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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 24, 2016
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
THE BREAKDOWN OF THE FAMILY In Guyana as in other countries, the family is the oldest and perhaps the most important institution in society, but the breakdown of traditional family values has placed the country and people at a crossroad. Parents and most adults are aware of the sexual abuse and violence perpetrated against children, especially those from poor homes but do not always come to their rescue. There are endless reports of increasing violence in schools and in the wider society, as well as the abuse, rape and murder of children all across the country. And while such horrible acts have left most in society confused, many are asking: Where did society go wrong? Why is the government not acting faster to prevent or reduce domestic violence and the abuse of children? Children should be cherished and loved at all times because they are the most precious gifts to parents and society at large. So why are they being abused and molested and have to endure violence in the home? The answer lies with the parents and those in authority whose responsibility is to protect children who are the most vulnerable in society. Today the nation is witnessing the breakdown of the traditional values of family life. This is demonstrated by the many acts of violence and abuse perpetrated against women and children throughout the country. Witnessing domestic violence is the single best predictor of juvenile delinquency and adult criminality. It is also the main reason why children run away from their homes or drop out from school. Preventing domestic violence and abuse against children starts with the family but those in authority must act to end this scourge on society. The emotional and behavioral responses of most children who witness domestic violence may include fear, guilt, shame, sleep disturbances, sadness, depression and anger. Some may act out by withdrawing and keeping to themselves while others may exhibit signs of anxiety, fear and a short attention span which may result in poor school performance and attendance and violent acts. These issues must be addressed urgently. Parents, guardians and society in general must play an important role in children’s life, especially during their early development. Children with loving families and stable homes are more likely to do well in school, have healthy relationships and become decent citizens than those in unstable, abusive and violent homes. Children from abusive homes have higher risks of dropping out of school, abuse alcohol and drugs and become anti-social and delinquent. They often seem fine to the outside world but inside they suffer from terrible pain. They may feel rage, embarrassment and humiliation. Many are isolated and vulnerable and are starved for attention, affection and approval. Family violence continues to have lasting effects on both children and society. Children who are abused or are sexually molested by family members are expected to keep the family secret, and refrain from talking to each other about their abuse and molestation. Studies have shown that children who are raised in abusive and violent homes learn from an early age that violence is an effective way to resolve conflicts and solve problems. Many are likely to engage in unruly behaviour at school, display increased aggression against peers and would, in most cases, progress to become hard-core criminals. In this regard, the Ministry of Education should start a programme of rehabilitation for those students who were abused and are likely to be involved in violence in and out of school. Counseling is needed to deal with deviant students in the schools as well as those students who exhibit negative behaviors and unstable emotional responses. It is the responsibility of parents, educators and teachers to help children feel loved and secure in the home and at school and they should be taught how to cope with stress and that violence is not the answer to their problems.
Minister Volda Lawrence’s UNBECOMING CONDUCT DEAR EDITOR, Recent media reports about a protest organized by Red Thread sounded a clear call for the government to take disciplinary action against Minister of Social Protection (MSP) Volda Lawrence. Other NGOs; Help and Shelter, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, ChildLink Inc. and Forward Guyana supported this protest. We share in Red Thread’s outrage over this incident and reiterate that it is unacceptable that the Minister respond to repeated allegations of child abuse by saying, as Minister Lawrence did, “this is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason, I can’t tell you,
because if I had a brother, even if there was an accusation, this is not how I would go about helping him.” In the first place the Minister should know that no incidence of child abuse is a “family issue”. As her own Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency repeatedly tells us, the protection of children is everyone’s business. This being so, it is the MSP that must take the lead and ensure that all allegations are thoroughly investigated and all victims receive services. In addition, the Ministry’s role is to provide services and support for victims and nonoffending family members, not to help perpetrators to take public office. The Minister should also be aware of the seriousness of the repeated
allegations against Mr. Harding since the CPA has been directly involved with the children who have allegedly been victimized. What remains unclear is the reason that despite the Ministry’s knowledge of the allegations, the issue has been allowed to “go on and on and on and on” as the Minister stated. At best the Minister is unaware of the role her Ministry is required to play with respect to the protection of children, at worst, she has turned a blind eye to allegations against a member of her party. Either way the government must deal with this issue swiftly and decisively. Omattie Madray, ChildLink Inc. Chantalle Haynes, Forward Gu
A simply apology would have done it DEAR EDITOR, Well finally someone and not just anyone, but rather a senior and well respected journalist has called the Town Clerk of Georgetown for who he really is, after he was found to be back pedaling on a decision and announcement to charge persons flying kites on Easter Monday. By the way, was it not the former mayor and deputy mayor along with King who last year, campaigned against and encouraged vendors not to pay a cent to the City Council? But now that he is Town Clerk, he not only wants to charge the vendors but every kite flyer. Mind you the Town Clerk professes to be a devout Christian, even performing pastoral duties in the past at a Christian church. Clearly the decision to charge kite flyers was taken by King and Company and broadcast to the Press by his faithful Public Relations Officer. It is consistent with their tax and spend policy and would have allowed them to hire their favourite multi millionaire contractor to clean up the city, paying him more millions from the proceeds they would have obtained from charging the kite fliers. It is public knowledge that the Council’s coffers are empty after their extravagant spending spree and I have no doubt the Town Clerk saw this as an opportunity to raise some funds to continue this profligacy. No doubt his political superiors realized that taking this course of action would be met with a tsunami of resistance and criticism from persons from every walk of life, and put
paid to his avaricious plans. But rather than do the decent and honest thing by telling the citizenry that they realized it was a bad idea and that they were no longer going to pursue it, he opted to pursue the ignominious route by pretending that they
had never made such a decision and had never even made such a press release. It is shameful for a public servant to be so deceitful, but then again what can we expect to from the Georgetown Municipality, an entity that is eminent for
fraud, corruption and graft. If King wanted to raise funds to continue financing his lavish and imprudent spending, maybe he should had his bloated work force make and sell kites of Easter Monday. Amber Valentine
Thursday March 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
The Nurse/Anesthetist performs an important medical function DEAR EDITOR; Let me extend sincere gratitude to the editor for allowing me the space in this daily, firstly to attempt to educate the public at large and also to respond to an article published in your newspaper dated on the 12th March 2016 captioned “The Medical system has to be careful with who administer anesthesia” written by Yvonne Sam which I endorse. Although, I am in agreement with most sections of her letter, I perceived that there are some issues which seem like a personal attack on the credibility of the Nurse Anesthetist. Hence, Miss Yvonne Sam started off her letter by asking for forgiveness for any lack of evidence on her part. Just to expand on my learned colleague’s previous letter to clarify any misguided or misconceived information , the Nursing Anesthesia Program was officially started in 2008. However, there were nurses who were trained in this area prior to this. If my information is authentic, this program was facilitated by a Canadian Medical Team sponsored by the Canadian Government. In 2008 GPHC decided to embark
on a more comprehensive program. This was headed and conducted by some of our locally renowned anesthesiologists. The program was of the duration of two years and six months. It was a compact and comprehensive program that produced some of the best Nurse Anesthetists. The Nurse, he/ she would have had to have at least two years Post-Grad, which meant that he or she should have had exposure in all units in the respective hospitals. One needs to note that an ICU is an integral part of the Anesthetic program. However many of our hospitals did not have an efficient functioning ICU until in 2008. As such, the nurse will have to undergo the said training for a short period of time. I wish not to go into details of the program but suffice it to say, I am a proud Nurse Anesthetist who graduated from that very program. We have had persons from Canada, USA and Caribbean who have been very much impressed in by our work, especially the face of how little resource and technology we have. As it relates to how much we can do as Nurse Anesthe-
The high tech age is very high
DEAR EDITOR; May I say how much I enjoy the letters by Yvonne Sam. The recent one about smart phones and the verbal codes used by ‘smarty pants IT kids’ I liked a lot - I learnt much from it. Recently, when my 5-year old computer gave up the ghost, I bought one chosen from a catalogue in a chain store, and when I had to visit shortly afterwards to get advice about a browser problem, which my ISP had suggested, every adult in the shop tried to help me and enquired
whether my grandchildren or neighbours’ grandchildren could not help! “The child is father of the man” was an essay my generation was regularly given as an exercise at secondary school. What prescience! And there is more to come. We are moving into the very ‘high tech. age’ and within the next ten years, today’s gadgets may seem stone-aged. Unfortunately, in the wrong hands, much mischief and mayhem could be created. Let us hope not. Geralda Dennison
tist, our roles are clearly defined and enshrined in the laws of Guyana and as Nurse Anesthetist we are very much aware of this and we strive to function in accordance with our laws. We are also always supervised by an anesthesiologist. There are much changes still needed, and I am confident that we will get there sooner than later. In relation to the Nurse Anesthetist post, I proposed that this should be created with immediate effect be it the responsibility of Ministry of Public Service or General Medical Council. If you agree that the Nurse Anesthetist plays a very pertinent role in the entire anesthetic team, then why not! Why would you train them, label them Nurse Anesthetist and not create a given designation? Ms Sam might have instilled some fear that your lives are at risk simply because your anesthetic care plan might have been formulated and or mainly executed by a Nurse Anesthetist. Rather your lives are preserved by a team comprising of both Anesthetist and Surgeons. This can be attested to by our well established record. As of 2008 and even beyond there have been no confirmed deaths or injuries due to any negligence on the part of any anesthesiologist or Nurse Anesthetist. Finally we embrace Ms Sam’s call to have us on board and to have further support programs, degrees, and masters’ etcetera, the very concept that we are actively pursuing. It would be appreciated if we can have persons like the learned Ms. Sam on board with us to help us to agitate for an advanced Nursing Care Program as a whole which can augment what we have already have, thus enhancing the preservation of lives we deliver a safer Anesthesia service. Orin Josiah
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Your editorial speaks of a law, I don’t know of DEAR EDITOR, It was with both interest and concern that I read your Editorial of March 23, 2016 on the hiring of contract workers in the public service. As you are aware I am now chairing The Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service of Guyana. The members of the Commission have taken great care to ensure that, as far as possible, every relevant source of information is identified and analysed in pursuance of the satisfactory completion of
our mandate. It is in this context that your reference to a violation of the Public Service Act comes to me as a surprise since we have not located any such instrument relative to Guyana. If in fact we, the commissioners and our able researchers, have missed such a document we would consider it a serious omission and mistake on our part. Accordingly, I shall be happy if you will provide us with the usual information
which is attached to such Acts, that is Full Title and year of publication, so that we could seek to correct an apparent omission on our part. With best wishes and gratitude, Harold A Lutchman, Chairman Public Service Commission of Inquiry
DEAR EDITOR, The attempt by the Georgetown City Council to charge men, women and children to fly kites in Georgetown, was just plain criminal. Kite flying is taken as a symbol of having high aspirations and elevated vision. Man always had an inherent wish to fly high in the sky and reach the horizon. This would have surely made him to invent the kite that can touch the sky on his behalf and there can be satisfaction for man that he
touched the sky as high as he likes. So apparently does the Town Clerk of Georgetown who would stop at nothing to rake in money into the City Council so that he would have more to spend on his bulging wage bill, to pay his super contractor to clean parts of the city, to purchase spanking new vehicles for the Council, to hire private guards, and the list goes on and on. Why no other town or village considered such punitive action? Are the
property rates no longer adequate to provide municipal services? The Council needs to quit coming up with unintelligent ideas such as setting up petting zoos and presidential parks, charging vendors on Meriman’s Mall exorbitant rents for little cubby holes etc., and begin to provide proper services for the citizenry. Everything must not be seen as a money making venture, for them to get their hands on. Riley Matthews
EDITOR’S NOTE. The reference should have been to public service regulations instead of the Public Service Act. We regret the mistake
The condemnation of Royston King is non-stop
The Town Clerk was once charged for a criminal offence DEAR EDITOR, I have read with amusement the recent declaration by Mr. Denis Chabrol Editor of the Demerara Waves Online News Service that he had discovered the Town Clerk of Georgetown Mr. Royston King to be a liar and to be dishonest. Evidently Mr. Chabrol has forgotten that Mr. King when he functioned as the Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was arrested and charged for alleged forg-
ery in August of 2014. A matter that was only set aside when the then Mayor of Georgetown wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions pleading for the withdrawal of the matter after the last General and Regional Elections. The hypocrisy and irony of all of this is that this same Mayor who sought and had the charges against King dropped, had complained for years to any and everyone who would listen of the laziness, incompetence and ques-
tionable conduct of King, but then again Charles Dudley Warner once said ‘Politics makes strange bedfellows’. This is just the tip of iceberg, Wait until a comprehensive forensic audit is done at City Hall James McOnnell
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 24, 2016
RCC urges business sector to embrace critical role of safeguarding children While Government has the responsibility to encourage the business sector to be viable partners in the empowerment and protection of Guyana’s children, the business sector should also embrace the critical role of safeguarding these very children. This assertion has been vocalised by Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC), Ms. Aleema Nasir. She sought to emphasise this very notion when the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) convened a stakeholders’ forum, recently, to discuss rights of children in the extractive sector. It was her hope even then that the deliberations at that forum would have engendered specific policy directives and other tangible initiatives pertinent to problems related to children’s involvement in the business community.
But the Commission, Nasir said, has long been seeking to involve the business community in what she described as “the national compact of labourers in the vineyard of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC).” The CRC is the body of 18 independent experts that monitors the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child to which Guyana is a signatory. It also monitors implementation of two Optional Protocols to the Convention on involvement of children in armed conflict and on sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The Commission is the incountry arm of the CRC. And according to Nasir, the Commission acknowledges and underscores the overarching and undergirding role of the State Apparatus in the promotion,
monitoring and encouraging of the business sector to observe its critical role. She said that the CRC in its General Comment No. 16 of 2013 understates the obligation, regarding the impact of the business sector on children’s rights, and provides States with guidance as to how they should: (1) Ensure that the activities and operations of business enterprises do not adversely impact on children’s rights; (2) Create an enabling and supportive environment for business enterprises to respect children’s rights; and (3) Ensure access to effective remedy for children whose rights have been infringed by business enterprise acting as a private firm or State Agent. But according to the RCC Chairperson, “The relevant literature on the social and community- oriented role of
business all point to the imperative that the profit motive presumed paramount in the capitalist construct should not miniaturise or diminish its responsibility to contribute to stable communities.” She added that a recent establishment paradigm of what constitutes child poverty promulgated in view of recent research facilitated by UNICEF points to the absence of stable communities and the lack of opportunities for human development as indicators of child poverty. As such, she is convinced that the business community in Guyana should resolve to be a viable partner in the movement to abolish the impoverishment of the Guyanese child in the communities in which they operate throughout the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Specifically, Nasir noted that the business community in Guyana has a critical responsibility of helping to safeguard communities from the scourges of child labour, trafficking in persons, violence against children, child prostitution and
Ms Aleema Nasir, RCC Chairperson environmental degradation. And all of these, she observed, have had some level of prevalence in the Guyanese society, breaching in the process respected articles of the CRC which by extension contributes to the impoverishment of the Guyanese child. Nasir, however, underscored that “since the incentive regime is so pivotal in the capitalist order, perhaps as a starting point, specific initiatives can be discussed to incentivise the participation and involvement of the private sector in the
empowerment and protection of Guyanese children.” She added, “In further contemplation of the role of the private sector in ensuring the rights of Guyana’s children I point you to the recent UN Development Report which articulates a cluster of policy options aims at ensuring workers’ wellbeing.” And among the strategies for workers’ wellbeing is: guaranteeing workers’ rights and benefits, extending social protection and addressing inequalities. “These strategies I posit, moreover, are very relevant to children’s wellbeing as they will positively affect families,” said Nasir. “The private sector in Guyana is encouraged to embrace them. I assume when the review and research is conducted into the decline of the traditional economic sectors of sugar and bauxite, the impact of Guyanese families will be accentuated.” The RCC is moreover urging the business sector, Nasir said “to commit to a just, fair and equitable relation of production beneficial to the stability of Guyanese families.”
ECHO, Scotia Bank partner to create nature rooms in schools The Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO) and banking giant, Scotia Bank, have partnered to introduce the first ever nature rooms in schools. Scotia Bank recently donated $200,000 to get the initiative started. It is expected that the money will go a far way to develop the nature room at the Enterprise Primary School; the first of several learning institutions where such a facility will be developed. Echo’s Executive Director, Royston King, said that the organisation’s aim is to increase environmental awareness and appreciation. He believes that nature rooms in schools will provide in-depth information
about the environment’s importance. “We think it is a positive thing to teach our youngsters to appreciate their environment and we believe the creation of nature rooms can do this.” King said that these rooms will provide as much information as possible on the environment and will be decorated to exhibit natural habitats. “This means we will paint rooms to replicate a particular environment. Students will grow plants, keep animals as pets and learn a lot about the importance of their environment,” added King who also indicated that students, with their teachers will be responsible for the maintenance of the facility.
ECHO has partnered with several organisations over the years to provide numerous activities that encourage environmental conservation in schools. These include ‘Most improved school yard competitions’, tree planting initiatives, and composting production among others. Some 60 ECHO clubs exist in schools across the country. Scotia Bank has endorsed the clubs for the positive work they have been doing and committed to future partnerships. ECHO has urged other organizations, public and private to come onboard in facilitating other schools with nature rooms.
Thursday March 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
United States to press Russia on Syria’s Assad
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrives at Vnukovo international airport near Moscow, Russia, yesterday (Reuters/Andrew Harnik/Pool) (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to press President Vladimir Putin on how Russia sees a future political transition in Syria and the fate of President Bashar al-Assad. With a fragile truce in place in Syria and warring sides attending peace talks in Geneva, Kerry wants to “get down to brass tacks” on the question of Assad’s future, a State Department official said. While the United States want Assad to step aside, Russia says only the Syrian people can decide his fate at the ballot box and has bristled at any talk of regime change. Kerry is holding talks with Putin at the Kremlin today, in a meeting arranged after the Russian leader’s surprise announcement on March 14 that he was partially withdrawing his forces from Syria. “The Secretary would like to now really hear where President Putin is in his thinking ... on a political transition” in Syria, the official said as Kerry arrived in Moscow. “Obviously what we are looking for, and what we have been looking for, is how we are going to transition Syria away from Assad’s leadership,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. After five years of conflict that has killed over 250,000 people and caused the world’s worst refugee crisis, Washington and Moscow reached a deal three weeks ago for a cessation of hostilities and delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged areas. The State Department official said meetings with Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would evaluate the status of the ceasefire and try to “get on the same page” about ending violations and
increasing humanitarian assistance. UNILATERALTHREAT Russia this week threatened to act unilaterally against those who violate the ceasefire unless it reached a deal with the United States on ways to detect and prevent truce breaches. The Syrian opposition has accused government forces of renewing sieges and stepping up a campaign of barrel-bombing across the country. In Geneva, where warring sides are a week into talks on ending the conflict, government officials have rejected any discussion on the fate of Assad, who opposition leaders say must go as part of any transition. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Syria peace talks were always going to be long and difficult, and it was too early to talk about patience running out on any side. U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said on Tuesday he hoped the U.S-Russia meeting would give an impetus to the peace
talks where the divisive issue of a political transition is stalling progress. But the State Department official played down expectations that the meeting would have an immediate impact on the talks, which adjourn on Thursday with the next round expected in early April. A Syrian activist at the talks, Jihad Makdissi, said de Mistura was planning to issue a paper on a “potential common vision”. The Syrian government delegation said the U.N. envoy had handed them a document which they would study on their return to Damascus. No details of either paper were disclosed. However, the United Nations said the Syrian government had given verbal assurances that aid convoys can go into three or four areas that its forces are besieging. U.N. humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland said the United Nations had been allowed to enter eight or nine of the 11 areas it had asked to supply with aid, including three or four besieged areas.
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Promoting culture seen as tactic to Tree planting exercise an ‘important help fast-track Caribbean growth step’ for Guyana’s green future For some time now the services sector has been identified as an important growth sector deserving of increased attention and it has indeed received this attention over the past two decades. However, Minister of Youth Development and Sports of St Lucia, Mr. Shawn Edward, during a recent visit here shared his conviction that “We must embrace and develop more strategically that range of creative services which will help us to leverage our natural, human and creative talent and assets in support of the sustainable development of our region.” Edward, who was visiting Guyana to chair the 29th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) which was held at the Turkeyen, Caricom Secretariat earlier this month, said that, that forum, which focused on youth and culture, was in fact “Excellent for us to examine this issue and in particular to consider major policy imperatives which would facilitate the development of this sector.” But this is by no means a new endeavour as according to Edward, the creation of an enabling environment to advance the creative service was considered in great detail at the 26th Intercessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in February. At that meeting he disclosed that “Our heads agreed that the nations of the Caribbean would work towards moulding a productive and efficient growth path which would
Minister Shawn Edward emphasise the value of a knowledge economy and embrace a paradigm to the idea that culture is the region’s business.” The new knowledge economy envisioned, Edward noted, is characterised by the effective use of intangible assets such as knowledge, ideas and designs which are key resources for achieving a competitive advantage. In fact, he added, that creativity is an imperative to foster economy growth and wealth creation. And according to Edward, the knowledge economy is greatly facilitated by the new information and communication technologies which render location irrelevant as goods and services can be provided to any part of the world. And according to him, the creative industry is at the core of the knowledge economy and this is certainly an area in which Caricom can achieve competitive advantage for its indigenous talents and artistic
and cultural traditions. Edward, however, questioned, “How do we address such an agenda? What are some of the major pre-requisites for leveraging human and cultural assets?” He nevertheless is convinced that a major area of focus must be education and training which he believes are “cornerstones for achieving the competitive advantage which we seek.” Edward observed that “there is no doubt that we have made great strides in our education systems over the past 50 years. We have increased the averaging schooling from 4.3 years in 1960 to 10.3 years presently.” Over the past two decades, Edward noted, too, there has also been significant expansion in tertiary education. He, however, considered that the enrolment rates are way below that required for successful participation in the knowledge economy. Also of concern to Edward is the inadequate access to pre-primary education in the state system in many countries. This provision gap, he noted, serves as a disadvantage to children and especially those from lower socio-economic groups, rural and hinterland areas, and represents a situation of inequality and the provision with regard to an important education foundation. He, moreover, contended that “In our education system we have not been paying adequate attention to children (continued on page 12)
Dem boys seh ...
Jail sentence stiff and people begging Soulja Bai Some judge sharing out jail sentence like when a shopkeeper sharing out candy. All who use to get five and six year getting 25 and 30. Dem judge seh that de long sentence is to give de criminals time to think bout de wrong thing dem do and to correct dem mistake. When de first judge start to hand down de big sentence dem who been pun remand send message that dem don’t want to go before that judge. If dem couldn’t get de other one dem gun wait till next time. Well all dem judges handing down big sentence. That suppose to keep other people from heading to jail but dem boys want to know wha happen to dem who deh pun edge because Soulja Bai finding nuff things
that dem crooks do. But dem same crook tun up to play Phagwah wid Soulja Bai on Phagwah Day. All of dem meet up at de Indian Cultural Centre wid dem abeer and abrack. Sam went fuh de food. De session is when everybody got to put powder and abeer pun everybody else. Soulja Bai put pun Donald and he lef out Jagdeo. Then Sam put pun Anil and all of dem look like if all was friends. That was when dem boys hear Jagdeo whisper to Soulja Bai that since dem is friends he shouldn’t worry wid de jail thing. Soulja Bai tell him that he got to talk to Rum Jattan. Anil stand back because he know that once is court he can’t tek money from he colleagues which mean that
he got to defend dem fuh free. And everybody know how he like money. De function always without alcohol. At first dem boys couldn’t understand why people use to lef as soon as de food share. Is when dem see couple people suddenly hanging round Donald car and dem see de trunk open that dem know wha really happen. Donald got a fridge in he car. That fridge was a gift from a businessman. Nuff others got gifts too. Some get chair set wid music; some get a whole house and some get two container of things from America plus a chandelier from China. And these is things that dem never declare. Talk half and wait fuh de next holiday.
- says President at PYARG activity President David Granger has commended the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) Programme for engaging youths in a Tree Planting exercise. This is an important step toward the green future that Guyana is pursuing, he said. The exercise was held on the Merriman’s Mall, Georgetown, yesterday. President Granger noted that this activity was “an important step” that every citizen must embrace as Guyana aims to become a leader in sustainable development and embarks on green initiatives. He recalled that in October 2015, his administration, through the Ministry of Agriculture, launched the National Tree Planting Day to kick-off observances for Agriculture Month, which focused on promoting effective conservation and the development of a green economy. “It is a policy for the greening of the economy. I hope that what we saw here today is replicated in other parts of the country. (Places such as Mabaruma and Lethem) are places that must be administered by a town that is green. We want a completely green environment so that our country can be healthier. We don’t want people to concentrate just here, but planting mangroves and so on the seashore. This is just one of the spokes in the wheel,” President Granger said. The Head of State also said that this is one of the efforts which will be promoted and encouraged by his administration, in addition to
President David Granger plants a tree on Merriman Mall, as part of a PYARG Programme activity. pursuing renewable energy generation. Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder was pleased to see young people taking responsibility for the environment. He echoed the President’s sentiments that all Guyanese have a role to play in sustainable development.. “Such an event is vital to everyone especially the youths, our future generation. Protecting and maintaining the environment is important
for sustainable agriculture and the future for where our children can live. Aside from the known benefits of a clean and green environment, it has the potential to transform food security, reduce poverty and create jobs…Sustainable development should be our priority. It is our responsibility to protect our environment. Every person must play their part. This momentum must be carried forward,” the Minister said.
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Thursday March 24, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Is Volda Lawrence’s laurentian impetus at an end? My answer is no. And it should not be. Not in the context of the people in authority and status that we have to live with in this country. I begin this discussion on the Volda Lawrence imbroglio with a caveat. I am a strong endorser of the activism of Red Thread. I believe the activism of its leader, Karen De Souza and her group is sound and is in the right directions. Activists like De Souza do not protect sacred cows (I hope). But Red Thread’s call for the resignation of Minister Lawrence over her reaction on the child abuse allegations against councillor-elect, Harding has to be contexualized If Lawrence is made to resign then why should
Bharrat Jagdeo remain as Leader of the Opposition? That is a very important constitutional office. It carries a higher salary than Lawrence’s. It carries enormous political punch. Mr. Jagdeo, when President, refused to legalize his partnership with Ms. Varshnie Singh even though both Jagdeo and Ms. Singh used the term First Lady, countless times to refer to Ms. Singh. In thousands of instances, Ms. Singh was referred to as the President’s wife. At no time in those instances was there an Office of the President correction. Ms. Singh made public accusations against President Jagdeo that were not equivalent or amounted to domestic abuse but
constituted unadulterated domestic abuse. Such odious conduct in office would have caused loss of the presidency in a majority of countries. Mr. Jagdeo carried on in power and even became the de facto President when Donald Ramotar became de jure President from 2011 to 2015. It could be perceived as double standards to have Minister Lawrence step down while Jagdeo sits as Opposition Leader in the House. One could forgive the Minister of Labour or Housing if he entered the home of the US Ambassador and behaved in a deplorable manner literally insulting the envoy on the occasion to mark his country’s Independence. But not the
Minister of Education. The Labour Minister does not interface with the young generation within the age groups of one to 18, the Minister of Education does. As Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, a lawyer, behaved in atrocious ways that should have seen her banished from her portfolio and Parliament. She wasn’t. This lady who is now mocked on social media as “satyra gyaal” sits in Parliament as Shadow Minister of Education. Is it right for Guyana to reclaim the ministerial portfolio from Ms. Lawrence while Manickchand remains a Parliamentarian? I have been in political activism my entire life. The most obnoxious, offensive, philistine, unacceptable human I have ever encountered in politics is BIbi Shadick. I come from South Georgetown where good manners were hardly recognized much less embraced, yet I have never seen gutter-like behaviour in South Georgetown from our women folk in Wortmanville as I have seen with Ms. Shaddick. Shaddick holds the office
of Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana. That has to be the greatest insult to this nation since the Dutch arrived here. Ms. Shaddick has status to her name. She also possesses the constitutional title of Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission. Is there a Guyanese out there except from within the ranks of the PPP, who would accept the resignation of Ms. Lawrence while Shaddick remains as Pro-Chancellor of UG? How Red Thread deals with these issues I have raised in this column I don’t know but this I know – Red Thread is making a valid point and I could understand its angst. But for me context is everything in life. Without context we cannot understand the complexities of life and I believe Red Thread as a group of feminists do understand context. Surely, women have to defend themselves from sadistic husbands who have been indoctrinated by maledominated history to think that women are inferior to women so they mistreat them. I think in the context of this kind of flawed
Frederick Kissoon epistemology, women have a right to defend themselves against cruel husbands. As a Juror in a murder trial, it would be difficult for me to convict a woman who killed a recalcitrant, drunken, violently abusive husband. This is what I mean by context. Ms. Lawrence should apologize, clarify her feminist conceptualizations and move on. If Red Thread insists she has lost her moral right to be a Minister then context would be the deciding factor for me. And if I had to cast my opinion as if she should resign, then my arguments as presented in this column would be my answer.
Thursday March 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 24, 2016
Forensic Audit finds…
Polygraph testing by GEA was illegal By Kiana Wilburg In the absence of laws for guiding polygraph testing in Guyana, forensic auditors have found the Guyana Energy Agency’s (GEA) involvement in such acts to be illegal. What is even more alarming to the auditors is the fact that the GEA was found to be biased in the termination of employees who failed the test. In fact, GEA in some cases, kept employees who did not pass the test while in over 20 instances, it terminated those who failed or refused to take the test. These revelations, among others, were contained in a detailed report prepared by auditors of the Nigel Hinds Financial Services. In that document, they outlined that in developed countries where polygraph testing is guided by the law; there must be a provable, reasonable suspicion that an
- over 20 persons sacked for failing, while others were kept - calls made for former employees to be compensated employee was involved in the theft or other conduct triggering the polygraph testing. Strangely, they found that this was not the case for employees tested by GEA. Procurement During their investigation, the forensic auditors were told by GEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahender Sharma, that the procurement of the polygraph testing service was organized and executed by the former regime. He maintained that GEA has no records or documentation pertaining to the purchase of the programme. As such, the details of the costs of the polygraph testing programme as it related to the testing of
GEA employees is not available at the agency. Implementation The auditors noted that the GEA implemented the polygraph testing programme in 2009 for a select group of its employees. However, the auditors said that this finding is in stark contrast to evidence which showed that January 31, 2014 was the earliest time that GEA has a document authorizing the polygraph testing. They noted in their report that the programme was implemented over the period 2009 to 2014. Auditors also noted that no evidence could be found to suggest that Sharma requested authorization to implement polygraph testing
GEA CEO, Dr. Mahender Sharma
from the former Prime Minister, prior to implementation of the programme or during the time period 2009 through 2014. Additionally, the forensic auditing team was unable to gather any evidence that suggests that the employees who were polygraphed as part of the polygraph testing programme gave their consent. Termination of Employees The forensic auditors said that with the exception of two employees, Mr. Vernon James and Mr. Shorwin Johnson, no evidence was found to show that GEA was authorized by the former Prime Minister, Sam Hinds or by the Office of the President to terminate employees who failed the test. They said, too, that Sharma’s reason for sacking James because he refused to follow instructions to take the
test is inconsistent with the basis for termination. The auditors also found that there were no provisions in the employment contracts for employees to be polygraphed, prior to June 26, 2014. However, a letter entitled “2014 Polygraph Results” dated June 26, 2014, from Dr. Sharma to Dr. Roger Luncheon, included, among other things, a revision in the employment contracts for persons employed in the fuel marking division. One of the added clauses read, “The Officer shall be required to present himself to undergo polygraph tests at the time and venue stipulated by the Agency. The Officer shall be given sufficient notice prior to the scheduled polygraph tests such that all necessary arrangements may be made.” Another clause stated,
Promoting culture seen ... From page 9 with disabilities and special needs hampering life chances for this already disadvantaged group.” But perhaps the most serious aspect of this situation, he added, is the mismatch between the skills required in our education system and that which is required for the world of work. Several studies have documented this phenomenon and it has for certain impacted on the employment potential for many Caribbean youths. And
this state of affairs, Edward related, has in many cases led to many cases of unlawful means of earning a living, frustration and contributing to an escalation in youth crime and violence. “We cannot afford to lose so many of our youths and need to strategise to ensure that they can take advantage of the opportunities and choices that will empower them to contribute positively to their own development and that of our region,” asserted Edward.
“Continuous absence or willful refusal to comply with (the test) shall result in immediate termination of contract of service…” Resignation vs Termination The auditors noted that among those employees who were polygraphed and failed, most were terminated, some resigned and five were retained. Sharma told the auditors that those who resigned must have learnt about their results before management of GEA was able to serve them a letter of termination. However, based on the examination of records of employees who failed the polygraph test, the forensic auditors noticed that resignations of some of the employees occurred after those who failed the test on the same date were terminated. “For example, former employee Mr. Sayaid Ahamad resigned on May 29, 2013 and his colleague Mr. Collis Phoenix was terminated on May 14, 2013. Both of these employees were polygraphed at the same time and both failed the test. It is apparent that those who resigned were given the opportunity, while others who failed the polygraph tests were immediately terminated,” explained the auditors. They added, “We did not obtain any explanation from Dr. Sharma as to why employees who failed the (continued on page 21)
Thursday March 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Region Two seeks to mobilize Cummings Lodge man stabbed with scissors during robbery leaders for accountability Both Chairman of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council, Devenand Ramdatt and Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Rupert Hopkinson, are convinced that in order for the Region to move forward, seniors responsible for departments in the Region should lead by example by first adopting the key principles of accessibility and accountability. Ramdatt also believes that the developmental process should engage the efforts of all Essequibians. An important meeting which sought to address a series of prioritized issues affecting residents in the Region, and at the same time which was aimed at reminding Programme Heads of their duties which should be executed in a professional manner at all times, was held in the Region’s boardroom on Tuesday. The special meeting was convened by Regional Chairman Ramdatt, who is of the opinion that Programme Heads are not carrying out their mandates effectively and
as such, a proactive approach should be adopted in order to fuel progress. During his address which was directed at all Programme Heads, Regional Executive Officer, Hopkinson stated that if Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) is t o d e v elop, Managers (Programme Heads) must be answerable to concerns of the residents. “If this Region or any other Region for that matter cannot function properly, unless we are not accessible and accountable to the people.” Hopkinson added that the vision which should guide us is that one must be efficient and effective for all of the residents, regardless of where one resides. Even more importantly, Hopkinson reminded that the meeting was about seeking to work with the team. “In so doing, despite how difficult it is we are going to look at our mistakes, perhaps misdeeds of the past and charter a course for the future which in some cases means
new but better ways to approach our development. Hopkinson said, “We must be as judicious as how we use its resources such as fuel, vehicles, time on the job, supplies etc.” Hopkinson said he was evenly concerned about the Region’s image and its appeal to visitors. He told his audience that in times when the administration cannot provide employment for all its people, focus must be directed towards creating parks and open spaces and destinations to do business where people would be able to come and spend money, in the event, creating much needed jobs for the residents of Region Two. The issues of the problems facing rice, preparations made for the rainy season, the implementation of capital/ current budget, face the community and let stakeholders meetings, celebration of Guyana’s 50th anniversary and addressing critical problems at Onderneeming/Sand Pit.
Polygraph testing by GEA ... From page 12 polygraph tests were retained as employees of GEA.” Polygraph Questions and Results The auditors noted that GEA employees were asked a series of questions during the test. These included; 1) Have you ever committed any serious crime? 2) Have you done anything to bypass or alter the controls of contraband fuel in Guyana? 3) Are you intentionally omitting or falsifying any information on your application? 4) Have you benefited or profited in any way by helping the contraband of fuel since you have been in GEA. The employees who failed the polygraph tests in 2009 were:
included among the list of those polygraphed were not always tested. “For example, both Ms. Narissa Samuels, Senior Marking Officer and Mr. George Jaundoo, Fuel Marking Manager, were included among those polygraphed to 2014, but excluded in the polygraph test for 2014,” expressed the auditors. Legal Issues The forensic audit team discovered that eight former employees of GEA filed a lawsuit against GEA. Of the eight employees, one employee (Mr. Vernon James) was terminated for refusing to be polygraphed and the other seven were terminated for failing the polygraph test. The names of those
The auditors also noted that it was unable to obtain copies of the original transcripts of the polygraph test results for 2010, 2012, and 2013 They said, too, that certain employees who are usually
employees are Ameer Ali, Collis Phoenix, Hillon Chester, Holyann France, Jeannel Natasha Noble, Nickeisha Gordon, and Nksi Dalgetty. In response to this litigation, GEA hired Attorney-at-Law Mr. Manoj
Narayan of Mohabir A. Nandlall &Associates on July 19, 2013 and incurred legal fees for the preparation of defence. Extracts from the agreement between GEA and the Attorney-at-Law, states, “As full consideration for the services performed by Counsel under the terms of this Agreement, the GEA shall pay the sum of $2M for services satisfactorily performed. $1M shall be paid to Counsel upon signing this agreement. The remainder shall be paid upon conclusion of the matters.” This legal matter has not been settled and thus the outcome is yet to be determined. The continuation of the Polygraph Testing Programme based on a letter from Minister with responsibility for the energy sector, David Patterson, dated August 28, 2015, is currently being reviewed by Cabinet. In the interim, the auditors have recommended that the use of the polygraph testing on employees be discontinued until Guyana has the applicable laws to govern polygraph testing. They called for immediate action to be taken to compensate employees who were terminated as a result of the Polygraph Testing Program conducted by GEA over the period 2009 to 2014.
A Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was stabbed multiple times Tuesday night by a man, who tried to rob him in the village. Navindra Boodhoo, a Government Technical Institute (GTI) student, is hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) nursing injuries. According to reports,
- Suspect in custody
Boodhoo was heading home with his girlfriend when he was confronted by a bandit. The two had a confrontation during which the bandit pulled out a pair of scissors and stabbed him. Residents rushed to Boodhoo’s aid and took him to the hospital where he remains a patient. The
residents also apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police. He is currently in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station. Kaieteur News understands that ranks at the Turkeyen Police Station have been receiving reports of a number of robberies in the Cummings Lodge area.
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Kaieteur News
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and all other electronic equipment. Ordering of circuit boards. Abdul Electronics. Call: 225-0391 JADESCO offers: Architectural designs (house plans), 3D designs, construction, rehabilitation works and estimates. Call:612-0468; 649-3059 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822
WANTED One experience captain to ply from Georgetown to Bartica must be 55 years and over. Contact: 650-0402 1 Live in domestic to work, salary -$60,000. Call: 6741767, 685-8720; 661-5992 1 Skilled bobcat operator must have at least 3yrs experienced. Call: 265-3024; 609-0766 Hairdresser/sales representative needed for hair products. Must have a vehicle. Call: 231-4999; 6770480, email:irbcguy@gmail. com One bulldozer operator to work in West Bank area. Call: 694-3978; 627-9909 Responsible hire car drivers. Call: 231-7200; contract cars. Call:226-0765 Bill clerk (girls) to work at grocery stall in Stabroek Market, experience is an asset. Call: 226-9800 1 Male cook (baheir) to cook in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 Housekeeper to cook for an Indian Family in Turkeyen, 6 days @ $15,000 weekly. Police clearance and reference required. Call: 655-6766 Porters: apply in person on Tuesdays & Thursdays at Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Must be18yrs old Operator, porters/labourers. Apply at Wieting & Richter Ltd. We pay cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Parfaite Harmonie, Farm, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Berbice & East Coast. Call: 611-7223; 6042207 Live in domestic must know to cook and bake -$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-5043
EDUCATIONAL Private Custom Brokerage Certificate: training course29th March 2016. Register now! Call: 223-1506; 694-8322
Female worker needed @ Regent Street, starting $12,000 – Call: 672-0429 TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
SALON
PROPERTY FOR SALE
FOR SALE
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Furnished salon @ 153 Middle Road La Penitence. Call: 665-3307 Executive Furnished 4 bedroom house@ Republic Park, EBD-Call 600-2031 Furnished 2 bedroom house@ Farm, EBD $150,000 per monthly neg. Call 6002031 Executive semi furnished 4 bedroom house, air condition, Lamaha GardensCall 600-2031
WANTED 1 Person to cook various meals, between ages 40-50, must live on West Bank or West Coast. Call: 623-7914 Persons to take care of 1 Elderly woman between the ages of 40-50, night job. Call: 623-7914 Contract cars and taxi drivers (salaries paid). Call: 2310002; 231-0316
One experienced sales clerk to work at Curtains & Drapery. Call: 225-2224
Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 3068 Amelia’s Ward Linden: 4 bedrooms, 1 self-containedCall: 640-4731; 641-6450 House & land fully furnished, 3 self contained rooms, 1 master bedroom, alarm systems, 9 cameras, 7 AC units. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536 Diamond: $15M & $14M, Grove: $9.5M, New Road V/ Hoop: $6M, Pouderoyen:$45M, Goed Fortuin : $7M, La Grange $10M. Call: 604-6724 House & land at Good Hope E.C.D -$32M negotiable. Call: 654-4312 & 629-3344 House & land @ Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D -$27M neg. Call: 654-4312; 629-3344, serious inquiries only. Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 6247341 2 Storey concrete building, 1 master room, 3 bedrooms 30’X58’ @ Xora Avenue, Eccles -$56M negotiable – Call: 672-4190 La Parfaite Harmonie: $1M & $1.3M, Uitvlugt: $3M, Providence: $9M & $4.5M, Kitty-$18M, Sandpit @ Yarrowkabra -$90M. Call: 6046724 Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
5 Acre farm at Pearl E.B.D, bearing fruit trees, equipped chicken pens etc, terms of sale negotiable. Call: 6921999
For all your spices: black pepper, wholesale $1,000lb, chicken season, $400lb, fish seasoning, all purpose etc. Call: 668-0159
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
2 Bedrooms apartment for rent with toilet & bath inside at Section ‘B’ Field, Turkeyen. Call: 231-2669; 646-4976 PEN PAL Indian male is seeking female, age 30-33yrs. Write: M.D, 7475 Goreway DR #47 Mississauga on L4T 3T3 Canada.
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
LAND FOR SALE
Executive furnished suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call: 600-2466
HB Allion for sale “as is, where is”, best offer. Call: 690-2250
(9 Stalls) 64 to 72 (47feet long x 7 feet wide) @ La Penitence Market Albouystown. Call: 663-1597; 218-4837
Must Sell! Owner migrating: Two bedrooms concrete house, recently built, in Werk-en-Rust -$30M negotiable. Call: 645-6498
TO LET
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Fielder & L-Touring Wagon, AT192, AE100, Funcargo, Tundra, Pickup 4X4 solid DEF, (Ducati 1098cc). Call: 644-5096; 6971453
Toyota Carina 212 -$1.1M, Toyota Ipsum -$2.2M, Nissan Live and pluck chicken- Call: Pathfinder -$1.6M, Toyota 220-1043; 621-4304 Vigo -$4.5M. Prices negotiable- Call: 609-7766/ Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135 225-8427 Spare for w a s h i n g Unregistered Bluebird 2006 m a c h i n e , m i c r o w a v e s , model, TV, Reverse Camera, fridges, stoves, timers, Dark interior low mileage gearbox, motors, etc. Call: $2.3M. Call: 655-3400 225-9032;647-2943;6045198 One Toyota Premio PTT series. excellent condition, ADORABLE PUPPIES FOR reverse camera-$1.850M, SALE. CALL: 615-0146 prices negotiable. Call: 6280481 Labrottie puppies (jet black) for sale @ $50,000/each; 5 Smart choice Auto: 08&06 weeks fully de-wormed & Premio, 08&06 Allion, 212, vaccinated. Call: 654-7683 Runx, IST, Fielder. Call: 6523820; 665-4529 Leyland DAF55, Flatbed truck-in, excellent condition. 2005 SPACIO -$2.2M NEG, Call to negotiate: 675-4287; 2006 PREMIO-$2.3M NEG, 628-0016; 667-2536; 233-2383 NOAH & VOXY-$1.7M NEG. ALL VEHICLES FULLY Cheap! Cheap! CCTV LOADED & Security Surveillance Kit, 8 UNREGISTERED. CALL: Channels DVR with built in 642-7295 Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras One Toyota Hilux E/Cab – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 pickup M/T 3RZ engine. One Toyota Spacio PPP series Call: 676-0931 in excellent condition. Call: 600-2466
Salesgirls and boys to work. Call: 668-0159
Live in waitress must be able assist with lotto and top up$70,000. Call: 610-3974 Highly skilled person who can fillet fish. $5,000 per day. (2) A computer operator who has a knowledge of Quickbook. Must be able to download accounts & to enter them into a Quickbook programmes. Call 697-5221
Thursday March 24, 2016
Eight (8) Acres farm land at Kuru Kururu with creek passing through-Call: 6431861 La Parfaite Harmonie $1.3M, Herstelling (100ftX50ft) -$3M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt-$2.5M, Eccles-$5M. Call: 604-2207; 611-7223
FOR OUR ADVERTISING RATES - CALL US ON TEL: 2268210
Site Engineer/Technician, experienced Human Resource Personnel, good salary and opportunity for personal development. Call: 261-2280; 668-7104 Va c a n c y for maid; specialized in Indian and English cusine. Call: 2310734 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.
Thursday March 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
Govt. in rescue mode as Chinese pull out of sugar This file photo shows a state-of-theart cane harvester in operation at the Monymusk sugar estate owned by Pan Caribbean Sugar Company.
The Gleaner - Education and Information Minister Ruel Reid says the Government is moving swiftly to try to keep the ailing sugar industry afloat as the Chineseowned Pan Caribbean Sugar Company Limited signals that it will close its operations in Jamaica by June. Addressing journalists at the Holness administration’s first post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House Tuesday, Reid said the Government did not have an interest in taking over the operations of the company, but was seeking to encourage other private-sector interests to invest in the sector. The closure of the sugar factories could trigger significant job losses. Reid pointed out that Pan Caribbean, which operates
the Frome sugar factory in Westmoreland, Monymusk in Clarendon and Bernard Lodge in St Catherine, had racked up losses amounting to US$60 million. Reid told journalists that the huge losses resulted from a plunge, by about 40 per cent, in the price of sugar on the world market. “What we are seeking to do is to see if we can get other private players, particularly to get involved in the sugarcane cultivation part of it and proceed with diversification of the sugar industry and not rely on bulk sugar alone. “There are a lot of acres of sugar, up to about 38,000. We feel that there are opportunities for collaboration with other players so that the business can remain viable, so
you are not limited only to bulk sugar production but other aspects of the sugarcane industry such as ethanol and energy generation.” The Chinese-owned Pan Caribbean Sugar Company had planted more than 2,100 hectares of new cane fields after taking over Frome. In January, the company made the positions of 383 sugar workers redundant. The company had pumped US$80 million in investment in new equipment and infrastructure works at the Frome and Monymusk factories. In total, Pan Caribbean Sugar Company had invested more than US$200 million in the three sugar factories. The company spent US$9 million to acquire the sugar factories in 2011.
Jearlean’s tone at meeting upset NDC board…
FIRED FOR ‘HOT MOUTH’ Trinidad Guardian - Managing director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Jearlean John claims she was fired Tuesday for having “an offensive tone” at a meeting with the board on Monday. Speaking to the T&T Guardian moments after the HDC issued a release saying she had been terminated, John said she received a letter from the HDC’s board informing her she had been dismissed on the basis of “your reaction, demeanor, tone and manner of communicating with the board of directors.” “They said it was insubordinate and disrespectful,” she said in a telephone interview. She, however, described her dismissal “as political victimisation to every extent.” “This is really high-handedness in the extreme. You just do not behave like that,” a bewildered John said. Her sacking comes three months after she and seven
senior HDC managers were sent on administrative leave pending an audit into the operations of the HDC. In announcing the sacking, the HDC gave no details but the document’s wording gave the impression she had been terminated due to the findings of the audit. “In December 2015, the board of directors of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) took a decision to commission an audit into the operations of the HDC. Ms Jearlean John, the managing director, was sent on administrative leave on December 17, 2015. “The board of directors, HDC, requested a meeting with Ms John on March 21, 2016. Subsequent to that meeting, the board of directors terminated Ms John’s employment as the managing director of the HDC,” the release stated. However, John said the meeting never even discussed the audit.
She said that last Friday the HDC corporate secretary invited her to a board meeting on Monday. “This was very unusual since it was a verbal request,” John said in explaining the events that led to her firing. She said anyone who was invited to a board meeting would be informed in writing and that was what she asked of the corporate secretary. “They did put the meeting in writing, outlining the date, time and place, but did not put an agenda attached... so I went into this meeting on Monday. They did not ask anything of substance. The meeting lasted about five or ten minutes, if so long.” Present at the meeting, John said, was HDC chairman Newman George and its directors. “I was asked a few questions and I left,” she claimed. At no point in time, John said, was she disrespectful nor did she raise her voice or was rude towards the board.
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Illegal gun lands man in hot water A 42-year-old Albouystown resident appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday, to answer to a charge of illegal firearm and ammunition possession. Dexter Bharrat of Lot 32 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown is accused of having a .45 pistol in his possession on March 18, at Hadfield Street, Werk-enRust, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. It was further alleged that on the same day, he had six .45 live rounds of ammunition in his possession, without being the holder of a firearm licence. Bharrat, who had no legal representation, pleaded not guilty to both charges read to him in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The
defendant was remanded to prison until April 12, after Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers opposed his pre-trial liberty. Inspector Jeffers indicated that a ballistics report is still outstanding from the police file. Meanwhile, in another case, five men were each ordered to post bail in the sum of $25,000 each after they were accused of attempting to break into an insurance firm. Steve Singh, 23 of Yarrow Dam, East Ruimveldt; Leonard Allicock, 53, of James Street, Albouystown; Trevor James, 38, of Durban Street, Lodge; Clinton Kissoon, 47, of William Street Kitty; and Torrell Timmerman, 47, denied the allegation read to them by the Chief Magistrate. Particulars of the charge
Dexter Bharrat alleged that on March 20, at Brickdam, they attempted to break into the MP Insurance and Brokerage Company. Prosecutor Jeffers had no objection to the defendant being released on bail. Jeffers stated that nothing was stolen from the building. This matter had been adjourned until April 14.
Former Sheriff Restaurant and ... From page 20 on Sheriff Street. “Fortunately for us, the fire was contained in the upper flat. The bottom flat was unoccupied at the time. We have to do an investi-
gation to determine how the fire started. Meanwhile, the fire attracted much attention from residents and passers-by who took to the streets. This could have also con-
tributed to the massive build up of traffic as vehicles were seen bumper to bumper. The situation came quickly under control as vehicles were diverted onto Stone Avenue.
Thursday March 24, 2016
Brazilian found with illegal gun remanded to prison A Brazilian national was on Tuesday remanded to prison after being charged with being in possession of illegal firearm and ammunition, when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Sebastiad DeOliveria Moura is alleged to have had a 9mm pistol along with 12 live rounds of matching ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence on March 19, at Eyelash Backdam, Port Kaituma, North West District. Moura pleaded not guilty to the allegation read to him with the aid of a Spanish interpreter. His Attorney, Latchmie Rahamat, made an application for her client to be released on reasonable bail. Rahamat told the court that her client has been operating a $20M business (a shop) located in Port Kaituma, Water Front for the past six years. The lawyer told the court
Sebastiad DeOliveria Moura that on the day in question, police ranks went to her client’s shop and conducted a search. Rahamat stated that the gun along with ammunition was found on a counter top in the shop and not in Moura’s possession. Rahamat added that her client explained to the ranks that multiple persons have
access to the shop since he employs shopkeepers. She contested that at the time of his arrest, her client was not provided with a translator and was unaware of what was taking place. However, the application was met with objections by Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers. He argued that the defendant has no ties to Guyana and is a possible flight risk. Jeffers also pointed out the seriousness of the offence. Inspector Jeffers told the court that the defendant speaks fluent English and even admitted to police that the illegal items belonged to him. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan upheld the objections put forward by the Prosecutor and remanded Moura to prison until May 2. This matter was transferred to the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
Central Housing held prime ... From page 14 months now. The particulars of the sale of the 100-acre plot by Sunset Lakes Inc. to BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. is not only raising eyebrows but has fallen under the radar of the new administration. A review of the Sale and Purchase agreement is underway. Sunset Lakes was late last year ordered to attend a meeting with then Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott, and other officials of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), to explain the delays. From all indications, Sunset Lakes breached the agreement by selling the entire plot without building any homes. How the developer was able to get away with the breaches would raise troubling questions about CH&PA's monitoring of the housing projects during the reign of the previous PPP/C administration, especially as thousands of persons are on file awaiting house lots. According to the generous clauses of the “Agreement of Sale and Purchase” entered into on February 7, 2014, the 100-acre plot was sold for $458.18M with 25 percent or $114.54M handed over as an advance. Some 35 percent or $160.36M would have been paid after CH&PA would have evaluated the infrastructural works completed by Sunset Lakes. Under the agreement, Sunset Lakes was to hand over the final $183.27M when the Block Certificate of title for the 100 acres was passed. With the basic
infrastructural works still incomplete, it meant that CH&PA only collected $114M. Tiwarie also agreed to complete the construction of the homes within 24 months and ensure 100 percent occupancy, or face a fine of 25 percent of the market value of the land. The ambitious gated community was talked about since 2012. The Guyana Chronicle in July that year quoted Tiwarie as identifying Sunset Lakes as one of the highlights for that year's Building Exposition. The logging company reportedly offered US$9M for the 100 acres plot but still owes another US$3M. In October 2014, during the GuyExpo trade fair at the Sophia Exhibition, BaiShanLin announced the gated community called “New Life” with a huge display. Prices for homes were from $50M and reaching over $100M. In its Facebook page, Sunset Lakes scaled back, offering some of the homes from $40M and others at $70M. In Trouble BaiShanLin is facing tough times, with its aggressive entry into the logging sector and the unusually large tax and other concessions it was granted under the previous administration. It has failed to build a US$70M wood processing plant in Linden despite drawing down on the monies from China Development Bank. It is believed that the monies were diverted to housing and into gold mining. Several of its projects are delayed and lying still. The BaiShanLin/Sunset Lakes growing scandal would
seem to be only a tip of the iceberg when it comes to the lands allocated to the private developers. What is known is that CH&PA is now reporting that it has about 25,000 applications on file with only 5,000 to be addressed in the coming five years. The new administration has said that housing developments, especially on the East Bank of Demerara, are facing delays because of contractors' tardiness and poor oversight. CH&PA is facing questions over its administration of the lands and other housing programmes. Today, a new Board of Directors is set to meet and decide whether it will vote to send home two senior staffers to make way for investigations. Recently, it was disclosed that several close friends of the PPP/C administration benefitted from lands on the East Bank of Demerara. Among them is Ravie Ramcharitar, a Director of Queens Atlantic Investments Inc, a company owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi 'Bobby' Ramroop. Ramroop is the best friend of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Benefitting also from 35 acres behind Golden Grove was Mohamed 'Arafat' Qualander, a close friend of former President Donald Ramotar. Former Finance Minister, Saisnarine Kowlessar, was another person who received lands. An investigation is currently ongoing into the 'Remigrant' Scheme, at Providence. From indications, CH&PA took it upon itself to determine who were remigrants, a determination that is made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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World on edge as manhunt continues in Brussels (Reuters) - Belgium’s chief prosecutor named two brothers yesterday as Islamic State suicide bombers who killed at least 31 people in the most deadly attacks in Brussels’ history but said another key suspect was on the run. Tuesday’s attacks on a city that is home to the European Union and NATO sent shockwaves across Europe and around the world, with authorities racing to review security at airports and on public transport. It also rekindled debate about lagging European security cooperation and flaws in police surveillance. Washington announced that Secretary of State John Kerry would visit Belgium tomorrow to demonstrate support. The Belgian federal prosecutor told a news conference that Ibrahim El Bakraoui, 29, one of two men who blew themselves up at Brussels airport on Tuesday, had left a will on a computer dumped in a rubbish bin near the militants’ hideout. In it, he described himself as “always on the run, not knowing what to do anymore, being hunted everywhere, not being safe any longer and that if he hangs around, he risks ending up next to the person in a cell” - a reference to suspected Paris bomber Salah Abdeslam, who was arrested last week. His brother Khalid El Bakraoui, 27, detonated a bomb an hour later on a crowded rush-hour metro train near the European Commission headquarters, prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw said. Both men, born in Belgium, had criminal records for armed robbery but investigators had not linked them to Islamist militants until Abdeslam’s arrest, when police began a race against time to track down his suspected accomplices. That seems to have prompted the bombers to rush into an attack in Belgium after months of lying low, according to the testament found on the laptop. At least 31 people were killed and 271 wounded in the attacks, the prosecutor said. That toll could increase further because some of the bomb victims at Maelbeek metro station were blown to pieces and victims are hard to identify. Several survivors were still in critical condition. The Bakraoui brothers were identified by their fingerprints and on security cameras, the prosecutor said. A second suicide bomber at the airport had yet to be identified and a third man, whom he did not name, had left the
- Brothers named as suicide bombers, key suspect on run
A young man in a hat caught on CCTV pushing a luggage trolley at Belgium’s Zaventem airport alongside two others who, investigators said, had later blown themselves up in the terminal. (Reuters/Belgian/Federal Police) biggest bomb and ran out of the terminal before the explosions. Belgian media named that man as Najim Laachraoui, 25, a suspected Islamic State recruiter and bomb-maker whose DNA was found on two explosives belts used in last November’s Paris attacks and at a Brussels safe house used by Abdeslam. De Standaard newspaper, however, citing an unidentified source, named Laachraoui as the second suicide bomber at the airport. Khalid El Bakraoui rented under a false name the apartment in the city’s Forest borough, where police hunting Abdeslam killed a gunman in a raid last week. He is also believed to have rented a safe house in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi used to mount the Paris attacks. “BLACK DAYS” Turkey said it had detained Ibrahim El Bakraoui near the Syrian border last year and deported him to the Netherlands before he was briefly held in Belgium, then released. “Belgium ignored our warning that this person is a foreign fighter,” President Tayyip Erdogan said. The Brussels attacks came days after a suspected Islamic State suicide bomber blew himself up in Istanbul’s most popular shopping district, killing three Israelis and an Iranian. The Syrian-based Islamist group claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attacks, warning of “black days” for those fighting it in Syria and Iraq.
Belgian warplanes have joined the coalition in the Middle East, but Brussels has long been a hub of Islamist militants who operated elsewhere. A minute’s silence was observed across Belgium at noon. Prime Minister Charles Michel canceled a trip to China and reviewed security measures with his inner cabinet before attending a memorial event at European Commission headquarters with King Philippe, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. “We are determined, admittedly with a strong feeling of pain in our stomachs, but determined to act,” Michel told a joint news conference with Valls. “France and Belgium are united in pain more than ever.” Valls played down crossborder sniping over security, saying: “We must turn the page on naivete, a form of carefreeness that our societies have known. “It is Europe that has been attacked. The response to terrorism must be European.” EU justice and interior ministers will hold an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday, the Dutch EU presidency said. More than 1,000 people gathered around an improvised shrine with candles and street paintings outside the Brussels bourse. Belgium’s crisis coordination center kept the level of security alert at the maximum
as the man hunt continued. Some buses and trains were running but the metro and the airport were closed, along with key road tunnels in Brussels. The blasts fueled political debate across the globe about how to combat militants. Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to succeed Obama in November’s U.S. election, suggested suspects could be tortured to avert such attacks. He also said in a British television interview that Muslims were not doing enough to prevent that kind
of violence. After a tip-off from a taxi driver who unwittingly drove the bombers to the airport, police searched an apartment in the Brussels borough of Schaerbeek late into the night, finding another bomb, an Islamic State flag, 15 kg of the same kind of explosives used in the Paris attacks and bombmaking chemicals. An unused explosive device was also found at the airport. CLOSING IN Security experts believed the blasts were probably in preparation before Friday’s
arrest of locally based French national Abdeslam, 26, whom prosecutors accuse of a key role in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks. He was caught and has been speaking to investigators after a shootout at an apartment in the south of the city, after which another Islamic State flag and explosives were found. About 300 Belgians are estimated to have fought with Islamists in Syria, making the country of 11 million the leading European exporter of foreign fighters and a focus of concern in France and other neighbors over its security capabilities. Reviving arguments over Belgian security policies following the Paris attacks, in which 130 people died in an operation apparently organized from Brussels, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin spoke of “naiveté” on the part of “certain leaders” in holding back from security crackdowns on Muslim communities. Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders retorted that each country should look to its own social problems, saying France too had rough high-rise suburbs in which militants had become radicalized. Valls said France had no place teaching Belgium lessons and had problems with its own communities. Brussels airport seemed likely to remain shut for several days over the busy Easter holiday weekend, since the departure hall was still being combed as a crime scene on Wednesday and repairs can only begin once investigators are finished.
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Thursday March 24, 2016
Obama praises Argentina’s ‘man in a hurry’ Macri for reforms
President Obama listens to a question from the audience during a town hall meeting with entrepreneurs as part of Obama’s two-day visit to Argentina, in Buenos Aires. (Reuters/Carlos Barria) (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday championed Argentina’s new centre-right leader Mauricio Macri as an example for other countries in Latin America, praising the fast pace of reforms to strengthen the economy. Obama, on a two-day visit to Argentina that marks a detente after years of tensions, said Argentina under Macri was poised to play a more influential role on the global stage, in settings like the G20 grouping of major economies. In his first 100 days in office, Macri has distanced himself from South America’s leftist bloc, old allies of former President Cristina Fernandez, and sought a thaw in relations with Western capitals as he seeks new investment in Latin America’s No. 3 economy. “I can tell you President Macri is a man in hurry,” Obama told a joint news conference after the two leaders held talks. “I’m impressed because he has moved rapidly on so many of the reforms that he promised, to create more sustainable and inclusive economic growth, to reconnect Argentina with the global economy and the world community,” he said. Macri offers Obama a new ally in South America, a region where a strong leftist bloc turned its back on Washington over the past decade but where public opinion is now shifting toward the political center ground as governments grapple with graft scandals and an economic slowdown. “Argentina is re-assuming its traditional leadership role in the region and around the world,” Obama said.
His trip to Argentina to forge a new friendship follows a historic visit to Cold War foe Cuba that aimed to boost Obama’s credibility across Latin America. For years, much of the region took a dim view of Washington’s longstanding policy of trying to force change in Communist-ruled Cuba by isolating it, a strategy that Obama has cast aside. Macri said Obama’s visit marked the start of new “mature” relations in which the countries would cooperate on issues ranging from trade to fighting international drug trafficking. Macri has lifted capital and trade controls, slashed bloated power subsidies and cut a debt deal with “holdout” creditors in the United States. But he still has to grapple with double-digit inflation, a yawning fiscal deficit and a shortage of hard currency, and has made securing new foreign investment flows a priority. REBUILDING TRUST Obama said the two governments would work to identify barriers impeding greater trade flows between the two economies, but said a free trade agreement was something that might lie at the end of the process. “Right now there’s a lot of underbrush, a lot of unnecessary trade irritants and commercial irritants that can be cleared away administratively and that’s some of the work that we intend to do right away,” Obama said. Foreign companies operating in Argentina routinely complain about costly customs requirements, cumbersome red tape and strong workers’ rights. Obama said Argentina
could be an effective partner in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime and said both countries would work together in response to the Zika virus that has spread across parts of South America at lightning speed. The two countries announced an agreement on joint steps to fight climate change including working to cut carbon emissions from air flights and integrating solar and wind power into electricity grids. Crowds have cheered Obama’s motorcade as travels along Buenos Aires’ treelined boulevards, handing the U.S. leader a friendlier reception than his predecessor George W. Bush, whose presence at a Summit of the Americas in 2005 was met with protests and snubbed by then President Nestor Kirchner. But left-wing political parties have promised protests today, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the coup on March 24, 1976, that installed right-wing military rule. In an era when Cold War thinking often put Washington behind right-wing governments in the region, the United States initially backed the 1976-1983 dictatorship, during which as many as 30,000 people were killed. Obama said he would visit a memorial to victims of the “Dirty War” to pay tribute to the courage of Argentines who stood up against human rights violations, and re-affirmed that his administration would declassify U.S. military and intelligence records related to the junta. “I hope this gesture also helps to rebuild trust that may have been lost between our two countries,” Obama said.
Thursday March 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
Former Minister of State implicated in sale of diplomatic passports Daily Observer - New allegations coming out of the ongoing United Nations (UN) bribery scandal have implicated an unnamed former Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister in a scheme to sell diplomatic appointments and passports to Chinese businessmen in exchange for hundreds of thousands of US dollars. The scheme is alleged to have taken place in 2013 during the Baldwin Spencer-led administration. The allegations are detailed by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a newly filed criminal complaint, which was sworn to by Special Agent, Jason P Alberts, before US Federal Magistrate Judge, Barbara C Moses, in the Southern District of New York. The complaint, filed March 16, 2016 alleges that US$500,000 in bribe money was provided by the defendant, Vivian Wang, in return for Antiguan officials arranging for two diplomatic appointments. Ashe is claimed to have directed the defendant to pay the sum into an account in Trinidad & Tobago which was in the name of a local company. The complaint states that based on its name, the company, “appeared to be a publisher of educational materials.” “Subsequent to US $500,000 arriving in the Trinidad account, sums were wired… to bank accounts in the US belonging to or affiliated with family members of the then-Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister of Antigua,” the complaint states. The complaint also states that another accused UN official, heavily involved with Ashe, was led by Ashe to believe that “at least a portion of the money was meant to pay off one or more Antigua officials, including the then-Prime Minister.” Julia Vivi “Vivian” Wang, who is a Chi-
nese born businesswoman, is the woman accused of paying Ashe for facilitating the appointment of her husband and another unnamed Chinese businessman to diplomatic posts in the Antigua & Barbuda Investment Office (ABIO) in Hong Kong China. Investigators have allegedly uncovered a chain of revealing emails which they partially disclose in the compliant. In one email dated April 1, 2013, Ashe is alleged to have sent a message from his official UN account to his personal email account containing details of a bank account in Trinidad, which the complaint states, appeared to be connected to “publisher of educational materials.” The next day, Wang emailed Ashe a wire transfer form indicating that she had authorised payment of US $500,000 to the Trinidad account. It is further alleged that once the money was transferred into the “Trinidad Company Account”, “at least some of the money” was transferred to US bank accounts belonging to or affiliated with the family members of the Antiguan and Barbudan Minister of State. Going backward, email correspondence leading up to the payoffs, around April of 2013, implicate Ashe, Wang, Wang’s husband, and the other unnamed Chinese businessman. The complaint states that in April of 2012, Ashe emailed Francis Lorenzo, the Dominican Republic’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, who was allegedly heavily involved with Ashe, about the possibility of appointing Wang’s husband and the other Chinese businessman to diplomatic posts. The email is said to have stated, “Vivian has said there are two guys who were interested in becoming our HC (Honorary Consul) in Hong Kong.”
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Thursday March 24, 2016
Brazil Supreme Court judge Caribbean-China consultations knocks phone taps of ex-president underway in Barbados
Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean shakes hands with China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Wang Choa while regional representatives look on. (A.Gaskin/BGIS) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) - The sixth round of the Caribbean-China consultations held in Barbados was highlighted as an excellent opportunity for Caribbean countries and China to explore ways in which they could cooperate to address various challenges. Barbados minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, Senator Maxine McClean, made this assertion at the opening ceremony of the consultations. According to her, many of the countries in the region had not yet recovered from the “catastrophic” economic crisis that started in 2008 and were still experiencing slow or negative economic growth. “Among these new challenges confronting our economies are the issues of de-risking and correspondent banking, as well as the debt burden. These issues constitute an existential threat to our economies. These consulta-
tions provide an opportunity for us to raise these concerns and to explore the possibilities for cooperation,” she stated. McClean, who co-chaired the meeting along with China’s vice foreign minister, Wang Choa, further outlined shared concerns between the Caribbean and China. “In spite of the disparity in size, population and economy, the Caribbean and China share a number of concerns. Each side is affected by the impact of climate change and takes seriously the implementation at the national level of internationally agreed commitments with respect to climate change, as well as to the sustainable development agenda as a whole. “As small island developing states, the Caribbean side is only too well aware of the effects of climate change which negatively impact our national economies and threaten our very physical
existence. The area of climate change adaptation and mitigation is certainly a priority issue for consideration in our cooperation with China,” she said. The minister also stated that the talks would further strengthen the relationship between China and the Caribbean. According to her, China was a good partner in the region and had funded projects in a number of sectors including tourism, education, education and agriculture. “China’s support for the development efforts of the region has not been restricted to ‘bricks and mortar’ investments alone. Indeed, the gains derived from people-topeople contact have been immeasurable, and have helped to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our peoples,” McClean noted, adding that China had also provided humanitarian assistance to Dominica after Tropical Storm Erika devastated that country.
Suriname leader’s son’s ‘righthand man’ guilty in U.S. drug case NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Surinamese man who U.S. authorities said acted as the “right-hand man” to the son of the country’s president during a scheme to send large amounts of cocaine to the United States was found guilty of trying to ship the drug, prosecutors said yesterday. Edmund Muntslag, who was arrested after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sting operation targeting Dino Bouterse, Suriname President Desi Bouterse’s son, was found guilty by a federal jury in Manhattan on Tuesday of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. His conviction came a year after Dino Bouterse, 43, was sentenced to 16-1/4 years
in prison after pleading guilty to charges that he tried to offer a home base to the Lebanese paramilitary group Hezbollah in the South American country. Muntslag, 32, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life, according to a spokeswoman for Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. César de Castro, Muntslag’s lawyer, said his client intends to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors said that in 2013, Bouterse and Muntslag sought to help people claiming to be Mexican drug cartel members, who were actually U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration informants, send millions of dollars worth of cocaine to the United States.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A Brazilian Supreme Court justice said a lower court judge erred in releasing tapped phone calls of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and at least temporarily removed him from any investigation of the embattled exleader. Tuesday’s ruling by Teori Zavascki is a victory for Silva, though it stops short of allowing him to become chief of staff to his successor, President Dilma Rousseff. That Cabinet post would make it harder to investigate Silva for possible corruption. Zavascki said Judge Sergio Moro, who is overseeing a massive probe of corruption at the Petrobras oil company, should not have released the tapped conversations, agreeing with the government’s argument that by releasing them the judge endangered national sovereignty. Zavascki ordered the tapes sealed and Moro tem-
Sergio Moro
porarily removed from the investigation. Moro has said the conversations appeared to suggest attempts to influence judicial officials in Silva’s favour. The former president who is under investigation for money-laundering in connection with the Petrobras scheme denies all wrongdoing. The tapped phone calls are of conversations between
Silva and a host of prominent public figures, including Rousseff herself. In his ruling, Zavascki said Silva was speaking with authorities who are entitled to the “privileged jurisdiction” of the Supreme Court. Under Brazilian law only Brazil’s Supreme Court can authorize the investigation, imprisonment and trial of Cabinet members.
Senior Jamaican officer suggests bonding police to reduce departures from Force KINGSTON, Jamaica – A senior police office is suggesting that government consider bonding members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to remain in the organisation for a specific period, in an attempt to stem the loss of a high number of trained officers to police forces in other countries. Head of the Manchester Police Division, Superintendent Vendolyn CameronPowell said the JCF, which is currently seeking to fill about 3,000 vacancies, is losing well-trained officers to other countries that are “doing everything to recruit them.” She pointed out that it is costly to train officers, particularly those with specialized skills, such as Scene of Crime personnel. The Government spends J$5 million (US$41,097) to train just one of those individuals. “It is very expensive to train a Scene of Crime officer and as soon as the Government spends $5 million to train one, they are stolen by other persons who are able to offer (better compensation),” Cameron-Powell said. Many officers are also being lost to other Caribbean islands, she said, and it’s the norm for an officer who decides to take up an offer overseas to also draft his colleagues. The police superinten-
Vendolyn Cameron-Powell dent pointed out that Jamaicans account for more than half the police force in Bermuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, and the Special Branch units in several Caribbean islands comprise only Jamaicans. She added that she is aware that three trained bomb experts serving in Iraq are Jamaicans. In addition, she lamented, the JCF’s A-class drivers are being recruited by Canada. It was also highlighted that people, many of whom are university graduates, join the JCF, serve for two years, then leave to work with the New York Police Department (NYPD) or Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
“This is how high level the training is (within the JCF) and persons are stealing from us, just like what is happening in the nursing industry,” Superintendent CameronPowell said. In the meantime, she called on suitably qualified persons to consider a career in the JCF, noting that the organization is seeking to recruit individuals who are not only academically competent, but mentally and physically fit. She stressed that the JCF wants the best from the market, as it seeks to raise the standard of service, and pointed out that there were people entering the JCF with Masters degrees. (Caribbean360)
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Tournament chief Moore Formula One drivers call resigns over comments for change of governance (Reuters) Raymond Moore has stepped down as CEO and tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open following comments he made about women’s tennis in a move welcomed by the women’s tour. Moore provoked outrage at the weekend when he said top-level women’s players rode “on the coattails of the men” and were “very, very lucky” to have equal prize money. The tennis world reacted strongly as world number one Serena Williams and all-time great Martina Navratilova rebuffed the statements and the ATP men’s tour formally denounced them. Tournament owner Larry Ellison revealed the departure with a statement that both announced Moore’s resignation and championed the sport’s efforts toward equality. “Nearly half a century ago, Billie Jean King began her historic campaign for the equal treatment of women in tennis,” Ellison said. “What followed is an ongoing, multi-generational, progressive movement to treat women and men in sports equally. “I’m proud to say that it is now a decade long tradition at our tournament at Indian Wells, and all the major tennis tournaments, to pay equal prize
money to both the women and the men.” Among his comments, the 69-year-old South African also highlighted Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard and Spaniard Garbine Muguruza as being among the “very attractive prospects” on the WTA circuit, before explaining that they were “physically attractive and competitively attractive”. “If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport,” he said. When reaction to his remarks flooded in, the former ATP Tour player quickly offered an apology but the damage had already been done. Moore had only taken over as tournament director late last year when Steve Simon resigned to become chief executive of the WTA Tour. Simon said on Tuesday that Moore stepping down was the right decision. “The BNP Paribas Open has supported the payment of equal prize money to all players since 2009,” he said. “The WTA looks forward to working with Mr Ellison and the Indian Wells team on continued efforts in making the sport better and equal for all players.”
Thursday March 24, 2016 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) You are best to back away from commitment. Unpredictable events will disrupt your routine. It might be best to spend time fixing up your premises and making changes that will be appreciated. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) There may be opportunities to attend social functions that are linked to work. You can make successful moves. Any financial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. GEMINI (MAY 22JUNE 21) You'll have problems with authority figures if you don't play by the rules. Coworkers may not be on your side. You should be looking at ways to spoil yourself. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Pleasure trips will turn out to be better than anticipated. Opportunities will come through long term investments.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) If they don't want to get involved, work by yourself. You may be confused regarding your love life. Look into family outings or projects. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Use your charm to get your own way. You will be quite excitable today. You can make new friends and get involved in new hobbies successfully. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Try not to upset others with your plans. Your versatile mind and common sense will allow you to come up with various solutions. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) You can accomplish a lot if you put some effort into household duties or redecorating plans. Don't try to twist things around so that they sound more enticing. You may be overreacting to personal problems.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) You can look around for the right place and enlist some of your friends to help you move.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Your high energy should be spent pleasing your mate. You need to concentrate on solving existing problems.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 SEPT. 23) Be diplomatic when dealing with in-law. Relatives may play an important role in your personal life. Home improvement projects will run smoothly.
PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) You can convince anyone of anything. Spend some time with people who can shed some light on your personal situation. Someone you live with is ready to play emotional games.
LONDON (Reuters) Grand Prix drivers called on Wednesday for Formula One to change the way it is run and abandon ‘obsolete and ill-structured’ decision-making processes that they said could affect the sport’s popularity. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) set out their views in a stronglyworded open letter, signed by champions Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel as well as chairman Alex Wurz, to stakeholders and fans. It called for Formula One’s owners to “consider restructuring its own governance” and said the sport needed to base its decisions on a “clear master plan” reflecting core values. “We feel that some recent rule changes - on both the sporting and technical side, and including some business directions - are disruptive, do not address the bigger issues our sport is facing and in some cases could jeopardise its future success,” it said. “The drivers have come to the conclusion that the decision-making process in the sport is obsolete and ill-structured and prevents progress being made,” the drivers added “Indeed, it can sometimes lead to just the opposite, a gridlock.” The letter, a rare intervention by the drivers who normally focus on specific racing issues, said the sport was “challenged” by a difficult global economic environment, changing consumer behaviour and a shift in the television and media landscape. It added that the decisionmaking process reflected negatively on the sport, compromising global growth and preventing it being fit “for the next generation of fans”. The GPDA represents most of the Formula One grid, with some exceptions, and serves as a common voice and negotiating body with the commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone and governing International Automobile Federation (FIA). While the opening race of the season in Australia last weekend served up plenty of excitement, a new qualifying format that was rushed through only weeks earlier came in for widespread criticism. The final eight-car elimination phase saw little track action with cars parked up long before the finish instead of producing a battle to the final seconds. The same team bosses who had agreed the new format, with the FIA and Ecclestone, said on Sunday
McLaren’s Jenson Button before the race. (Action Images / Hoch ZweiLivepic)
that it had not worked and the sport should go back to the old system before the next race in Bahrain. Formula One also endured in controversy in 2014 when double points were awarded for the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi - a move that was abandoned for 2015 after a backlash from fans. Talks on changes for 2017
have also been kicked further down the road, with the core Strategy Group that includes the top six teams, the FIA and Ecclestone, failing to agree any substantive measures in March. The way in which the sport’s revenues are distributed is another sore point, with the struggling smaller independent outfits unhappy that the big teams take far more.
Bolt to run in London Anniversary Games (Reuters) Six-times Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt will run in the London Anniversary Games ahead of his multiple title defense at the Rio Olympics in August. The Jamaican world record holder in the 100 and 200 meters will participate in the IAAF Diamond League meeting on July 22 at Queen Elizabeth Park in London. “The London Anniver-
sary Games will be one of my last races before the Olympic Games in Rio,” Bolt said in a statement. “It will be good to return to the Olympic Stadium on the Friday night and get more of the special atmosphere that the fans always produce,” the 29-year-old sprinter added. “I always get great support in the UK and I expect the stadium to be packed.”
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Thursday March 24, 2016
NSC/Archery Guyana shoots off “50 Shades INDIA EDGE PAST Bangladesh in thriller of Games” at GSSF’s Indoor Competition As a part of the Guyana’s 50th Independence Activities the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation and the National Sports Commission once again successfully collaborated on Saturday 19th March, to this time feature Indoor Archery in the NSC’s ‘50 Shades of Games’ Sports Programme. In his Opening Remarks, everyone present was welcomed by Chairman of the Archery Committee, Mr. Nicholas Hing, who advised of the strict safety rules which are a standard of the World Archery (WA) and its affiliated organisations. The GSSF is an affiliate of WA and aims to uphold
its standards and rules at all times. The Competition was officially declared open by the first arrow being shot by Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones who after a brief demonstration of correct target archery form and technique, released the opening Arrow in style thereby starting the intense evening of Archery fun. The competitors utilised the Federation’s PVC Olympic styled Recurve bows. The Indoor Target Archery Competition was held under the strict Rules of World Archery and monitored by Chief Judge Mr. Peter Hugh who was assisted by Head Scorer
Mr. Ricardo DeAbreu. Targets used were the World Archery approved 40cm targets and shot from 9m which is half the distance of the Olympic Indoor Target Archery competitions. The Competition attracted spectators who saw 8 archers in both the Men’s and Ladies categories, Recurve Division, vying for the top 3 spots. At the end of two Rounds comprising 4 ends of each, the Winners were declared as follows: Men’s Category 1 st Place – Mr. Nicholas Hing (140 points) 2 nd Place – Mr. Michael Abrams (115 points) 3 rd Place – Mr. Ryan McKinnon (104 points)
Ithaca Hardliners too tough for Rose Hall Town Jammers
Women’s Category 1 st Place – Ms. Sarah Piggott (81 points) 2 nd Place – Ms. Narda Mohamed (20 points) 3 rd Place – Ms. Vidushi Persaud (16 points). Director of Sport, Mr. Jones, presented the beautiful Trophies to the Winners and delivered some brief remarks, expressing his continued commitment to continuing working with the Federation. In her Closing Remarks, President of the Federation, Ms. Vidushi Persaud, thanked the members for participating and the Director of Sport for his support. She went on to reiterate the need for continuous practice and training so that this Olympic sport can continue to be developed. The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation/Archery Guyana is pleased to successfully host its first Indoor Target Archery Competition in honour of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The Federation currently hosts two Practice Sessions per week for Indoor Archery. Plans will commence shortly for an Outdoor Archery Competition. For more info visit the website: www. guyanasportshooting.com
BBC Sport - India revived their World Twenty20 hopes with a thrilling one-run victory over Bangladesh in Bangalore. Needing 11 from the final over and two from three balls, the Tigers lost three wickets from the final three balls. Seven of the nine India batsmen reached double figures, with nine fours and six sixes, but Suresh Raina’s 30 was the top score in their modest 146-7. The hosts’ second win of the event puts them second in Group 2 but third-placed Australia have a game in hand. India’s final group match is against the Australians in Chandigarh on Sunday, while Bangladesh face the already qualified New Zealand in Kolkata a day earlier. Tigers throw it away Bangladesh had lost all four previous T20 encounters with India but seemed destined for a famous victory that would have left all four other teams in the group bidding to join the Kiwis in the semi-finals level on two points. Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim had thumped the second ball of Hardik Pandya’s final over to the extra-cover
boundary and somehow collected four more off the glove past counterpart MS Dhoni’s dive. But an adrenaline-fuelled Mushfiqur tried to end the match in style and holed out to deep mid-wicket, Mahmudullah suffered the same fate and a calm Dhoni ran to the stumps to thwart Mustafizur Rahman’s quest for a bye that would have forced a super over. “We were on top to the final three balls” Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said: “We were on top to the last three balls. It’s bad luck, we can’t do anything about it. “It’s really disappointing for us. Overall, we’ve played well.” India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, man of the match for his 2-20 noted: “That’s the most we’ve talked on a cricket field as a team. We’ve never got together and worried so much. “I don’t think I’ve got anything left. I’ll go back to my room and crash.” Scores: India 146 for 7 (Raina 30, Mustafizur 2-34) beat Bangladesh 145 for 9 (Tamim 35, Ashwin 2-20) by one run.
TEAMS TUSSLE FOR LEAD AS GOLYN 10/10 CONTINUES Action in the game between Ithaca Hardliners (in purple) and Rose Hall Jammers in action. Surprise package Ithaca Hardliners continued their fairy tale run in Anamayah Memorial first division Basketball competition when they defeated Rose Hall Town Jammers 54-46 in their semi final clash which was played last Sunday at the Rose Hall Town Basketball Court. From the first whistle the Hardliners showed that they were prepared for a tough battle. Both teams started cautiously, with the Hardliners moving to a 9-5 lead. The second segment was much the same with the Hardliners maintaining a four
point’s lead to end the half with the score reading 19-15. The visiting Hardliners upped the tempo a notch in the third quarter, but the Jammers kept fighting back as more points were scored as the teams ended the third stanza with the Hardliners now leading by 6 points at 3630. The Jammers came out battling in the final segment as they tried to make use of home court advantage in a desperate effort to get back into the game. But it was evident that their systems were already nullified by the Hardliners
Nervous England... From page 32 amid the tumble of wickets and Shafiqullah Shafaq blasted a belligerent 35 not but his team could get only eight of the 24 runs they
needed from the final over bowled by Stokes. Scores: England 142 for 7 (Moeen 41*) beat Afghanistan 127 for 9 (Shafiqullah 35*) by 15. runs
who netted a further 18 points to the home side’s 16, for the 54-46 win. For the Ithaca Hardliners Kester Edwards poured in 16 points with support coming from Elroy Amsterdam 10 and Raymond Sinclair nine. The main contributors for the Rose Hall Town Jammers were Yasim Tashir with a gamehigh 20 points while Ezekiel Simon had 11 and Nickosie Marks 6. Ithaca Hardliners will now await the winners of the second semi-final between Fyrish Black Sharks and New Amsterdam Warriors which is scheduled for the Black Sharks court. The winning and runnerup teams will receive cash incentives and trophies while top individual performers will also be awarded. The tournament is being organised by Sports enthusiast Vibert Garrett. (Samuel Whyte)
The Golyn 10/10 softball cricket Tournament organized by the Guyana Softball League and sponsored by Golyn and sons, Trophy Stall and Miss Love Trading (West Coast) saw the winners dominating the day and the heat taking its toll on the losers in some fascinating individual performances that carried the teams through to the next round and left the spectators pushing for more excitement. The results of the matches are as follows: WEST COAST ZONE: ATLEONORAGROUND: Omesh XI defeated Superbet XI by 31 runs: Omesh XI batted first and scored a challenging 113-4 in 10 overs with Vickram Kissoon smashing 53 (5x6; 1x4) off 29 balls and supported by Travis Drakes with 33 (5x6) off 16 balls to take their team to their eventual score. Irshad Hoosein took 2-22 from 2 overs. In reply Superbet XI were limited to 82-4 off their 10 overs with Jitendra Kishore scoring 20 (1x6). Travis Drakes took 2-23 from 2 overs to lead the bowling. VIPERS XI DEFEATED EXCLUSIVE XI BY 14
RUNS: Vipers XI batted first and scored 109 all out in 10 overs with Vijai Hanoman top scoring with 29(2x6;2x4). Lennox Russell took 4-12 from his two overs. In reply Exclusive XI lost wickets regularly to be all out 85 with only Prem Outram offering any resistance with 36 (4x6;1x4). Viper XI returned to their winning ways by through Akram Hussain with 3-10 from 2 overs. PRAIM XI GOT PAST SUPERSTREET XI BY 6 WKTS: Superstreet XI batted first and were limited to 65-8 in 10 overs with Vashish Ramnarine scoring 18 (1x6) being the only batsman to enter double figure. Narine Bailey bowling very fast knocked over 3 wkts for 4 runs in two overs to limit the opposition. In reply Praim XI cantered to 68-4 in 5 overs to win by 6 wkts. MIGHTY LIONS MAULED AMAZON WARRIORS XI BY 42 RUNS: Mighty Lions XI won the toss and batted scoring 106 all out in 10 overs with Doodnauth Seechan top scoring with 19 (1x6;2x4). Feroze Rahaman took 4-14 in
two overs to limit the opposition. In reply Amazon Warriors XI were roughed up by the bowling and only managed 64 all out in 8.2 overs with Sham Singh slamming 21 (3x6) off 8 balls to carry the fight. Nicholas Shivkumar was the top bowler taking 310 from 2 overs to achieve a moral boosting victory. CROSSBREED WARRIORS SHOCKED MARACS XI BY 10 WKTS: Maracs XI were inserted and were bowled out for a measly 32 in 8 overs with all the bowlers being unplayable in particular Narine Shaw taking a 5-4 in 2 overs to lead the bowling with Devanand Khanan supporting with 3-5 from his two overs. EAST BANK ZONE: DIAMOND GROUND: Amit XI had two victories defeating Brickery All Stars XI and Princess Hotel XI by 20 runs and 3 wkts respectively to lead that zone. Meanwhile, the one ball manto with Miss Love Trading (West Coast ) being the sponsor saw some 10 pairs competing and two players Vikash Totaram and Mark Ally going through to the next round.
Thursday March 24, 2016
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RHTYSC, M.S receives all RHT Bakewell U-17 ‘A’ starts 2016 weather Concrete Cricket BCB season with two victories Pitch from Republic Bank - Kelvon Anderson and Kelvin Sinclair star The cricketers of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S can now practice their craft all year long after the Club was presented with an all-weather Concrete pitch, compliments of the staff of the Rose Hall Town Republic Bank Branch. The pitch worth $150,000 was handed over by Branch Manager Harry DassGhaness to RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster after it was constructed by staff members of the Rose Hall Town Republic Bank Branch and cricketers drawn from across the RHT Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Pepsi Under-19 cricket teams. Foster, in accepting the donation stated that the membership of the RHTYSC junior section was expanding at a very rapid rate and Management was seeking ways to get all youths to develop their full potentials. The concrete pitch, foster stated would be equipped with practice nets to allow Club members to practice as a pair and also for coaches to conduct one on one sessions with junior cricketers. The long serving Secretary/CEO stated that the RHTYSC, M.S is currently seeking to obtain enough cricket gears for its junior members and expressed gratitude to the Management of the Rose Hall Town Republic Bank Branch for the 6 x40 concrete pitch which he described as an investment into the future of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation. Foster described Repub-
The Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ Under-17 team
Republic Bank staff pose near the Concrete pitch after its construction. lic Bank as a true friend of the RHTYSC, M.S and stated that it was the support of corporate entities such as Republic Bank which enabled the Club to receive the historic Medal of Service Award from the Government of Guyana. Captain of the RHT Bakewell Under-17 team Kelvon Anderson whole heartily expressed gratitude for construction of the pitch and noted that it would assist young cricketers to improve their batting against fast bowling. He pledged on behalf of his colleagues to take full advantage of the facility to make both the
RHTYSC, M.S and Republic Bank proud in the future. Republic Bank Rose Hall Town Branch Manager Harry DassGhaness stated that as a corporate entity, the Bank was committed to fulfilling its responsibilities especially in the fields of sports, education and culture. The Bank, he noted was pleased to be associated with the RHTYSC, M.S, an organisation which has an outstanding track record of achievements. He also praised the joint effort of both his staff and Club’s cricketers in constructing the project in the shortest possible time.
Corriverton Links win U-15 football competition in NEW AMSTERDAM The Corriverton Links U-15 football team made sure that their travel to New Amsterdam was not in vain as they played unbeaten to come out on top of the U-15 football tournament organised for junior teas in the area. The tournament which was organised by former national players Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey and Sherwin Ford of the Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club saw five teams participating. Those that took part were Corriverton Links, Hearts of Oak, New Amsterdam United, East Bank Berbice and Cougars. Results of games played saw Corriverton Links defeating East Bank 1-0 with Jevone Angel scoring. Hearts of Oak beat Cougars 40 with Odinga Shultz blasting a hat-trick and Jamal Sinclair one. NA United and East Bank Berbice then played to a 0-0 draw. Corriverton Links defeated Cougars 2-0 with Jevone Angel and Stiner Peneux scoring. The game between Hearts of Oak and NA United ended 00. East Bank then got the better of Cougars 20 with Sherwin Nicholson and Portland Au-
gust the scorers. Corriverton Links then got the better of NA United 1-0 with Fitzroy Jacobs scoring. Roy Amsterdam scored for Hearts of Oak Masters in their 1-0 win over East Bank Berbice. Jamal McCalmon then scored twice in NA United 2-0 victory over Cougars. The final game between Corriverton Links and Hearts of Oak Masters ended 0-0. In all 16 goals were scored. At the end of the competition Corriverton Links ended with 10 points followed by Hearts Of Oak on eight, NA United on five, East Bank with four and Cougars nil. At the end of the competition trophies were presented to Corriverton Links, Hearts of Oak and NA United for placing first, second and third. The individual awards saw trophies being presented to MVP Cyrus Nicholson, best goalkeeper Devon George both of Corriverton Links; they received trophies, while a medal was presented to Odinga Smith for scoring the most goals. (Samuel Whyte)
The Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ Under-17 team have started the 2016 Berbice Cricket Board Under-17 season with two comprehensive victories in the Memorex Cricket Tournament. They easily defeated Tamarind Root of Hampshire by an innings and seventy one runs, while they got past their Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ counterparts by an innings and runs in the 2nd round. The outstanding performers were all-rounders’ Kelvin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Keith Sinclair and Kelvon Anderson. Playing at the Area ‘H’ Ground Tamarind Root were dismissed for 44 in their first innings with only D. Mahadeo reaching double figures with 11 as West Indies Under-15 selectee Kelvin Sinclair claimed 5 wickets for 17 runs and Kelvon Anderson 2 for 4. In response, RHT Bakewell ‘A’ rattled up 177 for 6 with national junior cricketer Junior Sinclair top scoring with a classy 70, while Kelvon Anderson 20 supported as well. R. Mahadeo took two wickets for 27 runs for Tamarind Root. Batting a second time with a deficit of 133 runs, the visitors were dismissed for 63 in their second innings with only Joshua Naidu and Joshua Mahadeo offering any resistance with 17 each. Sinclair completed a good match with the ball by taking 6 wickets for 12 runs and with match figures of 11 wickets for 2 runs, while fellow off spinner John Mankarran supported with two wickets for six runs. In the second match versus RHT Bakewell ‘B’, the ‘B’ team were bowled out for 62 as Sinclair continued his remarkable bowling with 7 wickets for five runs as only
Tejram Dayaram offered resistance with 27 runs. Junior Sinclair supported Sinclair with 2 for 15. In response, RHT Bakewell ‘A’ amassed 225 for 4 with the prolific Kelvon Anderson scoring an unbeaten 105 (13x4) ,while the talented Keith Sampson supported with an attractive 90 with ten boundaries. Left arm spinner Simon Naidu took 3 wickets for 51
runs for the ‘B’ Team. The ‘B’ team in their second innings with a deficit of 163 runs were bowled out for 58 to lose by an innings and 104 runs. Haresh Fernandes top scored with 16, while Lucas Arthur was unbeaten on 12. Sinclair 4 for 5, Junior Sinclair 3 for 12 and John Mankarran were the successful bowlers for RHT Bakewell ‘A’.
Pune Warriors defeated Payless Combined by 19 runs in a 20-over softball match played on Sunday at Demerara Cricket Club. Batting first Pune Warriors posted a challenging 193-7 off their allotted overs. Clyde Canterbury scored 46 as Ramo Malone and Rahaman Khan picked up two
wickets each. Payless Combined were off to a bad start losing the wicket of former national all-rounder Lennox Cush for two, but recovered to score 174-7 in 20 overs. Malone led with 87. The game was sponsored by Trophy Stall, Star Party Rentals, General Marine and Payless Variety Store.
Pune Warriors overcome Payless Combined
East Coast Cricket Umpires Association congratulates Shanon Crawford The East Coast Cricket Umpires Association is extending congratulations to Shanon Crawford on his recent expected elevation to the Senior First Class panel of umpires. A release from the association stated, “May his tenure continue to be one of success and knowing him for his commitment, dedication, reliability, hard work and his love for umpiring, we are sure he will be promoted alongside Brother Duguid in the near future. Wishing him all the
best for the future.” UMPIRES CLASSES Meanwhile, the East Coast Cricket Umpires Association is monitoring all umpires, prospect umpires and anyone interested in being qualified as an umpire is invited to a meeting on Wednesday, 30th March, 2016 at 17:00hrs (5PM) at the Lusignan Community Centre. All Clubs are asked to send representatives. Contact can be made with Ms. Barker (616-0749) or Mr. Anandjit (617-8502) for any details.
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Thursday March 24, 2016
GTTA endorses newly elected Nervous England Steering Committee in Linden survive collapse to sink Afghanistan
WELCOME! GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe (third left) shakes hands with LTTSC Chairman, Howard James while from left, Denzil, Shavin Greene, Victor Wright and Maurice Cummings share the moment. The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has endorsed the newly formulated Linden Table Tennis Steering Committee (LTTSC) as an affiliate member. The GTTA Executive Committee has been actively engaging, supporting and providing direction to the plans, work, activities and members of this committee as part of its plans for the decentralisation of the sport. The GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe recently vis-
ited Linden to meet with the newly formulated committee to listen to their plans and ideas. Munroe subsequently outlined the plans, projects and mandates of the association. The duly elected members as endorsed by the GTTA are: Howard James (Chairman of LTTSC) (ITTF Level 1 Coach); Victor Wright (Vice Chairman); Shavin Greene (General Secretary and ITTF Level 1 Coach); Maurice Cummings (Treasurer); Paul Jones (Assistant
Secretary/Treasurer). The Committee’s mandate, which falls under the supervision of the GTTA, will be to promote, develop and coordinate the game in Linden. The Committee has set out some key initiatives as part of its plans/mandate to develop the sport in Linden. These include the hosting of a Novices Schools Teams and Individual Table Tennis Championships. The central aim and objective of hosting the event is to
stimulate students/players interest and commence a system to actively engage players in Linden and Region 10, introducing them to the sport of table tennis in view of increasing participation. As part of the long term projection, the Committee has identified the McKenzie High Schools auditorium as a central area that can facilitate six tables for training after school and on weekends. The Committee has also engaged the Director of Sports, Christopher Jones for assistance in the form of tables, rackets, nets and balls. The Director has pledged his support and has already made a contribution of four trophies for the School Novices Championships. Based on training programmes organised by the Committee in the recent pass, which yielded over 40 students and targeted primary school kids, the committee feels there is an abundance of talent, which if nurtured and given the opportunity, can truly excel. Linden has had a rich history in the sport of table tennis with several players who have donned national colours with pride. The GTTA views the role of this committee as pivotal to assisting the association with the development of the sport in Guyana.
50th Anniversary Softball cricket...
Eccles beat Payless, Party Rentals at DCC East Bank Demerara side Eccles Combined beat Payless, Star Party Rentals by nine wickets in a feature softball cricket match as part of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary year yesterday at the DCC ground. Payless, Star Party Rentals won the toss and elected to bat in sweltering heat and reached 59-2 from 5 overs before Eccles knocked off the runs 3.2 overs after making 61-
1. With a vocal turn out, which included a group of Medical Workers from Cuba and former Guyana cricketers Garvin Nedd and Shawn Holder, former Guyana batsman Lennox Cush opened the batting with present Guyana all-rounder Christopher Barnwell. But Cush, the proprietor of Star Party Rentals, was the first to go for one as Amir
Khan, who later removed the left handed Dexter Mckenzie (19) had both of the wickets to fall to bowlers. Skipper Joseph ‘Joey’ Ramkumar was run out for one leaving Demerara youth player Sachin Singh unbeaten on two with Barnwell, who hit five sixes in 34. Khan (6) was bowled by Cush before Zameer Hassan, who struck three fours and a six
in 25 and Aziz Reerbacchus who made 23 with two sixes and a four, insured a quick win for the East Banks lads against a team in which had Cush, Barnwell and Sean Devers, three players who represented Guyana in cricket. After the game, the Eccles side was presented with medals by Sam Dookhram, a Canadian representative of Payless Varity Store.
Chris Barnwell hit five sixes at DCC yesterday but failed to save his team from defeat.
Moeen Ali shapes up to play a reverse sweep, Afghanistan v England, World T20 2016, Group 1, Delhi, March 23, 2016 ©Getty Images NEW DELHI (Reuters) England flirted with danger before overcoming a spirited Afghanistan by 15 runs in a World Twenty20 Group One match on Wednesday to boost their semi-final hopes with a second successive victory. In a potential banana-skin match against the Afghans, Eoin Morgan’s team were in dire straits at 57-6 halfway through their innings before a half-century stand between Moeen Ali (41 not out) and David Willey (20 not out) lifted them to a 142-7. The 2010 winners looked more convincing with the ball, however, restricting Afghanistan to 127-9 to consign the associate team to their third consecutive defeat in the tournament. England are second in the group standings behind West Indies, who have won both their opening games and enjoy a superior net run-rate. Relieved after the scrappy win, Morgan was magnanimous in his praise of his opponents who have impressed with their fearless brand of play. “They continue to play in the right way to try and improve their cricket,” the England captain said. “I said before they are probably the best associate nation at the moment and I think that’s a huge honour,” he added. “If they continue playing in that fashion, they will improve their cricket a lot more quickly.” The Afghans proved how much they have improved as a bowling unit as their slow bowlers claimed six of the seven English wickets.
NABI WRECKS Morgan was left to rue his decision to bat after three wickets fell in off-spinner Mohammad Nabi’s first over, including that of the England captain for nought. Jason Roy’s dismissal in the third over meant England did not get a 50-plus opening stand for the 16th consecutive Twenty20 International but bigger shocks awaited. Nabi (2-17) effected three dismissals in one over and held a brilliant catch to rip the heart out of England’s vaunted batting order which had chased down a massive 230 to win a thriller against South Africa in their last game. The 31-year-old caught James Vince (22) off his own bowling and castled Morgan for a golden duck. Nabi did not get a hat-trick as his lbw appeal against Ben Stokes was turned down but the Afghan spinner ran out talismanic Englishman Joe Root after an almighty mix-up. Nabi also dived to his left to scoop up a stunning catch to send back Jos Buttler and England had lost their top order soon after they reached 50 in the eighth over. Moeen and Willey came up with some lusty hits towards the end to plunder 57 runs in 5.3 overs which made all the difference. Moeen, who also claimed a wicket, was adjudged man-of-the-match. Afghanistan made a poor start with the bat when Willey’s double strike reduced them to 13-3 inside three overs. The Afghan bats men struck a few boundaries (Continued on page 30)
Thursday March 24, 2016
GABA holds camp FOR U-16 BOXERS
T
he Guyana Amateur Boxing Association will run off a two day training camp for Under-16 boxers as part of preparation for the Caribbean’s first Schoolboys and Junior’s tournament scheduled for next month. The training camp starts on Saturday at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown and concludes the following day. Boxers will come from the Clifton Moore’s Essequibo Boxing Gym, Pocket Rocket Gym and Carryl’s Gym of Linden, Rose Hall Jammers of Berbice and Harpy Eagles and Forgotten Youth Foundation of Georgetown. GABA President Steve Ninvalle disclosed that the camp would be conducted by Sebert Blake in collaboration with the association’s Technical Director Terrence Poole and several other coaches. “In total we have 35 boxers participating in the camp. It is the first of several to be conducted before we get to the International competition,” Ninvalle said. The International Schoolboys and Junior’s tournament is scheduled for April 29 and 30 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. It is first of its kind to be held in the region and comes at a time when Caribbean nations are calling for more emphasis to be placed on the sport’s nursery. So far Barbados, Jamaica and St Lucia have confirmed participation in the tournament. Last month GABA named three females in a shortlist of 40 boxers to training for possible selection to represent Guyana next month. The three females, Akea Lamazone, Rianna Rogers and Rondessa Bagot come from the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym. Eleven members of the shortlisted squad are from the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym in Albouystown, while 10 fighters represent the Essequibo Gym. Essequibo was crowned Champion Gym at the last DDL Under-16 competition and leading its charge would be the talented Shaquancy Wright, a member of Team Guyana at last year’s Caribbean Development Tournament. The shortlisted boxers are: Forgotten Youth Foundation: Seon Griffith, Stephon Smith, Orin Bancroft, Jamie Kellman, Dwayne Baptise, Sean Graham, Travis Inverary, Shakiem Jones, Brian Harris, Orin Harris and Shamar Bumbury. Essequibo: Shaquincy Wright, Delroy Elcock, Deron Williams, Quancy Wright, Junior Hyman, Deshon Elcock, Shaquille Wright, Christopher Moore, Shaka Moore and Akiel Mounter. Harpy Eagles: Akeem Ali, Deandre Linton, Joseph Semple, Kevon Mulling, Kevin Allicock and Travis Hubbard. Pocket Rocket: Akea Lamazone, Rianna Rogers and Rondessa Bagot, Herman White, JoelAllicock and DuelAugustine. Guyana Defence Force: Quincy Boyce and Kevin Walton. Carryl Boxing Gym: Joshua Corbin and Mohammad Bacchus Rose Hall Jammers: Jamal Eastman. New Opportunity Corps: Kevin Griffith and Nicko Jodha
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Thursday March 24, 2016
Badree happy to fill the Narine void ESPNcricinfo - Samuel Badree has already seen the best and worst of himself in West Indies’ first two matches in the World T20. In Mumbai, against England, he had the thirdmost expensive figures in his T20I career. In Bangalore, on
Sunday, he silenced Sri Lanka with a three-wicket haul to record his second-best bowling figures in T20Is. Despite finishing with figures of 4-0-12-3, Badree was pipped to the Man-ofthe-Match award by Andre Fletcher who, playing his first
match of the tournament, surprised Sri Lanka with a strokefull 84. Fletcher ensured West Indies did not feel the absence of Chris Gayle, who was forced to sit out in the dressing room as a precautionary measure, having suffered a mild
hammy in his left leg. Similarly, Badree has made certain that West Indies are secure despite the absence of their premier offspinner Sunil Narine, who opted out of the tournament to work further on his remodelled action.
Samuel Badree (AFP)
Narine has not played for West Indies since being banned last year during a tour of Sri Lanka. “The absence of Sunil is a big blow to the team. You know how dangerous he is especially in these conditions. Yes, we have talked about someone having to step up the fill those huge shoes. I am happy thus far in the tournament I was able to do that quite competently,” Badree said in Nagpur, where West Indies will play South Africa on Friday in their third Super10 match. Badree, one of the most successful spinners in the Powerplay, said though he was forced to adapt to the new role of bowling in the middle overs, he was enjoying it. “We have seen in the first couple of games that I have started then I am held back for a couple in the middle as well. We have seen how important spin is especially after the Powerplay during the middle overs when the ball is a little bit older.” According to Badree, it will be a big challenge for West Indies on Friday when they encounter the “very powerful batting line-up” of South Africa. But Badree wanted West Indies to take confidence from their dominant performance agaisnt Sri Lanka, where they applied pressure right from the start. “It is all about the start. If a team gets off to a flier it is always difficult. But we were able to pick up early wickets of [Tillakaratne] Dilshan and [Dinesh] Chandimal, two of their more experienced batters. So it was a little bit easier to come to bowl at their middle order who were under pressure. Luckily for me I was able to pitch the ball up and pick up
wickets as well,” Badree said. Despite his heroics, Badree acknowledged the contribution from left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn. “He must not go unheralded. His spell of four overs for 13 runs was tremendous especially bowling to a set [Angelo] Mathews and Thisara Perera, who was looking to take the mantle of scoring runs at the end.” Badree, however, would not venture into talking about South Africa’s weakness against spin, which has been a talking point in the tournament. He would not also be drawn into the slow nature of the Nagpur pitch, which became the biggest talking point in India’s opening match against New Zealand. The one thing Badree did concede, though, was the importance of striking early. “If the wicket is turning you obviously want to bowl slow and exploit that and takes wickets early. In T20 cricket sometimes people underestimate how important early wickets are in terms of restricting the opposition,” Badree said. “It is fair to say we are s trong in our batting department. We haven’t been tested in defending a total. Luckily thus far the captain has been able to win both the tosses. Here in Nagpur it seems as if the pitch is going to turn so we might want to bat first and set a total and defend that. “You never know. That is the captain’s call. At the end of the day the toss is not guaranteed. Whether we bat first or we bowl first we know that at the end of the day we want to win all our games and send a signal to the other teams we here to compete and we are here to win.”
Thursday March 24, 2016
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A Christianburg/Wismar versus Chase Academic Foundation final could be magical By Rawle Welch With the Annual Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition fastly approaching, Chase Academic Foundation’s recent triumph as back to back champions of the Milo Under-20 Tournament has initiated hot debate as to who will be the last team standing in the country’s biggest junior football spectacle. Many believe that fourtime champions C h r i s t i a n b u rg Wi s m a r Multilateral, who has made it to the final on every occasion of the tournaqment’s history will not have things as easy as past years judging from Chase Academic Foundation’s improved allround ability and team chemistry which was on full display, during the recently concluded Milo Tournamnt for schools in the Georgetown environ. The Parade Street, Kingston-based institution convincingly outplayed each and every opponent they faced in the month and a half long tournament showing marked improvement after every game which culminated with an aweinspiring performance against Lodge in the final to repeat as champions. Coached by national mid-fielder Vurlon Mills, the Foundation, which has shown its intent to recruit some of the best players at the junior level, was a class above the rest in most aspects of the game, playing at a high intensity for long periods, exhibiting more technical and tactical skills as compared with the other teams as well as remaining composed even in the face of hostility for being labeled favourites. They will have the advantage of retaining a significant number of players from the last tournament and coming off such a competitive tournament combined with a few players who’re playing at the senior level for various clubs, they will be battle ready for the Digicel showpiece so the defending champs will have to be prepared to face a much tougher challenge than last year. While this newspaper is not in receipt of information that tells who’re the players that will be eligible to return,
The regining Digicel champions Christianburg/Wismar Secondary pose for a photo op.
the grapevine gossip is that no less than six players could make the stipulated age group, a number that is significant enough to make them potentially potent. However, for the past four years, Christianburg / Wismar has shown the fortitude as champions and this has made them one of the most feared teams to go up against at any time in the competition. They are meticulously prepared, they are resilient to all challenges they face year after year and are also oblivious to the hostility they face as multiple-times champions. They have a very experienced coaching staff that starts preparations very early and they too possess players who play at the highest level in the Mining To w n o f L i n d e n , a community noted for churning out excellent players. Georgetown-based teams will no doubt benefit from the superb preparations that the Milo Tournament presented and this should serve as an advantage ahead of other teams so a keenly contested tournament is in the making. Christianburg / Wismar is noted for expertly using their vast experience of playing in finals and in front of large crowds to their benefit, but these vital components might not matter if Chase Academic Foundation makes it to the final. They can now be considered seasoned so with
Milo champs Chase Academic Foundation pose for a photo op following their recent successful defence of the title.
those previously crucial advantages out of the way it could come down to which team has the largest band of supporters to will them on. Should the early prediction of the two meeting in the final hold true then fans, football enthusiasts, scouts and sponsors could be served up a sizzling treat as our young ballweavers battle for supremacy. However, readers must be reminded that these are early days and similar to what is happening in the Barclays Premier League in England where underdogs Leicester are leading the points table ahead of much fancied teams there might be a ‘sleeper’ school (s) lurking somewhere to upset the premature predictions.
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India edge past Bangladesh in thriller
Hardik Pandya celebrates a wicket, India v Bangladesh, World T20 2016, Group 2, Bangalore, March 23, 2016 ©AFP
Tamim Iqbal plays a pull, India v Bangladesh, World T20 2016, Group 2, Bangalore, March 23, 2016 ©AFP
NSC/Archery Guyana shoots off “50 Shades of Games” at GSSF’s Indoor Competition
Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones, taking the first shot to declare the Indoor Target Archery Competition open.
Prize Winners pose with Director of Sport Christopher Jones (centre).
Badree happy to fill the Narine void 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