in New York. These programmes started in September 2014.

Former Head of GINA Neaz Subhan It was revealed that no revenue was received by GINA for advertisements during these programmes. Recommendations have since been made for the expenditure on the newspaper to be recovered. Since the APNU+AFC Coalition assumed office, the paper which was circulated

fortnightly in the USA, was cancelled. Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, had bemoaned the “taxpayer” funded newspaper on several occasions. He referred to it as a creature of the past regime which was only intended to carry the propaganda of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). GINA’s Former Head, Neaz Subhan had refused to answer critical questions from Kaieteur News on this newspaper claiming that it was an internal matter. But publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, who has been printing the New York edition of Kaieteur News for more than 15 years, had explained that the money reportedly spent by the government to print six issues of ‘The Guyanese’ could have printed two years, or 100 issues of that same fortnightly newspaper. (Kiana Wilburg)

Rice miller slams ‘secret’ GRDB deal with Jamaica The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) earlier this month managed to secure a three-year agreement to sell rice to Jamaican market, but the deal has been slammed by local millers. According to Turhane Doerga, Co-Chairman of the Rice Producers Association Action Committee (RPAAC), the deal will effectively cause farmers to receive just $2,200 per bag of paddy, way below their break-even prices. According to documents, two deals for a total of 80,000 tonnes annually were inked on March 1. One was with Musson (Jamaica) Limited of Spanish Town Road, Kingston. Musson agreed to buy 40,000 tonnes of white, cargo and parboiled rice per annum. The GRDB agreement explained Musson is one of two Jamaican importers that

it selected to work with and has a track record of handling imports from Guyana. The company has financial and commercial stability and the ability to ensure contracts are paid for on a timely basis, the agreement said. Musson’s deal will see 10,000 tonnes purchased every quarter. The company will be entering purchase contracts with registered GRDB exporters. The agreement said that after the three years, the deal can be renewed for a further two, at the option of the buyer. Signing the deals on behalf of GRDB was General Manager, Nizam Hassan. The other deal for 40,000 tonnes annually is Jamaica Rice Milling Company Limited. Guyana has been scrambling to find alternative markets after Venezuela

refused to renew a five year oil-for-rice deal amidst a border controversy. Jamaica is not a new market. Doerga, a retired executive of Alesie Rice, said that the millers and others only got a whiff on the deal after it was circulated. “Guyana was never officially told about it. In any case, when we did the calculations, it appears that what farmers will be forced to pay is $2,200 per bag,” Doerga said. Guyana has been breaking rice production records in recent years reaching 687,000 tonnes last year. Rice is one of the top foreign currency earners for Guyana but farmers have been complaining of low prices despite their bountiful crops. There have been accusations in the past of corruption in the rice deals with GRDB.

‘I will never resign’

- Police arrest dozens as scandal escalates Brasília (AFP) - Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff said yesterday she had committed no crime and would “never resign” despite corruption allegations, branding efforts to impeach her as a “coup” attempt. In a defiant speech from the presidential palace, the leftist leader fired back at those seeking her ouster amid a spiraling corruption scandal, a deep recession and a political crisis that has virtually paralyzed her government. “I committed no crime that could justify the interruption of my mandate under the constitution,” she told a cheering crowd of supporters and legal experts she had gathered to back her. To those seeking to force her from power, she said: “There is just one name for that: a coup.” “I will never resign,” she insisted. “Not under any circumstances.” In the impeachment case, Rousseff is accused of manipulating the government’s accounts to boost public spending and hide the magnitude of the recession. But a senator charged in the corruption scandal explosively alleged last weekend that she “knew everything” about the multi-billion-dollar graft scheme at state oil company Petrobras and used some of the proceeds for her presidential campaigns. Rousseff, who vehemently denies the accusation, played up her history fighting the 1964-1985 dictatorship in Brazil, under which she says she was tortured while in prison. “I have already been the victim of crimes during the military dictatorship,” she said. “I will fight against being made a victim again in the

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Dilma Rousseff

midst of a democracy.” Police arrested dozens of corruption suspects Monday as the scandal around state oil company Petrobras continued to escalate and with it the threat to Rousseff’s government. Federal police said they had uncovered a “professional and institutionalized” bribe-paying system at construction giant Odebrecht, one of the companies implicated in a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal that has rocked the Brazilian government. Police staged raids in nine states across the country to execute 43 arrest warrants or temporary detention orders targeting what they said was a parallel accounting network to handle bribery payments. Rousseff, meanwhile, attended what was described as an event “in defense of democracy and legality” at the presidential palace, where legal scholars gave speeches accusing the leftist president’s opponents of violating the constitution by seeking to oust her. A congressional impeachment committee weighing the allegations against Rousseff decided not to examine explosive accusations that she

used some of the proceeds from the Petrobras bribery scheme to fund her presidential campaigns. The case against Rousseff so far deals only with alleged irregularities in government accounting procedures. But her opponents sought to expand the accusation to include allegations from a senator charged in the Petrobras case, who said Rousseff “knew everything” about the corruption and directly benefited from it. Rousseff ’s presidency appears to be in peril as she fights impeachment, protests, recession and scandal. And her decision to call her predecessor and mentor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to the rescue backfired last week when a judge blocked his appointment as her chief of staff over pending money-laundering charges linked to the Petrobras scandal. Lula, who presided over a booming Brazil from 2003 to 2011, is fighting a Supreme Court injunction blocking his political comeback — and the ministerial immunity that comes with it. Ministers can only be tried before the Supreme Court in Brazil.

Dominica could eliminate Man, 78, found strangled corporal punishment in schools in Crabwood Creek home

The body of a 78-year-old man, with wounds to the head and plastic handcuffs wrapped tightly around the throat, was found at Crabwood Creek, Berbice at around 21.30 hrs last night. The victim’s body bore two indentations to the face. Police say the victim, Khublall Gomes, was found lying in his hammock in the

bottom flat of his two-storey home. The front door to the upper flat appeared to have been forced open and the premises ransacked. A male relative reportedly made the grisly discovery when he was passing Gomes’ home and observed that the front gate was open. After calling for Gomes and getting no response, the relative sum-

moned neighbours. They then went into the yard and discovered Gomes’ body. Kaieteur News understands that Gomes lived with a female companion, but that the woman has been in Suriname for the past two weeks. Police were still at the scene at press time.

ROSEAU, Dominica – Chief Education Officer Melena Fontaine says government’s Child-Friendly Schools initiative is putting alternative methods of discipline in place that could lead to the elimination of corporal punishment. She made the comments at the first of a series of workshops with education stakeholders on the matter. “On the issue of corporal punishment, although it is on the books and legal, we have been promoting alternative

disciplinary practices. The Education Act says corporal punishment is a last resort, so make it a last resort because there are so many other strategies that we can use to discipline children,” Fontaine said. “We are actually seeing a decrease in the use of corporal punishment in our schools, not because we are saying not to use it but because there is no need to use it thanks to the alternative measures.” The Chief Education Of-

ficer pointed out that there was a fine line between discipline and child abuse. “There are so many incidents where people are saying that they were using corporal punishment but really it was physical abuse. So we have to really rethink this thing and look at the research and what is happening internationally and decide whether we want to keep [corporal abuse] on our books,” Fontaine said. (Caribbean360)

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

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The leaders of Caribbean Independence were reformists There is something called false equivalence. This is when two things are presented as the same when in fact they are not. False equivalence is a fallacy, and this fallacy was exemplified by equating the call, by the PPP, for the firing of the Minister of Public Security, following the prison riots, with the demand, by

APNU in 2012 for the then Minister of Home Affairs to be removed from office after the incident on the Wismar Bridge in which three persons were killed by gunfire. APNU and the AFC had attempted to argue that a minister was responsible for the actions of the agencies that fell under him even if he

was not in direct command, and that by virtue of this doctrine of ministerial responsibility, the then Minister of Home Affairs should resign. The basis for the call for the removal of the present Minister of Public Security, by the People’s Progressive Party, is not based on that doctrine of ministerial

Dem boys seh...

CROOKISHNESS TEK OVER GUYANA There is an old question. “What happens if a politician drowns in a river?” That is pollution. “What happens if all of dem drown?” That is solution fuh de people. Dem boys use to think that wholesale thiefing was only among dem Bees and Jagdeo other friends. Dem soon find out that corruption deh in every corner of de society, from top to bottom. It deh in every single form people can think about. Remember when Jagdeo and Ashni, dem two scamps, spend over $100M to buy de accounting programme and didn’t install de most important sections. Dem sections use to record de money how dem use to spend it. Dem mek sure that nobody know wha dem do wid de money from de

Treasury. That extent of dishonesty, dem boys now finding out that it filter into every government institution, corporation and agency. GEA report only come out yesterday and Sharma look like he was tekking training from Jagdeo, Ashni and Brassington. And is not dem boys saying suh. Read de report on GEA. Sharma is de head fuh de GEA. He knock off 30 people who he seh fail de lie detector test but he didn’t tek one. De report seh he right hand man fail de test and he didn’t send home that one. This man use to sell de fuel marker and Sharma does tun a blind eye on dem boats that does smuggle fuel. De auditors seh knock him off but dem boys seh he should go wid Jagdeo and de

posse to Lot 12. Dem boys seh Guyana is now learning a lot more of what went on under Jagdeo and Donald Dumb. Dem remember Babbie get Sanata Complex and other concessions. Before de ink dry on de application Jagdeo did done sign over de complex wid concessions. Now dem boys end up seeing another contract to another of Jagdeo boys— Kowlessar. This contract mirror de Sanata Complex. However people spell Kowlessar name that is what he signing to. Anybody who sign wid ee name spell differently got to be a thief or a crook or both all two. Happy Phagwah to all de decent, law abiding and non thiefing Guyanese. Talk half and enjoy de day.

responsibility. It is based on what the PPP sees as the failure of the Ministry of Public Security to prevent the riots. This is completely different from the doctrine of ministerial responsibility. It is therefore a mismatch to equate the two scenarios. Recently declassified documents have nailed a lie which was being peddled by some supporters of the PNC. These supporters had contended that the Guyana Defence Force had trained members of the New Jewel Movement, prior to the toppling of then Prime Minister of Grenada Eric Gairy. It is also a case of false equivalency to contend that the Caribbean was in a revolutionary upheaval at the time of the Grenada Revolution. This argument is self-serving, because it attempts to reduce the culpability of the People’s National Congress Reform for the death of Dr. Walter Rodney, by placing Rodney’s assassination in the context of revolutionary upheaval in

the Caribbean. The assassination of Rodney took place in the context of revolutionary change in Iran and Nicaragua. But the changes that took place in the Caricom region at that time were not revolutionary changes. The toppling of the regime in Suriname was a military coup and not a revolution. There was a political insurrection, not a revolutionary insurrection, in Trinidad and Tobago. The incident in Grenada was no revolution. It was a coup. The toppling of the Eric Gairy regime by the New Jewel Movement was a pseudo–revolution. The leaders did intend revolutionary change, but they had neither the means nor the expertise to undertake such a task. Maurice Bishop and his band of merry men did not have a clue of what to do to create a socialist state in a small island. They bit off more than they could chew and the so-called revolution ended up revolting against itself. It is also a case of false

equivalency to try to speculate what may have happened if the leaders who led the countries of the Caribbean to political independence had not become reformists. The leaders of the Englishspeaking Caribbean that led their countries to Independence, without exception, were reformists. None of them, including Forbes Burnham, had any revolutionary mettle. All of them were reformists. They were ill-prepared to challenge imperialism because they were not revolutionaries. The English-speaking Caribbean had one revolutionary leader that held power, but he did not lead his country to Independence. In fact, he was deposed by the imperialism. He was the only true revolutionary among the Caribbean leaders and he is so recognized in the world. That leader was Cheddi Jagan. The rest of them were political reformists who could never create revolution or bring about revolutionary change.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The ignominious defeat of Mark Benschop Mr. Benschop’s local government sojourn was doomed before it started. Why Benschop would choose to defy one of the most historical moments in Guyana’s evolution was bizarre and silly. But maybe ego is the answer. Mr. Benschop ran for presidency against the unique, historical attempt to heal racial bitterness when the AFC and PNC (not APNU for all practical purposes) combined to contest the 2015 general elections. It had to be a huge ego at work, because what other motive did Benschop have for running for president in May 2015? Did he really think he would get votes from those parts of Guyana that wanted the Coalition to win? He

didn’t. Benschop’s 2015 presidential bid destroyed his politics. Interestingly, his Prime Ministerial running mate was an expatriate whom no one knew in Guyana. But no doubt Benschop told her once she is behind his “great” name, they will win. A big ego also destroys the ability to see reality. Three factors explain the hard feelings Coalition supporters continue to harbour against Benschop. These have been exacerbated by the nature of his LGE campaign. First, people feel that he was using his national standing to split the Coalition’s votes so the PPP could have won. When Coalition supporters, especially in South

Georgetown where Benschop lives, saw how close the 2015 election was, they increased their resentment of Benschop. This is a political sore Benschop will have to bear for a time. Secondly, Guyanese feel he was pompous and narcissistic to think that he could steal votes from the Coalition. If the pomposity charge wasn’t true back then, it certainly showed its unwanted presence again in the just concluded LGE. The third factor is Benschop’s source of finance. For a man without a private business or a sound-paying job, Benschop certainly has money to burn. This is a suspicion that will follow him. Guyanese voters think Benschop has an oversized

ego and he proved them right in the name of his political party to contest the 2016 LGE. Why would the leader of a party name his entity after himself? Ego blinds one from viewing and accepting reality, and here was a graphic case. Why not Team Guyana or Team Future or Team To Save Guyana or Team Freedom? But Team Benschop? Do they actually have parties around the world that name themselves after their leader? Good and Green for Guyana was a subtle use of Hamilton Green’s name on his party in the 1994 LGE. But there was no subtlety with Benschop. Added to this was the full length of the name – Team Benschop for Mayor. Modesty should have dictated to Benschop that you seek first to get into the Council, then you can fight for the mayorship in the Council through compromises and concessions. In his presidential bid, the ignominy was extensive. Benschop barely got three hundred votes. This time with the LGE, he didn’t even bring third place in his own constituency. In the polling station

close to where Benschop lives, he didn’t even bring second much less first. Benschop contested Constituency 14 in South Ruimveldt and by billions of miles was far more known than any other candidate in that constituency. Yet he could not even come in at second. If that is not an ignominious defeat then what is? No doubt his 2015 election involvement played a major role in his rejection, but there was the knowledge of politics by the ordinary member of the public that contributed to Benschop’s untergang. Guyanese people know their politics. They know the PPP and PNC have got unacceptable culprits in their midst, but ethnic loyalty prevents them from dumping these untouchables. But that doesn’t stop them from showing annoyance at, and mockery of these politicians. PPP supporters do not like Kellawan Lall. PNC supporters were dismissive of Robert Corbin. In the case of Benschop, he had no party umbrella to shield him. South Georgetowners do

Frederick Kissoon not like Benschop as a politician. They think he has an ego, and that he is a politician that cannot hobnob with the ordinary man. Benschop is always in suit and necktie. Such cultural appearances prevent the ordinary folks from getting close. A powerful contrast is Dr. David Hinds, who loses himself in the masses whenever there is an occasion. My own feeling is that Benschop is not a politician that can engage in Rodneyite groundings. That is not in his personality. Benschop has two more election opportunities - another LGE in 2019 and the general election of 2020. Can he go beyond his class and political limitations? He can if he is willing to learn. But ego destroys everything in its midst.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

Forensic Audit Report reveals…

GEA operates illegally with current accounting system By Kiana Wilburg As if the astonishing scales of corruption within the departments of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) weren’t enough to leave forensic auditors disturbed, they stumbled onto evidence which showed that the entity was illegally operating an accounting system. The forensic auditors of Nigel Hinds Financial Service noted in its recently released report on GEA that the entity was using an accounting software called “Peachtree” to automate and manage its accounting functions. However, the agency does not have a licence to use Peachtree Accounting Software. The auditors found the use of the software in this manner to be illegal. They recommended that the agency immediately purchases a licence to legalize the current use of its Peachtree accounting software. There were also a number of other irregularities found within GEA’s financial systems. The auditing team noted for example that GEA has been incorrectly recording funds that it collects from oil companies on behalf of the Government of Guyana as revenue on its financial statements. The auditors noted that the International Accounting Standard #18, Paragraph eight states that, “In an agency relationship, the

gross inflows of economic benefits include amounts collected on behalf of the principal and which do not result in increases in equity for the entity. The amounts collected on behalf of the principal are not revenue. Instead revenue is the amount of commission.” The report of the forensic auditors said that the monies paid to GEA for fuel imported by GEA on behalf of the Government of Guyana should be treated as Accounts Payable instead of Revenue. It said that when GEA remits the monies to the Government bank account, it is incorrectly recorded on the agency’s financial statements as “Office and Administration” expenses, instead of as an offset to accounts payable. The audits also found that GEA accepts payments for fuel from Rubis Guyana Inc., Sol Guyana Inc., and Guyana Oil Company Limited. It noted however that premium charges were granted to the Guyana Oil Company Limited. The team of highly qualified forensic auditors emphasized that there was no basis for this premium financial package. The current premium charges are as follows: US$1.995 per barrel of gasoline, US$0.21 per barrel of diesel, $US0.525 per barrel of Kerosene and for fuel used by aircraft.

…Invoices were kept out of accounting system Forensic auditors have found that the Guyana Revenue Agency (GEA) has been using a highly compromised manual system to prepare and issues invoices for licences. These include wholesale, retail, import, export, bulk transportation carriers, and storage licences. The auditors noted that the annual revenues generated from licensing fees averaged $25 Million for the years 2011 to 2014; amounting to over half of GEA income, when fuel marking fees are not considered. They asserted that the generating and issuing of invoices for licencing fees are not governed by a standardized system and are not integrated in the agency’s accounting system. “For example, an invoice is only issued when requested by customers or when management elects to issue.” The auditors in their report emphasized that this undermines the accounting department’s ability to effectively and efficiently monitor the financial transactions pertaining to revenue generated from licensing fees. In their report, it was recommended that the invoicing process of the Licencing Division be computerized in such a way that it is integrated with the accounting system of GEA. The forensic auditors of Nigel Hinds Financial Services said that the integration will allow for improved recognition of revenue, accounting of receivables and the monitoring of licence holders. The auditors also stressed that customers should not have the option of determining whether they want an invoice or otherwise. Instead, they said that invoices should be issued to all customers as a standard policy.

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Wednesday March 23, 2016

BIDDERS VIE TO RECONSTRUCT $$M DAM FOR DEMERARA CONSERVANCY During yesterday’s session at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, nine bids were opened for the reconstruction of the North Eastern dam of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). This project was listed under the Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Sector Development Unit, and the engineer’s estimate was $424,482,910. The rebuilding of this dam has been on the agenda for years, with Government

advertising for consultants last year. The project is being funded by the World Bank, under the Flood Risk Management Project. It is understood that the terms of reference entail works reaching three metres high and at least four kilometres in length. On the part of the consultants, the notice had listed their main tasks as the general contract administration and supervision of works, in accordance with the requirements of the Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance Plan. It is expected to last 30 calendar months.

Under the Ministry of Business, there were a number of Expressions of Interest (EoI) for design and consultancy works for the Rural Enterprise & Industrial Development Projects.

Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth & Sport, there were bids for consultancy services for building works.

Under the National Parks Commission, there were bids from several security firms for the provision of baton security for the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens.

There were also bids to develop a revised National Opt-in mechanism and for the conduct of a pilot process. This project was listed under the Ministry of the Presidency.

Finally, there were bids for the procurement of an Outboard motor for the National Parks Commission, under the Protected Areas Commission. The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) also had bids for construction works to be conducted on a one story structure located at Seventh Avenue Bartica. According to the project description, this will involve inclosing the ground floor of the building. The engineer’s estimate was $8.2M.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Youths to get int’l human rights exposure through strategic YCG partnership With the primary aim of advancing human rights education among young people, Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) was recently able to forge a strategic partnership with the Intercultural Institute of Timisoara in Romania. The partnership, according to YCG’s Executive Director, Mr. Dmitri Nicholson, is aimed at encouraging Human Rights exchanges between Guyana and countries within Eastern Europe. Activities related to this collaboration are being funded by the European Commission and are promoted under the theme ‘Human Rights Start With Breakfast’. The collaboration is designed to bring innovation and strengthen awareness in the area of human rights education for youths. In addition to Guyana and Romania, the initiative

Dmitri Nicholson includes participation from France (Reunion), Denmark, Italy and Peru. The YCG Director and Samantha Humphrey, also of YCG, visited Romania earlier this month to help develop and concretise the details of Guyana’s involvement. “We were able to develop

a partnership where we were able to find common ground on creating exchange opportunities for persons to go to other countries to understand human rights there and develop skills to be able to teach and include human rights in their work here,” said Nicholson. But Guyana’s inclusion was not by chance. According to Nicholson, YCG has always had an interest in developing international partnerships, whereby local persons could be given an opportunity to understand other cultures. The recently forged collaboration had its genesis last year when YCG worked closely with the European Union. It has thus far seen YCG and the Intercultural Institute Timisoara inking a contract that will guide the partnership. The main aim of the project is to strengthen the

capacity of civil society organisations that work with young people from the partner countries to develop an effective, coherent, inclusive and sustainable framework for using human rights education. As such the objectives of the projects are: to develop competences in human rights education for 30 youth workers from the partner organisations; to develop basic competences in human rights for 300 young persons from the partner organisations; to increase the cooperation at local and regional level between different stakeholders (schools/Non Governmental Organisations and

community); to promote active citizenship and human rights values; to increase the personal and professional development for six youths from Peru and Guyana during seven months of international volunteering and to create an interactive, user-friendly and accessible platform for human rights education. Persons who are currently involved in youth organisations and are not older than 40 years of age are invited to apply to participate in the venture, which according to Nicholson, will be announced publicly. “A key output is that we want to be able to expose persons working with youths

in Guyana to a different environment and space so that they can learn how youth work is done there. Often, yes, we do very good work in our country, but at the same time we have never seen or learnt about anything that other people are doing in other countries, and we learn from the internet, which might not necessarily give us all the right information,” Nicholson considered. He pointed out too that the collaboration will in essence serve to encourage the practice of Guyanese travelling to other territories to learn about the culture there, rather than only embrace the norm of persons Continued on page 22

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Wednesday March 23, 2016

Businessman asks DPP to appeal Magistrate’s measly fine Terribly upset with the recent decision of a city Magistrate, businessman Frank Sanichara has approached the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal the judgment. Sanichara, the CEO of Sueria Manufacturing Company, wants the DPP to appeal the decision of Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who recent fined a man $100,000 after he was found guilty of embezzling close to $500,000 from his employer. Sanichara told this newspaper yesterday that he was so disturbed by the recent court ruling that he sought advice on how to move forward to obtain justice, which he felt was denied him by the Magistrate. He subsequently visited the DPP’s Chambers where it was explained to him what can be done. “I was given a form to fill out so that the DPP can appeal the matter,” he told this newspaper yesterday. S a n i c h a r a ’s f o r m e r employee Kevin Waaldijk embezzled the money and boasted on Facebook that he actually made a profit after he was only fined less than a quarter of the amount. Instead of imposing a mandatory prison sentence, the Magistrate ordered Waaldijk to pay a fine of $100,000, much to the businessman’s surprise. The penalty also shocked the police ranks who had worked on the case. In court, Waaldijk smiled and cast a mocking glance at Sanichara when he heard the verdict. The fine was quickly paid from the $150,000 bail that Waaldijk had posted.

An obviously disappointed Sanichara told Kaieteur News that while he is not too familiar with the sentencing guidelines for such offences, he is certain that justice was not served. “My staff and the two police officers went to court back and forth several times and this is the outcome,” the businessman declared. No mention was even made of restitution of the stolen cash by the convict. Sanichara is convinced that the sentencing policy in Guyana’s courts allows for stealing in Guyana to be a profitable venture. “The GRA should be approaching him for the taxes on the profit he made,” Sanichara said. “It is profitable to steal in Guyana; if you talk to any 10 businessmen, they will tell you that embezzlement has become a crisis, and the court is not d o i n g u s a n y f a v o u r, ” Sanichara told Kaieteur News. “The fine that he paid goes to the state; I lost $500,000 and I get nothing; so where’s the justice?” Sanichara asked. “This man made a profit!” he added. He said that he now sees why a number of businessmen have very little faith in the court system of this country. “They wasted the court’s time, the police time also,” the businessman stated. He believes that the DPP would be successful in her appeal. Recently the DPP got the Court of Appeal to overturn the acquittal of two alleged gang members in the Lusignan Massacre matter.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday March 23, 2016

Security is top priority for 50th Jubilee Ensuring the security of the thousands of persons expected to attend events for Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration is a top priority for the organisers. In an interview with the Government Information Agency, Chairperson for the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Bobby Vieira, explained that apart from patrons, all other persons whether artistes, vendors or support staff, would have to be accredited. “We’re going to introduce security to a level where the only way you could attend the festival, with a need to be involved; except being a patron, is that you must be accredited,” Vieira said. According to Vieira, persons can apply online for accreditation. “We’re asking that everyone be accredited. So you literally have to go on our website and fill an

accreditation form, an application form. Then you send a picture and you’re accredited, and you receive a badge …that badge will show which area is designated,” Vieira explained. He said that the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force and all the other Joint Service would be involved in providing security.” Despite the heavy security arrangements, Vieira does not anticipate any issues or blockages when it comes to executing a successful festival. A number of Heads of State and representatives of foreign governments are expected to attend the celebrations. Guyana’s Golden Jubilee week of celebration starts on May 19. It will showcase the country’s development, history and talents.

From page 19 coming to learn here. “Our intention is to develop a cadre of leaders who understand youth work, not only in Guyana’s context, but they can learn from other countries and apply it to Guyana’s context,” Nicholson stressed. The project involves three important parts. Among them is an international training course for youth workers, which includes local activities done by those youth workers. This aspect is intended to help ensure that the methods shared are used and that the local community is benefiting from the international project. During the project, efforts will be made to

develop an interactive eplatform that will engage youth workers and youth in an interactive way, to create alternative online activities. Following the exposure of selected youths, it is expected that they will implement the use of their knowledge through YCG or other organisations to which they are attached. “They will be conducting different types of training that will enhance human rights education and when we speak about human rights in this context, we do not mean human rights for one particular group, but rather, enhancing human rights for everyone in the country,” Nicholson asserted.

Youths to get int’l human rights...

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

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City Hall ready to lend support to areas tagged for township status A new and improved mode of operation is being encouraged at City Hall that could very well be extended to other sections of the country. And Town Clerk, Mr. Royston King, is prepared to lead the way. “We need to be more innovative, we need to begin to discover things...we need to move the Council and the City to another dimension,” said King as he addressed a recent forum at City Hall. King spoke of the possibility of the Georgetown municipality rendering support to areas such as Mabaruma, Lethem and Bartica, all of which are slated to be elevated to township status in the near future. “We need to do certain papers and do research in certain areas, in certain fields. We need to look at these things...What about us giving them some support? What about city administration?” questioned King. But King, who was placed at the helm of the municipality last year, made it clear that focus must not only be on

offering external support. According to him, research and papers can be completed with a focus on improving the various departmental operations at City Hall. “We don’t want to continue the normal way, we don’t want to continue the ordinary way; we don’t want to continue the way that we are accustomed to. We want to push the boundaries of possibilities at the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown,” emphasised a passionate King, who even called for the odds to be defied. “There is an old saying ‘don’t hang your hat where your hands can’t reach’. But I have often said that I don’t believe in that, because if you do that and remain in your comfort zone then you will not develop,” asserted the Town Clerk. Moreover, he passionately challenged staffers of the Georgetown municipality “to move forward, and even as we move forward, we do so in our minds, in our thinking... Move forward in the way we approach our responsibilities

Town Clerk of the G/town Municipality, Royston King and our official duties in our various departments.” King shared too that some innovative experimental ideas could come from the Engineers’ Department to tackle issues with the drainage system. “We suffer from certain

disasters such as floods for example. What is possible in the Engineers’ Department? What is possible in the Solid Waste Management (Department)?” asked King. He continued, “I say to you let us hang our hats where our hands can’t reach, so that we

can stretch ourselves, develop and push the boundaries of what is possible. We need to see what is possible in engineering, in science, in environmental health, in public health, in solid waste management, in city administration...” King emphasised that in this time of global warming and globalisation and all that is happening in the world, Georgetown, as the capital of the nation, cannot afford to be left behind. “The people who will make the city go forward, the people who will make the city shine as glorious as the sun, those people are us...but to do that we have to push our boundaries,” King underscored. But part of the effort to

improve the operation at City Hall is the need to remain focused. And King spoke of the need to remain particularly focused on the primary goal of providing quality services to the citizens of Georgetown which he described as “our ultimate duty and responsibility.” And this must be the passion of all level of workers even in the face of distractions, King added. “Regardless of what you might be hearing, regardless of what people might be saying about you. It is not what people say about you, it is what you say and believe about yourselves – that is what will make the difference,” King told an attentive gathering of staffers.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

O’Riley Small execution…

Cops detain ‘mastermind,’ find gunpowder traces in alleged killer’s car

EXECUTED: O’Riley Small Police have detained an individual they have described as a “known drug dealer” who is suspected of ordering last Saturday’s execution of 31-year-old O’Riley Small. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed yesterday that investigators detained a third individual on Monday night, but declined to give details about the suspect. Meanwhile, police have been building a stronger case against the security guard suspected of killing Small.

Forensic experts from the Force have now found gunpowder residue on the steering wheel of the suspect’s car. They had earlier found traces of the same residue on his hands and on a ‘hoodie’ that they had retrieved from his vehicle. While the suspect continues to deny any knowledge of Small’s murder, he has reportedly placed himself at the scene of the crime, having told investigators that he dropped the victim home prior to the execution. Police believe that he may have been trying to provide an alibi, since an eyewitness has claimed to have seen the man and his vehicle at Small’s home when the former robbery accused was killed. Both the alleged gunman and his target were employed at the same night club. The alleged gunman and an associate have been in custody since last Saturday. Police had applied to the High Court to detain the men for a further 72 hours. Small, of Lot 2 Smyth Street, was riddled with bullets, just as he returned home from one of the city night spots. He was shot nine times at close range with a firearm that used .40 ammunition, which left gaping holes in his chest, stomach, back, neck, jaw, thigh and one of his hands. The cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage. 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 on the spot. 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 had 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 wounded New

York-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.

Gunman executed - COPS SEEK bus driver MOTIVE

Elvin Lorrimer

Elvin Lorrimer, the minibus driver who was shot on Monday night, appeared to have been “deliberately targeted” by the gunman who ambushed him at the Linden bus park before escaping on a CG motorcycle with an accomplice. This is the view of police investigators, who are looking at several motives other than robbery, even as they try to track down the killers. Police said that Lorrimer, 53, of 184 Carter Road, Kara Kara, Linden, was standing on Hadfield Street, near the Linden Bus Park, at around 21.00 hrs, when two men rode up on a motorcycle. One of them discharged rounds at Lorrimer, before riding away with his accomplice.

The victim was hit to his chest and left foot and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed four hours later, at around 01.00 hrs. Police said that Lorrimer’s money and jewellery were untouched. “Based on what we were told, he was their target, and this was not a robbery,” a police official told Kaieteur News. “What has us baffled is that he was also a pastor. Why would someone want to kill him?” Detectives from ‘A’ Division have teamed up with their counterparts from ‘E’ Division as they seek a possible motive to what now appears to be an executionstyle attack.

Eyewitnesses said that one of the killers was brown in complexion while his accomplice was faircomplexioned. They reportedly both wore dark clothing and their CG motorcycle reportedly had no licence plates. According to eyewitness reports, the men rode up to Lorrimer and the pillion rider immediately shot the bus driver. There are reports that the gunman rifled through Lorrimer’s pockets as he lay on the roadway, before escaping with his accomplice. “To some extent we have ruled out robbery. We have questioned a number of people to see if he had any problem with anyone,” Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said. An eyewitness had told Kaieteur News 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. 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 on Monday. She received word of the attack from an individual who plies his trade at the Linden bus park. (See related story on page 29)

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

Imbert on sale of Clico assets: Confusion over Republic ownership Trinidad Guardian - Finance Minister Colm Imbert said Monday “confusion” over which CL Financial entity owns the group’s Republic Bank shares is slowing down the monetisation of the bank as part of the repayment of monies owed to the Government by the group, which collapsed in January 2009. Addressing a news conference at the Ministry of Finance building in downtown Port-of-Spain, Imbert said there was confusion over whether shares are owned by Clico or Clico Investment Bank. He said the former Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran was going to take the matter to court to allow a judge to make a determination on which entity owns the shares. “I felt that would take too long. That could stay in the court for the next five years and we would never know who owns the shares and never be able to dispose of them,” Imbert said. He said the current Governor Alvin Hilaire has adopted a more pragmatic approach to the issue, in which consensus would be sought before going to the court for a consent order. Imbert said: “The plan is that by the end of fiscal 2017 the Republic Bank shares will either be disposed of entirely or transferred to the Government for it to decide what to do with them.” Republic Bank’s 2015 annual report indicates that four CL Financial entities own shares in the bank, T&T’s largest: • Clico Trust Corporation owns 40,072,299 shares or 24.74 per cent of Republic

Lawrence Duprey • Clico Investment Bank (CIB) owns 16,196,905 shares or 17.97 per cent of Republic • First Company Ltd (believed to be a CIB subsidiary) owns 13,191,640 shares or 8.14 per cent of Republic • Clico owns 11,786,000 shares or 7.28 per cent of Republic Imbert said the Government was also looking into what should be done with Angostura and CL World Brands, two of the spirits entities in the empire that was established by Lawrence Duprey. The minister said the transfer of Clico’s shares worth $3 billion in Angostura, CL World Brands and Home Construction Ltd to the Government had not been done as yes, but will be done as the Government needs the money. But he said his understanding is that the shareholders of CL Financial want to retain control of Angostura and CL World Brands so that they can raise a loan to repay the Government. Imbert said he now met with the Central Bank every

Wednesday and one of the issues that was always on the agenda was the Clico situation. He said the Central Bank had offered to sell Clico’s traditional portfolio to some 17 entities that did business in T&T. He said a letter would soon go from CL Financial to the minority shareholders of Methanol Holdings (International) Ltd, offering to sell them Clico’s 56 per cent stake in the Oman-based methanol plant for $2 billion, which was the valuation price. The right-of-first refusal is enshrined in the shareholders’ agreement that led to the establishment of MHIL. Imbert also told journalists the Government had agreed to guarantee a loan of US$5 million ($33 million) by the T&T Ex-Im Bank to a toilet paper producing plant in Arima to save 400 jobs and that the Government would continue to operate a managed float of the exchange rate, although the International Monetary Fund was advising “greater flexibility,” which he said meant a freely floating exchange rate.

Kamla: I have broken no laws Trinidad Express - Opposition Leader Kamla PersadBissesar has denied that anyone is employed at her Opposition office in violation of the Integrity in Public Life law. She said there’s a witch hunt to distract from the issues. Persad-Bissessar was responding to queries from the Express on whether her nephew Richard Ahamad was employed as legal counsel at the Opposition office from September 2015. The former prime minister did not confirm or deny whether this was so, but insisted that no laws were broken. “To the best of my knowledge there is no person employed at the Opposition office who falls within any restricted categories or who falls within provisions of the Integrity Act or any laws or

Kamla Persad-Bissesar parliamentary guidelines,” she said. Stating this was a witch hunt to distract from Government’s incompetence, Persad-Bissessar added: “Every person in public life may now have to follow the lead of the Prime Minister re DNA testing of employees.”

According to section 24, 2 of the Integrity in Public Life Act, a person who falls under the act shall not use his office for the improper advancement of his own or his family’s personal or financial interests. Persad-Bissessar said all persons employed in public life should be examined.

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Haiti prime minister and his work plan rejected by Parliament PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – There’s a new obstacle to political stability in Haiti, following the lower chamber of Parliament’s rejection of the interim Prime Minister and his policy statement. Fritz Jean, an economist and former governor of Haiti’s central bank, failed to get the support required in a vote in the Chamber of Deputies on Sunday. A new nominee will now have to be named by interim president Jocelerme Privert. Jean needed at least 60 votes in the 119-member Chamber, but of the 66 who were present, only 38 voted in his favour. “We rejected the programme of Fritz Jean because his nomination by President Privert did not meet the consensus requirements which should characterize the prime minister,” Deputy Gary Bodeau, told Reuters news agency. Without that approval, Jean cannot form a Cabinet or push forward with plans to hold elections on April 24. Under a timeline outlined in an agreement reached before former president Michel Martelly left office last month, a presidential vote is sched-

Fritz Jean uled for that date and a new president is due to take office by May 14 to take over from the interim holder of the office, Privert. But Parliament’s refusal to give Jean the nod could delay that transfer of power. Jean had been sworn in near the end of last month and on Sunday was seeking Parliament’s ratification. However, Martelly’s party has insisted that the appointment of Jean, who is from the same party as President

Privert, concentrates too much power in one party. Jean’s policy statement, delivered to Parliament on Sunday, spoke to organizing a transparent and credible poll, strengthening national security, encouraging investment, stimulating economic activity, improving the delivery of justice, improving sanitation, preparation for the hurricane season, and mitigation of health risks, especially the Zika virus and cholera. (Caribbean360)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Today is the day that our Hindu brothers and sisters celebrate the triumph of good over evil. We at Kaieteur News fully embrace this noble celebration and pray that good will continue to prevail over our dear land. A Happy HOLI to all of Guyana! Below are some messages in commemoration of 2016 observance of Phagwah Day.

DR. VINDHYA V. PERSAUD, PRESIDENT OF THE GUYANA HINDU DHARMIC SABHA Holi or Phagwah is a unique and colourful Hindu festival. It is possesses an unparalleled social dimension which is conducive to reunion, exchanges and togetherness in an atmosphere of absolute cordiality. The social aspect of Holi does not in any way obscure its rich spiritual values and message of resistance to evil, which were demonstrated in the life of the devoted Prince Prahalad. Prahalad’s victory over his arrogant and ruthless father King Hiranyakashyapu is an event which still inspires all those who strongly believe that tyranny, evil, injustice or ADHARMA in all its names and forms will ultimately be destroyed. Phagwah is the loveliest of our festivals and is celebrated in an atmosphere of absolute equality. Every

barrier is removed and celebrants are virtually lost in the pomp and gaiety, which HOLI brings. Our celebration must match this beautiful season and all unhealthy practices which mar and pollute this unique and colourful festival must cease. Drenching each other with water, dumping each other in trenches and dabbing noxious substances must be stamped out. Phagwah must only be played with persons who are desirous of doing so. Celebrate and do so happily but do remember the significance of the festival which sends a clear signal of respect for human rights so bravely fought for and won by Prahalad. No event should be held and if so held not supported which are alien to Sanatan Dharma. Though a happy

season it has its profound spiritual content. Like all our Hindu festivals, Holi must be celebrated without alcoholic beverages and delicacies must be satwik or vegetarian. We must ensure that all our festivals retain their pristine purity. Let us recapture the ancient feeling which permeates at HOLI time, and syringe it through our veins so that hate, greed, deceit and injustice which manifestly exist in today’s world can be consumed in the pyre, which is kindled and reduced to ashes on the eve of this meaningful festival, which is a harbinger of love, unity, equality, justice and peace. May the significance of HOLI influence and enrich your thoughts and inspire all to contribute to a fair and just system in which there exists not only equality but plenty and abundance for all.

GUYANA PANDITS’ COUNCIL – SPIRITUAL HEAD OF RADHA KRISHNA MANDIR Phagwah or Holi is the festival of Spring. The Festival of Phagwah commemorates the regeneration of Nature from her slumber. This unique Festival found its way on these shores with the arrival of Hindus from India as Indentured Labours. Hindus after traversing thousands of miles from India brought to Guyana their many festivals among which Phagwah has a special place. The significance of Phagwah is manifold. It is a time of Gaiety, splendour and pomp when nature is converted into a beautiful garden full of colours. The religious aspect of Phagwah gives to mankind the reassurance that evil doers, perpetrators of unholy acts, architects of injustices,

and those associated with such actions are inevitably doomed to failure and extinction. In the story of Phagwah there is evidence that the dark forces of evil is eventually conquered by the forces of truth. The symbol of the burning of Holika serves to reinforce that no matter what, once our intentions and actions are malicious, the results will always remain destructive. Sowing evil will result in degeneracy and decay — wrong-doers will be punished in order to change. This festival also commemorates the destruction of King Hiranyakashyapu, the father of Prahalad who spared no pain at torturing his subjects and his son, his conceit was unparalleled and was the cause of his death. Let us like

Prahalad, be disciples of the virtues of righteousness, courage, faith, determination, forthrightness and leadership. Prahalad stood for what was right, and in spite of the several tortures inflected upon him by his father, and the criminal attempts on his life, Prahalad rose triumphantly to be a living model of fearlessness and truth. Let us demonstrate love and cooperation. Let the true spirit of Phagwah prevail, let the beautiful coloured water be squirted on each other and let us not smear each other with mud and other prohibited things. Let us allow this festival to be a binding force among us Guyanese and stamp out differences and spread the message of peace and goodwill which Holi brings.

VIRAAT SABHAA GUYANA Holi or Phagwah is a seasonal festival which predates the Vedic era. From remote antiquity, this festival was celebrated with great pomp and joy by all cross section of the Hindu community. Phagwah symbolizes the freedom from confinement in every regard. It is a time when nature exhibits its beauty with the introduction of the spring season. With the advent of spring, Life blooms in every kingdom. The plants, animals, birds and human welcome and celebrate the freedom influenced Mother Nature’s hospitality. The season offers many opportunities for human reflection. Every human being should aspire to be a product of Liberation. In simple, man should recognize he is more a product of divinity rather than sin. Liberation, the high point of the Hindu Life can only be achieved when the divine inherent potentialities in the individual is explored and exploited to its fullest extent. The capacity for such an exploration solely depends on the discriminate power of the aspirant i.e. to be loyal to our conscience rather than be a slave to our minds and senses. Phagwah also sends the

message of integration and cohesion. The multi colours associated with the festival is a clear testimony of varieties adding to nature’s beauty. It is the conflagration of different flowers that influences the delight of the gardener likewise when there is human integration and cohesion, God the great gardener becomes delighted. The changing season also send the undisputable message of the dynamics of changes. All changes at every level are influenced by Mother N a t u r e ’s hospitality , whether the movement of sea shells, the flow of the river, and the changes in body structure or even organizational changes all inevitably are materialized by the power of nature and should be accepted like the different seasons. The phenomenal changes of Life are transitory and are not considered adversely by the wise. The message of good triumphing over evil must not be over looked. The story of Bhakt Prahalaal and his tyrant father Hiranyakashyapu should never be forgotten. There is no crime in civil resistance. Bhakt Prahalaal never resorted to violence; he excluded himself from the political affairs of the

kingdom which was ruled through dictatorship. He didn’t allow himself to be bullied by the opposing forces created by his father. As a matter of fact, he never wanted to inherit a kingdom that is rooted in violence and atrocities. It was this type of resistance Mahatma Gandhiji emulated to confront his oppressors. Gandhiji’s victory over the British oppressors was a clear indication that hate, violence and war are not the answers to any crisis. It is Bhakt Prahalaal who set the standard to befriend the one all pervasive God and strengthens his faith with that all-powerful lord to weaken the dictatorship of his father and to create a new epoch where righteousness and Dharm was established. Holi is also a time for sharing. It is a time when farmers and peasant celebrate the harvesting of their crops and at the same time, indulge in Yagnas and Pujas, thanking God for his benedictions and also securing blessings for their future crops. Basant therefore sends a universal message, which has the potentialities to remove hopelessness and reinstate confidence. May all be blessed through the significance of the festival. T h e Vi r a a t S a b h a a Guyana extends Holi greetings to all Guyanese.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM (PNCR) The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) expresses Holi Greetings to the Hindu Community in Guyana in particular, and Guyanese in general, on the auspicious occasion of the celebration of the Festival of Phagwah in Guyana. The significance of Phagwah is two-fold. The religious significance of Holi lies in the conquest of good over evil, manifested by the destruction by Prahlada of his demonic father, King Hiranyakashyapu. Its secular significance lies in the advent of the season of spring, and its real and allegorical implications of fertility, rebirth, renewal and regeneration. Guyana is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country. Our diversity is an asset not a liability. We are proud to belong

to a country of many faiths. We are proud of the mosaic of ethnicities within our country. As we celebrate this beautiful festival we pray for greater trust and cooperation between our communities. We pray for happy families and households. We pray for better interpersonal relationships. We pray, in other words, for social cohesion at all levels of society. As the celebrated Indian National Kulapati Vani wrote many years ago, ”festivals are gathering for refreshing spirit and enjoying life.” We urge all Guyanese to use this occasion of Phagwah to refresh their spirit and enjoy life, and to participate fully in this colourful festival and enjoy the rich elements of our religious and cultural diversity.

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PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY (PPP) The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends warm greetings to our Hindu brothers and sisters on the occasion of Phagwah which is being observed today. Phagwah, also known as the Festival of Colours, provides that unique opportunity for people from all walks of life to reach out to each other through worship and exchange of water and powder. This is indeed an auspicious moment in the Hindu calendar as it serves

to highlight the universal lessons of the triumph of good over evil and justice over injustice. Phagwah is today a national festival which is embraced and celebrated not only by the Hindu community but by people from all across the ethnic and cultural spectrum of Guyana. This is testimony of our maturity as a people and our capacity to appreciate and tolerate religious and cultural diversity. The PPP takes this opportunity to call on all

Hindus to guard against those with hidden agendas who seek to divide the Hindu community out of selfish and partisan interests. Such attempts which belonged to a bygone era must be rejected since it has the potential to undermine the very fundamentals of Hinduism. The PPP joins with the rest of the Guyanese people especially the Hindu community in celebration of this joyous festival of Phagwah.

GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS OF GENERAL WORKERS UNION (GAWU) THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN The festival of Holi popularly known as Phagwah - is once again upon us. In Guyana, this festival is now a fixture in the country’s calendar of holidays. While this festival is of Hindu origin and celebrated by the Hindus primarily, today’s Holi festivities attract, increasingly, non-Hindus in Guyana and elsewhere in the world. We are drawn to Holi’s colourful expressions and the exuberance and joy that electrify the celebrations everywhere. But, Holi’s significance lies also in the embrace of life’s many positive values which provides sustenance to the human existence. Over the years, Holi has come to be seen as an enduring

reminder of the triumph of good over evil. This inspiring message where ‘good’ is promoted and embraced is as relevant as ever today. Around us, these days, are many evil-doers of various stripes and many injustices which seem to be growing rather than diminishing. As life’s burdens grow heavier for the masses, and new threats hang over their heads, the message of Holi gives us hope, strengthens our faith that wrongs can be overcome, and imbue us with the courage to go on in the face of adversities and triumph. This year’s Phagwah activities find the GAWU facing various challenges in the sugar industry. However,

we are optimistic as the message of Phagwah reminds us, that success in the future will come from our principled struggles. At this time, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) takes pleasure in wishing all Hindus, indeed all Guyanese a Happy Holi 2016. That fact that this Holi festival appeals to a cross sector of our diverse religious and cultural makeup is significant. Any event that can promote togetherness and tolerance should be encouraged. In the circumstances of t o d a y, o u r u n i t y t o overcome injustices and so on to a joyful and bright future is essential.

INDIAN ARRIVAL COMMITTEE (IAC) The Indian Action Committee (IAC) extends Phagwah (Holi) greetings to all the citizens of Guyana, especially those who are guided by the philosophical teachings of Sanatan Dharma. Phagwah or Holi is a festival of Bharat (India) that has its roots in antiquity and celebrate the coming of a new spring season, the drawing of a new year and the Triumph of good over evil exuberance of this festival reflects the collective hope of people for progress, prosperity and the concomitant betterment of their lives. This festival of renewal most likely pre-dated the Sarasvati Valley Civilisation, the World’s first significant civilization which flourish between 5000 BCE and 2600 BCE and sir Krishna of Mahabharat frame. Even though the culture

landscape in Bharat had change from time to time from the Introduction of the Negroids followed by the P rotoAustraloids , Dravidians, Mongoloids, Caucasians, Persians, Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Huns, Arabs, Turks, Afghans, Mughals And Europens, the festival of Holi emerged, survived and flourished in Bharat, the world’s first melting pots. Even though the culture landscape in Bharat had change from time to time from the Introduction of the Negroids followed by the ProtoAustraloids, Dravidians, Mongoloids, Caucasians, Persians, Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Huns, Arabs, Turks, Afghans, Mughals and Europeans, the festival of Holi emerged, survived and flourished in Bharat, the world’s first melting pots. Holi was brought to

British Guiana by Hindus who arrived here as indentured labourers to work on sugar plantations 177years ago and was sustained by the majority of approximately 239,000 Bharatiyas who arrived on these shores between 1838 and 1917. Phagwah was transplanted from a large subcontinent, characterize by the four season of spring, summer, autumn and winter, to Guyana a small South American land of dry and rainy seasons and even though global warming is creating climatic havoc, the symbolism of Holi must not be lost. IAC, therefore, calls upon all the citizen of this multicultural land of Guyana to regard the great festival of Phagwah or Holi, which celebrate life and hopes regardless of demography or geography, always as a focus for national unity.

Joyous Phagwah greetings to all our Hindu brothers and sisters, and more so to all Guyanese. Phagwah is a very special occasion in the Hindu calendar of events. Indeed, the significance of Phagwah is dichotomous; it secular significance lies in the advent of spring and its religious significance is premised on the importance of good prevailing over evil. Phagwah alludes to important life principles such as; love, purity of heart and

spirit and the attitude of giving. It is our sincere hope that as we cel e b r a t e t h i s occasion, that we would indeed reflect on the importance of our local communities and together we would work to restore the beauty and glory of the aesthetics of our communities. Also, that every boy, girl, man and woman would embrace the wider vision of making our communities more environmentally friendly so

that our children, and the elderly would able to live in communities that would enhance their social, physical, mental and environmental wellbeing. May we all embrace the spiritual significance of this occasion and may we resolve that at this juncture that we will strive to renew the bonds of friendship, co-operation and trust that would enable Georgetown to realize that great potential of becoming modern City.

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Kaieteur News

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Wednesday March 23, 2016

SALON

PROPERTY FOR SALE

FOR SALE

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Wednesday March 23, 2016

From page 36

VACANCY Accounts Clerk/Salesgirls, apply at D.Singh & Sons. Call: 226-1316 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 cusine. Call: 231-0734 1 Female cleaner apply @ Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. 1 Maid for East Bank area. Call: 614-4358 Porters, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling.

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Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

THE VOICE OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Why is one-third of our prison population on remand? By Sase Singh A remand prisoner is one who has been charged but not convicted by the judicial system and is being detained pending a FAIR TRIAL. Six years ago, I wrote a piece in support of Justice Roxanne George when she had cause to throw out a case against Justin John from the Rupununi. He had languished in the Camp Street prison for seven years, and all because the prosecutorial service remained unprepared for trial after all that time had elapsed. Today we have hundreds of Guyanese on remand in a jail system that appears to have judged them before they have even been convicted. What if they are innocent? Can we understand why there will be another prison riot in the future? The system has failed the persons on remand. In the UK, according to a current report from their Chief Inspector of Prisons, a remandee spends an average of nine weeks on the inside and represents some 15 percent of their prison population. But in

Guyana, we are in the competition for one of the w o r l d ’s w o r s t p r i s o n records. I am advised that our remandees are more likely to spend ninety weeks on the inside. They constitute close to 36 percent of the prison population. One of the worst cases on record is the case concerning a remandee named Davindra Persaud from Mahaica. Mr. Davindra Persaud has spent some 267 weeks on the inside so far without access to a FAIR TRIAL. How on earth can a system deny an unconvicted person his rights for 267 weeks? This broken jail system in Guyana is evil and the Director of Prisons ought to have spoken up publicly on these abnormalities before these prison riots. It is an established principle that remandees should have rights and entitlements not available to sentenced prisoners. But in Guyana this clearly is not the case. Rather, the system works in a manner that deliberately converts people who have not been proven guilty, into hardens criminals, months into their unnecessary and unjust incarceration.

THE CASE BACKLOGS The ability of the criminal justice systems to process cases effectively and efficiently is a basic ingredient of any functional society. Clearly the judicial system is a principal contributor to the dysfunctionality in the Guyanese society. Why to date have we not instituted the night court system and the lay magistrate system to dispense justice in a swifter manner? But to add salt to the wound, the magistrates and judges of Guyana are too inconsiderate in how they offer adjournment to cases, which is also a major factor in clogging the system. If the prosecutors are not ready to proceed with his case, then some of these cases ought to be thrown out for lack of evidence. If defence attorneys are not ready, then the case must proceed regardless. It is no fault of the person charged that some lawyers are sloppy administrators. These delays just add to the appearance that the entire judicial system is very slow. It is the duty of the prosecutors to convince the court to convict the defendant and this must be

done in a timely manner. A defendant must not pay a price because of slipshod prosecutorial services. Every day in Guyana, court cases are piling up, causing the average time on the inside for a person on remand to be increasing. But what is even worse, is that on average some $485,000 per year of taxpayers’ money is being spent to feed a single prisoner. If we are to calculate the total boarding, lodging, medical and clothing cost of each person on the inside, it can very well cost this nation more than $750,000 per person. Even the average lower income man who goes to work every day barely earns that much per year. This is nothing but financial wastage and a criminal act against the working man! According to the latest Auditor General Report, some 17,729 cases were scheduled to be heard in the Demerara Magisterial County in 2014. I am reliably informed that at the end of last year there were over 30,000 such cases pending across Guyana. What this illustrates is that judicial officials, especially magistrates, are not working hard enough and are most inefficient inthe art of bringing closure to their cases. In 2007, there was a process called mediation that

was introduced to the judicial system. Several judicial officers earned millions of dollars in additional personal income on an IDB project to tackle the backlogs of cases. But we are back to square one today and this illustrates that the top officials in the judicial system are failing the nation. WHAT’S BEHIND THE BACKLOG? A combination of factors are to blame for this crisis including lack of technology in the judicial system, politics, incompetence of some judicial officials, a social meltdown in Guyana where people easily embrace criminality rather than the rule of law and the inability of the executives in confirming the Chancellor and Chief Justice (which are good reasons for them to work to rule). There is a corrupt police investigatory system, an overwhelmed DPP chambers, inadequate judges and magistrates on the benches, an inefficient court scheduling system and an outdated set of criminal laws that can send little boys to jail for three years because they smoke a marijuana cigarette. As a point aside, I wonder if the Accountant General told the magistrates and police prosecutors that they have to wait three years for their salary cheques because his staff is still working on the computation and not prepared to cut those cheques, how they would

Sase Singh feel? There are over 500 men, mainly Afro-Guyanese, on remand and many of them are waiting more than three years for justice. It is nothing but an act of criminality what is happening to those people on remand. When will this end? The prison population has ballooned since 1999 to the point that today the Camp Street prisons holds 30 percent more inmates than it was constructed to hold. In such condition, it is natural that we will have periodic prison rebellions especially among the population of remandees. I have consulted both the laws of Guyana and a lawyer and I can safely say that it is my belief that it is possible for His Excellency the President if he so wishes, to grant Presidential pardons to those remandee who have been locked away for long periods of time without access to justice. I truly believe that Davindra Persaud ought to be seriously considered for a Presidential pardon along with all those remandee who are rotting away in a failed system for more than three years without a Trial.

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Kaieteur News

Congo president set for re-election, early results show Reuters - Congo Republic’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso was on course yesterday to extend his long rule, according to preliminary election results that the opposition dismissed as fraudulent as police and troops patrolled the capital’s streets. Election commission president Henri Bouka told reporters that Sassou Nguesso, who has ruled Congo for 32 of the last 37 years, won 67 percent of the vote in Sunday’s election based on results from 72 of 111 voting districts. The president of a coalition of opposition candidates, Charles Bowao, denounced the results in a statement as “partial, extravagant and totally detached from the reality on the ground.” The opposition plans to publish its own results today, an action the government says would be illegal. Fearing riots, the government on Tuesday extended a communications blackout it

says will help prevent unofficial results circulating and creating unrest. The U.S. State Department said it had “received numerous reports of irregularities that have raised concerns about the credibility of the process”, urging authorities in a statement to restore communications. In northern Brazzaville, where Sassou Nguesso is popular, supporters honked car horns and banged pots and pans to celebrate the commission’s announcement. But there was a heavy police and army presense in southern Brazzaville, an opposition stronghold. Sassou Nguesso must win an outright majority against eight opposition candidates to avoid a run-off. Former minister Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas was second in the preliminary results, with 16.8 percent. Remaining votes, including from the country’s economic capital and opposition stronghold Pointe Noire, are expected to

take another day to collect. There were no immediate reports of violence on Tuesday but many local residents had already left the city and most shops remained closed. At least 18 people were killed by security forces in protests ahead of a referendum in October that removed term and age limits that would have prevented Sassou Nguesso from running again. Voting was peaceful on Sunday but later police fired tear gas at crowds who had gathered to follow the count in the southern Bacongo neighbourhood. Congo’s election is being watched closely across Africa, where several long-ruling presidents are seeking to stay on beyond constitutionally mandated term limits. In neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, opponents of President Joseph Kabila accuse him of trying to delay a presidential election scheduled for November. Kabila has declined to comment publicly on his political future.

Obama challenges Communist-led...

U.S. President Barack Obama and his family react along with Cuban President Raul Castro to an exhibition baseball game between the Cuban National team and the MLB Tampa Bay Rays at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana yesterday. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (From page 07) society. “I believe citizens should be free to speak their minds without fear,” Obama told the audience on the final day of his visit. “Voters should be able to choose their governments in free and democratic elections.” “Not everybody agrees with me on this, not everybody agrees with the American people on this but I believe those human rights are universal. I believe they’re the rights of the American people, the Cuban people and people around the world,” Obama said. The hand-picked audience cheered him repeatedly, especially when he criticized

the longstanding U.S. economic embargo against Cuba, spoke glowingly of Cubans’ talents and praised the country’s achievements in healthcare and education. The spectacle of the leader of the United States, the superpower to the north for long reviled by Cuba’s government, standing in Havana and urging such changes in a speech broadcast into homes across the island would have been unthinkable before the two countries began their rapprochement 15 months ago. Since then, Obama has repeatedly used his executive powers to relax trade and travel restrictions, while also pushing Cuba to accelerate

cautious market-style reforms introduced by Castro and allow greater political and economic freedom. Castro has welcomed Obama’s moves while insisting that a new relationship with the old enemy does not mean Cuba plans to change its political system. The audience of more than 1,000 people at Obama’s speech yesterday included officials and business people from both countries, U.S. lawmakers and members of Cuba’s cultural elite. Obama drew sustained applause when he reiterated his call for the U.S. Congress to lift the embargo, which he called “an outdated burden on the Cuban people.”

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Syrian opposition says no common ground with government proposals in talks

Asaad Al-Zoubi attends a news conference next to Mohamed Alloush of the Jaysh al Islam and George Sabra members of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) after a meeting with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura during Syria peace talks at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Reuters - The Syrian opposition said yesterday there was no common ground with the government after more than a week of peace talks, accusing Damascus of renewing sieges and stepping up

barrel bombings on civilians. “We are not finding any common ground in the paper submitted by the government to U.N. special envoy (Staffan de Mistura),” said Asaad al-

Zoubi, head of the main opposition council’s delegation. He said the government had increased the number of sieges from 12 to 25 and stepped up a barrel bombing campaign over recent days.

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Ganja, armed robbery land two behind bars City Magistrate Annette Singh imposed a three years’ jail sentence on a Kitty resident after he was found guilty of trafficking marijuana, at the conclusion of a trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Collie Smith, 41, of Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown, had 19.5 grams of marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on December 12,

2015. According to court facts, Smith was at ‘Guinness Greatest of the Streets’ Football at the National Park Tarmac, when he was seen by police with a quantity of marijuana in his hands. He was told of the offence committed and escorted to the Alberttown Police Station where the drug was weighed in his presence and amounted

to 0.5 gram. Smith was then searched by an officer at the station where it was discovered that he had 19.5 grams of marijuana in his pants pocket. Meanwhile, in another case, a Tiger Bay resident was sent to jail for six months for an armed robbery he committed at the Kingston, Georgetown Seawall. Junior Christie, 26, robbed

being designated as an Amerindian reservation since 80 percent of the persons residing in the community are non-Amerindians. Samuel Benjamin who has been residing in the community for about 28 years, explained that when he first settled in the area, “It was an open expanse run by the Port Kaituma Neighbourhood Democratic Council.” He said, subsequently, the residents agreed to form the area into a community. However, on the day when they were to elect councillors, they were told that they must be of Amerindian ethnicity before

becoming the Chairperson of the community. Most of the residents objected to this decision. Benjamin noted that over the years, letters were sent to the previous government requesting that they visit the community and investigate the matter but, no one came. He said the election of a Toshao without prior consultations with the residents caused a division with the community. He asked that the present Government intervenes and resolve the issue so that the community can move forward with its development. During the meeting at the Four Miles Community Centre, Minister Trotman asked that the Government be given three months to investigate the matter. “Let us hold the peace, and I am expecting that within a matter of three months the most, not that the process will start but, it will be started and completed,” Trotman told the residents. He urged that in the meantime, the community should

Convicted robber jailed for second time in five months

Adrian Alleyne of a cell phone, a Scotia Bank card among other items, all totaling $17,000 - property of the said Alleyne. The robbery was committed at knife point. Christie was also found guilty of the offence by Magistrate Singh. Police Corporal, Adunni Inniss presented the prosecution’s case.

Four Miles’ land issues to be resolved in three months Residents of Four Miles Community, Port Kaituma, Region One were assured that their outstanding land issues would not only be investigated but, completed within three months. This assurance came from Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Minister Trotman recently met the residents of the community. He was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe. The residents raised concerns over their community

Wednesday March 23, 2016

not descend into disorder. “Mr. James did not name himself the Toshao and so I will ask that in the meantime show each other some respect. Every problem has a solution…these are difficulties we (coalition government) have inherited, but it doesn’t make sense we go back to who did what. Right now we have to find solutions to an issue and that is why we are here,” the minister explained, adding that, he now has information which he would take to Cabinet. “We have a serious problem in Four Miles and we will have to fix it for the benefit of everyone,” he assured. According to Trotman, a team of officers from the Lands and Surveys Department and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs will be visiting the community shortly and the issue would be settled definitively and in accordance with the law. Four Miles is a community located within Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One. It has a population of about 1500 people.

JAILED: Nico Layne Nico Layne has been jailed again. This time for one year and three months by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, for another armed robbery. Layne, 21, of Lot 59 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown was convicted for robbing Ivelaw Hartman of a cell phone and $19,000 cash - all totaling $30,400 while he was armed with a knife on June 12, 2015. Yesterday, during the summing up of evidence, the Magistrate told the court that she had considered the evidence given by witnesses for the prosecution, led by Police Inspector, Neville Jeffers. She said that she believed that the identification parade was conducted in a fair manner. According to the Magistrate, Layne had told the court that he could not recall where he was on the day in question, and that he did not rob anyone. Magistrate McLennan affirmed that she disbelieved Layne’s story, and had determined that he had premeditated and planned the robbery. The Magistrate took into consideration the time the convict had spent on remand pending trial before imposing the prison term.

Layne is currently serving a 58 months sentence for an offence of similar nature. The prison terms will run concurrently. Last November, he was jailed by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after being found guilty of robbing a taxi driver at gunpoint. Layne robbed Shafeik Mohamed of a Digicel cellular phone valued $39,000 and $26,000 cash. The robbery occurred on May 6, 2015. Court facts revealed that on the day in question around 17:05hrs, Mohamed was driving along Parade Street, Georgetown when he was stopped by Layne and another man. The men inquired from the taxi driver if he was working and subsequently boarded the vehicle. Layne sat in the back seat, while his accomplice sat in the front passenger’s seat. The facts disclosed that the men requested that Mohamed take them to a certain location. On arrival at the location, Layne and his partner pointed a knife and gun at the taxi driver and demanded him to hand over his valuables. They then made good their escape. Throughout both trials, Layne had no legal representation.

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Chuck them out! - Justice minister urges judges to dismiss cases in court for 5 years or more Jamaica Observer - Justice Minister Delroy Chuck wants judges to dismiss cases that are in the system for five years and more by the end of this year, arguing that it is unfair to have people going to court for such a long time to have their cases settled. “I would urge that this year, those cases, unless there are reasonable grounds for them continuing, should be dismissed for want of prosecution. It is just not fair that any accused person, even if he is guilty, has to be going to court for five years hoping that their innocence can be pronounced,” Chuck told a forum on the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) Programme late last week at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. He suggested that timelines be established for

Delroy Chuck the disposal of cases to ensure efficiency in the justice system and protect the rights of Jamaicans. Chuck expressed hope that in another year the country would get to the point where it had no cases over four years old, and that, eventually, we get as close as possible to cases no older than

two- or one-year-old. “We must get cases tried and completed within a reasonable time,” he said. Chuck acknowledged that there are challenges facing the justice system, such as a shortage of judges, but said that measures are being undertaken to address these issues.

BRACE FOR GAS PAINS …Imbert to start April 8 consultation on removal of $b subsidy Trinidad Express - Government will get the ball rolling to remove the fuel subsidy by first putting the proposal to the public for feedback fromApril 8, says Finance Minister Colm Imbert. Imbert was responding to questions from the media on a Sunday Express report which quoted chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) Dr Terrence Farrell, as saying the Government must move with dispatch to remove the fuel

subsidy altogether, and address the need for a better public transportation system. Imbert said he had spoken on the plan to remove the fuel subsidy since last October in his budget presentation. Speaking to the media Monday at a news conference at the Finance Ministry at the Eric Williams Financial Complex, Port of Spain, Imbert said he intends to have a national discussion on phasing out the fuel subsidy.

“I intend to start the discussion with the statement I will be making to Parliament on the 8th of April. I intend to start the ball rolling in terms of telling the country what the Government has in mind in terms of the way we are going to be dealing with the fuel subsidy and the timing of the phasing out of the fuel subsidy but I did say that on October 5 that is the plan but we have to talk to the population first,” said Imbert.

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Blood and panic as Brussels comes under suicide attacks - Police hunt suspect after Islamic State kills 30

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Obama challenges Communist-led Cuba with call for democracy Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama challenged Cuba’s Communist government with an impassioned call for democracy and economic reforms yesterday, addressing the Cuban people directly in a historic speech broadcast throughout the island. Taking the stage at Havana’s Grand Theater with President Raul Castro in attendance, Obama said he was in Cuba to extend a hand of

friendship and “bury the last remnant” of the Cold War in the Americas. But he also pressed hard for economic and political reforms and greater openness in a one-party state where the government stifles dissent, Internet access is low and the media is in state hands. His speech was the high point of a 48-hour trip made possible by his agreement with Castro in December 2014

to cast aside decades of hostility that began soon after Cuba’s 1959 revolution, and work to normalize relations. Nonetheless, Obama threw down a very public gauntlet to Castro, saying Cubans cannot realize their full potential if his government does not allow change and relax its grip on Cuban politics and (Continued on page 39)

Russian court sentences Ukrainian pilot to 22 years in jail

Injured people are seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belg0ium, yesterday. REUTERS/David Crunelle via Twitter @davidcrunelle/Handout via Reuters Reuters - Islamic State claimed responsibility for suicide bomb attacks on Brussels airport and a rushhour metro train in the Belgian capital yesterday which killed at least 30 people, with police hunting a suspect who fled the air terminal. Police issued a wanted notice for a young man in a hat who was caught on CCTV pushing a laden luggage trolley at Zaventem airport alongside two others who, investigators said, later blew themselves up in the terminal, killing at least 10 people. Officials said about 20 died on the train close to European Union institutions. Islamic State said that too was a suicide attack. The tolls were vague because of the carnage at both sites. The coordinated assault triggered security alerts across Europe and drew global expressions of support, four days after Brussels poli c e h a d c a p t u r e d t h e prime surviving suspect in Islamic State’s attacks on Paris last November in w h i ch 130 people were killed. Belgian authorities were still checking whether the attacks were linked to the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, said Federal Prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw, although Belgian security ex-

perts said the level of organisation involved suggested they had been in preparation for more than just a few days. As the city began to emerge from a day of lockdown, a major police search operation was still under way after dark in the northern borough of Schaerbeek. Investigators said they had found a nail bomb and an Islamic State flag in an apartment. Private broadcaster VTM said police went to the area after a taxi driver reported driving three people to the airport and became suspicious when they did not let him touch their baggage. Last week, explosives and an Islamic flag were found during a raid on an apartment in the south of Brussels. Police also found a fresh fingerprint of Abdeslam’s there, putting them on to his trail. It was not clear if Abde s l a m h a d b e e n i n volved at that stage in planning the airport attack. In a statement, Islamic State said “caliphate soldiers, strapped with suicide vests and carrying explosive devices and machineguns” had targeted the airport and metro station, adding that they had set off their vests amidst the

crowds. It was not clear, however, that the attackers used vests. The suspects were photographed pushing bags on trolleys and witnesses said many of the airport dead and wounded were hit mostly in the legs, possibly indicating blasts at floor level. “A photograph of three male suspects was taken at Zaventem. Two of them seem to have committed suicide attac k s . T h e t h i r d , wearing a light-coloured jacket and a hat, is actively being sought,” prosecutor Leeuw told a news conference. A government official said the third suspect had been seen running away from the airport building. Police later found and detonated a third explosive device at the airport. Security commentators noted that the two men in dark clothes who officials said had died were both wearing gloves on their left hands only. One expert speculated they might have concealed detonators. The man in the hat was not wearing any gloves. “If you recognise this individual or if you have information on this attack, please contact the investigators,” a police wanted notice for the third man read. “Discretion assured.”

Reuters - A Russian court sentenced Ukrainian pilot Nadezhda Savchenko to 22 years in jail yesterday after finding her guilty of involvement in the killing of two Russian journalists during the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said his country would never recognise the verdict of what he called a “kangaroo court” and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to send Savchenko back home to Ukraine. Fighting in eastern Ukraine has subsided since a fragile ceasefire was agreed,

but Savchenko’s trial showed the depth of bitterness that remains. Savchenko, 34, is a national hero in Ukraine but many in Russia see her as a Ukrainian nationalist with the blood of civilians on her hands. The sentence is likely to prompt protests from the European Union, which has called for Savchenko’s release. Savchenko, who was elected a member of the Ukrainian parliament while awaiting trial, was defiant as the verdict was read out. She climbed onto a bench and

sang the Ukrainian national anthem at the top of her voice. Savchenko, who wore a Tshirt bearing the Ukrainian trident, a state symbol, has denied having anything to do with the deaths of the journalists. Poroshenko said after the verdict: “Ukraine will never I repeat, never - recognise either the kangaroo court of Nadezhda Savchenko, nor its so-called sentencing.” He said Putin had promised him some months ago that he would return Savchenko to Ukraine once the trial was over.

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World Twenty20 2016: Martin Guptill steers New Zealand into semis BBC Sport - New Zealand sealed their place in the semi-finals of the World Tw e n t y 2 0 a s M a r t i n Guptill’s brilliant 80 helped them to a 22-run win over Pakistan. Guptill’s total, scored off 48 balls, was the driving force behind the Black Caps’ 180-5 on a good Mohali wicket. Sharjeel Khan’s rapid 47 gave Pakistan hope but they were unable to maintain their momentum and ended on 158-5. New Zealand top Group B with three wins from three, while Pakistan’s chances of progressing depend on other results. Shahid Afridi and his side have two points, the same as their final opponents Australia and also India, both of whom have played one game fewer. GUPTILL LEADS FROM THE FRONT New Zealand’s highest score of the tournament so far was built around the brutally brilliant innings from Guptill, who made a mockery of the decision by Indian Premier League teams to overlook him for next month’s competition. He signalled his intent by hammering Mohammad Irfan for a huge straight six as part of a 39-run contribution to a 62-run opening stand with Kane Williamson. Despite the loss of the skipper and Colin Munro, Guptill continued his assault, scoring 31 from his last 15 balls before he played on to the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, Mohammad Sami, who took 2-23 in his four overs.

Sharjeel Khan plays a pull shot, New Zealand v Pakistan, World T20 2016, Group 2, Mohali, March 22, 2016 ©IDI/Getty Images Another powerful hitter, Corey Anderson, fell soon after Guptill, caught by Shoaib Malik off Shahid Afridi, to somewhat stall the Black Caps innings. B u t R o s s Ta y l o r ’s intelligent innings steered them to an ultimately matchwinning 180. PAKISTAN FAIL TO MAINTAIN ELECTRIC START Pakistan have illustrated already this tournament that they are capable of big scores in this format, with a total of 201-5 in the victory over Bangladesh in their opening game in Kolkata. They scored 55-1 in the powerplay at the start of that innings but were even more aggressive against the Kiwi seam attack as Sharjeel Khan smashed nine fours and a six in an opening stand of 65 with Ahmed Shehzad before he was caught by Guptill off Adam

Milne three balls into the fifth over. Spin bowlers Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi then came to the fore, checking Pakistan’s progress with some tight bowling and timely wickets. The former had both Khalid Latif (three) and Shehzad (30) caught as they strove to keep up the pace set by Sarjeel, before Sodhi claimed the big wicket of Afridi (19) - caught superbly on the boundary by Anderson. With Umar Akmal still at the crease, Pakistan retained hope of victory but when he was caught by Guptill off the bowling of Milne, Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik were left with too much to do. Scores: New Zealand 180 for 5 (Guptill 80, Sami 223) beat Pakistan 158 for 5 (Sharjeel 47, Milne 2-26, Santner 2-29) by 22 runs.

Barrington stars Caldrac victory Malteenoes Sports Club opener Shemroy Barrington stroked 133 as Caldrac Sports Club defeated Calcutta Sports Club by an innings and 125 runs when the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Three-day Premier League two tournament continued recently. Barrington slammed twelve fours and one six, while fellow Guyanese Eugene La Fleur scored 81 and Navin Stewart 62 as Caldrac posted 417 all out batting first at Hilbert Park. Calcutta were bowled

Shemroy Barrington out for 129 in reply. M. Davis picked up four wickets while Stewart and Alston Nedd had two each. Trailing by 228,

Calcutta were dismissed for 96 in their second turn at the crease. Nedd snared 3-37 and Stewart 2-11. Playing in the 50-over tournament, Barrington scored 95 as his team overcame the said opponents by 146 runs. Batting first, Caldrac managed 275 all out in 50 overs. Barrington received support from Stewart with 87 as S. Bhal claimed 5-46. Calcutta were sent packing for 129 in 39 overs in response. M. Panchu scored 23 and V. Maraj 20; Nedd had 3-42, La Fleur 2-18 and Stewart 2-22.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

NSC/GAWA to host Strength and Conditioning Seminar The Ministry of Education’s Department of Sports, National Sports Commission (NSC) will be hosting renowned Kinesiology’s, Dr. Kyle Pierce for a Strength and Conditioning Seminar, April 1-3 at the Hotel Tower Gym on Main Street. The Seminar is a collaborative effort between the NSC and Guyana A m a t e u r We i g h t l i f t i n g Association (GAWA) and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and will be held under the theme ‘Empowering all through Sports Education Programmes with the prerequisites to competently operate within their respective field of expertise’. “The purpose is to offer to all Physical Preparation Coaches, Fitness Enthusiasts and Educators within the Exercise Science Field, an opportunity to be educated and/or upgrade in knowledge at a Training Seminar on contemporary principles of Strength and Conditioning,” a release from the NSC said. The Seminar has both practical and theoretical components, hence, all participants are expected to wear sporting attire and be ready to participate fully in all activities. Registration

Dr. Kyle Pierce

concluded on March 18, and Participants were asked to pay $1,000 to register. Sessions will be conducted from 08:00 - 13:00 hrs and 16:00 - 21:00 hrs daily. Dr. Pierce is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University. He is also the Director and Coach of United States of A m e r i c a We i g h t l i f t i n g Center for High Performance and Development at LSUS. Pierce is the High Performance Director at the G h a n a We i g h t l i f t i n g Federation as well.

D r. P i e r c e ’s B r i e f Background Education (1986): Ed.D. in Health Education (Auburn University, Auburn, AL); Dissertation: The effect of weight training on plasma cortisol, lactate, heart rate, anxiety, and perceived exertion (1978): M.S. in Physical Education (Florida International University, Miami, FL). (1974): B.S. in R e c r e a t i o n We s t e r n K e n t u c k y U n i v e r s i t y, Bowling Green, KY

Wins for Farm, Sandpipers Farm and Sandpipers registered victories when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 50-over tournament continued on Sunday. Host Farm defeated Combined United by 55 runs. Farm recovered to post 222 all out in 42.2 overs after they were inserted on a difficult pitch. Lionel Mangra struck two fours and one six in scoring 47, while Ricky Debidayal made 36, Asif Ilahi 30 not (1x4,2x6) and Amir Aziz 24. Debidayal and Ilahi added respectability to their total with a last wicket stand of 76; left arm spinner Ravindra Sarabjeet who bowled with control and variation grabbed 3-22 while Imtiaz Ghanie claimed 3-36. Combined United threatened somewhat before they fell for 169 in 28.2 overs. Asif Ishack batting at number 11 slammed three

Asif Ishack fours and seven sixes in an even half century before he was caught at slip off Shivram Persaud. Keisho Ramsarran struck 39 with six fours while Rajesh Bankay made 32 (6x4). Elvis Niles who maintained a steady line and length bagged 5-35, Ilahi had 2-22 and Persaud 2-39. At Laluni Sandpipers overcame Nandy Park by 60 runs. Batting first, Sandpipers managed 183 all

Elvis Niles out in 38.3 overs. Gavon Charles clobbered nine fours and one six in a top score of 66, while Michael Sultan captured 6-31 off eight overs and Mark Rhobe took 2-37. Nandy Park were bowled out for 123 in 33.2 overs in reply. N. Dhanraj scored 35 (5x4,1x6) as Oluemi Sandy snared 5-13 from eight overs, Errol Greaves had 2-24, Colin Benn 3-32. (Zaheer Mohamed)

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Jaguars take Lion’s share Bolt confirms Rio of PCL prize money Olympics will be his last By Sean Devers

The Championship winning Guyana Jaguars on Sunday won this season’s WICB’s PCL First-Class tournament with an emphatic innings and 54-run last-round victory against Jamaica Scorpions at Providence to register back-to-back wins and take the Lion’s share of this season’s prize money. The Jaguars won a record equaling eight matches while drawing the other two against Barbados Pride and Leewards Hurricanes as they roared to their eighth title and second in a row under Leon Johnson who made his First-Class debut at Enmore in 2004. Johnson has led Guyana 22 times since making his captaincy debut in 2013 against the Windward Islands in St Vincent when he took over from Veerasammy Permaul

who was on West Indies duty. Since then Johnson has won 15, lost three and drawn four of his games as Captain after losing his first three as Skipper. Guyana’s titles were achieved in 1973 (Rohan Kanhai), 1975 & 1983 (Clive Lloyd) 1987 & 1996 (Roger Harper), 1998 (Carl Hooper) and 2015 & 2016 (Leon Johnson). The Jaguars finished seven points ahead of second placed Barbados, winners of the most titles (21) since the Shell Shield tournament was first played in 1966. Jaguars also won eight matches last season but suffered their only loss to Barbados at Providence. Jamaica, who holds the record for most consecutive wins (2008-2012), is the only other team with eight wins which they did the 2008 and 2012

seasons. A total sum of us$120,000 was up for grabs this season and the Jaguars collected us$43,200 with Johnson just missing another us$1,500 by one catch. He finished one short of Orlando Peters’ 18. The Jaguars got us$15,000 for winning the Headly/Weeks Trophy, Johnson (807) collected us$1,500 for scoring the most runs for winning the Viv Richards award and Keeper Anthony Bramble (34) got us$1,500 and the Deryck Murray award for having the most dismissals. In addition, each time a player received a Man-of-theMatch award they collected us$150 while every win for a team earned them us$3,000. Jaguars’ players got MOM awards in eight of their 10 games and won eight matches.

Wednesday March 23, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Try not to lend or borrow money today. Think before you act if you wish to avoid friction. You will be attracted to unusual forms of entertainment and foreign cultures. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Be diplomatic but stem. Do yourself a favor and leave your plastic at home. Work at home if at all possible. Don't blow situations out of proportion. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should teach children some of your unique creative talents. You can make financial gains through your unique and creative approach to business. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be in love today, but who knows what tomorrow may bring. Minor accidents are likely if you take risks. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The danger of minor accidents will increase with the turmoil. You should get into some of those creative hobbies that you always said you wanted to do. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Art investment will pay big dividends in the long term. You may be tempted to spend too much on entertainment or luxury items.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be careful not to exaggerate when interacting with your lover. You can get ahead if you are willing to take a partner. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your confidence will stabilize your position. Changes in your home environment may cause friction. Your high energy will help you through this rather hectic day. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Travel will promote new romantic encounters. If you try to manipulate emotional situations you will find yourself alienated. Do something constructive outside. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You should regain some of your self esteem if you get involved in organizational functions. Be careful not to misplace your wallet or belongings. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Difficulties relating to children will be stressful. Be prepared to lose friends or alienate loved ones due to your stubborn nature lately. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will learn a great deal from people with different cultural backgrounds. Friendships could be terminated quickly if disappointments occur.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP) – Usain Bolt has confirmed this year’s Olympics will be his last, snuffing out the possibility of extending his career to the 2020 games in Tokyo. The Jamaican sprint king had raised the prospect of prolonging his Olympic career in January after revealing that his coach Glen Mills had suggested his fitness would carry him through to Japan. However, Bolt told AFP subsidiary SID in an interview that the curtain would come down on his Olympic career in this year’s games in Rio de Janeiro, where he is targeting three more gold medals. “It’ll definitely be my last Olympics,” Bolt said. “It’s going to be hard to go four more years for me, to keep the motivation that I want, especially if I accomplish what I want to in Rio. “It’s going to be hard to keep the motivation to go on for four more years, so it’ll definitely be my last one.” Bolt, who already has six gold medals from his stunning performances in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, has repeatedly said he plans to hang up his spikes for good after the 2017 World Championships in London. He hopes to have taken his tally to nine golds by the time competition in Rio has concluded in August. “My biggest dream at the Olympics is to win three gold medals again. That’s my focus, that’s what I want. And

Usain BOLT... it’ll definitely be my last Olympics. that’s what I’m aiming for because that’s my goal and that’s my dream,” Bolt said. Bolt meanwhile, reiterated his desire to make more record-breaking history before he retires, saying that he is determined to become the first man to go below 19 seconds for the 200 metres. “I’ve said the only big thing, big time I want to run is

the 200 metres,” said Bolt, who holds the world record of 19.19sec for the 200m, set in Berlin in 2009. “I’d love to try to go sub19. That’s the only thing I would really, really want because that’s one of my goals. “I’ve always talked about and always wanted it so for me, that’s something I look forward to.”

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

England Women survive spin scare to chase 91 ESPNcricinfo - India Women nearly got out of jail courtesy their trump card, spin, in conditions as subcontinental as it could get to lift the hopes of a boisterous home crowd, but a turbocharged start from Sarah Taylor and Tammy Beaumont helped England Women overcome a nervous breakdown. They eventually crossed the line by two wickets in a pulsating finish in Dharamsala. India’s 90 for 8, which seemed inadequate at the halfway mark, was made to look bigger as England’s pre-determined approach on a surface, where the ball spun visiously, came back to bite them. It needed the calm of Natalie Sciver, who made a crucial 19, and Jenny Gunn to allay fears of a shock loss as England squeezed home with six balls to spare. Ekta Bisht, who replaced Poonam Yadav in the XI, injected fresh life in to India’s defence with a crafty display of left-arm spin bowling to finish with career-best figures of 4 for 21. But, lack of application with the bat threw India’s campaign in choppy waters. They need to win against West Indies on Sunday and hope other results go their way. After misfiring with the

England Women players are ecstatic after their tight win over India, India v England, Group B, Women’s World T20, Dharamsala, March 22, 2016 ©IDI/Getty bat, India came out attacking, and received an early fillip when Charlotte Edwards was dismissed by the third over. But Taylor, perhaps identifying the surface to be a raging turner, announced herself

with three fours off her first seven balls to briefly throw India’s plans off. Beaumont also showed she was up for the fight by making a sprightly 20. Harmanpreet Kaur, who was

GLTA Strengthens Club Tennis through Inter-club competition

Team Shetez A and Team Roraima take time out for a photo. The Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) has progressed in strengthening club tennis through this year’s Interclub competitions, which followed the Rebel Tennis Club successful tournament. Interclub features competition between 5 clubs that formed six teams. S h e l t e z Te n n i s C l u b entered two teams, while the other clubs entered one team which were Rebel, Non Pariel, La Ressouvenir and Roraima Tennis Clubs. The match

format is best of 17 games and a round robin format which means all clubs will face each other to determine the best club. Sheltez Team A took on Roraima in the first meet of the tournament and etched the first win in a closely contested contest. Each meet has three doubles matches and two singles. One point for a doubles win and two points for a singles win. Daniel Lopes and Nicolas Glasgow (Sheltez A) defeated Kester Abrams

and Bishan Dalip 9/1, Oswin Coggins and Stephen Bailey (Roraima) defeated Kalyca Fraser and Robert Bostwick 9/4, Afruica Gentle and Mark McDonald (Shetez A) defeated Leroy Chapman and Asif Subhan 9/3. In the singles, Roraima’s team captain, Benjattan Osborne secured a 9/4 win against Nicola Ramdyhan, while his fellow team mate, Keimo Benjamin fell at the hand s of Keenan Persaud 9/4 t o c h a l k a f i n al score of 4 points for Sheltez A and 3 points to Roraima.

smashed for three fours off her first three balls, hit back with two wickets off successive balls. Beaumont holed out to midwicket before Taylor was stumped superbly by Sushma Verma. From 42 for 3, England’s nervy approach was reduced

to a battle of push and prod as Bisht exploited the slow, spinning surface to scythe through the middle order. Heather Knight, who had earlier picked up three wickets with her offspin, was stumped, too, while Lydia Greenway was trapped plumb in front attempting an expansive sweep to leave the game on a knife’s edge. India’s fielders also lifted themselves, even though England found scoring slightly easier against the pace of Jhulan Goswami. England also had a reprieve when Katherin Brunt survived a close lbw shout, with England needing 11 off 23. Then as things got tighter, the nerves began to show as Kaur put down a regulation catch at cover with England needing three. The next ball was hit behind point for four by Anya Shrubsole to trigger wild celebrations in the England camp. Earlier, there was little doubt that the toss would be crucial, and Edwards opted to bowl. The decision paid off almost immediately as Vellaswamy Vanitha fell in the first over to leave two of India’s best batsmen - Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana - to weather the early storm. Mandhana started off with a crunching off drive, but the slowness of the wicket

became evident early on as she repeatedly found leading edges off cutters. England were surprisingly off the boil on the field, but the hole India dug themselves in to allowed England to regroup. Shikha Pandey, and not Kaur, walked out at No. 4 in a bid to up the ante. But Pandey struggled, which put more pressure on Raj. A touch player, who relies on timing instead of muscle, she then looked to go over the top, only to see the ball lob to point. The batting meltdown somewhat seemed complete when Veda Krishnamurthy was bowled through the gate by Knight’s loopy offspin to leave India on the ropes at 52 for 5 in 14 overs. That they finished with 90 was courtesy Kaur’s improvisation and Anuja Patil’s deft touches. A second successive sub100 score put immense pressure on India’s spinners to pull off a heist. Hard as they tried, all England needed was an injection of momentum at the top. Once they got that, it was a question of weathering the blips, which they overcame, but not without jangling nerves. Scores: England Women 92 for 8 (Beaumont 20, Bisht 4-21, Kaur 2-22 ) beat India Women 90 for 8 (Kaur 26, Knight 3-15, Shrubsole 212) by two wickets.

Letter to the Sports Editor

How effective is the GFF’s P.R Department? Dear Sir, Editor, this question I pose publicly, since to the best of my knowledge the term/usage of “Sub-Association (s) have ceased forthwith, way back in 1999, if my memory serves me correctly, and by extension removed from the Constitution and Statutes of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF). As a consequence, I was left bewildered on the morning of 16. 03. 16. Whereby, upon tuning into the VOG (102.5) Sports News, the GFF President has publicly expressed his concern of “the senior national Football Squad, being selected from a mere 3-4 Sub Associations, affiliated to it! Subsequently, I made contact with the NCN Sports Department/ VOG for confirmation of the public disclosure, emanating from the GFF President. This was confirmed to be authentic, and I made

the relevant observations, in addition to addressing my concern of the National Squad selection. Nevertheless, it would be remiss of me not to mention a previous question I posited last year, prior to the commencement of the Elite League. “Would the selection of locally based players for the Senior National Squad consist of Elite League players only? The question went unanswered at the time. Nevertheless, the GFF President needs to be reminded that he was once the President of an Elite League participating club! If it didn’t matter then, should it matter now? Further, with a lull of activity in other Associations, at the senior level presently, How can the Coaching/Technical Staff be able to assess the performance, required standards of other players from various Associations when apart from the GFA & UDFA, Senior

Leagues are not being played elsewhere? In the UDFA i.e. costs would have to be offset for accommodation, meals and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ! I s this within the Annual Budget of Expenditure of the GFF? In the final analysis, it would be prudent for the GFF’s President to channel his public disclosures, via the Public Relations Department, if one does exist. Since whatsoever enters the public domain, must always be able to withstand scrutiny, more so, within the context of not being knowledgeable of Constitutional and Technical matters. Suffice it to say, that the onus is upon the GFF to ensure the Sport of Association Football, is being played by all of its affiliates. And it must be in conformity of each Association, submitting its Annual Calendar of Activities, within a specified time-frame. Respectfully Yours, Lester Sealey.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

2016 BCB/Dalchand Rambharose Inter-Secondary School Under-15 Cricket

Anthony Williams, Zeynul Ramsammy help Canje Secondary beat Vryman’s Erven The 2016 Dalchand Rambharose Inter-Secondary School Under-15, Two-Innings Cricket Competition in Berbice continued recently with Canje Secondary School taking first innings points from Vryman’s Erven Secondary School in their drawn match. In the match which was played at Cumberland, Vryman’s Erven, choosing to bat first, soon found themselves 5 wickets down with only 10 runs on the board courtesy of Canje’s offspinner Anthony Williams who picked up three wickets and two run-outs. Things did not improve much for Vryman’s with Aditya Budhoo being the only one of them to reach double figures with 10. They managed to post 33 all out in

Zeynul Ramsammy their first innings. Bowling for Canje Secondary, Williams ended with 4 for 9 from 5-Overs and Zeynul Ramsammy 2 for 6.

When Canje Secondary replied in their first innings, they too lost early wickets to be 8 for 2 before Zeynul Ramsammy joined forces with Carl Gilgeous and together they took the score past the first innings target and added to Vryman’s problems by putting on 32 more before Gilgeous went for 28. Ramsammy continued and scored 67 which helped take Canje Secondary to 154 all out by the end of the day. Bowling for Vryman’s Erven Secondary, Lindon Campbell took 3 for 33, Aditya Budhoo 2 for 26, Travis Sinclair and Trevin Schultz 2 for 39 each. The BCB is extending thanks to the sponsor Mr Dalchand Rambharose, formerly of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, but now resides in the USA.

Page 55

New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice

Murray, Mahadeo, De Jesus put Skeldon, Rose Hall and Tucber to Quarter-finals - Courtland and Bush Lot also through Skeldon Community Centre, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Tucber Park, Courtland All Stars and Bush Lot Challengers all won their last 16 playoff matches and therefore advanced to the quarter-finals of the New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice. Sherwin Murray hit 62 to help Skeldon put on 199 for 5 in 35 Overs against Kennard’s Memorial. He came back and took 2 for 15 to see Kennard’s bowled out for 103 in reply. Offspinner Shawn Jackman took 5 for 38 to help Scotsburg United bowl out Rose Hall Town Bakewell for 169 in 35.3 Overs. However, Rose Hall Town’s former Berbice Under-19 offspinner

Pybus engages GCB on the Boards initiatives and developmental programmes

Richard Pybus (seated centre) with members of the GCB during Monday’s meeting. WICB Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus, who was in Guyana for the final round of the WICB PCL 4-Day, met with GCB Officials on Monday where he was briefed on the Boards initiatives and undertakings along with the other programmes for 2016. The GCB officials were Drubahadur (President), Anand Sanasie (Secretary), Colin Stuart (TDO), Esuan Crandon (Head Coach of Guyana Jaguars) and Rayon Griffith (Assistant Coach/ Manager of Guyana Jaguars). Mr. Pybus was very impressed with the GCB and its performance at all the age group and senior levels over the past two years and commended the Board officials for their accomplishments con-

sidering the limited resources available, a release from the GCB informed. The initiative that pleased the WICB Director of Cricket the most was the National Secondary School Cricket League which GCB rolled out in late 2015 and finished in early 2016. Mr. Pybus stated that it is absolutely important to encourage cricket in the schools’ programme, noting that only Barbados have been successful over the years in this aspect. He expressed his happiness about Guyana starting a School League, emphasizing that it is in the schools where talents should be recognized, pulled out and nurtured by the Clubs and Boards. Discussions were also

held about the GCB Academy which serves as a second tier team and a feeder to the first team. Mr. Pybus posited that it is a brilliant move by the GCB, adding that it played an important role in the Guyana Jaguars dominance in the 4Day Championship. The gathering also discussed other strategies for developing and expanding the Academy. Among the many areas touched in the Meeting, Richard Pybus took the opportunity to learn about what is offered in Guyana’s tertiary institutions to cricketers and their involvement in cricket. In addition to GCB’s plans to help some players, Mr. Pybus suggested means in getting other players into tertiary institutions since it is vital for

them to be academically equipped. The local Executives and staff briefed and updated the Cricket Director on current cricket development initiatives and plans for the future. The WICB Director of Cricket acknowledged the GCB Executives efforts to find ways in getting their programmes rolled out. He further added that having a plan is one thing and executing it is another. He believes Guyana has been ahead of their regional counterparts because they are innovative and get their programmes completed. He wished the Board continued success and urged the officials to build on their hard work.

Keon DeJesus

Khemraj Mahadeo

Khemraj Mahadeo in turn took 5 for 34 to see Scotsburg fall short by 39 runs. After No. 64 Fighting Marine’s opening pacer Ramzan Subhan took 4 for 17 from 8 Overs to help restrict Tucber Park to 177 for 9 in 40 Overs. Tucber’s offspinner Keion De Jesus took 5 for 38 to assist in bowling out the Marines for 151. In a hard-fought battle, Courtland All Stars bowled out Corriverton for 104 and they with medium pacer Clavern Beresford taking 4 for 17, they struggled to 105 for 8 in reply. Tamarind Root of Hampshire posted 172 in 40-Overs but with Rajbance Hamraj leading the way with 46, Bush Lot Challengers went to win by 4 wickets. D’Edward, Edinburgh and Young Warriors were the other teams to reach the quarter-finals earlier. In summarised scores: At Skeldon, Skeldon Community Centre beat Kennard’s Memorial by 96 runs. Skeldon Community Centre 199 for 5 in 35 Overs with Sherwin Murray 62, Junior Blair 35, Charles France 39 and Andrew Persaud 2 for 39. Kennard’s Memorial 103 in 26 Overs with Thomas George 34, Totaram Rajbance 3 for 16 and Sherwin Murray 2 for 15. At the Area H Ground in Rose Hall Town, Rose Hall Town Bakewell beat Scotsburg United by 39 runs.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell 169 in 35.3 Overs with Vidal Crandon 43, Cylus Tyndall 23 and Shawn Jackman 5 for 38. Scotsburg United 130 in 21.3 Overs with Kelvin Clarke 29, Khemraj Mahadeo 5 for 34 and Sherain Murray 2 for 30. At No. 69, Tucber Park beat No. 64 Fighting Marines by 26 runs. Tucber Park 177 for 9 in 40-Overs with Hakeem Hinds 32, Joel Seitaram 32, Ramzan Subhan 4 for 17 and Devendra Budhoo 2 for 22. No. 64 Fighting Marines 151 in 32-Overs with Steve Embrack 47, Devendra Budhoo 25, Keion De Jesus 5 for 38, Omar Weatherspoon 2 for 17 and Nial Smith 2 for 43. At No. 73, Courtland All Star beat Corriverton by 2 wickets. Corriverton 104 in 26 Overs with Errol Byass 25, Michael Cummings 3 for 26 and Keon Sinclair 3 for 28. Courtland All Star 105 for 8 in 20-Overs with Keon Sinclair 38, Clavern Beresford 4 for 17 and Jermain Reid 3 for 30. AT Bush Lot in West Berbice, Bush Lot Challengers beat Tamarind Root by 4 wickets. Tamarind Root 172 in 40Overs with Adrian Singh 38, Percy Deonarine 32, Christopher Bissoon 3 for 49, Navindra Ramsaroop 2 for 23 and Rajiv Kishu 2 for 45. Bush Lot Challengers 173 for 6 in 39.2 Overs with Rajbance Hemraj 46, Joel Dilchand 32 and Dilip Rangasammy 3 for 34.

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Kaieteur News

Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016 – Group 5

Guyana down Anguilla 7-0 led by Dwight Peters’ double

Marcel Barrington #10, is about to celebrate Guyana’s sixth goal. Anguilla’s GK Kasem Thompson is floored at left. By Franklin Wilson Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ got their Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016 campaign off to a solid start after drubbing Anguilla 7-0 at the Guyana National Stadium last night. Dwight Peters blasted a first half double and along with single strikes from Co-Captains Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Christopher Nurse, Neil Danns, Vurlon Mills and Marcel Barrington, Guyana dominated proceedings from start to finish as Goalkeeper Anthony Whyte never had a shot to save. Whilst seven goals were scored, the Guyanese missed a plethora of chances with shots hitting the crossbar, uprights and a few went wide of the mark also. Opportunities were created from the start but Guyana were only able to take the lead eleven minutes on when Dwight Peters finished after a well directed pass from Vurlon Mills. All the action took place in the Anguilla half of the field as the Golden Jaguars used the full width to hold possession by producing multiple passes at will. It was very rear for Anguilla to gain possession and when they did, it was quickly taken away by the hungry Jaguars. A corner was awarded the home team in the 14th minute which was taken by Neil Danns who found Christopher Nurse; he rose above the defence to head the ball into the back of the nets past Kasem Thompson in goal for Anguilla. It was the 14th minute and Guyana had now doubled

their advantage. At this juncture thoughts of the 14-0 drubbing the Guyanese inflicted on Anguilla 18-years ago were resurfacing among the fans with some suggesting that that record might be under threat. Anguilla were able for the first time in the match to get deep into the Guyanese defensive area in the 16th minute but their stay was short-lived and it was back to normal with the Golden Jaguars living in their {Anguilla} end of the field. Shots reigned in on Anguilla’s goal but many missed the target, Eon Alleyne was the chief culprit flooring many chances. Mills went wide of the upright in the 27th, Danns’ shot was snapped up by Thompson one minute later. Peters was keen to tighten his side’s stranglehold on the game as he sunk Guyana’s third and his second of the match in the 30th minute, another well directed header. Then Danns inked his name on the score sheet in the 34th minute with a ripping shot just outside the area down the middle to make it 40 for the Golden Jaguars. Such was the dominance of the home team that Anguilla couldn’t even put together a string of passes at any point during the match. Richardson joined the goal scoring party on the stroke of halftime as Guyana went into the break sitting pretty on a 5-0 advantage. With such a platform, fans were anticipating a blowout second half but that was not to be as Anguilla were able to keep the focus to limit the Golden Jaguars to just two

goals in the final 45 minutes. Three minutes into the half, Vurlon Mills increased the advantage with goal number six even as changes were made to the starting eleven. It was the combination of two subs, Devon Millington and Marcel Barrington that brought Guyana its seventh goal. Devon Millington fired a rocket into the path of Thompson who could not have gathered the ball cleanly as a result of the pace of the shot. The alert Barrington quickly attacked the ball to hit it into the back of the nets before Thompson could have gathered the ball; it was goal number 7 for Guyana. Many more chances were created but Anguilla, led by Captain and their most experienced player Kevin Hawley, a 20+ year veteran were able to close shop as they denied the Guyanese any other goals. The visitors also handed their youngest player, 15 yearold Keanu Richardson his international debut as the country started its rebuilding process. Group 5 play will continue this Saturday when Anguilla host Puerto Rico. Guyana will leave on Friday ahead of next Tuesday’s final group clash away to Puerto Rico. Two countries will advance from this group to the next round. The Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016 will qualify Caribbean teams directly to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Jamaica are the defending Champion after overcoming Trinidad & Tobago 4-3 on penalty kicks, after a scoreless draw in the 2014 CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup Final.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Head Coach Shabazz laments lack of facilities even as Golden Jaguars win Even as he showered praises on the team for an emphatic 7-0 win over Anguilla at the Guyana National Stadium in their Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup opening match, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz expressed disgust at the fact that there is a dearth of good football facilities available. While the plain spoken Shabazz stated that he does not fear any Caribbean opponent, he did note that his fear is that they do not have facilities to train. Guyana went into the Anguilla match without any proper preparation time at the match venue. ”This is what I fear more than any opponent. We must be serious, if we want to be a sporting organization that can make an impact for our people, facilities must be a priority. There is no love lost for me to say this because this is the truth.” On the path of building his fourth national team along with Co-Coach Wayne Dover, Shabazz appealed that the least they must have is a facility where they can train properly. ”Anguilla said they trained for six weeks, they are lucky because they have field, they are one tiny nation and they have a field. We are one big mighty nation with so much land and we don’t have field, how can we feel good? How can I feel satisfied that

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz (left) and Captain Christopher Nurse at last Night’s post match press conference. we win a game 7-0, I am not satisfied, I am very disappointed and I call on everyone, Government, corporate Guyana and the people of this Blessed country for us to recognize the role that sports plays in Human Development and how important it is.” Having a cricket stadium he said contributes to the nation producing top cricketers that hold their own on the world stage but that must now be duplicated to harness the rich football talent being unearthed. ”Again I call Guyana, one of your children have been taken care of and has facilities, what about the rest of your children? “ Captain Christopher Nurse whilst thanking the fans for their support summed up that

his team played very well, disciplined and was professional in their execution even after going up by so many goals early. Nurse lamented too that they Golden Jaguars are in a rebuilding mode with a number of new faces emerging from the Stag Elite League; seven of the starting X1 were from the SEL. The long standing captain who has just returned to play with Puerto Rico FC has brought his experience and connections in that country to the fore to the extent that Guyana will enjoy a few extra days of preparations there. They will leave on Friday for next Tuesday’s encounter where they will have access to full sized fields to prepare, Shabazz noted last night.

Anguilla, beaten but not disheartened

Anguilla National Team Captain Kevin Hawley (left), 15 year-old Kenau Thompson and Manager Nigel Linton and last night’s post match Press conference. Manager of the Anguilla National Football team Nigel Linton has indicated that while they lost to Guyana last night at the Guyana National Providence 7-0 in the Group 5 opener of the Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup, they are not disheartened as they are on a rebuilding path. Speaking at the post match press conference, Linton said that they have come a long way in the six weeks they have been together and were able to introduce 15 year-old Keanu Richardson whilst also featuring elder statesman and Captain Kevin Hawley who has

been around at the national level for over 20 years. Hawley noted in his comments that they were able to compete with the Guyanese, noting that the first ten minutes was very good for them as they were able to keep the ball out but lost composure thereafter. ”In the second half we were able to regain our composure and play a much more fruitful game. Overall, we have building blocks; this is only our second game in the last six weeks, we have not been together for a very long time but there are lots of positives to take from the game,”

Hawley stated. He expressed confidence that in the next few years, Anguilla will come on and be a force to reckon with once they continue to invest in developing. Hawley also gave a commitment to being around for sometime more in order to nurture and guide this young generation of players. The captain complimented his charges for the positive attitude displayed after going down by 5 by the end of the first half, this he posited, was one of the positives that came out of the match for Anguilla. (Franklin Wilson)

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 57

Gayle fit for South Africa, hails Fletcher’s knock ESPNcricinfo - Be aggressive in the Powerplay and then bat deep. That is Chris Gayle’s advice to Andre Fletcher, the Man of the match in West Indies’ second win of the World T20 against Sri Lanka on Sunday, and the rest of his team if West Indies are to progress deep into the World T20. Gayle, who did not bat against Sri Lanka because of a minor twinge in his left hamstring while fielding, is understood to be fit and available for selection against South Africa in Nagpur on Friday. “In the second game against Sri Lanka I started, but didn’t get a chance to bat. But Fletcher came in, played his part and grabbed his opportunity with both hands,” Gayle told WICB media in Nagpur. “He played a fantastic knock and carried right through till the end. And that’s the sort of thing batters require - once you are set in these kinds of conditions, it is very important to bat as deep as possible and it just makes it easier for the team to chase or set a target, so it is very important to see Fletcher come on board and be Man of the Match.” Gayle said the key for Fletcher was not to be “overconfident” when he goes in to bat next. Fletcher is likely to open with Gayle against South Africa, considering Johnson Charles made a duck against England and 10 against Sri Lanka. “Just continue to play smartly, pick and choose his

Chris Gayle acknowledges the crowd after his 47-ball ton, England v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Mumbai, March 16, 2016 ©AFP

bowlers to target at a particular time. Also whatever it is that works for him, like continue being aggressive in the first six. It’s very, very important to try and capitalise on that new ball as a batter. So just keep that aggression going and once you get past that first six, try and take it as deep as possible, look to pick up the odd boundary in the middle overs as well. Just build on whatever start you get. “I’ve opened the batting with him on many occasions so I know what sort of a player he is, he is very dangerous and he’s capable

Jones to lead Essequibo in Inter County U17 tourney

Joshua Jones

Beesham Moses

Pacer Joshua Jones will lead Essequibo in the upcoming Inter County U17 50-over tournament. The full squad reads; Joshua Jones (Capt.), Orlando Jailall, Bumesh Ramdahin, Joel Fortune, Beesham Moses, Rayon Venture, David Charritar, Kevin Christian, Chanderpaul Mohabir, Trevor Collins, Quincy Sampson, Ramnairne Chattergoon and Randy Rooplall. Forbes Daniels (Coach) and Nazeer Mohamed (Manager).

of getting big scores as well. So hopefully he can build on this and carry on, not leave it for anybody and get more Man-of-the-Match awards.”

Though Fletcher played an aggressive innings, the crowd in Bangalore was desperate for Gayle to bat. He had sat out for about half of the Sri Lankan innings as a precautionary measure, and despite the crowd’s urging and his own insistence, he had to wait for a certain amount of time to pass before he could bat. By then the match was over. Gayle finally emerged after the win and thanked the crowd, a gesture that was well received by the fans. Gayle had already lit up the tournament and made West Indies a force when he hammered a 48-ball century against England in Mumbai last week. The innings had a characteristic that is usually missed when talking about Gayle: patience. In the Powerplay, Gayle had faced barely six deliveries as Marlon Samuels took charge. Gayle said he was not thinking of the century until he was a handful of runs away. The focus until then was just on riding with the momentum built by

Samuels. “I wasn’t really thinking about the hundred because if you look at the way we started, after facing the first over, in the second Marlon came in and he actually batted the entire Powerplay. I was saying to myself, regardless of what happens, I need to be here, and the good thing about it is that Marlon was getting the ball away and keeping the run rate intact so it was very important to be there then. We knew they had two spinners, especially a leg spinner, so being a lefthander it was good to be there in the middle overs, it was crucial.” Ta l k i n g a b o u t t h e century, Gayle said the turning point was him hitting England offspinner Moeen Ali for three consecutive sixes, when West Indies needed 59 runs from the final seven overs. Andre Russell had just come in after Denesh Ramdin and Dwayne Bravo had fallen. “I got some momentum when I took down Moeen Ali - when I got three consecutive sixes. And then the momentum was

actually built from there and when the rest of the bowlers come to bowl in the back end, we’re always going to be on the go at that particular time. That’s when the opportunity presented itself. I had done the hard work already, so I said, ‘I’ve done the hard work, let’s get the hundred’. At that point, we were way ahead, and I wasn’t going to risk it, and batting there with Andre Russell we just wanted to finish off things. When I got to 96 or something like that, that was the time I said I’ll get the hundred.” Gayle said the century brought back memories of his ton in the first edition of the WT20, where he scored a century, too. Having won their first two games, West Indies are now favourites to make the semi-finals from Group 1. “We have a lot of back-up. I shouldn’t be using this word back-up, we have a lot of guys who are match winners themselves who actually can do the same thing and destroy different bowling attacks around the world.”

Page 58

Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Sponsors get onboard as preparations continue for Guyana Cup Fever horserace meet

Managing Director of Nand Persaud and Company Limited Mohin Persaud (right) presents a cheque to Assistant organiser Compton Sancho at the Company’s No36 Village Corentyne location as staff members share the moment. A number of sponsors are getting onboard while all the major stables are busy rounding out preparations for the much anticipated Guyana Cup Fever horserace meet. Organised by the Jumbo

Jet Business entity and racing stables the event is set for this Sunday at the famous Arima Park race track, Rising Sun, West Coast Berbice. Apart from the Jumbo Jet Businesses other major

sponsors on board include Banks DIH Limited, Nanad Persaud and Company Limited, Inshan Bacchus Tr u c k i n g a n d r a c i n g stables, Shariff Business Entity and racing Stables, Fazal Habibulla and the

The inform Strom Bird of the Inshan Bacchus stable will be looking to dish out another licking on its opponents. Rising Sun Cattle ranch, Chester Fry Chicken of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice. Over 45 horses have been entered so far for the event. Seven races are on the cards with close to $10M in

Police arrest North Georgetown Independence Athletics title

The victorious Police Progressive Youth Club pose for a photo opportunity after winning the first North Georgetown Branch Independence title. Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) won Guyana Teachers’ Union North Georgetown Branch 50th Independence Track and Field Meet on Sunday at the Police Sports Club Ground,

Eve Leary after amassing 313 points. Held under flood lights, PPYC defeated Mercury Fast Laners that placed second with 264 points and Super Up-Coming Runners

that finished third with 196 points. Buxton with 168 points was fourth while Bartica and Ruralites tied for fifth with 67 points; Team Uzzi was sixth with 63 points.

Courts Guyana Inc., Banks DIH Limited, Star Party Rentals, Glendon Fogenay and that National Sports Commission were among the sponsors of the event.

Cat Messiah will be looking for another stunning performance.

cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs. The feature A and lower 1400M event for a sumptuous $1.2 million winner’s money and trophy is already being eagerly anticipated with most of the top runners in the country down to take part including the likes of Golden Blue Echo, C.P Got Even, Just call Me Bass, Princess She Not, American Boss, Score’s Even and Plum Plum will have ideas, while others such as Spit Fire, Jack in My Style, Street Prince, Giants Time, Diplomatic Cat, Kazi Azaria, Unsettled, P e r f e c t Wi n d S t r o m , G o o d w i l l B o y, L a d y Budapest and Western Charm will be in the running. Horses such as Strom Bird, Cat Messiah, Swing Easy, Comprador, It’s My Choice, Witchy Poo, Firing Line, Red Rocket and Isn’t She Charming and Midnight Blue are all expected to feature prominently at the days meet. The other events on the day programme are-The F1 and lower event has a winner’s take of $600,000 and trophy from a total winning prize of $ 1.1M over 1400M. There is an 1100M event for West Indies bred three year old animals for a top prize of $400,000 and trophy with a total prize of $

750,000. The G2 and lower 1400M match up will see the animals racing for a winning pocket of $400,000 and trophy with a combined purse of $750,000 and trophy. The Guyana Bred three year old maiden horses will have a chance at competing for the first prize of $300,000 and trophy over 1100M with a total prize package of $575,000 and trophy. Animals classified H3 and lower will be racing for a winning package of $250,000 and trophy. The final race will be for animals classified J1 and lower over 1100M for a pole position taking of $200,000 and trophy. Kites and other giveaways will be a part of the day activities, while Crown Vibes International will be providing musical accompaniment. Contact can be made with Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063 or 232-0633), Irshad Mohammed on 6641650, Fazal Habibulla on telephone no 657-7010, Ramnauth 337- 5311 or 6971979 Campton Sancho on 690-0569 and Rajendra “Jim-Jo” Jagdeo 6187278 for any information relating to the event. The coordinator is N a zrudeen Jumbo Jet Mohammed Jr. (Samuel Whyte)

Faye Joseph dominoes on today President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye Joseph will be hosting a tournament starting at 15:00hrs today at Gaudling Place.

Entrance fee is $6,000; the winning team will take home a trophy and $100,000, runner up $50,000 and third place $30,000.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 59

STAG / EBFA Senior League

Double-header on today; Grove and Herstelling are latest winners Competition in the STAG sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League is set to heat up today when two more matches are contested at the Grove Playfield, East Bank Demerara. Agricola Red Triangle will be hunting their second win in as many matches when they come up against Kuru Kururu Warriors in the feature match at 13:30hrs; today’s curtain raiser pits Diamond United and Mocha Champs, both teams hunting their first win following opening losses. Agricola were in rampaging form when they opposed Diamond United whom they hammered 8-0, while Mocha were needled by Herstelling late in their match that was contested on Sunday last. Captain Winston Rawlins who netted a brace against Diamond will certainly be aiming for a repeat as will Devon Jeffers who also scored twice in that win. Collis Samuels too, along with Travis Fariah, Jermaine Frank, Akeem Rawlins, Kacy ‘Barbie’ John and Akeem Pompey will combine in the victory charge. Kuru Kururu Warriors narrowly lost to the Soesdyke rivals after taking the lead and they will be hoping to make amends for that loss at the expense of Agricola which makes the match up a potentially mouthwatering affair. The Linden Soesdyke

Action in the STAG EBFA Senior League match between Grove Hi Tech (yellow & black) and Soesdyke Falcons.

Eric Williams Herstelling Raiders FC highway based Warriors will look to their leading marksman, Cordel Johnson for leadership up front along with Ryan Scott, Mario DeFreitas, Allen O’Selmo, Michael Charles, Christopher Fraser and Michael Carrington. Diamond will look to the likes of Nathaniel Paul, Reun Williams, Clifford Armstrong, Godfrey Williams and Cleon Headley to lead their victory bid. Meanwhile, in results from last Sunday’s double header, Grove staved off a spirited fightback from Soesdyke to win 4-2, while Herstelling took full points when they found the winning goal late in the second half to turn back the challenge of Mocha Champs. In a closely contested match, Eric Williams’ 86th minute stunner was the separator between the two sides. Herstelling enjoyed the better run and could have

easily won the match by about five goals but kept missing chance after chance. The opening match saw Grove having to dig deep to pull off a win against the determined Soesdyke Falcons. Denzil Crawford, who hammered in a brace, had given Grove the lead in

the 7th minute but the advantage was short-lived as Soesdyke responded in like manner in the 14th minute through the first of two goals from Alvin Adams. The first half ended 1-1 as pressure continued to mount on the defending champions, Grove. The home team finally

found the go ahead goal in the 62nd minute that was headed home by Lloyd Matthews. For a moment it seemed that that second goal was enough to secure full points for Grove but with three minutes to full time, Adams fired in the equalizer for Soesdyke. With one minute

to the full 90 minutes, Soesdyke buckled under pressure and scored against themselves, Delwin Boston the player. Grove kept on applying the pressure and secured their fourth goal, Crawford putting the icing on the cake in the fourth minute of added on time, 90+4.

t r o Sp Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016 – Group 5

Guyana down Anguilla 7-0 led by Dwight Peters’ double

The Golden Jaguars following their 7-0 demolition of Anguilla at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Jaguars take Lion’s share of PCL prize money

World Twenty20 2016: Martin Guptill steers New Zealand into semis

Martin Guptill powers a drive though the off side, New Zealand v Pakistan, World T20 2016, Group 2, Mohali, March 22, 2016 ©AFP

Outstanding Jaguars’ performers (from L) Bramble, Singh, Johnson, Motie & Permaul. 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