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Kaieteur News
Friday May 01, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
Kaieteur News The PPP’s promises will become even more 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
Corruption won’t go away anytime soon The issue of corruption is never an easy subject to talk about, let alone to tackle, but sweeping it under the rug or refusing to deal with it condignly, would only allow it to fester like a sore wound that can then totally destroy the country. Any fight against corruption in Guyana, despite which party is elected to office on May 11, is likely to be a titanic battle if draconian measures are not implemented to curb this plague. There is too high an established ratio of corrupt, influential people for the fight to be easy. These individuals are in all spheres and would not want to see an end to that which makes them flourish. Unfortunately, corrupt practices together with the official masterminds and schemers, are transferred from one administration to another at the end of every election cycle. If any real attempts were ever made to end corruption by the incumbent government, especially in governmentoperated departments and agencies, this would have already been noticeable. The lack of accountability and transparency in governance are deliberately left intact, and excuses such as ‘show me the evidence of corrupt practices’ are often made if and when any politician or public official is accused of corruption or any wrongdoing. It is a sort of unspoken mafia-like arrangement among the well-to-do offenders and the ruling elites. Corruption is so embedded in every aspect of our society, that even if outside experts were called in to try to end this immorality, they would have little chance of success. A good example of this was the government’s refusal to accept the offer made by the British government a few years ago to try to reform the Guyana Police Force and, in the process, reduce or end the corrupt practices of some of its members. Corruption’s debilitating effects are felt across the country, contributing to poverty and hampering overall economic and social development. There is bribery and theft, which occurs when public servants demand payment under the table for rendering a service that is supposed to be free of cost, and when a country or a state’s budgetary resources are illegally diverted through inflated contracts that are siphoned off by policy makers, politicians and civil servants. There is the theft of the country’s natural resources, which occurs when its minerals and forestry are brazenly stolen by those in authority and illegally sold for gain, which has resulted in significant losses to the country. Theft of the country’s natural resources is carried out with the collusion of corrupt individuals, including politicians and civil servants. Whichever party is elected on May 11, it is likely that corruption will not end soon. It will take a very long time before it is weeded out from the system and the people will continue to hear and read of more corruption from week to week, committed by those in authority and power, but who will never spend a day behind bars. And there are not enough honest and rich citizens in Guyana who are willing to throw down the gauntlet on these corrupt officials. Furthermore, the ordinary citizens are too pre-occupied with work and other daily chores to form a united front to take the necessary action against the well-established masterminds of corruption. Despite all the promises made in this election campaign by politicians from both parties to end corruption, it is difficult to see changes unless sweeping action is taken to halt this evil practice. Greedy and selfish politicians will not see the urgent need to end corruption because of its benefits to them. After all, they will always put their interests and those of their party first, despite their promises to do otherwise. They are not going to cut off their noses to spoil their faces unless real pressure comes down.
irrational as we move closer to May 11 DEAR EDITOR, For more than 16 years, Guyana has labored under the Jagdeo jinx. Between 1990 and 1995, growth rate in Guyana averaged some 7.3 percent. Carl Greenidge was the Minister of Finance in 1990-1992, while Dr. Asgar Ally Minister from 1992-1995. Since then, Guyana has never surpassed this average as the Jagdeo jinx prevailed. The first full year of Ally at the Finance Ministry saw a growth rate of 8.8 percent in 1993. Since assuming the Presidency in 1999, all we have been hearing from the cabal that surrounds Jagdeo is excuse after excuse. But clearly these little boys have not recognized the words of Henry Beecher who said “real men always find excuses for others, but never for themselves”. So here again in 2015, the PPP boys have presented a manifesto, and the promises are flowing thick and fast. The latest pitch from the PPP is that under their leadership they promise to
“modernize Guyana together”? So what have they been doing since Dr. Asgar Ally left? Well, their poor leadership has given the Guyanese people an average growth rate of 2.7 percent between 1999 and 2014 vs. 7.3 percent under Greenidge and Ally. Is this how they plan to modernize Guyana with such pathetic growth rates? For Guyana to be modernized, we have to be growing at 8 percent and above; nothing less. Clearly the Jagdeo cabal does not know what they are doing and seem heavily distracted from the real work that has to been done. Since 1999 there has been a massive leak of financial resources from the Treasury. If it was not for the over US$300 million in annual remittance sent to the homeland by mainly overseas based Guyanese,, this nation would have crash landed years ago. What is clear today, is that as the PPP move closer to May 11, their promises will multiply and become
even more irrational. Their manifesto is a clear example of their irrationality as they continue to foist old, unfinished and failed policy choices on the nation. Such deceptions and subterfuge are being used to generate political momentum but the people are tired of the half truths and untruths from the PPP. So what we have now is a damp squib from the PPP. The people do not believe they can achieve even a quarter of what they promised in this 2015 manifesto. They have a track record and it is a dismal one. But clearly insanity is alive and well in Freedom House, because they have the audacity to question the commitment of the APNU+AFC to fund and pay a 10 percent across the board wage increase for all classes below a certain wage rate (with policemen securing 20 percent), when they have increased it by more in the past and inflation was never materially (Continued on page 47)
The electorate needs urgent information from GECOM DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me space to register a few concerns with the top brass of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Many electors have been frantically scouring Official Lists of Electors (OLEs) to find their names, and much to their frustration, they cannot locate their names. Many persons search the OLEs mounted at places where they traditionally voted to discover the Lists there bear names of persons from other divisions and sub-divisions. Add to these woes the fact that some polling places have been changed without the notice of the voting public. And when advice is sought from Deputy Returning Officers (DROs), these
officers are sharp and uncaring in responding, “I do not know. Go to the GECOM Office!” The result of the aforementioned is chaos on Election Day. There will be scores of persons queuing up to vote at places where they voted previously only to discover that they are no longer listed to vote at such places. I assure you, Messrs Chairman and CEO of GECOM, that persons will not passively accept disenfranchisement from your organisation this time. Not this time! The call is on the Chairman of GECOM, Dr Steve Surujbally, the Commissioners of GECOM, and the GECOM CEO Mr Keith Lowenfield, to immediately demonstrate competence and professionalism in rectifying this
situation. There must be adequate supplies of OLEs mounted on all Polling Places where persons are listed to vote. Wherever there is a change in Polling Place, this change MUST be published for the information of the citizenry. DROs must be better informed and able to offer valuable advice, and they need to demonstrate some compassion and empathy in dealing with the public. GECOM must NOT be responsible in the least for the disenfranchisement of a single elector. The last thing GECOM should want is to create an occasion for the electorate to impugn the character of GECOM, and accuse the Elections Commission nefarious activities. Tabia Drakes
President Donald Ramotar’s insincere appeal to the military for their votes DEAR EDITOR, President Donald Ramotar is not sincere in his “humility” appealing to the military to get their votes. Guyana’s military is advised not to vote for President Ramotar and the PPP. It is under President Ramotar, at a platform he shared with former President Bharrat Jagdeo, his predecessor and chief spokesperson, that the PPP sought to criminalise our professional men and women in uniform, who have served successive governments with distinction and kept the nation safe from external forces. For the leadership of Messrs Jagdeo and Ramotar to say to this nation that the military will be an accomplice with the APNU+AFC to kick-down citizens’ doors, which gives the impression that persons will be robbed of their valuables, speaks to a political leadership prepared to use any means necessary to hold on to power. What
Guyanese must note is that the incidence of former military men engaged in organized criminal activities is a phenomenon of the PPP regime, from Linden “Blackie” London, Steve Merai, Sean Hinds to Sean Benfield, et al. A brief look or comparison of criminal activity by any military member under the PNC will reveal the most notable crime of PPP embraced former Minister of Home Affairs and now Ambassador Mr. Ronald Gajraj, who was only freed based on a technicality. The criminalization of our military and linking of the political opposition to criminality at this juncture in our nation’s evolution is dangerous and threatens the cohesive fabric of this nation. It is the usual PPP propaganda to drive their quest to retain power. It is opportune to note that while the statement was first made in Essequibo
by Mr. Jagdeo, it was repeated in Albion by him and implicitly defended by Dr. Roger Luncheon. At no time did President Ramotar come out and distance himself from his predecessor or Cabinet Secretary who is also Secretary of the Defence Board. The president should not now be appealing to military officers who were called criminals to vote for him. In such circumstances, a vote for President Ramotar by the military would be credence to the criminalisation of officers. The boast by the government about increased spending for the military is another hoodwinking effort. Guyanese only have to pass by police stations to see how rundown they are. The Police headquarters at Eve Leary, and the GDF headquarters and ground at Camp Ayanagana are scrappy in comparison to previous images. I am (Continued on page 47)
Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
When religion becomes racism where is God? DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Swami Aksharananda’s letter of April 28 ((“If Mr. Ramjattan wanted Indians to forget the PNC atrocities the least he could have done was to call for PNC accountability”) I begin my reply by asserting my right to reject what Mr. Aksharananda says about himself. That is my right. I do not have to accept the claims people make for themselves. I do not have to concede that he is a Swami. In my replies to Juan Edghill when he served as chairman of the ERC, I did not recognize his status as an
ordained Christian priest. I never accepted that there was an organization that does polling in Guyana named Nacta. I never recognized that Vishnu Bisram was a professional pollster In the same vein, I do not recognize Aksharananda as achieving the status of a Swami. I know him as Dr. Oudaipaul Singh. I have never enquired about his Swami status because I believed and still do that it is self-appointed. Aksharananda has a long history of pro-East Indian activities in and out of Guyana. He co-founded
ROAR with Ravi Dev and campaigned for ROAR in national elections Since his letter in the newspapers in which he accused the AFC of involvement in the violence at Agricola, he has remained silent. Like Ravi Dev, I regard Asharananda as an Indian supremacist. His mind is filed with the ethnic problematic in Guyanese history and Guyanese sociology. In polemical essays on this problematic he passes off subjective opinions for scholarship. Ravi Dev does the same. Mr. Dev is now a
full-time consultant with the Guyana Times. Last week, outside his Guyana Times office, I had a little encounter with him which will be described in a future missive Aksharananda’s letter accusing the AFC on incitement in the Agricola incident was poor research and came within his tradition of seeing every political issue in the binary of Indian Guyanese versus African Guyanese. His letter of April 28, 2015 in the Stabroek is particularly egregious for three reasons; one is his deliberate methodological evasion.
Our economy pulled from under our feet by a few savvy foreigners DEAR EDITOR, Land: $20,000,000 Cheap plastic goods: $500 Low interest loans: US$141,000,000 Losing control of your resources, land, and country: priceless. China has been showing itself to Africa and Latin America as a benefactor and friend. They are trying to spread international goodwill through their newly deep pockets. But one must ask at what price? Guyana is a nation of approximately 800,000. For a country nearly the size of the United Kingdom we produce little and have low international recognition. It would not take a lot for our economy to be pulled from under our feet by a few savvy foreigners. The foreigners in particular are the Chinese. They come bearing gifts and cheap products, investment and development. But one thing we constantly forget they bring are their people.
Across Africa, China has been developing many African nations with money and construction. But they don’t hire the African, they bring their own workers. But these workers do not return to China, they stay and begin to open up businesses. They begin to under-price and push out the local producers, manufacturers
and vendors. The business supply chain at every level is Chinese. Before long, they will be a vast minority of the population and a vast majority of the economy. Books have already been written on the subject. One in particular: “China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa” by Howard
French details how the Chinese are developing Africa, not for the African, but for themselves. This, however, is not a new Chinese move. At university I made a friend from Malaysia. He was at university on a government scholarship to study applied mathematics. By all accounts (Continued on page 47)
The other is his historical distortions. The third is downright academic dishonesty I will elongate on these three characteristics bearing in mind space constraint. First, the academic deception aspect. It is my work to monitor general elections in important countries that generate the main currents in global dynamics. In American, British, and German elections, there have been no candidate or party that made a description of the past the theme of the campaign. In mentioning Barack Obama and the return to the past in his letter, Aksharananda should know that in none of the two presidential elections he won, did Obama make a return to understanding the past an election theme. In Germany, Hitler and the Nazi era are never, I repeat never mentioned I am accusing Aksharananda of academic deception because he knew
that the occasions in which he gave examples of a return to the past, these examples had nothing to do with general elections. For example, he mentioned China’s reminder to its people of Japanese war atrocities. China does not have competitive elections in which the Japanese memory would be a theme In relation to his methodological evasion, this is tied in to the academic deception factor. Ashsrananda knew that the controversy over educating Guyanese about the past is set within the context of the 2015 election competition. Ryhaan Shah, Dolly Hassan and others have not designed their argument about the past to fool anyone. They are clearly saying that in the current election campaign the young people need to know what the PNC Government did in Guyana. In unambiguous ways, (Continued on page 47)
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Friday May 01, 2015
APNU+AFC unveils manifesto - pledges fight against corruption, cronyism, crime, poverty and dictatorship APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial candidate hands out a copy of the coalition’s Manifesto
By Abena Rockcliffe The coalition A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) yesterday launched its “people’s manifesto” at the Stabroek Market Square in the midst of the afternoon rush in that vicinity. Coalition officials made it clear that the choice to hold the event at that venue was birthed out of a desire to reach out to Guyanese from all walks of life as opposed to just the privileged. Of course, it was pointed out that the incumbent People’s
Progressive Party/Civic launched its manifesto at the taxpayer-funded Marriott Hotel, a place where “many of us don’t have ‘gangzee’ to go.” The document launched was described as a plan to turn Guyana back into a country that all can be proud of. It was labeled a “people’s manifesto” as it was inspired by the people, for the best interest of the people. The manifesto includes a 100-day plan as well as a fiveyear plan which the coalition boasts will be used to eradicate the major ills of the Guyanese society. A glimpse of the
APNU+AFC Presidential candidate, David Granger addressing the gathering
document revealed plans to establish an Integrity Commission, carry out a number of investigations into contracts crafted for numerous controversial projects such as the Marriott Hotel, Amaila Falls Hydro Project, Skeldon Sugar Factory and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project. The coalition committed to constitutional reform under which separation of powers will be a must. Plans for the youth and women are also reflected in the manifesto. Addressing the gathering, APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger said that Guyana is “a land of six peoples but is one nation”, while “APNU+AFC is a force of six parties but stands as one coalition”. He said that that one strong standing
coalition will show Guyana a new form of governance and remove six dreadful things from society: poverty, crime, corruption, cronyism, disunity and dictatorship. Granger said that the manifesto has strategies to win a fight against such ills. Starting with poverty, Granger said that too many Guyanese are living in poverty and noted that that is not the case as a result of Guyana being a poor country “it is just that the PPP is thieving too much…We have more resources than any other country in Caribbean, but the PPP wants to take all.” He promised that a government of National Unity will minimize poverty. Granger then turned his attention to disunity and noted that it has prevented development for many years in Guyana. He told supporters and curious onlookers that the coalition is a representation of what Guyana will be under a government of national unity “unified.” He pledged to
remove dictatorship as well as cronyism. “When the president has a fibre optic cable to lay, who does he give it to?” Granger asked. The crowd responded, “His son.” The Presidential hopeful then said that an APNU+AFC government will ensure that projects are not handed to friends and family but to “efficient, competent, engineers and contractors, ‘down with cronyism.’” Granger said that dictatorship will be addressed through meaningful constitutional reform. Turning his attention to corruption, Granger said that it is eating away at the heart of good governance in Guyana. He promised that a coalition government will stand firm against corruption and ensure that it pays better wages and salaries to public servants so that they would not be forced into corrupt practices. He also pledged that the coalition will take the necessary steps to reduce
crime in Guyana and assured that the manifesto properly addresses this. Meanwhile, Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo spoke of the restoration of open and accountable governance, should the coalition secure a victory at the upcoming elections. “This is what underlines this document… it includes policies and programmes that we would adopt to bring about an open society,” Nagamootoo said in his brief remarks to the crowd of supporters. ”We have not copied anyone here. We are original, we have ideas that can take this country forward and resolve the problems of corruption, problems of crime and low wages and take care of the many jobless. Copies of the manifesto were handed out to a number of groups and organizations. Representatives of sugar workers, women, vendors, veterans, miners and several organiztions were all given manifestos.
Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
Jamaican youth leader demands greater youth inclusion in policy making at Caribbean meeting The Gleaner - Jamaica’s youth leader with the Commonwealth Students Association (CSA) Kemoy Lindsay, has called for greater inclusion of youth in policy making as a regional meeting of youth ministers in Antigua ended yesterday. The Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers meeting brought together youth ministers from across the region to share best practices on youth policies from across the Commonwealth region. Lindsay, the Caribbean Region’s representative for the CSA, has argued for more focused and purposive effort to develop youth policies in every country in the region. “Youth make up 64 per cent of the population in the Caribbean and therefore should be given their commensurate representation in decision making and nation building”, he argues. Lindsay notes that the regional youth body has developed a declaration and submitted it to regional youth to, among other things develop policies to address youth unemployment, access to education. The youth leader is also demanding the creation of stronger national youth councils that he says should operate independently of governments. “There needs to be a greater degree of engagement of students in the Caribbean by supporting the necessary platforms for students to not only be consulted on decision making but also play a role in implementation and monitoring” said Lindsay. Earlier this month, Jamaica’s Youth Minis-
Lisa Hanna ter, Lisa Hanna, speaking on The Gleaner’s online current affairs programme, On the Record, said the Cabinet approved a new youth policy that will be tabled within the next two months. Hanna and the Permanent Secretary in her ministry represented the Jamaican government.
Ex-leaders demand jailed Venezuela politicians be freed
Colombia’s former president, Andres Pastrana (left) and Mexico’s exleader, Felipe Calderon, were among those who signed the letter A group of former world leaders has sent an open letter to the Venezuelan government expressing its concern “for the difficult social, economic and political situation” in Venezuela. The group also urged the release of opposition leaders who were jailed for allegedly inciting violence. The letter was signed by 26 ex-leaders from Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Venezuela has not yet responded to their appeal. The signatories are members of the Madrid Club, an independent organisation made up of former heads of state and government. They include former Brazilian President
Henrique Cardoso, the ex-leader of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, as well as former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, Dutch ex-Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers and the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. In their letter, they call for the release of “all those citizens who are in prison today for having exercised their right to freedom of expression”, including Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma and opposition leaders Leopoldo Lopez and Daniel Ceballos. They go on to demand that former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez be allowed to travel to Venezuela to work with Mr Lopez’s defence counsel. They also claim their “right to appear in the oral hearing of Leopoldo Lopez”, scheduled for mid-May. Mr Lopez handed himself in to the authorities in February last year. He is on trial on charges of inciting violence at mass protests which swept through Venezuela in the first half of last year. Forty-three people from both sides of the political divide died during several months of protests. Venezuela’s National Assembly last week declared Mr Gonzalez “persona non grata” after President Maduro accused him of waging a “psychological war” with the aim of destabilising Venezuela. Last month, President Maduro called Felipe Gonzalez a “lobbyist, who is getting a huge salary in euros for publicly joining the campaign against Venezuela, backing a coup against the country, a coup against me”.
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THE LABOUR MOVEMENT The following is a repeat of a May Day Column published four years ago. Looking back at it, it remains relevant today, a sure indication that instead of moving forward, labour continues to move in the opposite direction. Labour is NOT at the crossroads. It has long detoured into the woods of obscurity. And please, it was not the PPP which was responsible for this development. Long before 1992, the labour movement had undermined its independence and therefore its effectiveness to adequately represent the interests of workers outside of politically-charged environments. The crisis of the trade unionism is now that it is powerless in the face of the power of the State. The crisis of the trade union is that it is unable to be effective because it faces a crisis of legitimacy. The Trade Union Congress should be the least to speak about democracy, because its own irrelevance today has resulted from its undemocratic nature, best exemplified by the failure of the largest union in Guyana to hold the presidency of the umbrella organization. Despite this crisis of legitimacy, labour ought to have had a greater bite. This lack of effectiveness to secure greater benefits for workers has its origins not in local divisions, even though these have been pronounced, but within the most powerful nation on Earth, the United States of America. Ever since Ronald Reagan in the 1980 broke the ranks of the air traffic controller strike in his country, the weakness of the labour movement was exposed. Employers, including the State, discovered that they no longer had to fear labour and they never did in the years that followed. In Guyana, one of the longest strikes took place in 1989. The Desmond Hoyte administration would not budge. This led to divisions
within union ranks. GAWU crawled back to work after being satisfied with regaining the right to collective bargaining. Those bemoaning the present state of affairs of labour in Guyana , should be reminded that it was just two decades ago that the right to collective bargaining within the sugar industry was restored, and was restored as a compromise solution during the struggle for a living wage. The Public Service Union in the mid-nineties called a prolonged strike. The strike ended in disarray after the union and government agreed to arbitration. Union leaders had to be escorted to safety from the ire of their own members. All of these events were not the cause of the decline of labour in Guyana. They merely reflected the symptoms of a worldwide weakness in labour which, as indicated earlier, had been exposed during the Reagan years. In Guyana, it was also clear that when it came to industrial action, workers could not afford to indefinitely sustain the withdrawal of labour. This decline in global militancy has been reflected in labour laws and jurisprudence that have become less friendly to labour. Guyana is no exception. The Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act of Guyana allows workers to be paid when their services are severed or terminated, as distinct from being dismissed. But employees can now be legitimately severed for almost any reason, short of discrimination, including for loss of confidence by your employer. Labour’s historic means of counteracting these actions has been to withdraw their labour. But the labour movement today has neither the means nor can they command the support to make such withdrawal effective. The workers are the ones least able to afford the deprivation of income that
result during strikes and therefore, strikes are generally ineffective. The Teachers’ Union has continued to sign five-year wage agreements with the government for 5% increases along with access to house lots and duty-free concessions. This agreement undermines the labour movement as a whole because the government will use this 5%, as it has been doing for years now, as the benchmark for offering or imposing wages on public sector workers. And in the absence of government offering higher wages, private employers have no incentive to pay any better. All workers therefore suffer as a result of this 5%
deal, not just teachers. But the teachers, who are already woefully underpaid, are not going to rail against the union. No, they are going to blame the government for their situation. Labour relations must move away from the paradigm of being concerned just about the rights of workers. Labour agreements can no longer be just about workers’ rights. That era is gone, long gone. New labour arrangements must be instituted that balance the interests of employers with the rights of workers. No self-respecting employer is going to allow any union to make an agreement on an option for workers’
benefits, and then when the time comes for the agreement to be formally inked, the union calls for negotiations. No self-respecting union will continue to abide by any collective bargaining agreement which it feels is being breached by the union. Collective bargaining agreements must not now just be about a mechanism for settling disputes and for facilitating negotiations. Built into these collective bargaining agreements must be provisions that allow employers to move to abrogate or apply sanctions when unions breach such agreements. And for workers, these new agreements must remove
the need for annual negotiations on wages. These agreements must now incorporate detailed provisions which link wage increases to measurable indicators. Thus, for example, the level of wage increases should be linked to set targets and obligations by both management and employees so that when management fails, workers do not suffer and when workers fail, they should not expect a reward.
Closure to Jaden Mars case long overdue In response to the claims of malpractice by medical practitioners of the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Shamdeo Persaud, has said that the Ministry of Health was only given a formal report on the incident of the stillborn foetus on Tuesday. Making the report was the distraught family. He said that after receiving the report, he then contacted the WDRH and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) requesting a report on the issue from both institutions. Persaud, from the report by the family, said that to his knowledge the GPHC would not have been responsible for the demise of the foetus. On arrival at the institution the foetus had no heartbeat; more than likely the fault may have been at the WDRH. He disclosed, too, that doctors and nurses who would have attended to Teresa Lalltoo, the woman who gave birth to the stillborn
…Ministry launches probe into stillbirth delivery last Monday at the GPHC, have been summoned to give a report on their account of what transpired on the day of the woman’s admission to the facilities. Persaud has expressed much regret into the death of not only the little angel who did not make it into this world alive, but also the other children who would have died, including Jaden Mars and Kevon Critchlow. Mr. Persaud said that investigation into the stillbirth may take some time to conclude. The Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Michael Khan, said that the hospital made a verbal report to the Ministry of Health on the incident and the institution has launched their seven days investigation procedure to gather accurate information to submit a formal report to the Ministry. He too noted that on arrival to GPHC the foetus
when placed on a monitor was discovered to already have been dead. Commenting on the investigation into Mars’s death, Persaud emphasized what Dr Bheri Ramsaran would have said recently. He said that the case has been long overdue. “Delayed justice, is justice denied.” The CMO admitted that Mars’s death could have been a case of negligence by the health practitioners at the GPHC, he also disclosed that one practitioner has been identified to face disciplinary action; the Ministry is yet to decide on what disciplinary actions will be taken against that practitioner. Other practitioners who may have been involved in the attendance of Mars are yet to be identified as investigations continue. Persaud applauded the family of Jaden Mars for following the right procedure, by first taking the child to a
health centre which then referred the child to the GPHC. Persaud said that no child under the age of five should die; that is the standard set by the public health institution. He said that the Ministry is considering the case of Kevon Critchlow as the post mortem results have not given clear answers. He noted that the cause of death was given as brain hemorrhage, but its cause has not been found. He said that the Ministry with the help of professionals has established that the injections administered to the child could not have caused the hemorrhage. Persaud said that he is not sure whether or not the child was given a wrong injection but according to the records presented by the Plaisance Health Centre the injection administered to the infant was legitimate.
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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
There isn’t anyone in the PPP leadership as decent as David Granger The demonization of David Granger by the PPP was expected. Had the PNC put up Robert Corbin, the PPP dinosaurs would have been laughing all the way to the swearing in ceremony of Donald Ramotar. They would
have heaved a mountain of accusations against Corbin. The PPP was literally caught with its pants down when Granger entered politics. The baggage simply isn’t there to show people about Granger. From the time
Granger entered politics, the PPP came up with the ballot box affair in 1973. It didn’t work. David Granger was nowhere in Berbice when PPP supporters sought to prevent transport of the ballot boxes to the central counting
Dem boys seh...
Dem don’t mean to stop dem scampish ways De Chinese mek Jamaica happy this week. One thousand of dem lef China and go to Jamaica during a world cruise. De Island was a stop in this world cruise. When dem land in Jamaica de Tourism Minister was more than happy that China recognise Jamaica. Dem boys had to laugh when dem hear about this. Dem know that de Chinese know bout Guyana and dem don’t come pun cruise ship fuh spend money. Dem does come pon plane and boat, but not cruise ship, and from de time dem land dem ready fuh send out money. When dem land in Jamaica was to spend a day; when dem land in Guyana is to stay and de Tourism Minister happy. He know wheh he cash coming from. Dem boys see how generous dem Chinee people can be. Dem see when two man was carrying a bag to Minister Rob de Earth office. Rain wet de bag and it burst and ton of green money, and not Guyana green money fall pun de ground. De Chinee man coulda drop down when he know that people see. He scramble to pick up. One man stand up outside to wait and see wha game playing out. Is he tell dem boys that he wait one hour, 33 minutes to see if dem will come out back wid de gift bag. There was no gift bag when dem come out. Dem boys seh that it was a half a million haul. That’s real cheese!
Dax get a big haul too, but he nah get he own from Chinee; he get he own from Jagdeo. When de story bout de cable contract buss out in de papers de two of dem had a private dinner de same night in Eccles to discuss de issue. People know that Dax is just a front fuh Babbie who is a front fuh Jagdeo who plan to give Digicel and GT&T a run fuh dem money—that mean to run dem out. GT&T gun run back to America and Digicel, back to Ireland. Dax got to be smartest man on earth. He got to be smarter than all Guyanese. Luncheon seh that Dax tell him that he gun fix de US$5 million cable fuh free. Dax tell de newspaper that to fix de US$5 million cable he gun have to spend US$10 million. Dem boys want to know wha Luncheon and Dax really telling this nation. De truth is that dem already spend US$100 million on this ICT thing and internet services. De taxpayers spend all this money and Luncheon giving it away to one man name Dax. Dis arrangement resemble Brassington deal fuh de Marriott in which he seh two Chinee man who nobody ever see or hear about gun put US$8 million on de US$80 million hotel and own two-thirds. Talk half and ask yuhself if dem think all ah we stupid.
point in Georgetown. Then the PPP put a new twist to the ballot box affair. The propagandists from the PPP argued that since he was in the hierarchy of the army in 1973, he should take responsibility for the shooting incident. Such asininity needs no discussion. If one is to use the moral yardstick of bureaucratic authority to level a charge of culpability, then not most but all of the hierarchical kings and queens in the PPP would be facing court trials. The next stage of attack on Granger was a tactical manoeuvre that the PPP used to outfox the PNC (not APNU) leadership. The PPP managed to manipulate the wife of Walter Rodney, Patricia, and got her to secretly sign on to a Walter Rodney Commission. Mrs. Rodney did so without consulting the WPA and has since refused to grant any interview about this aspect of her involvement with the PPP Government. And the press allows her to get away with it. Mrs. Rodney came to Guyana, testified, spoke not one word about the direct involvement of Burnham in the murder of Walter (not even made a reference to Burnham) and left Guyana without speaking to the press. Mrs. Rodney must be the only widow in modern times that wants justice for her husband (rightfully so), testified at a commission, and did not speak to the press. She is certainly a strange woman.
The commission laid a trap for the PNC. Two of the commissioners can hardly be described as paragons of impartiality. The terms of reference go way back to the seventies, so information can come out on the rule of the PNC that has nothing to do with Walter’s murder. The PPP saw its chance to get at Granger. They want him to testify so he could be asked about Burnham’s reign in the seventies. But no one has called on Ramotar, Teixeira, or Luncheon to ruminate on the said period when policemen were shot and killed while guarding the Corentyne polling stations and Guysuco estates were lit on fire. No one asked Rohee if he was involved in such infamies when he testified. The attempt to use the Rodney Commission to vilify Granger has not worked. The PPP has invented a third weapon to dirty Granger. This particular strategy is vile, sick and evil. Guyanese are told that because Granger was the head of the army, that if he becomes president, he will manipulate the army to commit political crimes and use it as a tool to commit violence against Indian people, like invading their homes. This was the sermon Bharrat Jagdeo preached to a PPP rally last week and the current Commander in Chief of the army, Donald Ramotar, voiced not one word of objection. Three weapons used to destroy the electability of David Granger have failed. We have ten more
Frederick Kissoon days to go before Guyanese vote. This election matches David Granger against Bharrat Jagdeo. It is not a contest involving Donald Ramotar. The area of battle is between a former President whose record is a damaged, blemished, tattered one, as against one of the most decent citizens this country has produced. There isn’t one, not even one leader in the PPP’s hierarchy who could match the urbaneness, integrity and ethical foundation of David Granger. Can we go down the list? Jagdeo is nowhere near the nationalist impeccability of David Granger. Can Luncheon, Ramotar, Teixeira be compared with David Granger. How about Rohee? Well, I threw in Rohee for some laughter, because I know from experience some of the less intellectually endowed readers like to see some fun among the serious analysis. But seriously, can you compare the leader of the PPP, Clement Rohee, with the leader of APNU, David Granger? How to start such an intellectual project? The best one can say is that it will be like comparing a bicycle thief with a General who won a war for his country.
Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Contractor gets exclusive rights to US$100M ICT project Over a five-year period, between 2010 and 2014, Government budgeted $20B (US$100M) for its Information Communication Technology (ICT) programme that included its E-Governance and fibre optic cable from Brazil and the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) projects. According to the budget estimates for the period, the funding was a mixture of loans and grants from China and India and financing from taxpayers. In 2010, the ICT projects kicked into gear, with $1.6B earmarked for the running of the Brazil-linked fibre optic cable from Lethem, Region Nine. That amount was also for the construction of a central data centre for the EGovernance project at Castellani House, Georgetown, and construction of wireless and terrestrial network from Moleson Creek to Anna Regina. That year, Government said that $6.5B was coming from China and $1B from India. Guyana would have been putting in $1.2B. In 2011, the budget started to cater for the OLPF, under which Government promised to distribute 90,000 laptops to poor families as part of the ICT programme. $4.34B was budgeted that year. In 2012, the Government allocations went up to $6.75B and also included the procurement of software, equipment, vehicles and materials. The 2013 budget figures saw Government allocating
$4.58B for the ICT project. By then, the data centre had already been built at Castellani House, so it was only the OLPF and the installation of the wireless network from Moleson Creek to Anna Regina that was left. There was no mention of financing that year, or in 2014, of the Brazil fibre optic cable. Last year, some $3.4B was allocated to the network system on the coast, the OLPF and the purchase of equipment. The entire ICT project came under scrutiny this year after Government announced that it has signed an agreement with Dax Contracting Services Limited to repair the Brazil cable, the laying of which encountered severe difficulties last year. In December, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, admitted that the project, headed by Alexei Ramotar, was in trouble, and talks were underway with a local contractor and a consortium to resurrect it. Last week, Government in a statement from the Office of the President announced that it had signed an agreement with Dax Contracting Services to repair the cable, at no cost to the government. The contract reveals that Dax will enjoy unlimited benefits, as well as uncontrolled usage of the cable and every aspect of the US$100 million ICT project. The agreement is for the repair, use and maintenance of the fibre optic cable from
Brazil. It is for an initial 25 years with an option to extend it for a further 15 years. Government spokesman, Dr Roger Luncheon, said that the Brazil cable has 12 pairs of fibres. Dax was granted a few for his exclusive use. Government also granted tax exemptions, incentives, tax holidays, remissions and duty free concessions on vehicles to be imported by Dax. Dax will use and maintain the said fibre optic cable, repeater stations and equipment for a period of 25 years from the date of signing of the agreement, with the option of renewal for an additional 15 years. He will also have access to and approval for use of the Government of Guyanaowned fibre optic structure equipment including road access, and access to poles. The repeater station and equipment are all part of the US$100 million investment on the ICT project. “The Government of Guyana will provide Dax Contracting Services with the necessary support, according to the law, in obtaining licences to transmit and receive data via the fibre optic cable. When contacted by this newspaper yesterday for a comment, the contractor, Faisal ‘Dax’ Mohamed said, “Hey, hey listen, you can go and f***k yourself.” He hung up the phone immediately after. Below is a table of the budgetary allocations to the ICT project since 2010.
Violent clashes at Brazil teachers’ protest in Curitiba More than 200 people are reported to have been injured in clashes between police and teachers protesting in the Brazilian city of Curitiba. Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at demonstrators in the southern city on Wednesday. Officers said they had been forced to act when a group of protesters tried to break through police lines around the state legislative assembly. The teachers were protesting against proposed changes to their pension.
Curitiba city officials said 213 people had been injured. The emergency services reported that eight were in a serious condition in hospital. Writing on Twitter, Curitiba Mayor Gustavo Fruet said the scene resembled “a war zone”. However, the government of Parana state put the number of injured protesters much lower. It said 40 protesters and 22 police officers were hurt. The organisers of the protests said 20,000 people attended the march, but
there has been no independent confirmation of those number. The teachers were trying to prevent members of the state assembly from voting on a proposal which would move their state pensions to a different fund. The teachers are worried the new fund will not be as secure and have repeatedly gone on strike in an attempt to prevent it. The vote went ahead on Wednesday with thee state assembly approving the changes. (BBC NEWS)
Police said that the protestors tried to break through a police cordon
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 01, 2015
Husband on the run after killing spouse at Bagotville A day after warning his wife he’d kill her, a reportedly abusive man yesterday sneaked into a Bagotville, West Bank Demerara house and stabbed his spouse to death before fleeing the scene. Donessa Barker, 28, also called ‘Nabine’, collapsed on the front stairs of a friend’s Lot 21, Inner Bagotville home at around 16.00 hrs after sustaining at least eight stab wounds to her neck, left side and other parts of her body. She died at the scene even as her friend, Shaneiza Clarke, tried to resuscitate her and get the mortally wounded woman to a hospital. The suspect, identified as Allan Barker, reportedly escaped through a window and was still at large up to late last night. The victim is said to have recently moved from Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo. The couple married last year and reportedly moved to the Bagotville home of Barker ’s friend, Sheniza Clarke, about a month ago. They have a daughter who
will be two years old in June. Relatives described the suspect as an extremely violent individual, who had doused his wife with hot water about two years ago. Sheniza Clarke, the friend, said that the suspect had threatened to kill his wife on Wednesday, and Donessa Barker had made a report at La Grange Police Station yesterday morning. The friend also gave police a knife that belonged to Donessa’s spouse. She said that police went to Bagotville in search of the suspect but failed to find him. Clarke said that she was standing on her front stairs with Donessa and another friend at around 16.00 hrs yesterday, when Donessa went inside for her phone. She said that shortly after, she heard her friend scream “Oh God…Sheniza, come fast,” then “she run past me and collapse on the front steps.” Clarke said that she then saw that blood was gushing from a wound on her friend’s left side. She immediately tried to staunch the blood, but her
friend eventually lapsed into unconsciousness and succumbed, despite efforts to revive her and get her to a hospital. The woman alleged that Donessa Barker’s husband, who had sneaked into the house, escaped through a window after stabbing his spouse. She alleged that the fugitive was enraged because the woman had said she wanted to end the relationship. Some of the slain woman’s relatives, who had travelled from Vergenoegen on hearing the news, collapsed in the Ezekiel Funeral Home after viewing her body. A cousin, Dumisa Thomas, said she last saw Donessa on Wednesday morning near the Vreed-enHoop stelling. According to Thomas, the woman had told her that the suspect had threatened to kill her. She said the two spoke for about five minutes and Donessa promised to call her. That call never came. Instead, the cousin received another call yesterday from a relative who said that
Alan Barker and his slain spouse, Donessa Barker Donessa was dead. Speaking about the suspect’s violent history, Thomas alleged that Donessa’s husband had thrown a pot of boiling water on her about two years ago. “He burn her
with a pot of water but she say is not he do it.” Thomas is the eleventh female to be slain for the year. The other victims include Sophia arson victim Tabola Abrams, 39; businesswoman Patricia Sanasie; 19-year-old
Shazina Mahamad; Ramdai Mohabir, 67; Suroogpattie Ramlakan, 73; Quineza Patricia Benn; Alicia Ali, 14; Samantha Benjamin, 40; 17year-old Davykumarie Ramadar and Alicia Mc Pherson, 17.
Family of aneurysm patient says ‘Thank you’ The family of Stephen Craig, 45, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, has expressed sincere thanks to
the general public for their support to Craig in his desperate time of need. The family had solicited
monetary donations from the public some time last year to raise the $4.5M for surgery at a medical institution in Trinidad and travel expenses which added some approximate $500,000 to the medical cost for Craig. Craig was diagnosed with an aneurysm in the brain. After pleading for public assistance through publications by this newspaper, the family was able to afford the man’s medical procedure and take care of his traveling expenses too. The successful endovascular coiling surgery was done last January, at the Sinclair Medical Centre in Trinidad, according to his wife, Bernice Craig, who emphasized the gratitude of the family for the support given by the public, without which the surgery would not have been possible. An aneurysm of the brain is a bulging weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain.
Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
GUYANA PUBLIC SERVICE UNION Message from the President, Mr. Patrick Yarde May Day 2015 is a time for serious reflection, reassessment of the performance of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and to ultimately chart a course forward for at least the next decade. This is necessary because the past three decades have seen serious challenges for Union membership, who over that time period encountered enormous challenges, which threatened the Union’s survival, constantly undermined its ability and effectiveness to provide representation to members and/or provide other quality of support through benefits that were normally or customarily enjoyed. Added to this situation, the politicization of the Public Service Commission, the effects of a non-functioning Public Service Appellate Tribunal and consequential fallouts, such as, unjustifiable supercessions, unjustifiable denial of promotions, unjustifiable non-payment of increments, unlawful imposition of salaries, compromising of security of tenure, erosion of formal employment and benefits, denial of natural justice and due process, unfair treatment, blatant discrimination and victimization, along with other unwarranted and vicious abuses, were unnecessary and undesirable challenges to workers. These situations
ultimately proved to be distractions centered on eradicating the undesirable obstacles, instead of continued objectively applied thoughts and energies towards desired goals that would be fulfilling and beneficial to all, including cementing relationships that would guarantee togetherness in the future. Notwithstanding the glaring and deliberate antiworking class environment, Public Servants prevailed in a matured and patriotic manner, professionally providing quality public services in the peoples’ interest and ultimately pursuing national development to the best of their ability. This included the delivery of health care, education, agricultural development, infrastructural development, aviation, security, revenue collection, environmental protection, beneficial use of natural resources, housing development, the provision of pure water supplies and adequate electrification, among other services. All this was done while being constrained by incompetent, corrupt and insensitive elements, who were strategically placed to obstruct the legitimate and conscientious efforts of the public service workforce, consistently denying workers their rights, which were associated with sound and
established principles in full recognition of human rights, justice and fair play. The absence of good governance, credible institutions and a civil society willing to stand up and assert itself, national unity remained fragmented and countrywide harmony seemed a very distant myth. In fact, everything was achieved under an aura of disappointment and fragmentation, as well as, undue distractions and distortions that decent and law abiding people should not have had to consider. When considering the foregoing I proudly salute the traditional public service workforce for their forbearance and commitment fully conscious of the great personal sacrifice being experienced, particularly our women faced with ongoing outrageous experiences and young workers challenged with demoralizing employment opportunities and an unsure future. Following May Day 2015, on the eagerly anticipated 11 May 2015, all of Guyana will have another opportunity to determine its choice of Governance at the National and Regional Elections. On this occasion, I would wish that there is the fullest participation of the Guyanese electorate in a peaceful and law-abiding manner, consciously contributing to (Continued on page 36)
PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes the workers of Guyana on the occasion of International Workers Day or what is commonly referred to as Labour Day which is observed on May 1. This is a good time to reflect on how far we have advanced in Guyana, especially in terms of gains made by the PPP/C administration both at the legislative level and in terms of the implementation of programmes and policies to protect workers against exploitation, unfair wages and to bring about improvements to their living and working conditions. The PPP is proud of its record as a pro-labour party which has over the decades defended the rights of workers not only in Guyana, but throughout the world. It
was the PPP which enacted the Trade Union Recognition Bill and the National Minimum Wages Bill, both of which are landmark pieces of legislation to protect the rights of workers. Regrettably, in Guyana today the labour movement is fragmented by opportunistic elements who, under the guise of representing the cause of workers, are aligning themselves with the very forces that were responsible for the pauperization of the working class during the period of PNC dictatorial and anti-working class rule. At the global level, despite advances in science and technology and the consequential increases in labour productivity the gap in living standards between the rich and the poor continues to widen. This is particularly evident in some of the more
advanced capitalist countries, including the United States and Western Europe. Millions of workers are finding it difficult to make ends meet, not to mention the millions more who cannot find work and who are unemployed and forced to live on handouts. The PPP takes this opportunity to call on the workers of Guyana to be on guard against those who would make all manner of unrealistic promises, especially at this time when Guyanese will go to the polls on May 11 to elect a government of their choice. The PPP wishes to reaffirm its commitment to a strong, stable and secure Guyana, one in which the working people would be the major beneficiary in the economic and social gains made by the collective efforts of the Guyanese people.
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FITUG
Even as we are seeing heightened activities in the homestretch leg of the elections campaign, the Day most of the world sets aside to recognise and to celebrate as workers Day is at hand. In Guyana the observance of Labour Day goes back to colonial days. Our early labour leaders understood and promoted the observance of Labour Day and all that it meant and symbolized for the country’s working-class. Veteran Labour Advocate Senior Counsel Ashton Chase recalls that the BG Labour Union and its indomitable leader H.N. Critchlow ushered in May Day celebrations around 1930. There were parades and rallies from the Bourda Green to the Parade Ground. He noted that the colony’s merchants and upperechelons seemed to regard the annual workers celebration rituals as a distraction. The Trades Union Council (TUC), after 1944, clamoured to take over the celebration from the Labour Union and eventually succeeded by the mid-fifties. Thus in February, 1958, the Legislative Council approved an amendment to a Motion by Mr Rupert Tello that Labour Day be declared a national public holiday. Today, 57 years on, FITUG, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), the largest organized representative grouping of the nation’s workers, is pleased to continue in that tradition of observing this International Workers Day.
As we celebrate May Day 2015, FITUG recognizes the need for increased efforts to protect workers’ rights and gains; for improved FITUGTUC collaboration where our members interests coincide; for wage increases to be always above inflation rates; for a review of the tax regime to make it fair and less burdensome for workers; for the NIS to settle valid claims speedily; for increases in the NIS, National Old Age pensions and Public Assistance. While these goals are not exhaustive we must also recognize the accomplishments beneficial to workers in recent years and upon which we seek to build. FITUG acknowledges too that worker-friendly legislation will be necessary to move forward as well as the support from employers of both Private Sector and Public Service. This May Day finds our nation in the throes of vigorous campaigning for the National and Regional elections scheduled for May 11. FITUG advises its thousands of members to reflect seriously before making their choice of one political party or the other. The party’s track record in promoting workers’ interests and commitment to our
country’s development could guide us in making that choice in the upcoming elections which we expect to be free, fair, transparent and peaceful. Our future of continuing stability and progress is once again in our hands. Comrade workers, we urge you to choose well on May 11. FITUG takes this opportunity to express warm May Day greetings to all Guyanese. In the challenges ahead nationally and on international issues also, let us not forget the value of unity in our efforts to score greater achievements. Considerations must include the track record of any group with respect to genuine respect to workers concerns even within budgetary limitations when they were in office. Which group now offers credible, realistic policies they are likely to keep, in terms of labour policy and wages and working conditions, inclusive of worker education? Can you afford to take a change with the untested against the tried and tested? FITUG knows that these are crucial long-term decisions. May the first of May inform your wisdom. Happy Labour Day
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 01, 2015
Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Public School teachers to engage industrial action from Monday - move could considerably affect pupils/students Teachers within the public education system will on Monday commence industrial action. This announcement was Wednesday made by President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, who told media operatives that the action is one intended to retaliate Government’s non-payment of debunching monies to teachers. The industrial action, he revealed, will take the form of work-to-rule which in essence
will see the teachers within the public education system doing no more than the minimum work they are contractually obligated to do. As such, Lyte insisted that teachers will be expected to “work the required hours as well as doing required tasks and not work beyond and carry extra duties.” He also revealed Wednesday that “we will use the nonacademic norms to ensure that our teachers are working under the required conditions.”
And the industrial action is likely to continue indefinitely until such time that teachers are afforded their debunching monies, according to Lyte, who however pointed out that the Union has not even been given a guarantee that the payment will be forthcoming following the upcoming national elections. The Union during the latter part of last year had discussions with A Partnership for National Unity, but according to Lyte,
GTU’s President, Mark Lyte (left) and Administrative Field Officer, Lancelot Baptiste the debunching matter was not an issue that was discussed. Currently the GTU has some 7,000 teachers within its membership which translates to more than two-thirds of the nation’s public school teachers. Moreover, Lyte had told this publication that industrial action could have significant impact on the education system. The education system is preparing to not only conduct the National Grade Two, Four and Nine Assessments, but also the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), “...so it could have serious implications,” Lyte added. A decision to institute the industrial action was one that followed on the heels of a meeting between Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, and Union executives last week Wednesday. During that forum, Lyte said that Dr Luncheon revealed that Government is unable to honour the debunching payment, a promise that was first made 10 years ago. “We are here to say this morning (Wednesday) that we have been patient; we have been extremely patient, waiting for 10 years to have our teachers receive the long overdue debunching (monies). For all these years we have been taken around and around and finally to be told there is no money,” noted Lyte. In fact he related that Dr Luncheon revealed that absolutely no money was ever budgeted for the payment of debunching monies. The debunching payment is intended to cater to the salaries of teachers, whereby those with the same status will be paid based on their years of experience. This would ensure that a senior teacher who was trained 10 years ago will not be placed on the same salary scale as a senior master or mistress that was subsequently trained. According to Lyte, the debunching payment is one
that has been included in the multi-year agreement package for teachers along with salary increases, land for teachers, among other benefits. The most recent multi-year agreement will come to an end this year end. And according to the GTU President, while some of the commitments in the package have not been fulfilled, among the most pressing is that of the debunching payout which is designed to benefit all teachers. While the GTU has blamed the Ministry for this delayed payment, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had subsequently turned the blame on the Union, but did nothing to address the situation, despite being provided with the relevant information from the union to do so. A task force comprising Ministry of Education officials and representatives of the Union was set up to complete a document to guide the way forward. The task force completed its work in 2014 and submitted same to the Ministry and should have paved the way for teachers to start receiving their payments. “The last thing we heard about this matter was last year when the Minister (Manickchand) ranted and raved in the public; apart from that we have heard not a single word,” Lyte told this publication. He noted Wednesday that there was complete silence on the matter until Dr Luncheon invited the Union to the recent meeting. GTU’s Administration Field Officer, Lancelot Baptiste, on Wednesday said too that the Union was hopeful that something positive would have resulted from the meeting with Dr Luncheon “although we knew that finances were closed since last year.” “We still felt that having being called to this meeting something positive would have been told to us...I am embarrassed to go to our members now to say that after
all those years we have been told in the month of April that nothing has been budgeted for in all those years and therefore there is no monies put aside for you,”Baptiste lamented. He noted that the Union is particularly troubled by the fact that Dr Luncheon, during the meeting, informed GTU members that “the union should have known that they could not receive any payments because all the books were closed since last December. You know what he was telling us since last December? There was no intention to pay.” According to the Union executives, they are now tasked with informing their members through the media and other means of the nonpayment development and of plans for the industrial action. “Members are now going to be told by us we were being played as the little boys would say...we were being played all along,” Baptiste added. He therefore noted that among the non-academic norms that will be fully embraced by the Union as a result of the non-payment will include teachers insisting on delivering lessons to only the recommended class sizes. Should the class size exceed the required number, Baptiste said that teachers will be asked to report this to their head teachers who would be expected to address such state of affairs. Added to this, he said that if teachers are not afforded proper toilet facilities or drinking water when needed, once they are not living in the vicinity of the schools, they will be expected to return home that day and not return to work. In fact, Baptiste noted that work-to-rule will allow for teachers to opt to go home if the school environment is not conducive for their operation after informing their head teachers. Based on the discussions between the Union and Dr Luncheon, if the People’s Progressive Party/Civic is reelected, it is likely that the monies will be budgeted for in the Eleventh Parliament.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 01, 2015
Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
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3 Storey building 12 offices upper flat, established business @ 220 South Road. Contact: 601-3369; 218-2029 10 Acres Roadside land at Kuru Kuru for resort/ business- Contact: 6013369; 218-2029; 227-1042 German shepherd puppies for sale –Tel: 682-5664 Pekingese mix with Tibetan terrier puppy–Tel:623-8811;227-0945 Rottweiler and German shepherd mixed puppies, one month old – Contact:641-1771; 601-5500 King size bed frame, LG set with surround system, 2 big carpets, cabinet set –Tel: 6191510; 227-3120 Mixed bred pit-bull –Call: 6185220 JUST ARRIVED!! 18" BRUSH CUTTER BLADES WHOLESALE & RETAIL QUANTITIES - CALL: 6148564/ 639-3675 Solar 12V lighting kit, battery, three 5M cables with bulbs & phone charger included, brand new –Call:693-1752; 226-7742 Brand New: 3PH industrial motor, 2HP and 11KW 60hz – Contact: 617-2205; 681-1032 Bush radio system for interior, security camera system, project with surround system –Tel:600-0036; 223-1273 152 Lavarda combine, excellent condition, grain cart, 165 Tractor, block machine small rice mill & paddy cleaner – Call: 683-4104
12X8 Food caravan with 3 table top fryers, glass door fridge, glass case & 1 (5) MASSAGE compartment food warmer – Tel:610-7701 Relaxing Massage Service – 1 RT58c Grove Crane ,l $10 Tel: 674-8147 Million- Contact 650-0402 PEN PAL Barber/Salon Chair with Female age 21 seeking female beautiful design station friends –Tel: 669-5454 $65,000 –Tel: 600-0036; 223-1273
One domestic cleaner, E.C.D –Tel: 644-9802; 603-5416 Wash bay attendants –Tel: 646-8748 One truck driver & bobcat operator preferably from E.B.D; 3 yrs experienced – Tel:648-1588; 663-8639; 6090766 Experienced rock driller, must know about Furukawa, Tamrock or Atlas Copco Hydraulics Machines – Call: 665-3959 or matiasorellana@exploservice. com.ar Canter driver $5,000 daily, cleaner to work on W.C.D $12,000 weekly –Call:6848231; 629-4236 Urgently need land in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Schoonord, Waterloo & Hope (West Berbice) –Tel: 675-7292; 6893339 Domestic maid @ Diamond H/Scheme –Contact: 6268003; 227-8529 One Pastry maker- please email application to jobvacanciesg1@gmail.com
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SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Seeking professional hairdresser, must know to interlock or be easier to learn –Call: 643-5720; 679-3425
WANTED General maid to work at Hilton Crest Hotel, shift work, experienced –Tel: 223-6284. Apply in person. 1 salesperson / cashier to write bills in cosmetics & variety store on the East Coast –Call: 601-3679 Experienced female driver wanted for more informationContact Marcella: 617-4091 Taxi & Bus drivers, dispatchers at Princess Hotel, Providence –Tel: 616-5419 1 Maid, 40years and older to work in Suriname- Contact: (+597) 322-5442; (+597) 6516666
One half day domestic, apply 53 Grosenor Ave Nandy Park, Near Raj Yoga Centre (after 1PM) 1 Male or female or couple to look after layer in the interior – Tel: 691-6260 1 cook for family in the interior – Call:691-6260 1 Experienced driver- Contact Sarah: 225-8066 Investor for large scale poultry farm operation, land & duty free concession available –Tel: 692-1398; 6665634 Porters to work in Grocery Stall, experienced is an asset @ Stabroek Market. Tel: 683-9500 Top soil from Mahaica Area, please Call: 219-0468
1 OFFICE ASSISTANT: Must have motorcycle, car/ van license, able to work flexible hours, from E.B.D. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com 1 Cashier for supermarket on the East Coast, computer knowledge a plus – Call: 601-3679
Experienced female Accounts Clerk, apply in person with hand written application @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. 1 Cook to prepare Indian & English Dishes, to work in Georgetown –Tel: 698-7807 One manager to work @ Hotel Purple Heart on the Essequibo Coast, accommodation provided, attractive salary – Contact: 226-9768; 642-7963 Work from home, earn $5,000$20,000 daily Call MondayFriday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 6 3 8 - 0 5 9 5 www.jobfairworldwide.com Exist for cashier & supermarket helpers apply in per with written application at NIRVA supermarket –Tel: 227-5771
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security - Tel: 698-7807
Business/Economics Writer, email application to snow198390@hotmail.com Live in waitress age 20 & older with Secondary Education @ Diamond Gate Liquior Restaurant, Lot 18-19 Belmont Mahaica - Tel: 228-5013 Senior Accounts Clerk, 5yrs experienced, CAT or equivalent. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman Call: 695-9880; 669-4755 Hotel Manager for Xenon Hotel @ Essequibo: experience, good communication skill Send application & resume: rtilak@adamantiumholdings. com Experienced chef/restaurant manager, kitchen assistant & counter staff –Contact: 6687660; 629-8048, between 8am - 4pm ( Tuschen W.C.D)
LAND FOR SALE Concrete fenced land in high income area in Continental / Republic Park –Phone: 2330570; 629-7426 From $1.3M to $5M Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Schoonor, Waterloo & Hope (West Berbice) –Tel:675-7292; 689-3339 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front -reasonable offer accepted, serious enquiries only! – Tel: 669-8152
One hotel cleaner - Contact 223- 5273/4 Male supervisor for housekeeping dept.- Tel:2250198 or visit 233 South road, Lacytown Diva Hair Salon, Tortola BVI seeking professional Hairstylists & Nail Technicians, 5+ years experience. Call: 284-543-1410 Email bvisalonowner @gmail.com SECURITY GUARDS FOR LAND OF CANAAN BUSINESS, POLICE CLEARANCE REQUIRED. PART TIME WELDER/ FABRICATOR. 266 4427 Manager for Xenon Hotel & 704 Entertainment complex in Georgetown. Send application and resume to rtilak@adamantiumholdings. com Room attendants, security guards, handyman & Desk Staff- Tel:225-0198 or visit 233 South road, Lacytown RA Soda Factory: vacancy for male & female workers and bond clerk @ Good Hope Bond/ Melanie. Tel:623-5920; 330-2399 One refrigeration & Airconditioned trainee technician- Call: 2310655,683-8734 from 8 to 5
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Advertisements; Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.com Call : 225-6496, 662-6045 Your Dream Yard Today! Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 219-0468/ 648-1821 Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:231-0655,683-8734 Manufacturing of mosquito screens, cut & polish different type glasses: sliding doors & windows, etc @ your specification @ Beeson Windows - Tel #6224192 LOST / STOLEN American Citizen Green Card belonging to Hazleine Northe of A 14 Arapima Street, East LaPenetance - Contact: 2262770/ 609-1400. REWARD OFFERED! VACANCY Exist 1 Sales Representative @ Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products Ltd, 38 Ketley & Sussex Street Charlestown – Tel:225-7864; 227-8607
TOURS Suriname Tour Trip Return, Independence Weekend (May 23-May26) Book Early –Call: 644-0185; 639-2663; 665-5171 Continued on page 36
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GUYANA PUBLIC SERVICE UNION (From page 33)
PROPERTY FOR SALE Grove Public Road property -$19M – Tel: 613-5645 Transported two flat concrete property Block “8” Mon Repos E.C.D - $20M Tel: 625-1514 One three bedroom two storey concrete house @ Parfaite Harmonie 24X57 feet, Price $13M negotiable – Call: 622-1782; 658-5803; 269-0642
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Prado, Price$4.7M Neg. Call: 643-2403 Smart Choice Auto Sale: Premio, Allion, Spacio, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, IST –Call: 652-3820; 665-4529 1 Toyota 212 (New Model) in hire, was never register in private, A/C & Leather interior $1.1M Contact #670-0382, 651-3021 One Toyota Allion 2004 motor car for sale, Unregister Call: 623-1615
TO LET Two bedroom furnished apartment in Nandy Park, Each with toilet and bath, covered parking for cars – Call: 682-9371; 233-5560
Prado Land Cruiser TZ, Automatic Diesel, PHH Series -$5.2M, fully loaded – Tel: 233-2546; 688-5554 1 L-Touring Wagon, flair kit, remote start- $1.450,000, 1 Honda CRV, $1.850, 000, 1 AT192 - $850, 000. All in good condition, price negotiable –Tel: 626-2884 One Toyota VIOS (Black) model – PMM series, price negotiable – Tel: 688-0868
EDUCATIONAL Computerized Accounting, 4 Courses $35,000, MicroGraphics- Vreed-EnHoop-Tel 264-3057 9 Course Diploma In Computer Studies $35,000 @ MicroGraphics Vreed-EnHoop Tel: 264-3057 Lessons with your private teacher, upgrading or CXC English; full SSEE – Call: 6967467
One Mitsubishi Canter, Good condition, 2.5 ton, has dumper $2.5M- Tel: 219-0468 Toyota Corona, stick shift wagon only $150,000 –Tel: 642-1141 Toyota Sienta; excellent condition, PRR Series -$1.7M – Call: 626-1165 Toyota AT212, AT192, Runx, Fielder wagon, 4 Runner, Tundra, Premio, RZ, Nissan Bluebird & Cargo small bus. Tel:644-5096; 697-1453 One 290 Tractor with plough and cage wheel –Tel: 6686976; 675-5575 Bedford Model M 4X4 truck – Tel: 693-2237
VEHICLE FOR SALE
3 Ford F350 2006 model, extended cab 4X4, 6" lift kit, 35" tyres, diesel, auto, excellent condition –Tel:6105370
First Class Auto: 09 Allion, 05 Premio, 06 Allion, Bluebird, Rush, Spacio, Runx, IST, Carina 212, Verossa, Mark 2, Axio –Tel: 609-8188; 638-3045
1 Toyota RZ mini bus supercustom, BSS series, fully A/C, excellent condition -$1.950M neg. Tel:223-6059; 654-4219; 645-3619
Toyota IST Unregistered, fully customized, leather interior, low suspension, aero body kit, 16" sport rims, HID –Tel: 609-2815
AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154
Toyota 110 Sprinter motor car for sale, in good condition, price negotiable – Call: 661-2888 for more info.
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154
1 Toyota Raum HB Series, superb condition –Contact: AT 192 Carina, Red, 17 Rims, 642-4779. Price negotiable. PJJ series –Tel: 683-1534
ACCOMODATION Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor / Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504 Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Que & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc – Phone: 260-4504.
From page 21 credible, free and fair elections, with such legitimacy that it would have a resounding acceptance by all. These elections should commence and culminate with trust and thereafter there should be a process for the creation of harmony, credible institutions, good governance, comfort, security and prevailing will and spirit of the people to look to the future with expectations and confidence that their dreams of peace, comfort and happiness would be fulfilled and in the best interest of the nation.
The GPSU, with this expectation in mind, has consciously pursued being a domestic observer in this process and has chosen to make this sacrifice, even with its limited and scarce financial resources, to assist in the validation and credibility of the processes of this most invaluable national event, in the interest of the people of Guyana. The involvement also considered the perseverance and protection of the legacy of the forefathers of the Union, whose struggles were in the interest of the enhancement of workers’ rights and quality provisions for the protection and welfare of their families, which ultimately encapsulates the goals and objectives of the GPSU, which is to protect, preserve and in that process
improve, appropriately. It is therefore in this spirit and with this expectation that I extend Labour Day greetings to all members of the Guyana Public Service Union, all workers of Guyana, the Caribbean and worldwide. Let us together pledge and proceed to take action in the interest of and for the betterment of all mankind.
CGX records US$45M loss, searching... From page 28 2015 to October 31, 2015. In December 2013, CGX commenced arbitration proceedings against Repsol Exploracion, S.A., its partner in the drilling of a well in the Georgetown Block. A settlement was reached in December. CGX said it is continuing to secure a joint venture partner for its Corentyne PPL and is actively pursuing this initiative. “In the short term, the company will likely require additional financing and seek to widen its shareholder base, but still with a view to negotiating farm-out transactions as the primary way to enhance shareholder value. The company is hopeful that exploratory drilling currently underway in Guyana and Suriname will be successful and that a discovery in an adjacent block will have a significant impact on the Company's share price and on its ability to raise the capital required to complete its existing work commitments in Guyana.” Guyana currently imports oil for its needs from Venezuela, Curacao, Trinidad and Suriname, among other places.
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Port Kaituma residents refuse to return Gov’t-issued solar panels Residents of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma are refusing to return solar panels given to them by the government
Residents of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma, are locked in a battle with the government which is demanding that they return the solar panels given to them last Monday. The residents have vowed not to hand over the panels despite threats from officials to engage the services of the police to retrieve them. The residents believe that the panels are being recalled because of the perceived nonsupport for the People’s Progressive Party. The panels were given to the about 100 residents on Monday, in keeping with a promise made three years ago, when the Citrus Grove community was without electricity. Kaieteur News understands that since the request for the panels was made, the area was subsequently given electricity by the power company at Port Kaituma. The confusion reportedly arose when the residents were invited to a meeting on Wednesday, a day after
government officials visited the area, and were told that since the area is now being powered by the Port Kaituma Power Company, they no longer needed the panels. The residents were told that they would have to return the panels and if they did not it would be forcibly taken from them. One resident who spoke to this newspaper is of the opinion that the people of Citrus Grove are being penalized for not showing support for the government when the officials visited the community. He explained that the reason given for demanding the return of the panels does not hold water, since residents of another location – Oronoque - are not being asked to return theirs although their community too is being powered by company electricity. “Dem ain’t taking back dem own, but dey want we fuh give back we own. De president come hey Tuesday and Wednesday…dey asking
we fuh give back de panels,” the resident stated. They are blaming the Chairman of the area’s Interim Management Committee for the current situation. This newspaper understands that the IMC Chairperson did turn up with the police yesterday to recover the solar panels. The police briefly detained the chairman of the community development committee Neville La Rose. He told this newspaper after his release that the police “wisely” decided that the matter was not one for them to deal with. “What is causing the problem is that this whole thing was not explained properly,” La Rose stated. He said that the residents will resist any attempt to repossess the panels especially since the electricity supply from the power company is unreliable. “Right now, the generator break down and we not getting power. So why give back de panels?” a resident questioned.
Failure to pay taxi debt lands man before the court A miner was released on bail yesterday after he was accused of taking a taxi and refusing to pay. It is alleged that between February 20 and March 15, Raymond Hernellez, of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, incurred a debt of $19,500, by travelling in motorcar HC 2667, driven by Lynden Park. He refused to pay. According to the victim, the miner entered his vehicle and was taken to various parts of the country. He added that the defendant told him he was going to pay him the next day after selling gold he had returned with
Raymond Hernellez from the interior. “Once the gold was sold the defendant
agreed to pay me. But I never received the money”, Park stated. However, the accused recounted a different story. Hernellez explained to the court that he entered Park's car and told him he had no money. He added, “We agreed that I will pay him when I come out of the interior. I never refused to pay him,” Hernellez recalled. Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered the defendant to post $15,000 bail. The matter will be called again on May 4.
Guyhoc miner remanded for armed robberies A man frequently accused of stealing bicycles, was brought before the court and remanded to prison for robbery under arms. Kevin Mingo, 23, of Guyhoc Park, denied that on April 27, last, at Albouystown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Anfernie Catanzaro of two gold chains. Mingo, a gold miner, further denied that on the day in question, at the same location, he robbed Patrick Dundas of two gold chains valued $113,000. According to Corporal Bharrat Mangru, Dundas and Catanzaro were about to enter a car parked on James Street, when the accused rode up on his bicycle, pulled out a gun and relieved them of the articles mentioned in the charge. The prosecution added that Mingo after the robbery, tried to escape on the said bicycle but was caught by the victims. Bail was denied after the prosecution objected to it, on the grounds of the seriousness, prevalence and penalty attached to the offence. His next court date will be May 19.
Kevin Mingo
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“We’ve got nothing but promises” By Sunita Samaroo “Is the Gold and Diamond Mining industry not in trouble? Are we not entitled to help from this Government? Have we not contributed to the growth of Guyana’s economy over the past six years? Did goat bite the small and medium scale mining industry?” These were some of the questions being asked by President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding, as the body hosted its second membership meeting for the year at Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown yesterday. Addressing a sizeable gathering, Harding said that the body is calling on the Government to hear the call of the miners before it is too late. “This gold and diamond mining industry may be wobbling for lack of attention, but with the resilience and commitment of miners it will survive. The survival of Guyana’s economy depends on the survival of the gold and diamond mining industry. We are too big to fail,” Harding stressed. The GGDMA head reiterated that the industry has for the past ten years been the largest foreign exchange earner and has been the driving force in the continued development of the local economy by providing employment and business developmental opportunities to other industries. “We told the President that in the year 2013, even though the price for an ounce of gold had fallen from US$1,800 to US$1,300 around mid-2013, miners having already invested in equipment and technology continued their operations with the hope that gold prices would go back up. This was not so.” “At the end of year 2013, most miners were broke, having re-invested their earnings and savings to produce the record declarations for the year 2013, and the mining industry was in a crisis and needed immediate assistance for it to maintain the continued level of development. That was very important, not only to the industry, but to the economy of Guyana.” He explained that equipment companies were repossessing excavators, miners were just leaving their equipment in the bush, since they could not afford to bring the equipment out and mining lands were being abandoned. “We were told that miners are rich and should invest in other businesses, if you are
- Miners roast Gov’t over unfulfilled guarantees not successful then get out of the business.” Harding reflected at length on a meeting the body had with President Donald Ramotar, in January last year, where they made clear that the industry was in a crisis. Among the concerns highlighted were the falling gold prices, high operation and maintenance costs, poor and inefficient recovery technology, reduction in the use of mercury, high land rentals from GGMC, limited lands for miners, disparity in
price of gold had fallen to US$1,200 per ounce. “He promised to inform GGDMA within two weeks. To date, the Association is still waiting,” he said. He said duty free waivers on selected types of vehicles based on gold declarations were approved by cabinet, “but are awaiting final documentation.” “GGDMA has petitioned the Government that small and medium scale gold and diamond mining operators enjoy the same benefits as
promises made to the industry and to “free up the internal governmental road blocks that are hindering the process.” They called for the 50 per cent reduction on licence rental at GGMC; to complete the agreement on 4x4 vehicles; waiver of taxes on mining equipment and supplies, and 10 percent reduction of import tax on diesel fuel. The Association wants the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)
promised rice farmers rich agriculture lands, and to put in place, a paddy and rice support mechanism, for rice farmers… Former President Jagdeo promises to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the Skeldon Sugar Factory,” he said, adding that the PPP Manifesto pledges to support the sugar with a minimum investment of $20 billion for the continued viability of the industry. Harding said that they need operational financing
to implement an efficient system of advertising and awarding road and infrastructural contracts. This, Harding explained, will facilitate the movement of miners to their work sites. The GGDMA asked that the GGMC make available to small miners, land that has mineral information and infrastructural development. “President Ramotar at a political meeting in Essequibo
that will assist the small and medium scale miners to get back on their feet, direct financial assistance from GGMC’s surpluses gained from the Mining Industry Royalties and Fees, “instead of lending GUYSUCO and Guyana Housing Authority.” His sentiments were echoed by Edward Shields, founding member of the GGDMA, who said “We have got nothing but promises,”
Miners at the meeting yesterday
concessions between foreign and local mining entities, high fuel costs, increase in criminal activities and illegal mining, impassable roadways, roads built not surviving the first rainy season and reclamation costs that are an additional burden, among other things. He explained that GGDMA had sought several things from the government, but received a number of promises, most of which the GGMDA is still awaiting to come to fruition. The GGDMA head said that Ramotar then set up an Inter-Ministerial Task Force to deal with the problems facing the mining industry. GGDMA and various government agencies were mandated to arrive at collective interventions that would alleviate some of the problems facing the mining sector. He said that they had obtained interventions from negotiations with government agencies, “albeit we are in the fourth month (April) of 2015. Fifteen months have passed and the Government has not fulfilled any of these promises”. Harding outlined that they met with Ramotar on March 3, last, at the Convention Centre where they reminded him of the promise made to the miners that GGMC will reduce the rental of mineral properties and claims by 50%, since the
the large scale mining companies and to have the waiver of all duties on Mining equipment, and spares for the operations,” he said. According to Harding, despite efforts to attain this, they are still waiting. He highlighted as a challenge, too, that GGDMA Trading Inc. has been granted a licence to import and distribute diesel fuel and lubricants for the mining industry. “However, because of the taxes on diesel fuel, GGDMA Trading Inc., found it difficult to compete with other major distributors of diesel fuel,” he said, adding that last December, Cabinet approved a discount of ten percent (10%) Excuse Tax on diesel fuel for the mining industry. At present the miner pays royalty of five percent (5%) on the gross value of gold sold to the GGB. “This 5% royalty is one of the highest in the world. Neighbouring Suriname pays 4%. GGDMA has petitioned the Government to reduce royalty payment to 3% once the price of gold is under US$1,400/ounce, on a sliding scale that, whenever the price of gold goes over US$1,400/ ounce, the royalty payment will increase proportionately. GGDMA is awaiting response from Government.” The association head called on government agencies to implement the
which earned him a resounding round of applause. In a fiery delivery, Shields lambasted the government for its attitude toward the industry. He said “It’s very simple for the miners and government to work, but it has to start with respect. You can’t have people who have no clue about mining, people who never pass Bartica making decisions for mining.” He said that last January, the President made promises but “today nothing.” He added that meetings with the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment and GGMC were set up, but there were hardly any that materialized. He reiterated that mining is in a crisis. “The fact is, mining is in a crisis. That is the reality. Mahdia is like a ghost town...the girls ain’t even coning out no more.” He went on to state that those who make the policy decisions, don’t have a clue about what is going on. “We here know what’s going on.” He said that the association has survived every president and will continue to survive any president because we are here to stay. “When you talking about mining talk to GGDMA, we know what we want,” he said. Present at the meeting was A Partnership for National Unity Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo, who spoke on the policies the coalition will adopt to improve the industry. Nagamootoo rolled out several plans the coalition has and told miners that among the plans was to review GGMC. He also engaged the miners on their burning questions.
Ministry launches pilot project... From page 14 and mitigation. It was for this reason he stated, that the EU adapted the FLEGT (Forest Law, Enforcement, Government and Trade) programme in 2003 as a response to illegal logging which covers both supply and demand measures. The action plan's core procedures are the FLEGT measures which are the EU regulations, Kopecký pointed out. He explained that the agreement between EU and Guyana in 2012 involved an agreement which has shown decent progress when it ended this month. The EU Ambassador observed that the FLEGT process in Guyana has also provided the opportunity to further strengthen and maintain its consolidation towards maintenance of forest government, improving legal compliance and building capacity for community engagement for forest policy engagement and implementation. Ambassador Kopecký also said that the EU shared the initiative that forest laws could be further improved. He noted that the EU/ FLEGT US$10M programme would ensure that countries follow the plans. He welcomed the six associations working together to follow the law. Bremner meanwhile stated that Region 10
is gaining funding from the FAO to carry out projects and to ensure sustainable overview and increase the capacity of the small loggers' association and others. He also added that communities would also be enabled to monitor online and would also reduce the laws being broken, and would ensure sustainable forestry management. Ruben Robertson of the FAO observed that partnership is the best way to go in order to produce the greatest results. He pointed out that with the US$122,000 given by the EU; the MNRE would be the custodian of the funds to be disbursed. Robertson added too, that the FAO's focus would be among global objectives which are to improve livelihoods across the world. He expects the Forestry Training Centre to achieve two objectives; to help ensure small loggers comply with the laws, and assist all loggers in their capacity for compliance with the model. The agreement is aimed at a number of realisations; the first is to have a developed model, the second, capacity built to better manage concessions; the third is to have a system of data collection and the fourth, transparency and accountability.
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
A Peaceful elections that Ambassador Jones would have been proud of DEAR EDITOR, I write to extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ambassador George Jones who played a seminal role in the restoration of democracy in Guyana. He was Ambassador in Guyana at a time when there was a transition to democracy and when it was not certain Guyana would become a democracy. Jones was one of those extraordinary people who will never be forgotten for his role in helping to institutionalize democracy. He will be remembered as a man whose life was devoted to the service of democracy in Guyana. The Ambassador and former President Carter were
holed up at the election Office when violence was unleashed to derail the voting and or the counting. Without his and Carter’s involvement, free and fair elections and the counting of ballots at the places of polling would not have been possible. I met the gentleman several times while in Guyana during the struggle for free and fair election and after. And I met him at the state funeral of President Cheddi. Jones was a joy to have an exchange with. I was also fortunate to attend a reception he hosted at his home. And I remember also his presence at the launching of the (now defunct) Caribbean Indian American
(CIA) News (a weekly) of Ram Jodha at an office on Robb Street where Moses Nagamootoo and Jodha spoke about the role of the media. Jones was a simple, kind and compassionate person. Jones had a remarkable passion for democratic governance. He felt people should be free to choose their government. And he condemned the period of violence after people cast their ballots. He felt people should vote in an environment free of fear and that violence should not be used to intimidate voters or decide the results of elections. He condemned stuffing of ballot boxes to change the outcome of an election.
Ambassador Jones passing is a terrible loss and sadly it comes at a time when Guyana is heading for the polls. It is unfortunate that he won’t be around to learn about the outcome of the election. As Guyana heads to the polls, I urge the parties to reflect on the great work of this statesman and build upon the democracy he helped establish. Please don’t engage in acts that would have made Jones feel ashamed of you. Let there be a peaceful vote and acceptance of the results. Let there be stability and prosperity for all Guyanese regardless of party affiliation. Vishnu Bisram
President Donald Ramotar’s... From page 4 advised by military officers and citizens that even in the days when Guyanese experienced foreign currency shortage, the state of our military headquarters has never been like this. The argument that there have been increase in salaries in comparison to what occurred under the PNC governments cannot be looked only on percentage increase and numbers, but these must be compared with the devaluation of the dollar, inflation, cost of living, and more so the purchasing power of the dollar. Only when a proper evaluation is done taking these factors into consideration and objective comparative analysis arrived at, can the claim of the military being better paid have merit. I dare Mr. Ramotar to do so.
The PPP claim about housing is not new. There is evidence in several housing schemes in this country that privates and constables were able to acquire houses, paying for them and at the same time being able to meet normal financial commitments. For example Stevedore, Melanie, Vryheid’s Lust and Atlantic Ville Housing Schemes private and constables during the PNC administration secured homes that were constructed with a least two bedrooms, proper infrastructures like roads, water, irrigation drainage, and electricity in place. When these houses were completed, persons could have turned their key and entered a complete house. The PPP has a history of dividing the military. Linden/ Region 10 can speak to this
Our economy pulled from under our feet by a few... From page 5 he is a bright man with a good future ahead of him. Malaysia is growing, but the problem is people like him are not necessarily positioned to take part. Malaysia, much like our beloved Guyana, is a nation of many races. Whereas Guyana is a nation of Blacks, East Indians, Amerindians, Portuguese, (and a few Chinese from way back), Malaysia is a nation of Malays, East Indians (they just call them Indians)...and Chinese. The Chinese went there long ago during the days of the British Empire in the late 19th and early 20th century. Much like Guyana is now, Malaysia then was much undeveloped. The Chinese came in, enterprising as they
are now, started business, pushed out local business and slowly but surely over time took control away from the Malays. Today, they are 25% of the population and 70% of the Malaysian economy. Even with the help of their most revered leader, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who had a national vision to rapidly develop and modernize Malaysia, who instituted policies intended to support the ethnic Malay population in business, the Chinese today still dominate the Malaysian economy. So you see, it has happened and it is happening elsewhere. Let’s keep Guyana, Guyanese. Concerned Guyanese
issue intimately. In 2012 when we were engaged in a struggle to respect our right to involvement in decision making on a matter that impacted our wellbeing, President Ramotar initially responded by sending in the military. The army came with one set of orders and the police with another. Rather than coordinating activities of the military, these two groups were pitted against each other and the people and the community suffered. Buxton shared the same experience in the early 2000s. President Ramotar and former President Jagdeo have refused to even accept internal support to modernise and equip the military to improve crime fighting, border security and community relations. The military has been left at the mercy of the Guyanese public who have over the years given moral support, while the government has placed roadblocks in their way to hinder effectiveness and efficiency. Whenever the PPP is asked to account for poor se-
curity they blame the military and lay its inefficiency on its composition. Yet after being in government for so many years the government has failed to create the ethnic balance called for over the years. The military has always been the PPP’s whipping boy. Having gone through all of this it is unwise for the military to ever consider voting for the PPP who never had and will never have the best interest of our service men and women at heart. The military is encouraged to reject the PPP come Saturday, 2ndMay because neither President Ramotar nor former President Jagdeo cares about you. These gentlemen only want the military vote. A vote is too precious to waste on those who have disregarded you, seeing you only as a voting farm to satisfy their desire for power. The military is urged to give the APNU+AFC the opportunity to change the treatment they have received from an uncaring and self-serving government. K. Sharma Solomon
The PPP’s promises will become even... From page 4 compromised. Might I remind Mr. Jagdeo that it was he in May 1999 who told President Janet Jagan that he can only afford four percent increases in wages. But in September 1999, after the old lady ceded power to him, he accepted the ruling by the Armstrong Commission to pay the workers 58 percent wages increase over two years. In the years 1999, 2000 and 2001, the inflation rate in Guyana was 7.5 percent, 6.1 percent and 2.6 percent. What Jagdeo did not tell the nation was after granting the workers a five percent increase in wages in 2008, the inflation shot up by 8.1 percent. It was the IMF who said in one of their studies on Guyana that the major source of domestic inflationary pressures were “foreign inflows”
Among external factors that affect inflation, the IMF thinks that the price we earn for our primary products can also have “a positive spillover effect” on domestic demand which can cause too much dollars chasing too few goods as happened in the boom days of gold. So in the final analysis, this 10 percent – pre-collective bargain payout that the APNU+AFC promises to dish out to the workers in their first 100 days will not significantly stimulate inflation, since we are in a period of low prices for our primary commodities. What this salary inject will do is put real dollars on the table of the poorest especially the policemen, nurses and teachers. Stop these falsehood Jagdeo. TICK TOCK. IT IS TIME! Sase Singh
When religion becomes racism... From page 5 they have emphasized the era of the PNC and have completely stayed away from any reference to post 1992 Aksharananda to my mind, used Shah’s and Hassan’s PNC era thesis and took it out of context to say that people must know the past and he offered examples which have nothing to do with what Shah and Hassan are trying to do. In other words, he chooses a methodology that suits his purpose rather than helping Shah and Hassan with their flawed approach. But he knew Shah and Hassan are on weak ground with their convenient use of the past. So he takes the past out of the context to which he should have confined himself in the belief that he could strengthen Shah and Hassan Finally, Aksharananda’s history of Guyana is not my
history. My country’s history is about atrocities committed by the PNC and PPP in the sixties. My country’s history is about the PNC’s atrocities in the seventies and eighties and the PPP fighting back with equal atrocities. My country’s history is Burnham in the sixties with help from the West fighting for power with Jagan with the help of the USSR and its allies fighting for power too My country’s history has never been good guy versus bad guy. I would like to remind Aksharananda that I have two degrees in history and both are on Guyana and I don’t see my country’s history the way he sees it. Finally, I believe scholars can validly argue that the concept of atrocity in the exercise of power applies equally to the PPP since 1999 as it does to the Burnham regime, 1968-1985 Frederick Kissoon
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Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
Trinidad opposition leader describes Kamla as “desperate” P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley, describing Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar as “desperate” has brushed aside the government’s latest move to have him suspended from Parliament over the socalled emailgate scandal. “Well the Prime Minister is desperate. She is looking for a plan B or plan C, she has the whole alphabet so I wish her well,” Rowley said, after Prime Minister Persad Bissessar announced that her coalition administration would be moving a motion to censure the Opposition Leader on the issue. “The Parliament is being used to conduct the UNC campaign within the walls of Parliament. We respond by conducting our campaign outside,” Rowley said. Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar addressing the 26th anniversary of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) in Couva, Central Trinidad, last Sunday night, said that the so-called emails that Rowley read out in Parliament suggesting that she and senior members of her government were involved in a plot to undermine several state institutions including the judiciary were a hoax. “These are the facts, three sources have now shown that the e-mails have no substance, there is no truth, there is no basis for the fake e-mails
Dr. Keith Rowley
Kamla Persad Bissessar
Dr Rowley read in Parliament,” she told supporters, listing among the sources, the United States Justice Department. “We will deal with him in Parliament…I’ve already advised Dr (Roodal) Moonilal, based on these documents and others which we will deal with in the Parliament, we will file a motion of censure again against Dr Rowley on emailgate, but we will not stop there…we will also call in the House for Dr Rowley to be suspended from the service of the House,” she added. In 2013, Rowley told legislators that he had received in December the previous year, a total of 31 emails, from a “whistle blower” indicating how operatives within the government had sought to undermine those institutions including the Office of the Director of Public
Prosecution (DPP) and the media. He said he had passed them on to the Office of the President. Rowley said the emails, dating back to September 2012, were from people concerned with the government’s defence of the early proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act that had the effect of allowing people, whose trial has not started after a 10-year period to walk free and a verdict of not guilty entered against their names. Critics say that the clause was aimed at supporting businessmen Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, who have been described as financiers of the ruling United National Congress (UNC), the biggest partner in the four-member coalition government.
Caribbean economic growth expected to improve – IMF SANTIAGO, Chile CMC – While overall growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to decline for a fifth consecutive year— dipping below 1 percent in 2015 – the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that growth in the Caribbean will improve. In its latest regional forecast, released here on Wednesday, the Washingtonbased financial institution said economic recovery is “expected to continue in the Caribbean, although external, fiscal and financial vulnerabilities remain high in several economies. “In the tourism-dependent Caribbean, growth is projected to improve to 2 percent in 2015,” it said. The IMF’s “Regional Economic Outlook for the Western Hemisphere” projects growth in Latin America and the Carib-
bean at 0.9 percent in 2015, down from 1.3 percent in 2014. The IMF says near-term prospects remain “fairly dim” for South America, with output contractions projected in three of the largest economies for 2015—Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela—while only Chile and Peru would see a pick-up in growth. In contrast, the report says “growth is projected to be steady in Central America and the Caribbean, and strengthen in Mexico, thanks to lower oil bills for importers and robust economic recovery in the United States.” For 2016, growth in the region is expected to make a modest recovery to 2 percent, the report says. “Despite the pronounced slowdown over the past several years, economic slack remains limited, while medium-term growth expectations have continued to de-
cline,” the report says. In addition, it says fiscal positions have weakened in most countries, cautioning against further fiscal expansion to boost growth. “Flexible exchange rates can play a critical role in facilitating adjustment to more difficult external conditions,” the report says. “In particular, weaker currencies help to redirect demand toward domestically produced output, thereby reducing external deficits.” The IMF called on policymakers in the region to ensure sound public finances, “especially since downside risks to growth remain prominent”. It said financial sector vulnerabilities will also need to be monitored carefully given that weaker earnings, tighter funding conditions, and a stronger US dollar are “testing borrowers’ resilience.”
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US Navy ships to accompany Russia may be readying for new Ukraine offensive: NATO commander US-flagged ships in Gulf
A pro-Russian separatist tank is seen along a road in Yenakieve town, northeast from Donetsk. (Reuters) - Russia’s military may be taking advantage of a recent lull in fighting in eastern Ukraine to lay the groundwork for a new military offensive, NATO’s top commander told the U.S. Congress on Thursday. U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, the NATO supreme allied commander, said Russian forces had been seeking to “reset and reposition” while protecting battlefield gains, despite a fragile ceasefire agreed in February. “Many of their actions are consistent with preparations for another offensive,” Breedlove said. Pressed during the hearing, Breedlove acknowledged he could not predict Moscow’s next move but characterized its ongoing actions as “preparing, training and equipping to have the capacity to again take an offensive.” “In the past they have not wasted their effort,” Breedlove told the Senate
Armed Services Committee. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is monitoring the ceasefire, says the violence is down markedly since the accord was signed in Minsk, Belarus, in February. But the United States says Russia now has its largest force on the border since October and has deployed additional air defense systems, the biggest number since August. Breedlove said Russia was seeking to tighten its grip over separatist fighters, bolstering its command and control “because there was disunity in some of the earlier attacks.” “We do see a very distinct Russian set of command and control in the eastern part of Ukraine,” he said. “Command-and-control, air defense, support to artillery, all of these things increased ... making a more coherent, organized force out of the separatists.” The United States has so far declined to provide weapons
to Ukraine, a move which advocates say could help end the conflict but opponents warn might escalate the war. Breedlove said no options should be taken off the table but that there was no consideration of giving Ukraine the kind of military might needed to defeat Russia. “What we do believe is that we should consider changing the decision calculus of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. That’s what we look at,” he said. Still, Washington is keen to maintain solidarity with Europe, some of whose leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, strongly oppose arming Ukraine. Breedlove said Putin was concerned about Western sanctions imposed against Russia over the Ukraine crisis “and that may be affecting how he currently does things in eastern Ukraine.” “But we really have no way of knowing one way or another,” Breedlove said.
Saudi says dozens of Yemen rebels dead in border battle Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia said its forces on Thursday killed dozens of rebels from Yemen who launched their first major attack on the kingdom since Saudi-led air strikes began last month. Three Saudi soldiers also died in the battle after the rebels targeted their observation posts, the defence ministry said. “The ground troops today repelled an attack at the southern Najran border” by Shiite Huthis and allied troops loyal to Yemen’s former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, it said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. “The ground troops engaged them” with support from air strikes, the ministry said. “This led to.... the deaths of dozens of militias,” the ministry said.
A Saudi-led coalition on March 26 began bombing in Yemen to halt a southern advance of the Iran-backed rebels. The air strikes have sparked exchanges of fire along the border region, where nine Saudi soldiers and border guards have been killed in periodic incidents. But this is the first time the military has reported a fullscale Huthi attack against the kingdom. Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri has said that stopping the Huthis from threatening Yemen’s neighbours was an aim of the military operations. Saudi Arabia has reinforced the border with artillery, tanks and hilltop lookout posts to block the incursion of any Huthis from their traditional highland
stronghold just over the boundary. The rebels swept into Yemen’s capital Sanaa last September from those bases and then advanced south on the port of Aden, forcing President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh. The coalition took action, fearing that a regime friendly to Shiite Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia’s regional rival, could take control of all Yemen. In early April the coalition said that more than 500 rebels had died in border clashes with the Saudi military since the air war began. On the ground in Yemen, the Huthis and their allies are fighting Hadi loyalists. The UN says about half of the more than 1,000 people killed in the Yemen fighting since late March were civilians.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Navy ships will begin accompanying U.S. commercial ships during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf to ensure they encounter no interference from Iran, U.S. defense officials said Thursday. The new policy, which has not yet been announced officially, was adopted in response to what Washington views as provocative Iranian behavior. Earlier this week Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps naval vessels reportedly fired warning shots near a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship and have detained it and its crew. Iran says it intervened with the Maersk Tigris because the Maersk shipping line owes it money awarded in a lawsuit. Iranian naval patrol boats also surrounded a U.S. cargo vessel in the strait last Friday before departing without further incident. The Pentagon later said it considered the incident a provocation. The strait is narrow and partially within Iranian territorial waters. Under an internationally recognized protocol called “innocent pas-
sage,” maritime traffic is permitted to pass through the strait without interference, even if ships at times are in Iranian territorial waters, so long as they are not violating strictures against such things as carrying weapons or collecting intelligence. U.S. defense officials said the decision to begin accompanying U.S. commercial vessels as they transit the strait was based on a recommendation by U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East. Defense Secretary Ash Carter was briefed on the decision, one official said, adding that the Obama administration does not want the move to be seen as provocative, given the delicate state of the Iran nuclear agreement. The pact has yet to be finalized and is the subject of intense scrutiny and considerable criticism in Congress. The officials were not authorized to discuss the decision publicly and spoke anonymously. At an unrelated Pentagon news conference, Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove was asked about the decision and said he was aware of it. Breedlove, the top U.S. com-
mander of NATO in Europe, said the Navy is well-practiced at protecting freedom of navigation in the Gulf. “It is a mission they have done in the past,” he said. The Navy makes a distinction between accompanying ships and escorting them, although the difference appears to be small. The officials said U.S. Navy ships will be present in and near the Strait of Hormuz while U.S. commercial vessels are in transit, but they will not escort them continuously. The 5th Fleet, which is the naval arm of Central Command, currently has a destroyer, the USS Farragut, in the Gulf, as well as three smaller coastal patrol ships. No additional ships are being dispatched to the region, one official said. U.S. Navy ships will be in continuous radio contact with the commercial ships and possibly will stay in visual contact during their transit of the strait, the officials said. The U.S. commercial shipping companies will be notified in advance of these new procedures. One official said the new approach will be reviewed daily, taking into account Iranian behavior.
Liberia closes US-built Ebola unit Monrovia (AFP) - The United States decommissioned its treatment unit Thursday for Liberian healthcare workers infected with Ebola, with the country set to be declared free of the virus within two weeks. Officers from the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps staged a parade at the Monrovia Medical Unit (MMU) as President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson urged Liberians to learn lessons from the worst outbreak of the virus in history. “When our nation was in terror, people were running, running to nowhere, because they did not know what they were running from or where they were running to,” said Sirleaf. “People were dying not knowing what they were dying from. People could not touch their dead ones. Until now, when we hear an ambulance, we are afraid.” Liberia is one of three countries, together with Guinea and Sierra Leone, that were ravaged by an epidemic that has killed around 11,000 people since December 2013, more than 500 of them healthcare workers.
The west African nation is close to recovery, however, with May 9 earmarked as the day it will be declared “Ebolafree”, 42 days after the last known case was buried. Three Ebola treatment units closed this week, according the World Health Organization, leaving 13 clinics operational but empty. “As we move closer each day to an Ebola-free Liberia, I hope everyone here today feels responsible for the success of the MMU,” said Scott Giberson, west Africa commander for the corps, an elite uniformed public health service which operates across the world. The clinic, which is actually 55 kilometres (35 miles) outside Monrovia at the international airport, treated 42 patients from nine nations, 18
of whom turned out to have Ebola. Although the numbers appear relatively small, staff say the MMU gave doctors and nurses the confidence to treat Ebola in the knowledge that they would receive the best care should they fall ill. Sirleaf said Liberia’s health services had “collapsed” at the peak of the crisis because the country was unprepared for a major epidemic. She called on Liberians to “learn a lesson of history” so that it would be prepared in the future. The United States announced in February it was scaling down its 2,800-strong military force fighting Ebola in west Africa, leaving no more than 100 soldiers in the region by the end of April.
Friday May 01, 2015
Kaieteur News
Hafeez 224 builds commanding lead ESPNcricinfo Mohammad Hafeez had missed a double-century twice in the past after coming close. He was dismissed for 196 against Sri Lanka in 2012 and had fallen short by three runs last year against New Zealand. But continuing on the flawless effort of the second day in Khulna, and on his recent Test form in general, Hafeez finally passed the landmark. By the time he was dismissed for 224, the best by a Pakistan batsman against Bangladesh, Hafeez had helped his team strengthen their hold on the Test with a lead of 80, which then swelled to 205 by the end of the day after half-centuries from Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed. It wasn’t a surprise that he slowed down after entering 190s. It took him 14 deliveries to get off 190. Then, after reaching 198 with a crisp
straight drive off Mohammad Shahid, Hafeez had to wait 11 more deliveries to find the couple he needed. As Taijul Islam drifted on to the leg side, Hafeez paddled fine and scampered through for the second run, completing his double-century in 286 deliveries. The calmness of Hafeez’s celebration belied the enormity of the landmark. He took his helmet off, raised the bat, offering nothing more than a smile, then kneeled down for the sajda. He smashed a boundary immediately after passing 200, but assumed a quieter approach thereafter, which did not bode well for Bangladesh. But after looking settled for more, Hafeez was unlucky to glove a wide delivery down the leg side from Shuvagata Hom straight into the hands of leg gully. Hafeez was almost unbreakable, and over large portions of the day, so was ev-
eryone else around him. The Bangladesh bowlers lacked penetration on a slow pitch, offering regular doses of boundary-balls, and the batsmen were never really made to work hard for runs. The most glaring for Bangladesh was the ineffectiveness of Shakib Al Hasan, who had a ten-wicket haul in his last Test at the ground, but with figures of 31-3122-0, he was the most expensive of the frontline bowlers. With Azhar Ali, Hafeez added 227, the second double-century partnership between the two. The 62-run third-wicket stand between Hafeez and Younis Khan took Pakistan past Bangladesh’s total in the 87th over. And by tea, another 63-run partnership between Hafeez and Misbah had taken Pakistan past 400. Scores: Pakistan 537 for 5 (Hafeez 224, Azhar 83, Misbah 59) lead Bangladesh 332 by 205 runs.
Friday May 01st 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A new or long-term romantic relationship could be advanced to the next level of commitment, Aries. The chemistry between you is strong and you're compatible on several levels. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you should feel especially sensual. You will want to bask in the pleasure of being in love. A passionate encounter could occur at your home, probably after a wonderful meal you've prepared. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A warm, interesting phone call from a current or potential love partner could have you longing for this person's company, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) An unexpected but welcome financial windfall could lead to some long-desired changes in your living situation, Cancer.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A social event, possibly involving a group you're affiliated with, could put you in touch with a lot of friendly, intriguing people who share your interests, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could be introduced to a celebrity you admire, probably a woman, perhaps at a lecture or book signing, Scorpio. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A social event that involves the discussion of intellectual topics could occur today, Sagittarius. You could decide to go with a love partner. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Some intense communication could take place today between you and a love partner, possibly about your future together, Capricorn.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're looking great today, Leo! A current or potential love partner who lives nearby is likely to be all too aware of this.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Today you may feel especially sensual and passionate, Aquarius. This is the perfect evening to schedule quality time with a current or potential love partner.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your aesthetic sense may increase, Virgo, leading to the discovery of an artistic talent you may not have known you had.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A social event or gathering that involves work could put you in touch with interesting people, Pisces, including a sexy potential love partner!
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GABA ‘King of the Hard Court’ C/ships
Pacesetters, Ravens win U-23 games Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters defeated home side, Pepsi Sonics 6454 in an Under-23 game Wednesday night when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) ‘King of the Hard Court’ Championship continued at the National Gymnasium. Nathan Saul scored 20 points while Jaleel Duke had 19 points for Pacesetters. For the home-based, Pepsi Sonics, Quincy Wright scored 16 points while Paul Schultz and Drexel Amsterdam had 13 points apiece.
Sonics were leading 27-23 at halftime, but Pacesetters reclaimed the initiative in the third quarter with Duke and Marvin Durant leading them to a 47-41 advantage. Pacesetters closed out the game with Duke scoring nine points in the last quarter. In the first game of the night, Raven’s defeated Plaisance Guardians 67-58 in another U-23 game at the same location. Murtland Ward led with 20 points in the win, while Sebastian Luke had 18 points for Ravens. In addition, Carlos
Edwards and Treston Burnette contributed 14 and 10 points respectively for Ravens. Nduka Horatio scored 19 points for Guardians with Malcolm Ponder and Kelvin Yorrick adding 12 and 10 points respectively. The competition continues today at the same venue. Eagles will play Colts in an opening U-23 game at 6pm, while Melanie Patriots comes up against Republic Bank Nets in another U-23 game before the University of Guyana take on West Side Jammers.
Mayweather, Pacquiao trade... (From page 57) taking his seat. The boxers’ fashion sense was as contrasting as their styles in the ring. The attacking Pacquiao arrived on stage dressed sharply in a blazer and trousers while Mayweather, recognized as one of the best defensive fighters of all-time, chose his ‘Money Team’ track suit. But their messages were uniform, with both men thanking God and everyone involved for what is expected to be the biggest grossing prize fight ever.
Neville Sarjoo Memorial... (From page 55) receive $20,000 and a trophy, the runner up a trophy and $15,000. The man of the match in the final will pocket $5,000 to go with a beautiful trophy. The late Neville Sarjoo was a long standing cricket administrator where he served as a national selector until his death in 1998. The umpires for the match are Eddie Nicholls and Zaheer Mohamed.
“It’s nothing personal ... just doing our jobs trying to put our names in boxing history,” said Pacquiao. With Mayweather and Pacquiao subdued, promoters and broadcast giants HBO and Showtime, who share the pay-per-view rights, tried to provide a few fireworks by trumpeting their fighters and all things connected to them as the gold medal standard.
Those shots, however, were mostly duds and Mayweather put the spotlight where it belonged. “It’s about the two fighters,” he said. “I believe in my skills, I believe I am going to be victorious. “I went to training camp expecting I was going to win this fight and I’m pretty sure he did the same. It is an intriguing matchup.”
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England look to seal satisfying series win ESPNcricinfo - England are on an upward curve after their final day surge to victory in the second Test and will now look to close out the series for a satisfying victory. After a terrible winter, a series win would be most welcome indeed. Several personnel were in need of a positive result in this series and barring a complete reversal in fortunes - England have dominated most sessions - those under pressure should be able to head home with a little more slack to work with ahead of two tough series against New Zealand and Australia. But they may be without Ben Stokes for the final rubber. Stokes, who has taken five wickets and scored 122 runs in three innings this series, has a sore back and could miss out as he returns to the ground where he punched a locker on England’s last visit in 2014, breaking a hand and missing the World T20. One of those in need of a positive series result is Alastair Cook, who is steadily rebuilding his mandate to rule. Most commentators have observed an improvement in his batting, with the cover drive coming back into his game and more discipline outside off. Two pleasing half-centuries in Grenada boosted his stock further and if he can
manage a century in Barbados, any question of his position will surely be put to bed for the summer. Likewise Peter Moores is on the cusp of a series win to shore up his own position but uncertainty will still remain with the restructuring of England’s management ongoing. The recruitment progress to replace former managing director of England cricket Paul Downton has reportedly moved forward since the Grenada Test but Paul Farbrace, England’s assistant coach who was hired by Downton, has insisted England will not be distracted by the prospect of a former captain entering the fray as Downton’s replacement. West Indies rather reverted to type in the second Test. Having battled well, often in the worst of the conditions, to begin day five in sight of another well-earned draw, the lack of composure that blighted them in South Africa returned. Ridding the side of that tendency is Phil Simmons’s biggest challenge. But elsewhere there is encouragement with younger players showing much potential. If West Indies can at least make life difficult for England once again, Simmons would have a number of ticks in the notebook as he looks to revive Caribbean cricket.
Jonathan Trott remains under pressure after an unconvincing return to Test cricket © Getty Images In the spotlight Some pressure has emerged on Chris Jordan who could lose his place in the side. England’s bowling attack is considered too similar and with Ben Stokes a more attractive option with his all-round ability and several sharp spells in the series so far, Jordan may be vulnerable. But if Stokes is unfit, Jordan may be retained. Jordan needs to prove his worth in England’s attack after five wickets at 45.60 in the series.
His superb fielding remains a great asset. Shivnarine Chanderpaul has only passed fifty once in his last nine Test innings and questions are beginning to be asked about the stickability of the famous barnacle of the Caribbean. West Indies have missed his lowerorder runs and, even as he edges (very slowly on current form) towards Brian Lara’s West Indies Test runs record, Chanderpaul needs a score to prove that he still has a part
to play in West Indies’ rebuilding. Team news Jerome Taylor is expected to return, Kemar Roach is likely to make way after five wickets at 53 in the series so far. West Indies played two spinners at this ground in their last Test but have not brought Sulieman Benn back into their squad. Instead they have brought in Veerasammy Permaul, also a left-armer, and he may play because Devendra Bishoo has cut his spinning finger from overbowling. Ben Stokes has a sore back and could miss out. Liam Plunkett or Mark Wood could add pace to the attack, while Adil Rashid, the legspinning allrounder, could be considered having been prevented from returning to county cricket. Stuart Broad’s place may also be vulnerable. Ian Bell hurt a finger and didn’t train the day before the game but is expected to play. After only one convincing innings from four knocks, England could decide that their decision to recall Jonathan Trott was hasty and hand Adam Lyth, the specialist opener, a Test debut. Pitch and conditions The tour returns to a traditional venue and the wicket in Bridgetown is anticipated to provide a bit more pace and
bounce, which is good news for everybody. It is also a little drier so spin could play more of a part than the previous Tests of this series. In short, we might have a more sporting wicket. A good crowd is anticipated for the first day with it being a public holiday. The Brits have flocked over too. West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin sets out his side’s tactics for the final Test. “We need to come hard at the English. We are one down, so we need to play a little more aggressive and positive cricket.” Alastair Cook, the England captain, perhaps hints at his side’s selection for the third Test. “The normal inclination is to go with the same team because you like to give people the confidence that they are not always playing for their place. You get stability when you’re winning and everyone knows their role in the team.” Important to note: There have been 99 Test centuries at the Kensington Oval England have a fair record in Barbados, winning three and drawing seven of their 14 Tests on the island Shivnarine Chanderpaul made his first Test century at the Kensington Oval, 137 against India in 1997.
GCB saddened by D’ Edward CC rewarded for winning WBCA/Corona Beer T20 title Calvin Roberts passing DCC send condolences to Roberts relatives The members, executive and staff of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) are deeply saddened by the passing of senior sports journalist, Calvin Roberts. Calvin played an important role in highlighting the works of the GCB over the years. His love for cricket cannot be debated; he was willing to partake in any event to promote the game. “We could have called on Calvin at any time; he never hesitated to get words of our undertakings, issues and other news out to the public. He was also a qualified electronic scorer whom the Board relied on for Re-
gional and International Tournaments,” a release from the GCB stated. “We admired his passion, dedication and positive personality and it a privilege to have known and work with him. He was our ‘Sports Journalist of the Year’ in 2013 and has surely left a high standard for his peers to follow. The news of his death floored us all; we can only imagine the grief of his family members. The GCB would like to express our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues; they are in our thoughts and prayers. Meanwhile, The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in a statement said; It is with deep regret that the President, Executive and Members of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) mourns the loss of one of its long standing members - Calvin Roberts - who contributed pro- bono services as hon-
orary Public Relations Officer. The late Roberts was Sports writer variously for the Stabroek News and the Guyana Chronicle and was passionately involved in Cricket. He displayed an abiding interest in sports-contributing pointed and contentions articles in the process. The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) extends condolences to his family and will interact with them to arrange a night of reflection on his life. And GCUSA, DCUSA also expressed sympathies to Roberts relatives; Members of the Georgetown and Demerara Cricket Umpires and Scorers Associations have extended condolence to the relatives of the late Chronicle senior Sports reporter Calvin Roberts. Roberts was a member of the GCUSA and his expertise in scoring will surely be missed. Roberts passed last Tuesday after a period of illness.
Photo as D Edward Capt- Captain of d Edward Jaipur Harripaul (right) accepts the trophy and cheque from Ms. Devi of Top Brandz in the presence of Abel Seetaram (left) and Keith Fraser. D’ Edward Cricket Club were crowned champions of the West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA) Goodwill/ Corona beer T20 competition after beating host Cotton tree SC in the final played re-
cently. The champions received a trophy and $100,000 for their efforts. Public Relations officer of the WBCA Abel Seetaram congratulated D’Edward CC and urged the
players to take the game seriously, while Ms. Devi of Top Brandz, distributor of Corona Beer said they are happy to contribute towards the development of the game in the area.
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Hogg, Uthappa and Russell topple CSK ESPNcricinfo - Brad Hogg was looping the ball up, spinning it both ways and smothering the batsman in his own uncertainty. The result was 14 dot balls, four wickets, and only 29 runs given away. Chennai Super Kings’ spinners, despite 165 to defend, were flat - both with their lengths and their intent. Their six overs cost 48 runs and a catch off a long hop and the reason for such figures were Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell, who helped themselves to unbeaten half-centuries and a seven-wicket victory. That the winning runs were scored with only a ball remaining should not take anything away from Knight Riders’ dominance. Batting had not been easy on a slow Eden Gardens pitch that was almost nepotistic towards spin. Given those conditions, and a required rate above eight, Uthappa, with 80 off 58,
and Russell, with 55 off 32, were excellent. Poking around against the turning ball was not an option. Riding it out wasn’t one either considering Dhoni’s prowess in squeezing a side with his slower bowlers. The best way forward was to deflect the pressure back. The 41 singles that Russell and Uthappa took played into that plan as much as the 15 boundaries they struck. It was apparent that Knight Riders were fueled by the Chennai defeat and did not want a repeat. Gautam Gambhir had admitted too many batsmen had got stuck two days ago when they could not chase down 134. On Thursday, Russell was pushed up to No.5 to beat the spinners off their lengths and it worked like a charm. Not that there weren’t any chances created. Pawan Negi made a sound first appearance of the season - 1 for 23 and
could have had another had Dhoni been able to convert a stumping when Uthappa was on 28. As much of a problem was Ravindra Jadeja at the other end, tricked into bowling quicker and flatter than necessary and leaked 25 off his two overs. Ideally, Knight Riders would have preferred a smaller target. But Super Kings’ ample batting resources allowed them to play like a car without brakes careening downhill. Nine fours, three sixes and 64 runs were found in the first five overs. And then came a Hogg-shaped speed bump. Brendon McCullum, who had bashed his way to 32 off 12, was thrown out of the driver’s seat, Faf du Plessis had barely settled in when he was hoodwinked by a googly and Dhoni walked out with the score on 69 for 4 to a slip, silly point, short leg and leg slip. Hogg was liberal with his googly, often packing three in
Andre Russell drills it through the offside, Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2015, Kolkata, April 30, 2015 ©BCCI an over, with the Super Kings batsmen failing to pick them.
GCB honours Kallicharran at launching of “The Guyana Cricketer” 2014 By Zaheer Mohamed The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Wednesday night last honoured legendary former Guyana and West Indies batsman Alvin Isaac Kallicharran. The ceremony took place at the Pegasus Hotel where the board also launched the second edition of “The Guyana Cricketer” magazine. Kallicharan who played 66 test matches and scored 4,399 runs at an average of 44.43 including 12 centuries from 1972-1981 was given a special token by the GCB at the event which was well attended by past and present cricketers, administrators as well as a number of ardent fans. Speaking at the ceremony, Kallicharan thanked the GCB for inviting him to help with the development of the young players. He congratulated the Guyana senior, U19 and U15 teams for their success at the regional level in 2014. Kallicharan pointed out that success doesn’t stop there. “Success follows success. You can’t be great cricketers in one innings or spell, rather one have to perform consistently over a period of time,” he added. Kallicharran is currently conducting coaching clinics with young players across Guyana and also had sessions with the players that partici-
Legendary former West Indies batsman Alvin Kallicharran addresses the gathering. pated in the recently concluded inter-county U19 tournament. He said that he is impressed with the talent of the players. “It is so pleasing to see the youths in the U19 tournament; it brought back memories of the glory days. I am so happy to give back to the villages that have produced so many greats for Guyana and the West Indies,” he said. Kallicharran, who hails from Port Mourant, briefly recalled his boyhood days stating that their passion for the game was immense. “The sacrifice was good, but for me it wasn’t a sacrifice, it was something that I wanted. Credit must be given to the Kanhais, Solomons and the
Butchers who laid the foundation for me and others to follow,” he posited. Kalicharan who got emotional as his speech progressed noted that the West Indies is not producing as it used to. “Guyana formed the back bone of West Indies batting in the 70s. Many of us came from sugar estates and school cricket played an important part in our development. It is sad to know that there is little school cricket now and the estates are not doing as it used to. The Government and the GCB must work together,” he stressed. Kallicharran explained that sports create a positive impact in society and lauded the GCB for their efforts.
Speaking at the launching of “The Guyana Cricketer” magazine, GCB marketing manger Raj Singh said that the board takes their mandate of administering the game very seriously and have been making tremendous strides. “The revenue obtained from this publication was earmarked to be used for cricket development and the co-sponsoring our senior four-day tournament for which we are struggling to attract sponsor for the last fiver years,” he added. Singh stated that sponsorship continues to plague all sport and they have submitted a proposal to the Government to treat sponsorship dollars as a deduction of gross revenue and not as expense item which would encourage sponsors. He informed that among the major objectives of the magazine are to chronicle the achievements of local cricketers and highlights tournaments run by the GCB and WICB. The magazine contains an exclusive interview with Kallicharran, features on rising stars Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Joshua Persaud, the 2014 awards ceremony and the 2015 cricket calendar among other items. Secretary of the GCB Anand Sanasie thanked the management of Pegasus and sponsors.
Dwayne Bravo and Jadeja were among them. But they persevered to add 57 runs off 58 balls to fan hopes of a competitive total. The Kolkata crowd’s nerves were stretched further when Negi hammered four fours and a six in a 13-ball 27. But Hogg was
around again to restore parity, with a second doublestrike in the 19th over. Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 169 for 3 (Uthappa 80*, Russell 55*) beat Chennai Super Kings 165 for 9 (McCullum 32, Hogg 4-29) by seven wickets.
Beacon Ministries Annual Golf tournament sets tomorrow Set to increase competitiveness by grouping handicappers into 3 Flights, the now annual Beacon Ministries sponsored tournament will take place tomorrow and provide a range of some 18 prizes as the sponsor introduces some new challenges in the tournament. Head of Beacon Ministries, Dr Philbert London, himself an ardent golfer, indicates that there will be prizes for the 1st to 3rd place winners in six different areas! Firstly, handicaps will be grouped in the 0 – 9, 10 – 18, and 19 – 28 categories or Flights so that winners in each Flight will be rewarded. Secondly, there will be a Longest Drive play-off between the 6 best Longest Drivers during the competition. Thirdly there will be a Nearest to the Pin playoff between the 6 golfers Nearest to the Pin during the tournament. Finally, there will be prizes for the 3 golfers with the overall Best Net. Beacon Ministries, the home of the Television Broadcast Revelation & Power, has been much involved in promoting golf in Guyana, Dr London himself having
served for some time as Vice President of the Lusignan Golf Club. The Ministry perceives that the Gospel of Jesus Christ allows the individual to be involved in sport and other social activities, and within there to promote the Good News of hope and love for those who may have through ignorance or personal experience felt hopeless or rejected because of shortcomings in their life. Club President David Mohamad considers the goodwill, camaraderie and enthusiasm golfers display during the Beacon Ministries Tournaments as a great fillip for the development of the sport in Guyana. Tee-off time is set for 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to view this tournament – like all other tournaments at the Lusignan Golf Course - free of charge.
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10-man Golden Jaguars go down to Suriname 0-1 By Franklin Wilson in Suriname in association with Fazia’s Collection and Fitness Express Despite playing with ten men from the 12th minute when Clive Nobrega was red carded for a dangerous tackle on Suriname’s #10 Miguel Cronie which instantly ended his presence in the game, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars still played with heart but lost to the host nation 0-1 at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium, last night. It was a good test for the home based Golden Jaguars and they stood up to the task admirably creating numerous chances despite having one player less. The shot on goal was a powerful right footer from Gregory Rigters in the 24th minute that sailed past goalkeeper Akel Clarke to his left just under the bar just outside the V. The ball was actually collected from a rebound off Referee Johannes Dolaini midway in the Guyana half. But despite being down, the Guyanese played well and
Golden Jaguars Captain Dwain Jacobs (#7) is being challenged by Suriname’s Vangellino Sastromedjo (#8). looked very compact going forward whilst creating chances that should have been buried even before the Surinamese buried one of their chances. ‘King’ Solomon Austin should have buried a cross that came his way in the six yards box at the far post; Sheldon Holder also missed from a good position in the area; Captain Dwain Jacobs
also squandered a golden chance that came his way in the six, while Pernell Schultz also should have converted but didn’t. The near misses came back to haunt the visitors who were being urged on by the many fans who travelled from Guyana to support as well as a few who are living and working in Suriname. Many changes were rung
by both sides as they continue preparations for World Cup Qualifying in June. Suriname came close on a few occasions in the second half but Guyana kept them at bay and were able to respond in like manner also. One of the many second half substitutes, Eon Alleyne came close to tying the game in the dying moments with a swirling shot that just sailed over the cross
bar. Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz in summing up his side’s performance said that he was satisfied that they gave a total effort in order to get a result. ”It was always going to be difficult playing with ten men after ten minutes and I thought they played with a lot of grit and determination. All in all in the end I thought Eon Alleyne almost pulled it back
for us so it was a good experience for us to play under these conditions, but I would I would have loved us to play with eleven players in this game.” The Guyana based players will return to their respective clubs but Shabazz said they would be training as a unit about three days each week to keep fit. ”By the middle of May we would be pulling all forces together and making the final preparations for the qualifiers.” Suriname’s Head Coach Dean Gorre, who started with a win in his first game at the helm, said that his charges did not capitalize on the extra player that they had, rather, it looked like Guyana had the extra player. ”All in all we scored a good goal and then I could see Guyana was tired the further we played the game and we started controlling the game more which you should expect with a team playing with eleven against ten and I’m happy that I’ve done my first game with a win.”
LTI thrash MHS to win schools’ basketball title By Edison Jefford What started as a competitive encounter among undoubtedly Linden’s leading schools basketball teams in the annual Victory Valley Royals Schools’ Basketball Finals, ended up being a lopsided victory for Linden’s Technical Institute (LTI). National junior and senior basketball player, forward, Terron Welch, who will tour Suriname this weekend as part of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) development programme ahead of the Caribbean Championships in June, was part of an offensive massacre which wrested the 2015 title from Mackenzie High School (MHS). Welch displayed why he maybe the youngest player on the senior national team when he poured in 41 points to help LTI thrash Mackenzie High 84-34 Wednesday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court in Linden. Guard, Dennis Niles had 21 points, while Tahquille Johnson finished with 12 points also for the Technical Institute. The fact that none of
Mackenzie High Schools usual offensive players managed to score double figures speaks of the mammoth meltdown they endured. Kerlon Cadogan had eight points while Revon Bradford and Lennox Henry finished with six points apiece. Mackenzie High just could not convert on possession. Heightened turnovers added to their melee to remain competitive, which never occurred. As such, the mostly student-supporters were given the Terron Welch Show, which was impressive to watch. Though low-scoring, the third place game provided more of a competition Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) edging New Silver City Secondary 40-36 as Daniel Lee put in 12 and Akinni Wilson 10 points. Donovan Paddy scored 12 points for New Silver City. Welch was adjudged Scoring Champion and Most Valuable Player of the final for his individual performance that also included nine rebounds and 10 steals. Welch also collected a ‘Most Assist’
-Welch drops 41 points
The Victory Valley Royals Schools’ Basketball Champions, Linden Technical Institute with fans and supporters pose for a photo opportunity after wresting the 2015 title from Mackenzie High School Wednesday night. in the Final prize. The other scoring champions were Tyrese Mitchell, who was second; Wilson,
who finished third and Paddy fourth. Niles collected the ‘Most Rebounds’ in the Final prize while Audley Inniss got
the ‘Most Block Shots’ award with 14 blocks. Bradford was Runner-Up MVP while CWSS took home the ‘Most Disci-
p l i n e d S c h o o l ’ t r o p h y. CWSS Malcolm James was adjudged ‘Coach of the Tournament’.