Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox Reduced electricity a burden to Mahdia DEAR EDITOR Mahdia Power Company was forced to reduce power generation to less than ten hours after the REO removed four government buildings from the cash strapped Company power grid! Mahdia Power & light was established by the government of Guyana some two years ago. However, from its inception the Prime Minister who is responsible for the Electricity sector promised the people of region # 8, a 24-hour service daily. The company subsequently reduced its generation from 24hours, to 18 hours soon after this REO came to the Region in February of 2012. The power was further reduced to 12 hours, then to 10 hours and recently to less than 10 hours per day which is now a burden and causing great hardship for the Mahdia Community. The Regional administration is currently the
largest block of the revenuegenerating consumer for the company; however the current REO has not been paying the company on time for the power supplied to the administration, instead the RDC each month is finding ways to reduce or limited its revenues towards the Power company and by extension creating agony for the residence of Mahdia. Recently, the REO withdrew four buildings from the company grid. This decision by this executive officer will further cripple the struggling entity and may even cause a further reduction in the generation. As an old resident of Mahdia, I am appealing to those in authority to look into this developing monster as a matter of emergency, so that my children and the children of Mahdia will again see 24 hour lights in our homes and business. Mr. A. Britton
The findings of this gruesome affair will cast a shadow on our national co-existence DEAR EDITOR, Even after acknowledging all the advantages of holding the Commission of Enquiry into Walter Rodney’s death, I believe that we need to look at the possible implications of this course of action and the dire consequences it may have on the general peace and harmony in our country when all would have been said and done. Whatever comes out of this attempt to find the guilty party in this gruesome affair is bound to cast a shadow on relationships at various levels of our national coexistence, and we have to stop and think whether it would be worth it to dig up the past, when the time that has elapsed may work against our getting at the real truth. Witnesses will have to depend on their memory to relate what they observed, and this can make the whole
process very unreliable in getting at what really transpired. Again, it is very unlikely that the person or persons who may be deemed responsible for the suggested assassination are still around to face the consequences of their actions. If this CoI has been organised at this time because of some party wanting to score political points, then surely they have not assessed, or are unmindful of, the collateral damage that this may cause to the peaceful co-existence of our people, which in their position they must surely be expected to have at heart. I therefore call on the members of the commission to use this opportunity to just ascertain the real cause of the death of this great son of our soil and refrain from naming any group or individuals suspected of being responsible. Roy Paul
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Kaieteur M@ilbox AFC Region 5 Rejects the... From page 4 brothers and sisters if they are truly benefitting from this ADF? We hope you will go one day and see whats happening in those areas. You went on to talk of the cut to the Specialty Hospital and say that the AFC leaders can afford to go overseas with the donation they are collecting and that is why they don’t want the hospital. Well Mr. Yusuf ALL funds collected by ANY MEMBER of the AFC is accounted for and that is why we the AFC can be seen as a third force and the party has recently purchase a property to be used as our permanent national headquarters, unlike your PPP, we do not collect perks from contractors to fund our party.The AFC leaders never hire a jet to go overseas for cold and Diarrhea. Take a serious look at the word “Specialty”, because I think that all doctors are specialist in their field and therefore all hospitals need to be a specialty hospital in Guyana. Mr. Yusuf, you went on to cuss down the leaders of the AFC, calling them fools and all sort of things but we want to assure you that the leaders of the AFC are the Strongest and honest politicians in this country and will not stoop low to reply to your utter nonsense. We see the AFC leaders as respectable people that is welcome throughout the length and breadth of this country and that’s why the PPP\C is now
the loser government. You know that the leaders are of high caliber and status and u cannot bring the AFC down. And please there is a saying “wen fox can’t get the grapes he tun sour”. You were a member of the AFC but the entire leadership finds you double crossing and taking internal matters to the PPP\C for gains and that is why you now become an outcast to the party. Berbicians are sensible people and when they listen to you we all know that you cannot be trusted. Imagine you sit on the RDC council as an AFC councilor and you are abusing the AFC. This alone tells us that you cannot be in your right sense and instead for you to offer the leaders of the AFC a place at the hospital next to canje bridge you should reconsider that position and take it up as early as possible because there is a saying that says “neva dig aholefu u matty because one day you might fall it. The AFC make you sit on that council and yet you are cussing down the party, here we go again “WHEN PUPPY TURN DOG HE GUN TURN ROUND AND BITE YOU”. Mr. Yusuf AFC is strong; we may look weak but never under estimate us. We don’t have the resources like the two main parties but we are here to stay and stay forever. We listen to your abuse and cuss down of the AFC Moses N a g a m o o t o o ,
KhemrajRamjattan, Donna Matoo, CharrandassPersaud and other leaders esp. Dr. Ramayya last night but we want you to know that although the AFC had an heated issue with you and the good, intelligent, strong, a man of the people and struggler Dr. Ramayya he never cuss the bridge he cross and that is why he is still a leader and top brass in the AFC. He will always be that in the AFC as long he wishes to be with the party. The people of Berbice respect the good doctor and we dare you to come out and let’s do a public survey between you and Dr. Ramayya and let’s see the results as to who is the man of and for the people of Berbice. Mr. Yusuf think when you are speaking and most of all thing positive for once. We call on you to sit back, relax and ask yourself, Why am I cussing down the AFC so badly? What will I gain? Will the people using me give a MP, Ministerial or even regional chairman position after the next elections if they win? Am I being swayed into this cuss down mode like Bharrat and his boys in the 2011 elections? Remember you yourself say that the PPP\C cuss down tactics cannot hamper the AFC at the tain train line dam in the 2011 AFC rally. And there are more you need to ask yourself because if you are to listen to yourself you will know that everything you are saying doesn’t make any sense at all and please stop looking at the PPP\C people in studios with you when on TV because you tend to read wrong. Wish you well and hope you really consider my option of visiting that place you were sending the AFC leaders. AFC Region 5
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur M@ilbox Put an end to white collar criminality in Government DEAR EDITOR, With the passage of the 2014 Budget being a little more than two weeks ago, it is worthwhile to take stock of a number of issues. The cutting of the budget represents a significant victory for Guyana and the Opposition, the APNU and the AFC. The Opposition has shown that they can indeed find common ground, that is, the repudiation of the injustice and abuse of power by the PPP, and the systematic gouging and waste of our financial resources. Guyanese looking back in history with perfect hindsight will recognize the Honorable Mr. David Granger, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Mr. Moses Nagamootoo as heroes in reshaping Guyana’s economic and political landscape. The stiff-necked and unyielding integrity of both Mr. Ramjattan and Mr. Nagamootoo combined with the APNU to ensure that this generation will not be left to drag on a little more through the pages of history. I wish to recognize the contributions of the latter two gentlemen, in particular, and Mr. Granger, in staving off another massive waste of our financial resources this year, and, political differences aside, I hope my fellow Guyanese also take the time to reflect on this historic achievement. Surely, without the entrenched efforts of these two gentlemen, Guyana would have been set back another couple of years. The political differences between the APNU and the AFC have become a bit blurred to me.
I have in my earlier letters pointed out the waste of billions of dollars over the years by the PPP on shoddy and over-priced government contracts. Many of us are still trying to figure out is exactly by what means hundreds of millions of dollars were released for the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project, in the absence of a feasibility study. Now is the time, if any, for the Opposition to put an end to this kind of high-handed nonsense by ensuring that no more money is released from Central Government until appropriate financial safeguards and adhered to. We also need to examine steps to recover those monies. There must be some international standard practice for handling this. We can no longer afford to sit or stand idly by and watch Government squandering our hard earned money. Whoever authorized and facilitated the release of monies spent to date on the Amaila Falls Project should be made accountable for this enormous financial waste. Parliament needs to put an end to white collar criminality in government. On the issue of cheap electricity, what of the proposals of Mr. Donald Baldeosingh of ENMAN Services, Trinidad, where he proposed the laying of cables from Trinidad to supply Guyana with power? Is he unwilling to pay a bribe (because if he is, he is very probably the man we are looking for)? The rate he is offering to Guyanese is far cheaper than GPL’s. If not him, then the issue of cheap
electricity is still on the table. I wish to support the call for greater monitoring and supervision of expenditures related to Amerindians, with every effort being be made to ensure that the release of money for the development and general welfare of these people are not in any way tied to political shenanigans of the PPP. Mr. Nagamootoo recently commented on the need to revisit among other things the distribution of broadcast licenses to the PPP’s cronies. To the extent that the distribution of these assets was made in a manner not in keeping with internationally accepted competitive practices, then the licenses issued to the PPP’s cronies granted by its Mafioso style directives need to be revoked, and all interested applicants be asked to reapply under appropriately revised guidelines. The Guyana National Broadcast Authority is an industry regulator, not a political organ, and must be staffed with the persons with the required expertise for implementing policy in this area. It needs to be reconstituted to rid itself of the indiscretion of the PPP’s acolytes. Given that the industry is fledgling, then every attempt should be made to limit costs/ taxes so that potential suppliers can enter with greater opportunity for success in the market. It goes without saying that Guyana will enjoy greater benefits the larger and more diverse the suppliers of radio/television services. Craig Sylvester.
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Regional countries urged to abolish criminal libel
Executive Director of the Austria-based International Press Institute (IPI) Alison Bethel McKenzie presents a copy of the organisation’s publication — The Lion’s Storyteller — to Managing Director of the Jamaica Observer Danville Walker (second right) (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR) Jamaica Observer EXECUTIVE director of the International Press Institute (IPI) Alison Bethel McKenzie yesterday called on all regional countries to repeal the decades-old criminal libel legislation, saying freedom of expression is essential to enable public participation in decision-making. Addressing a breakfast forum as part of the World Press Freedom Day Forum organised by the Press Association of Jamaica and the Media Association of Jamaica (MAJ), Bethel McKenzie said citizens cannot effectively exercise their right to vote or take part in public debate if they do not have free access to information and ideas and are not able to freely express their views. She said 14 of the 16 independent states considered geographically or culturally part of the Caribbean maintain some form of criminal defamation
laws, including seditious and obscene libel laws. “These laws instil selfcensorship in the media and thereby deprive the public of information on matters of public interest,” she said. The Vienna-based IPI, she said, is hopeful that regional countries will follow the examples of Jamaica and Grenada and remove the legislation. “We are hopeful that Governments in Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and the Dominican Republic will honour public commitments and follow suit,” she added. The IPI has mounted missions to several Caribbean countries, along with the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), in seeking to get regional governments to abolish “the antiquated laws that many of our nations have not used in decades”. The IPI executive director defended the position by
saying “if one journalist in the region goes to jail, it jeopardises everything we do. And they have gone to jail, like in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. “So while journalists are not being systemically killed, physically assaulted and imprisoned in the Caribbean with the same chilling regularity as in certain other regions of the world, criminal defamation and seditious libel legislation are an example of the serious challenges that remain with respect to journalists’ right to exercise their profession freely,” she added. At the same time, she urged journalists to pursue their profession ethically. “With media freedom comes r e s p o n s i b i l i t y, not statutory responsibility as defined by governments seeking to limit independent reporting, but voluntary standards and ethical practices.
US extends Temporary Protected Status for Haitians WASHINGTON - CMC The United States is extending the re-registration deadline for Haitian nationals who have already been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and seek to maintain that status for an additional 18 months. The Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the deadline to July 22, this year and that it “strongly encourages Haitian TPS beneficiaries to apply as soon as possible”. USCIS said about 51,000 TPS Haiti beneficiaries are expected to file for reregistration. It said TPS is not
available to Haitian nationals who have not continuously resided in the United States since January 12, 2011. USCIS said individuals seeking to re-register do not need to pay the Form I-821 application fee. However, all re-registrants 14 years of age and older must pay a biometric services fee or submit a fee waiver request, USCIS said. It said all re-registrants seeking employment authorisation through January 22, 2016, must also submit the Form I-765 fee (or a fee-waiver request). “Failure to submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee-
waiver request will result in the rejection of the reregistration application,” it warned. The US Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. The US first granted TPS to undocumented Haitians living in the United States shortly after the January 12, 2010 massive earthquake in Haiti.
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Sunday May 04, 2014
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Dem boys seh
Ambassador mek Jagdeo get jook in he eye All Fools’ Day was de first day in April but it look like if every day is All Fools’ Day fuh some people in Guyana. De American Embassy hold wha it seh was a Visa Fair. People who hear bout de fair believe that visa was selling. Dem think that was when people go to a fair and dem see things that dem can buy. In dem hundreds is suh dem flock de fair. All of dem walk wid dem passport and bank statement. Some walk wid letter of invitation wha dem seh that dem get from dem relatives who live in de States. Some carry dem children photo fuh show that dem got ties to Guyana. Dem boys seh that dem tek sun and rain and when de fair done and dem ain’t get no visa dem got to ask people wha happen? Why dem ain’t get no visa? That is when dem cuss Donald and is then Donald realise how fast people want run out of Guyana. He friends seh that he getting scampish. When he tun President he promise to mek sure that de people who apply get dem radio licence. It ain’t happen.
Dem boys seh that it look like if he waiting fuh permission from Jagdeo who was de man who give away de radio licence in de first place. De American ambassador bad talk Jagdeo fuh de same radio licence. He seh that Jagdeo is de only man in de world who coulda deny certain people dem licence for twenty years. That is why he cussing de ambassador and wearing sun shades. He been by de embassy to find out why dem does detain Irfaat whenever he land in de States and when he going home he hear a voice like Ash Knee hollering “13, 13, 13.” He wonder wha Ash Knee counting. He hear this thing and because he don’t like fuh know that people getting money once he can’t get suh he see a hole and he push he eye. Out of de blue a finger jook he eye and de man start fuh chant “`14, 14, 14”. That is why he cussing de ambassador and wearing he dark shades. Talk half and put some sense in Donald head.
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Brassington deafeningly silent on lands gifted to China Railway …still to come public on Marriott financing Winston Brassington who sits as Executive Director of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), a company that has been described by the political opposition as a rogue company, has been deafeningly silent on transactions which cost Guyanese billions. The latest scandal involving Brassington and NICIL’s silence, involves a tract of land that it has given to China Railway Engineering Group. Brassington has been evading the media ever since word of this deal was passed on to the media by Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan. Ramjattan was at the time checking the Official Gazette to see if the amended 2014 Appropriation Bill was assented to and published, but stumbled on the fact that NICIL has gifted a one-acre plot of Turkeyen land to China Railway Engineering Group. China Railway is currently involved in the construction of a section of the Amaila Falls Access Road and was also considered as a key construction partner during discussions last year on the controversial Amaila Falls Hydro Project.
During a recent press conference Ramjattan said, “We have taken a look at the Official Gazette and we found a double transfer of lands at Turkeyen from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to NICIL which is headed by Winston Brassington.” The latest publication of the Official Gazette and it stated that one acre of land at Plantation Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, as shown on a plan by D. Ramkarran, a sworn land surveyor dated June 18, 2013 and signed by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on April 4, was transferred to NICIL. “NICIL then transferred to China Railway Guyana Incorporated, a piece of land as the donor and the donee. There was no cost attached to the land transfer,” according to Ramjattan. To date, efforts to contact Brassington to reveal details behind the deal have proven to be futile as he refuses to answer calls to his phone. It is unclear why Brassington’s NICIL would have provided this land to China Railway, whether the land was publicly advertised for sale or if indeed any money was paid for the acre
of prime property. Brassington has also been deafeningly silent on the controversial US$58M Marriott Hotel currently under construction in Kingston, Georgetown. Work is ongoing at the construction site for the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown but it is unclear where the funding is coming from. Kaieteur News has been attempting to make contact with the Chairman of Atlantic Hotels Inc (AHI) Brassington, almost every day since January 2, to no avail. Brassington created AHI as a special purpose company to build the Hotel but to date there is only one shareholder in the company namely NICIL, which has already invested US$4M and loaned to the project US$15.5M. Brassington at the end of last year had promised an update in the New Year but has since refused to answer any calls made to him from this publication.
NICIL’s Executive Director Winston Brassington Brassington, last year, had indicated that there would be financial closure with the Private Investor before the end of the year. This did not happen. The monies to be sourced through Republic Bank are yet to be secured but the project is still continuing. Financial Closure with the private investor has also not been made public so it remains a mystery where the funding is coming from for the continued construction of Continued on page 55
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Sunday May 04, 2014
‘Internal Audit may serve to cover up corruption For years, the political opposition has been critical of the fact that some Government Ministries have been slow to act when it comes to complying with the recommendations of the Auditor General in relation to financial irregularities. The Ministry of Finance established last year, an internal auditing department to ensure compliance by Ministries with the said recommendations. While just a few of the opposition members believe that the move is a commendable one, some question whether the division while being under the wings of the Ministry of Finance would be allowed to operate without interference. It is also feared that the Internal Auditing Division may only serve to protect weak systems that encourage corruption. Last week, Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, explained that while the Ministry of Finance would have made this move, with seemingly good intentions,
he is very much opposed to the “internal auditing system” which is housed in the Ministry of Finance. The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, during his 2014 budget speech, explained that their internal audit capability continues to be strengthened with a high level oversight committee, the Internal Audit Division. The centralized internal audit staff will be tasked with reviewing findings in the Audit Office’s annual report and followingup with Government Agencies to ensure compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. Year after year, the Auditor General highlights certain financial irregularities in his annual reports and only some are complied with. It is a pattern that has even worried Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, who said that such behaviour would only undermine the democracy of the country if it is not corrected. Auditor General Deodat Sharma said that he does not
have the power to make Ministries comply with his recommendations. He said that his office serves as the watchdog of the national purse while ensuring that the money allocated to any sector is not wasted, but spent wisely. Under the Audit Act, he has the power to obtain information, evidence, inspect bank accounts and access premises. He insists that nowhere in the Audit Act does it give him the power to make agencies comply with his recommendations. The Auditor General said that for the first time, in his 2012 report, he outlined how many recommendations were applied and how many were not. He said that this is a critical area and as such he hopes that it is given the strictest of attention. Part of that report he referred to said that in relation to the 350 recommendations made in the 2011 Report, 245 were in relation to generalized areas. There were 105 overpayments on construction works and related issues. At the time of reporting in September 2013, some 50 percent of the 245 recommendations that were in relation to generalized areas were cleared while 11, or five per cent, were partially dealt with. Sharma insisted that while these irregularities have been highlighted, they are being taken seriously by the relevant Ministries, despite what his findings are, and that the relevant Ministries are making every effort to correct their systems.
There were also instances where the Auditor General discovered during audits that his findings would be in stark contrast to the reports of the internal auditors of some Ministries. He had suggested some time in 2003 that measures be taken to strengthen financial management and compliance with his recommendations, hence the establishment of the Internal Audit Division. The Internal Audit Division, a 14-member “system-corrector” is geared towards bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes by various ministries and budgetary agencies. It monitors and ensures compliance with procedures and laws.
When there is room for improvement, the Division makes recommendations for enhancing processes, policies and procedures. Another important question, raised by opposition members is whether the Division will make a difference when it comes to the improving and ensuring the level of compliance with the AG’s recommendations. On the question as to whether this “watchdog” will make a difference when it comes to the Auditor General’s report for 2013 which is expected to be out in a matter of months, Ramjattan said, “I am against any other parallel system that will be largely governed by the Ministry of Finance. It must be independent. The Constitution does not mandate parallel intermediate audit interventions.”
The Member of Parliament continued, “If there is found to be a problem then all the necessary resources should be provided to the Auditor General so that he can carry out the functions as the guard of the national purse. “To now go give a parallel audit mechanism to these budget agencies might not be in the best interest because I rather suspect that government is going to treat these auditors like they did in other instances where auditors were sacked for exposing corruption… we must have one strong audit department which is going to be professionally strong enough to give very independent and professional opinions and strong enough to ensure its recommendations are complied with.”
Port Kaituma residents discuss fuel smuggling with authorities Residents and Regional officials of Port Kaituma, are once again expressing concerns about illegal fuel operations at the ‘Turn Basin,’ area of the community. Kaieteur News understands that during his recent visit to the region, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, met with officers attached to the Regional Democratic Council, (RDC) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, (NDC), as well as residents including members of the Port Kaituma business community.
Earlier last month, a trawler unloading smuggled fuel exploded at the Port Kaituma waterfront triggering a massive fire that destroyed three other vessels, a house, and two bonds which were also loaded with illegal fuel. The explosion brought the problem of fuel being smuggled in the area to the forefront and sparked dialogue amongst regional officials regarding issues of a similar nature in the region. Minister Whittaker accompanied by Regional Chairman Paul Pierre, Regional Executive Officer Nigel Fisher, Chairlady of the IMC of the
Matarkai Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Margaret Lambert and other officials of the Ministry of Local Government, the Regional Democratic Council and the Matarkai NDC visited the site of the explosion. During the visit they noticed a number of vessels containing dieseline and moored in the Turn Basin area. Upon enquiry, from those on board the vessels, it was found that none of the vessels had documented evidence of approval from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) or other authorized Agencies to import, transport, store or sell fuel of any sort. It was subsequently reported that there are five licensed fuel dealers in the area and scores of unlicensed dealers. Residents talked about their concerns, which included the danger to school children who traverse the waterways in areas contiguous to where the illegal operation takes place. The residents expressed concerns for their health and environment as they pointed to proof of the discharge of fuel, which was evident in the waterways. There was also refuse from on board toilet facilities and garbage dumps. They are of the opinion that the situation may cause another gastro enteritis outbreak in the Region. As such there were suggestions that all fuel be discharged at the Morawhanna port of entry or in an area at the commencement of the Canal. The Minister has since promised to have the issues addressed. During the recent visit, Minister Whittaker noted that he will undertake to bring the situation to the attention Director General of MARAD and the other relevant agencies.
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Police reform hits major road bump…
Head of Strategic Management Dept. sent on administrative leave By Dale Andrews The reform process of the Guyana Police Force appears not likely to become a reality in the near future, especially after it suffered a major setback. The Head of the civilian oversight body has been sent on indefinite administrative leave. A usually reliable Kaieteur News source told this newspaper that Patrick Mentore, whose appointment last year as Head of the police Strategic Management Department (SMD) was mired in controversy, has been sent off to facilitate a management audit of the department. It appears that the Force administration is not too pleased with the department’s performance and output over the past 12 months and recommended that he be sent on administrative leave. According to sources, Mentore has not endeared himself to the top brass of the Force because of his
forthright manner of doing things. He was not inclined to withhold his observations once they are in keeping with best practices of police reform. This aspect was very evident during his presentation at the recently held Police Officers’ Conference where officers appeared very uncomfortable with the issues he raised. One indication of the administration’s displeasure was the inexplicable recall of a Force vehicle that former Commissioner Leroy Brumell had allocated to Mentore. According to a senior police official, the vehicle was loaned to Mentore for a short period, pending repairs to his personal car. But the officer is of the view that since Mentore and the other civilians were appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, that Ministry should have been providing a vehicle to support the work of the Strategic Management Department. Kaieteur News also
Winston Felix
Clement Rohee
Patrick Mentore
understands that the Strategic Management Department has not been accorded the level of respect in keeping with its functions. When Kaieteur News contacted Mentore he did indicate that he was on vacation leave and refused to comment further. The writing appeared to be on the wall for Mentore since early March when there
were indications that his contract would not have been renewed. At that time, the Strategic Management Department had already suffered the loss of three of its members. Mentore and a team of nine other civilians were appointed on May 2, last year, to overlook the implementation of the reform process of the Guyana Police
Force. At present, apart from Mentore, only six of the team members remain on the job. Last August, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had come to Mentore’s defence in response to demands for him to be relieved of his position, in light of his links to the Thomas Carroll visa racket. The Minister, who was at the time addressing the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s security seminar at the Pegasus Hotel, had said that the administration has expressed its confidence in all the members of the SMD. He had also reiterated his support for the work of the SMD at the just concluded Police Officers’ Conference. However, according to Rohee, when the Institutional Modernisation Programme kicks into full operation, effective monitoring and evaluation must be consistently done in an effort to achieve the outlined objectives. “This is an area in which the 10-man Strategic Management Department and the Force administration have to collaborate closely. The Ministry of Home Affairs requires a better working relationship between the SMD and the change facilitators of the Guyana Police Force,” he said. This newspaper understands that the confidence that top Government officials have expressed in Mentore’s
ability to move the Force’s modernization process forward has not gone down well in some quarters, since this has the potential of keeping the work of the SMD in the spotlight. Even though the Department had enjoyed the support of outgoing Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell and several of the Force’s top brass, the continuation of this relationship is not keenly anticipated. Mentore’s contract ended last month end. The police reform process is a five-year plan that commenced a year ago, while the members of the Strategic Management Committee were contracted for one year. While the civilian team has done significant work on the reform process, the source said that a lot of things still remain to be done by the SMD to see the process through to a successful completion. Contacted yesterday for a comment, Shadow Home Affairs Minister Winton Felix, a former commissioner of police, told Kaieteur News that he is of the view that the whole police reform process is not being properly managed. He said that it is difficult to reform the organization without focusing mainly on the areas where the police interact with the public; areas such as traffic and responses to reports. “You can do all things but the key is the response. These are the areas in my view that the reform should deal with. The public must see reform as useful,” Felix said. With regards to the issue surrounding Mentore, the former Top Cop said that he would not blame the SMD head. “I have to blame the police force. They were not properly advised on how this thing is being run,” Felix said. He told this newspaper that from what he has been hearing, there seems to be some objections to some of the things that Mentore has been questioning. “Why introduce reform when the organization is not going to open up?” Felix asked.
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Our Caribbean: Middle class politics takes command By Oliver Mills (Reprinted from Caribbean News Now) The Caribbean middle class has taken control of, and directed politics in the Caribbean since the postemancipation period. It was the inspiration behind the formation of trade unions, political parties, and most of the major decisions that have been made that have shaped Caribbean life up to the present. This social group has provided intellectual guidance, and political leadership, and has been responsible for the introduction of different political ideologies, from democracy to socialism, which have impacted the Caribbean sometimes positively, and at other times more controversially. Perry Mars states in his book on ideology and change that the earlier plantation period witnessed the political supremacy of an owner class, the planter aristocracy and that, with the decline of the plantation system, the colonial authorities carefully cultivated the upcoming middle class so they could politically control Caribbean states. So by independence, during the 1960s, the local middle classes were firmly in control as the leading and dominant political class in the region. Mars also notes that the middle classes constitute professionals, intellectuals, small businessmen, commercial traders, and the self-employed. What we see, then, is that the previous owner class created a political replacement for itself, which was the middle class, which then took command of Caribbean political life, and still does so. And the colonial authority encouraged it. The Caribbean middle class then was created as a management tool by the Caribbean owner class, the plantation aristocracy, to shape and
control the new political order, so that the former managers of that order would continue to influence it. The new middle class possessed the contradictory values of the system that gave birth to it, including ideas of parliamentary democracy, authoritarianism, the free market system, elitism, the “right” culture, and the use of education as a tool of development, and to maintain the status quo. What is contradictory about these values is that democracy was presented as something good, which, through participation, would bring about change and progress. But for whom? We have seen how democracy is actually for the few. The lower classes are manipulated by the middle class-run system through the use of myths and symbols to believe they have political clout, when in reality their main function is to periodically choose which middle class group would rule over them at a particular period. The two-party system is actually two contending sectors of the middle class that vie for power and influence to enable this group to dominate and command Caribbean political life. Elections then become a false exercise designed to dupe the lower class into thinking they have a stake in their country. The middle class has become the political patrons and the lower classes its clients. This is the supreme contradiction of democracy. Also, the emergence of the middle class has resulted in a skewed economic system with social inequities. In many Caribbean countries, economic policies made by middle class leaders, and external influences, bring pressure on the working class, particularly where taxation is concerned, while politicians vote themselves higher salaries, supplemented by subsistence from various
The talking point in the media was the killing of a man in his bed. The police say that the incident stemmed from a robbery but the people in the neighbourhood know. The police would eventually come around to the people’s point of view, but getting the evidence would prove difficult until one of the perpetrators actually blurts out what happened. ** The interior is perhaps the hottest place to be at this time, largely because of the declining price of gold. People had formed alliances to maximize their efforts. Those efforts are not bearing the kind of fruit they should, so tempers are flaring and
overseas trips. When the workers express their frustration through active political activity, middle class authoritarianism responds with the force of the state, or by buying out segments of the working class, so that a united front of workers is blunted. This is another contradiction of democracy. The Caribbean middle class seems to have more affinity with their peers within the region, and with foreign investor groups, than with their fellow citizens who exist at a different economic level. Through carving out educational opportunities for themselves, the middle class has managed to expand its intellectual, business, and professional hold on the political and economic system. Even in some nonindependent countries, middle class politicians either control, or have interests in many business ventures. This increase in economic heft means further political influence. Secrecy, refusing to answer questions in parliament, and ducking away from voters have become the hallmarks of the middle class way of politics. The electorate is fed a diet of promises, invited to town hall meetings which neither enlighten, nor give hope, while those they elected ‘live the life,’ and seek the company of those with their own private interest at heart, and who use these middle class politicians to realise their own objectives. But despite the opportunities they secure for themselves, many middle class politicians show little evidence of wisdom. They still trust the advice of the descendants of the planters, and despise that of those who caused them to be where they are. Even if outside advice is detrimental to the country, it is taken because it is thought to be better. The Caribbean middle
the blame game is being played. Another frustrated man is going to become embroiled in a heated argument that would turn out to be fatal. ** Rapes are never off the calendar. The less educated men become, the less are they equipped with communication skills. The result is that they resort to basic animal behaviour when it comes to certain things. There are a number of cases of rape before the courts, but one will shock the police. A father would be at the centre of this investigation.
class seems to be running out of the proper ideas needed to make their countries really prosper. Since independence, there is little evidence of economic growth, education is still not producing the skills needed for real development, and there is greater dependence on foreign institutions for sustenance. Development is seen as coming from without, not within, and there is bickering among political parties, instead of unity. Does this mean a failure of middle class leadership? How can this group realise the hopes that were placed in it? For a start, middle class politicians need to free themselves from the mental slavery of the plantation, and colonial conditioning. It needs to come to consciousness and realise that it was created as the hidden hand of those who wanted to use it to realise their own purposes, rather than to better the condition of their own people. Middle class professionals must now use their creativity to frame Caribbean societies into prosperous communities, through the formulation of innovative policies, and equip their people with the competences and technology
needed to make a positive difference in their lives. An indigenous economic and political model needs to be developed that reflects the interests of Caribbean people, and new and different values fostered that connect with the traditional culture of our societies. Trying to be like other countries is neither sustainable nor real. New ideas and positions must come from the traditional wisdom of our people, coupled with reorienting our institutions through new thinking and analysis of what could really work for us. And
our vibrant cultures must be looked at with new eyes to provide new insights on what is needed, what can be done, and the methodologies to implement strategically the insights they provide. Something authentic and indigenous needs to be fostered that supersedes in quality what we look for from overseas. We will then not have a Caribbean society based on class, but one that expresses the general will of everyone equally. (Oliver Mills is a former lecturer in education at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 04, 2014
A boy in a bag, a headless man, and two Jane Does By Michael Jordan There are quite a few murder cases that stick in my head; some, because of the brutality of the crime, others because they are so bizarre. Four such cases come readily to mind. Two of them happened in South Ruimveldt. The third happened in Saffon Street, and the fourth at Vreeden-Hoop. Back in the late eighties, a South Ruimveldt resident was grazing his cows near Cane View Avenue, when he spotted something unusual in a nearby canal. It eventually dawned on the resident that he was gazing at the nude and decomposing body of a woman. He immediately called the police. On examination, the victim appeared to be a woman of Amerindian ancestry. Because of the state of the corpse, pathologist Dr. Leslie Mootoo was unable to say how the victim had died.
suspect by name, the caller said that the man was someone he worked with briefly. He claimed that the killer had a military background, and ran a business. He also pointed me to where the man lived. I eventually met the caller. After speaking to him, I surmised that he was attempting to get back at the
Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara wharf. The victim was lying face down and was wearing a pair of three-quarter trousers and a white jersey. The fingers and feet were missing and so was the head. Police eventually found the skull nearby. A pathologist surmised that someone had used a sharp instrument to sever the
- How do you solve a murder when you don’t even know who the victim is?
Police waited for someone to come forward to identify the victim. No one ever did, and the woman was buried as an
unknown. About a week later, residents of Cane View Avenue got a second shock.
There, in the same canal, was the decomposing corpse of another young woman. Like the first victim, she also appeared to be of Amerindian ancestry. Again, the pathologist was unable to say how she had met her death. Again, also, no one came forward to claim her remains. Detectives were convinced that the two murders were connected. But with no information on the victims, they were stumped from the outset. One theory was that the women had traveled to the city from some remote hinterland community. The other theory was that someone was killing impressionable young women after luring them from night clubs and parties. ‘Back in the day’, South Ruimveldt was known for its ‘bubble sessions’. Maybe the women had been picked up there. Detectives began to stake out night clubs and brothels but this yielded nothing. I had written an article on the two ‘Jane Does’ in 1996, and shortly after, someone called me at my home to say that they knew who the killer might be. Identifying the
business personality because of a falling out they had. Around 1997, city constables on duty at the La Penitence Market stumbled on a jute bag containing a mysterious object. The ‘object’ inside was a young boy of African ancestry. Someone had beaten him in the head, and had apparently tried to treat the injuries. A drug addict who traversed the area claimed that a woman in a car had dumped the bag near one of the market stalls. If the ‘junkie’ was right, the people who killed that boy may have come from affluent backgrounds. There was no form of identification on the lad, so I set out to find out who he might be. I walked all along Saffon Street. I checked in the Ruimveldt and other areas. I came up blank. He was never identified. Years later, when a child from an orphanage was beaten to death, and the case went unsolved, I began to wonder if this unidentified boy, too, had suffered a similar fate and then been dumped into the streets. And if you think those cases are strange, just listen to what happened a few months ago. Last march, someone spotted a man’s corpse near the abandoned section of the
victim’s head. Although investigators were unable to determine the slain man’s race, they estimated that he was in his late thirties or early forties. What appeared to be a name was tattooed on the dead man’s right arm. While they were unable to ascertain his ancestry, police estimate that he was in his late thirties or early forties. “What is puzzling is that the head was so badly damaged while the rest of the body was not,” a police source said. “A lot of things go on at the waterfront.” That statement, and the faint tattoo, made me think of another tattooed man. In late December 2013, the body of 39-year-old Rafeek Mohamed of Drysdale Street, Charlestown, was found at the Atlantic foreshore at Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo. He had been shot in the face with a shotgun. The name ‘Rebecca’ was tattooed on one of his arms. Although Mohamed’s reputed wife insisted that he was a clothes vendor, police believe that Mohamed was a member of a gang that was involved in robberies and burglaries. His murder remains unsolved. Had the man at the Vreeden-Hoop wharf died under similar circumstances? Police took the corpse to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, in the hope that someone would identify the victim. So far, no one has come forward to claim the body with the severed head. If you have any information about these unusual cases, please contact us by phone or at our Lot 34 Saffon Street location. We can be reached on telephone numbers 2258465, 22-58491, and 2258473. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Man died from electrocution, then came back to life It happened in front of my eyes last week. Guysuco and the Ministry of Labour held a week-long exhibition on the site. A man came out of his car, parked on the site, toured the booths and when he was about to enter his car, the high tension wires collapsed. It enveloped him, electrocuted him, burned him to death As he lay on the ground next to his SUV, no one tried to help, including me. All of us had a sense that a miracle was about to happen. The gentleman got up, the burnt flesh disappeared. He smiled at us, waved a PPP party card for us to see and went into the fast food restaurant across the street. As he crossed the bridge over the trench that linked the embankment to the roadway, he looked back at me and with an intestinal smile and a barely audible voice, said to me; “The wires recognize PPP officials, they kill only the ordinary folks”. Given the recent memory of the eviction process, the lies of the Jagdeo regime and
my total disgust with the sheep my fellow Guyanese have become, I replied in decibels that were definitely audible to the ear of Jagdeo in Pradoville 2 and Ramotar in his office. I said, “One day that invincibility of the PPP and its extended cabal will dry up, that will be no miracle, but the working out of the poetic essence of history.” I chose to mention the concept of the “poetic essence of history” to him because a few years ago, while he was General Secretary of the PPP, Donald Ramotar, on reading a column of mine (does he still read my columns – they all do at Freedom House that is why Jagdeo sued me for libel and why each year there are over two hundred letters in the Chronicle about me) in which I mentioned the “poetic essence of history,” replied with a letter to the Kaieteur News. In his letter, De Donald or Uncle Donald or President Ramotar asked me to explain what the concept, the “poetic
essence of history” meant. I didn’t reply because I don’t think it was my place to educate Ramotar. I didn’t respond also because I knew Ramotar would not have heard about the “poetic essence of history,” because Cheddi and Janet Jagan made sure their semi-literate protégés did not touch Shakespeare. For Cheddi, Shakespeare would have been bourgeois literature. I never defined the “poetic essence of history” after that letter of Ramotar and up to this day, I haven’t done so. I was told that De Donald was having drinks with a friend at a ten-star hotel that he patronizes so often you think he is part owner, “Sleep In,” on Brickdam. The topic turned to American politics and Obama. I was told when Obama’s name came up, Uncle Donald said that after Obama won, then he realized what the “poetic essence of history” meant. Good for De Donald. He learnt about a bourgeois concept Shakespeare
popularized. Anyway let’s get back to the man who died then came back to life. The place was the Lamaha Street embankment between Camp Street and Vlissengen Road. That area was inhabited from as early as the 1950s by squatters. These people didn’t just occupy their “huts” for residential purposes. They planted crops which is where their incomes came from. Most of these squatters were family units. Many of these occupants spanned two generations. The Burnham Government never sought to remove these people. But the Hoyte Government did attempt to move them after a high diplomatic official from the US Embassy found the site an eyesore when she took up residence on Lamaha Street. The PPP, then in opposition, descended on the area and urged the squatters not to leave. In the end, the diplomat moved to a more prestigious district and the crop growers remained. More
than sixty years after their occupation on the Lamaha Street embankment, the Jagdeo Government in 2010 evicted the residents. The Jagdeo Government told the squatters that because of the installation of high tension electrical cables they will endanger themselves so they have to move. They refused and were evicted. Last year, the Government of Guyana landscaped the entire site from Camp Street to Oronoque Street. The employees of the New Thriving Hotel at Camp Street, and those of the 704 Food and Entertainment Bar at Albert Street, park at the site. In addition, visitors to these two entities are allowed to park there. Now exhibitions are held there. But the high tension wires are still there. How come they don’t
Frederick Kissoon endanger the lives of these people and their vehicles? My fictional account of the electrocution and the rise from the dead was used to dramatize the extent to which the PPP Government has cowed this entire country. This is a Government that is permitted by this nation to do any depraved or unconscionable act. Shocking story about the electrical wires.
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Sunday May 04, 2014
The importance of the media to transparency Yesterday World Press Freedom Day was celebrated and while we strive to ever increase the tenets of press freedom, with that freedom comes the undeniable responsibility of the press, which is to objectively report on events and occurrences unfolding. In essence, the press has the responsibility to ensure that the truth is made manifest to the masses. In order for that truth to be manifested accurately there is greater need for more openness from the government as it pertains to the accessibility of information. What we find happening within Guyana’s context is that the information that government gives out is limited to what government wants to be shared as opposed to everything being in the open so that accurate
and accountable reporting/ journalism can be provided to the population. This however is how some the governing bodies of the world operate as it pertains to being open with how information is disseminated. The argument for government’s side is that not everything can be in the open, since it would provide terrorists with the necessary information needed to exploit such an important body. Governments have since wanted for the media to be censored in relation to how it disseminates information, something which would affect the accuracy and transparency of the news and how it unfolds. Bowles, Hamilton and Levy in their book ‘Transparency in Politics and the Media:
Accountability and Open Government’, in articulating the need for transparency from governments’ end said that “policies that make governments more transparent and open can potentially make it easier for voters, interest groups, and journalists to track the origin and implementation of policies.” They said further that “for investigative reporters, were more of the documents and data available to officials also available to the public, officials would be more easily held accountable. The costs of discovering stories might fall, the likelihood of positive spillovers from exposés increase, and the transaction costs of gathering and assembling information decline. Transparency is thus a highly valued instrumental
good, since it is an input into a process of monitoring that increases the odds that voters or consumers get what they want from institutional actors.” “Transparency is also an intrinsic good for some voters, who believe that they have a fundamental right to know about the actions of public officials.” (Ibid) As such administrations “should be willing to release information about government decisions, not simply government information about consumer or producer actions. This would lower the costs of journalists to constructing accountability coverage focused on public officials” said Bowles, Hamilton and Levy. For the most part the press plays a very important role in keeping the government accountable and the public accurately informed with what’s happening around them and should that role be stifled or subjugated or even lose its main stream readership support and financing, it would warrant a tremendous decline in accountability and transparency. “The rapid financial decline of local newspapers in the US and UK means that the
likelihood that accountability coverage will be generated of local government actions has declined over the last decade” said Bowles, Hamilton and Levy. It is important at this juncture to outline the main roles associated with the media which Newswritting.org in an article captioned Mass media and Society- Roles of the Press, highlights as Political or Watchdog Role, Economic Role, Sentry Role, Historical/ Record Keeping Role among others. According to Newswritting.org the media have long served as a watchdog for the public, watching for threatening actions from elected officials and highlighting those actions when necessary. “How many of you have ever been to a school board meeting? Or a city council meeting? Our elected officials make decisions that can affect our quality of life, but most of us do not pay attention until it is too late, when new laws or rules have already been enacted. The media are at those meetings, or at least are checking up on what happens at them, and warn us—growl-when something that will affect us negatively
happens.” “The media help the economy survive, both by bringing the businessman and the consumer together— advertising— and by keeping the public informed on the state of the economy. Advertising is just one way in which the media inform us about the economy, and as a result influence the economy. News about interest rates, the stock market, etc. are other ways. Considered by many to be the most important role of the media is the historical/record keeping role which encapsulates the events throughout time. “What happened? Where? When ? Who was involved? Etc … Today’s media are recording history as it happens. And we enjoy that they do. We can watch a baseball game, perhaps in person, and still want to read about it in the paper the next day or see the highlights on the television news that night.” (Ibid) The importance of the media cannot be overstated especially within the context of the roles and responsibility that it affords to society in promulgating democracy within the country through transparency and accountability.
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
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My column
The US dollar is going through the roof Last week a relative of mine wanted some US dollars to buy because she was returning home with some money that she had collected from her business in Guyana. She called me and I directed her to a cambio which I knew would offer her the best possible rate. She called me to inform me that she needed more money because the rate was $210 to the US dollar. I was surprised because I remembered that a few weeks ago people were paying $213 to the US dollar, but that the rate had come down. That issue was past when someone called me and during the conversation, informed me that the exchange rate is going to reach astronomical proportions in the not too distant future. I said that I expected the rate to go up because of the economic norm of scarcity and demand. However, I decided to look at the situation with the local currency, and I was certainly not amused. A few years back the then President Bharrat Jagdeo had assured the nation that money was coming into Guyana. There were the international donors who were contributing to national development and since the local economy was booming then there was money coming in by way of export earnings. I had long noticed that remittances were down largely because of the
constriction in the United States economy. In addition, fewer Guyanese were looking back, so instead of sending money home to prepare for their winter years they were simply keeping their money for themselves. The few who wanted money to do business back home, simply found an overseas-based Guyanese who had a local account. The Guyanese would give the United States dollars to the Guyanese who would call somebody back home and ask them to hand over local currency. The foreign currency was remaining in the United States. However, just a few days ago I was made to understand that what is happening now with the exchange rate is child’s play. Failure of the country to pass the Anti-money laundering Bill would see a further spike in the exchange rate. For one, people overseas are going to find it increasingly difficult to send money home; Guyana is going to have a problem conducting business, since it is going to find it difficult to send money abroad for its transactions. The result is that foreign currency would become even scarcer. The offshoot would be that goods from the United States would suddenly even cost more. Someone actually told me that we are buying a lot of things from China so the cost factor would be
minimized. The truth is that no matter what, most currencies are linked to the United States dollar. There is also the issue of the cost of travel. Without a doubt, airline tickets are calculated in United States currency, so people are going to pay more for their tickets. Already people are paying a lot of money to travel but then again, those who travel are those who can afford to. The average Guyanese would be faced with rising prices and a relatively stable salary. The pay increase they get is supposed to counteract inflation, but somebody needs to tell the administration that there are many things that suddenly cost more. Just this past week gasoline prices went up by just over $50 a gallon. It is widely expected that the political opposition parties are not going to vote in favour of the Anti-money laundering Bill. There were many reasons, but now the façade has been wiped away. Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said that the opposition parties informed him that the issue is political rather than legal. I did have a chat with a leading member of the political opposition about passing the Bill and he said to me that the
government is intransigent. I then asked whether it is wise to hold the nation to ransom because of some conflict with the government. The politician merely said that the people would recognize that the government is responsible for whatever happens. Of course I argued that Aunt Millie would be angry with the opposition when she cannot get her small piece from Cousin Fred in Brooklyn. My political friend simply said that if the people are prepared to blame the opposition, then they deserve the kind of government they get. He then told me that the falling gold price is partly responsible for the rising price of the United States dollar, but that there is something about the GuyanaVenezuela relationship that is going to push it up even further. He said that this would be revealed within a few days. If the truth be told, there are many who are prepared to back the opposition because, as they say, the government has done a lot to hurt the nation. These people point to the level of corruption, to the broken promises, and to the deception. I know about some of the deception. There I was at a press conference when Winston Brassington told me
that by the end of last year the nation would be informed about the private investor who would come with his US$8 million to help fund the Marriott construction. It is now May and I am still to be told about this private investor. What is more, I am still to be told about the source of money that is funding the continued construction of the Marriott Hotel. I was shocked when I found out that no Guyanese were employed on the hotel construction. Then I was told that that situation would change. It has not. Someone is still to explain the newfound wealth that some people are exhibiting. Clement Rohee did say that some people saved and saved. Many people did too, but could in no way amass any wealth. However, with the leaders of the other Caricom countries coming to Guyana to help promote the passage of the Bill, the
Adam Harris situation ahead must be bad. I wish somebody here would take a step backward and ensure the passage of the Bill.
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By Dominic Gaskin Of Guyana’s ten administrative regions, it is safe to say that four remain almost scandalously underdeveloped and neglected to the extent that life, for most residents, is a harsh experience with few opportunities for improvement. The government, through its Ministries of Local Government, Amerindian Affairs, Education, Health and Public Works, and a clutch of Regional Executive Officers (REOs), determines the fates of Regions 1 (Barima-Waini), 7 (CuyuniMazaruni), 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) and 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and must shoulder full responsibility for the current state of those regions and the poor living conditions facing their
Kaieteur News
residents. Our government should explain to the people of these regions why, after over two decades in charge, it still provides them with only the most basic services, which are noticeably inferior to even the poor-quality government services received by the rest of the population. In education, we are witnessing the creation of severely disadvantaged communities. The results of Guyana’s 2012 population census have still not been released, but figures from the previous exercise show rates of illiteracy in these regions at about twice the national average. Last year’s National Grade Six Assessment results show a clear regional disparity, with not a single child from Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 scoring among the top one hundred. This glaring
inequality was even worse at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, with these same regions unable to produce a single student among the top one hundred and seventy-five. With performance in these two major assessments well below an already poor national average, what future is there for the youth of these regions? In its 2011 report on Guyana’s progress on the Millennium Development Goals, the Government of Guyana revealed that the percentage of people living in moderate poverty in the rural interior was 73.5 and the percentage living in extreme poverty 54.0. The national averages for these two statistics at the same time were 36.1 percent and 18.6 percent respectively. Specifically, the amount of persons living in
moderate poverty in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 were 80.1%, 61.4%, 94.3% and 74.4% respectively. Moderate poverty was defined as not having sufficient income to afford a specified bundle of basic food and non-food items, while extreme poverty was defined as not having sufficient income to afford only the food items in that basket. Sadly, our nation has come to accept this great divide and there is very little fuss made over the stark inequalities that exist between our coastal communities and those in the hinterland. The fact that the four regions mentioned above are inhabited mainly by members of Guyana’s Amerindian population makes this an even less palatable state of affairs. However, the most disturbing aspect of this situation is the manner in which the PPP-C government has sought to exert political control over the Amerindian population, even in the face of its failure to deliver improved living conditions. A recent news report highlights the extent of the problem and demonstrates the gross disrespect with which Amerindians are treated by government officials. The report concerned village leaders who were transported from the hinterland to Georgetown in order to participate in the April 14th protest against the AFC and APNU over their budget positions. Immediately prior to the exercise they were briefed at the National Convention Centre by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall, who took the opportunity to admonish some of them for referring to Community Development Projects (CDPs) as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Projects. In a recording of the proceedings Mr. Dharamlall
Sunday May 04, 2014
can be heard threatening Toshaos: “I don’t want any single one of you to ever again, and I keep saying this over and over again, any CSO who says that they’re working at the UNDP project called the CDP, I want you off the CSO project. Any Toshao or senior councillor who represents to any village that the CDP is a UNDP project, you don’t have access to my office. I coming hardline on people who don’t see the future and who don’t want to be part of the development of the country”. This excerpt from Mr. Dharamlall’s tirade was preceded by an attack on the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) in which he stated, “the APA is in bed with the opposition” and warned his captive audience not to support them. The language and tone employed by this government official towards senior members of the Amerindian community is crude, arrogant and reminiscent of a different era. This was a clear attempt to bully the Amerindians into compliance with PPP-C party policy and to bombard them with their latest propaganda. His Minister, in a shrill delivery of her own, maintained the assault on the AFC, APNU and APA, no doubt creating just the right mood for a fruitful picketing exercise. Had he lived to witness this, George Orwell would have been mightily impressed with his own prescience. It has often been said of the PPP-C that it will destroy that which it cannot control, and these latest attacks on the APA are consistent with that narrative. It would appear that the APA has incensed the government by receiving a European Union grant of 150,000 Euros as a result of submitting a successful
Dominic Gaskin project proposal to that body. The Government, of course, would have preferred to be the recipient of these funds and to control disbursal to the implementing organization. A strong and independent APA that it cannot control is clearly seen as a threat to the political agenda of the PPP-C Government when it comes to the Amerindians, and for it (APA) to have received funds directly from the European Union is seen as a challenge to PPP-C’s influence over the Amerindian population; hence its attempts to destroy the credibility of the APA. A review of the minutes of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC) of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) of February 2014 will show that this matter has engaged the attention of the MSSC. It is unfortunate that a committee such as this one, which needs to be as free from political interference as possible, is being used by the government to undermine a civil organization as important to our Amerindian brothers and sisters as the APA. One cannot deny that the Amerindians as well as other persons living in Guyana’s hinterland regions are worse off than the rest of our population. The PPP-C Government, instead of correcting this problem, seeks to exploit these disadvantaged communities in order to impose its political agenda upon them. It is becoming increasingly clear that political domination by any one clique or group will never be accepted in our ethnically diverse society, and that those with such an agenda will never be able to unite the Guyanese people with a common vision for this country’s future. Real development will only take place when the resources of this wealthy paradise are put to work in a way that benefits all our people, regardless of geographical location or ethnic background; or, indeed, which political party they support.
Sunday May 04, 2014
SUNDAY SPECIAL SHAREHOLDERS SEE SINISTER MOTIVE AS… GOVT. BLOCKS NBS FROM INCREASING LENDING CEILING The non-approval of an application by the New Building Society for an increase in its lending ceiling from $12M to $15M is causing concern among members of Guyana’s only building society. Sources tell Kaieteur News that the delay of more than three years by the Ministry of Finance to engage the Society is causing several problems. NBS is being squeezed out of the more profitable higher-end lending market since it cannot meet growing demands for higher mortgage financing as building costs continue to rise. The consequence of the delay also means that the NBS is facing a situation whereby its avenues for investing surplus funds are being restricted. According to officials of that financial institution, who asked not to be named, NBS’s shareholders during its Annual General Meeting three years ago, approved a move for the lending ceiling to be raised from $12M to $15M. NBS, which has hundreds of millions of dollars in liquidity, immediately dispatched an application to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, seeking permission for the ceiling adjustment. According to the officials, a number of letters were sent as a follow-up to the Minister but there have been no movement. “We are not sure the reasons for the delay or why no permission is being granted.” AUDITOR GENERAL FAILS TO USE POWERS EFFECTIVELY -CONSTANTLY BRINGS HIS AUTONOMY INTO QUESTION-PAC CHAIRMAN In spite of legislative changes made some years ago to the Constitution to improve financial management of accounts, and to make the Auditor General (AG)’s office an independent entity, members of the political opposition are of the view that no significant change has been made by the AG’s Office since then. At a press conference, the details of which are published on the website of the Ministry of Finance, it was said that the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had said that internal audits can increase efficiency and competitiveness of entities. According to the website,
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maintenance of the structure until November 2014.
CFATF Chairperson Allyson Maynard-Gibson (Centre) in talks with CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin La Roque (left) and APNU’s Carl Greenidge the Minister of Finance had said that the Constitution was strengthened and systems implemented to cater for the oversight of the Auditor General’s office by the establishment of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which also oversaw the operations of Government Departments, and fiscal and procurement policies. But the head of this very Committee, Carl Greenidge, said that when one questions how effective these legislative changes were made, “It can be concluded that nothing of consequence was done.” The PAC Chairman said that what was done in 2012 was that the Auditor General’s office was moved from being a budgetary agency. He said that there are aspects of the audit department that continue to remain of much concern to members of the Public Accounts Committee. MONDAY EDITION MARRIOTT HOTEL CONTROVERSY…APNU INTENDS TO FLUSH OUT ‘SECRET’ INVESTOR - GRANGER It’s almost seven months since government had promised to make the identity of the US$8M Marriott investor known publicly, and Opposition Leader David Granger says that he intends to have the National Assembly intervene in the hope making the investor known. Up to recently, work was continuing apace at the construction site for the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown but it is unclear where the funding are coming from. Kaieteur News has been continuously calling Chairman of Atlantic Hotels Inc (AHI) Winston Brassington, but to no avail.
Brassington, at the end of last year, had promised an update in the New Year but has since refused to answer any calls made to him from this publication. Back in March 2014, Brassington had answered his mobile phone, but hung up on the reporter who was attempting to question him. Brassington last year had indicated that there would be financial closure with the Private Investor before the end of the year, but this did not happen. According to Granger, his party is very concerned with the entire management of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), adding that it was close to becoming a “rogue corporation”. “It’s outside of the control of the National Assembly, the funds are not fully known and it’s kept secret almost like a parallel government,” Granger told Kaieteur News. He added that he was not at all surprised by Brassington’s actions and failure to account because the entire NICIL is outside the sphere of government accountability. Granger posited that APNU would seek parliament’s intervention and have Finance Minister Ashni Singh cited for not complying. NEWLY US$6.6M DAMAGED BLACK BUSH POLDER ROAD…ENGINEER BLAMES “ILLEGAL” WEIGHT After being completed in November 2012, parts of the US$6.6M Black Bush Polder Road have already started to deteriorate. In a recent interview, Civil Engineer attached to the Public Works Ministry, Sunil Ganesh, blamed the deterioration of the road on
illegal weight limits. “That’s the problem. We designed the plan for the road based on the legal weight limit, but now, most of the trucks in Black Bush Polder have an extra cab at the top. We never catered for that, so it’s causing some problems there.” Even though the road was constructed for farm to market purposes, Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill, during his 2014 visit, said that he was displeased with the weight being transported on the structure. It was noted that the road was designed for 32ton trucks, but has been forcefully enduring more weight. “What we have observed is that the trucks operating in the polder, mainly single-axle trucks, all of them which I have seen, carried with them extension in the trays, and that would have meant they are carrying greater weight than they were supposed to be carrying,” the Government Minister had said. He added, “Double-axle tonnage in a single axle truck could pose weight problems for the road.” Additionally, Ganesh noted that the road being used by combine operators is also posing a problem. “The thing is, when the combines go to the rice field and come back out, the mud sticks to the asphalt. And there is a problem there, because when the mud sticks, the asphalt comes off. It pulls it off…This was happening during construction too,” Ganesh said. Indeed, roads have to be maintained, but should this situation at Black Bush Polder continue, that particular road would have to be repaired more often. As part of a two-year liability and defects agreement, BK International would be responsible for the
TUESDAY EDITION WALTER RODNEY COI BEGINS WORK…SEVERAL FILES MISSING – POLICEMAN TESTIFIES Former Officer in Charge of the Special Branch unit of the Guyana Police Force, and now Crime Chief Leslie James, Monday said that he was unable to locate several files which had covered developments that attracted police attention on and leading up to the death of Walter Rodney. James told the Commissioners that he could not say whether the files are “lost” or have been “misplaced”. James was the first witness to be called as the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry commenced Monday. The Crime Chief explained that the Special Branch unit usually deals with matters of national interest, such as treason, sedition and murder. He added that reports which are generated by the department would be filed and kept by the Head. “A request was made to have the documents presented to the commission; I complied with that and lay over the files” James said. He explained that files from both the Special Branch along with the Criminal Investigations Department were handed over. James submitted three documents from the Special Branch on Rodney labelled ‘WPA eight, nine and ten’ respectively to the Commission of Inquiry. An additional three files from CID along with an arrest warrant that was issued in June 1996 for Gregory Smith in relation to Rodney’s death was handed over to the commission. They were later tendered into evidence. James explained that all files which are being submitted have been duplicated. FINANCIALANALYSTS SAY… RAISING NBS’ LENDING LIMIT HAS TAX IMPLICATIONS Government may have been threading carefully in delaying its decision in green lighting a hike in the lending ceiling of the country’s premier mortgage finance institution to $15M. According to local financial analysts, even with the current, restricted ceiling of $12M, New Building Society (NBS) and its borrowers are ahead of the game and should not complain too much. As a matter of fact, NBS, if it wants to operate like
commercial banks, can apply for a banking licence which will allow it to lend up to any amount. Last weekend, Kaieteur News broke a story in which the institution, quoting unnamed sources, expressed unhappiness over a threeyear-old application to raise its lending ceiling. NBS officials reportedly said that they are seeing an increased number of applications for mortgages above $12M. The Society is not allowed to lend above that. The application was made three years ago to Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh. However, Monday financial experts explained that NBS is an entity created by an Act of Parliament. It enjoys full tax exemption and can therefore pay higher interest on deposits and charge lower interest on loans. Up to a few years ago, it was not under the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) and it was not required to comply with the stringent rules regarding providing for doubtful loans which apply to financial institutions licensed under that law.. WEDNESDAY EDITION MAN WANTED FOR RAPE SHOT DEAD BY COPS A Haslington, East Coast Demerara man who was wanted for the rape of a 15year old girl was Tuesday shot dead by police at Kuru Kuru on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Police said that a police rank had resorted to the use of force when he was attacked by the man, Joel Ross, while in the process of arresting him. According to the police, Ross went into hiding after committing the act on the teenager on Easter Monday at Haslington. Kaieteur News understands that the police received information that Ross was hiding out at a location on the highway and went after him Tuesday just after midday. SCORES DISCONNECTED AS GPL SWOOPS DOWN ON WEST DEM. With little or no care for the danger of electrocution, electricity theft dominates the cases Guyana Power Light (GPL) encounters, with their Loss Reduction Unit combing villages countrywide and illegal connections being unearthed. Some of them assembled in the most blatant as well as shrewd manners possible. GPL’s ongoing exercise to reduce commercial losses resulting from electricity theft caused their operatives to last (Continued on page 37)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 04, 2014
How the PPPC in under-developing the hinterland The People’s Progressive Party Civic -PPPC administration likes to boast of economic growth. A Partnership for National Unity has been visiting communities across our country for the past 26 months and the question has always been: “Where is the development? The income and wealth disparity continues to widen dangerously within society. The poor are being left behind and their ranks are swelling. Budget 2014 failed to present a vision to correct the structural imbalance of the economy and to show the way to the ‘Good Life’ to which all Guyanese are entitled. Guyana’s economy is highly dependent on just two industries - gold and rice - with gold accounting for 47% and rice 17.5% of total 2013 exports. Together, these two industries account for two-thirds of all exports. This reliance is not expected to change in 2014. The PPPC administration’s projections, show gold exports remaining at 47% and rice marginally less at 16%, again representing almost two-thirds of total exports. Yet
the PPPC speaks of “transforming the economy” and of “progress made through diversification”. The PPPC administration has injected $9.7 Billion into the sugar industry over the past two years and in 2014 a further $6 Billion subsidy was given to GuySuCo. APNU has previously expressed its concern at the massive transfers to GuySuCo, as well as GPL, in the absence of bipartisan agreement on appropriate reform proposals. In the meantime the industry produces less and less, and last year exported a mere US$112 Million or less than 20% of gold exports; GuySuCo’s projections for this year show the industry earning even less - US$103.3 Million. The figures for the rice industry give cause for even more concern. Sales under the Petro Caribe arrangement for the period July 2011 to January 2014 totaled US $336.5 Million, which represents 77% of total rice exports in 2012 and 2013. Given current events and political instability in Venezuela, no one can be
certain that these arrangements will remain in place in the long-term. In the absence of available markets, the potential for dislocation and disruption to this industry is real. So, while the PPPC boasts of economic growth, macroeconomic stability and diversification, the economy has a structural imbalance. It took the PPPC 12 years for Local Government legislation to be enacted to allow for a Local Government Commission to come into being. It finally happened in Aug 2013 with passage of the relevant Bill which received Presidential assent in early Nov 2013. The Act is waiting on a Commencement Order from the Minister of Local Government for its operationalisation. Even though it has been 13 years since the Constitution dictated that we have this body, the Minister is unmoved and apparently unconcerned. Budget 2014 makes no mention of funding for this important Constitutional entity designed to professionalize and de-
politicize the management of communities. Instead the Budget speaks of bypassing the statutory responsibility of local government bodies and for central government to spearhead the cleaning up of communities. How is the central government’s underdevelopment of the regions causing hardship for our people? Using the Potaro-Siparuni Region as an example, in 2012 $8 Million was approved under Line Item 2402200; $5 Million was to purchase a truck to be used for health services and to take drugs into the region. Two years on and there is no evidence of this truck and the Health Committee of the RDC has not been given any information. Why this is so? In the 2012 Budget money was approved for teachers’ quarters at Paramakatoi. An APNU team recently visited Paramakatoi and residents there complained about the incomplete state of the teacher’s quarters and the effects on students not having trained teachers at the secondary school. Again in 2013 Budget, $12 Million was voted for an ambulance for the Mahdia Hospital. This
ambulance is yet to arrive. There is clearly no urgency. A vehicle was bought in 2013 ostensibly for the regional education sector. This vehicle is being used by the regional engineer and not for the budgeted purpose. Even something as basic as the supply of pure water is not being delivered to residents in many parts of the region, owing to insensitivity and incompetence on the part of the PPPC administration and its appointed officers, while the elected officials are shut out from their lawful role of administering the region’s affairs. The most galling problem concerns electricity supply to Mahdia, the administrative centre of the region and where residents presently receive a maximum of 12 hrs daily and have to pay $100/kw/h. In Budget 2014, the sum of $208 Million is allotted for power supply in Mahdia, Mathews Ridge and Linden. It is yet to be determined how much of this is designated for Mahdia. What is certain is that it will represent a Band Aid when a Win-Win as well as a permanent solution is already
there - the Tumatumari Hydroelectric Plant. A test run in 2012 established this plant to be functional. While the government has entered into a contract with an investor who has the know-how, for lease of this facility, the contractor has so far been unable to raise the financing for the full rehabilitation of the power plant and to run the transmission line to Mahdia, mainly due to the unavailability of development capital locally. Given the importance of electricity and the presence of this facility in the region, there can be no valid reason why the PPPC could not have found a way to make the facility operational by way of a simple equity contribution to benefit thousands of persons by fostering development as well as jobcreation. It is estimated that a mere $30 Million would have been sufficient as an equity contribution. Guyana is a large country and it cannot be effectively of efficiently managed from the centre in the absence of meaningful engagement with the 10 Regional Governments.
Sunday May 04, 2014
From page 27 Tuesday descend on squatting areas on the West Bank Demerara, including Sisters Village and Skull City. Many residents’ excuses were pertaining to lack of regularization of their community, cost of living and corrupt GPL employees who gave them wrong advice, rather than explaining the proper procedures to obtain the utility’s service. GPL operatives in the field explained that the company cannot survive if persons continue to steal electricity. Tuesday some 3000 feet of duplex wires were seized along with several tampered meters to the dismay of the consumers. THURSDAY EDITION CONTROVERSIAL DEMOCRACY PROJECT… GOVT. REVOKES WORK PERMIT OF US CONTRACTOR The Government of Guyana has revoked the work permit and extension of stay of Glenn Bradbury, the Head of the United States of America’s democratization project which is being implemented in Guyana, to the dismay of the Administration. This was disclosed by Dr. Roger Luncheon, Cabinet Secretary during his weekly postCabinet meeting at the Office of the President, Wednesday. Bradbury is the Principal Official of the International Republican Institute which is contracted by USAID to implement the Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project. While not indicating whether this is an act by Government to stall the execution of the LEAD Project, Dr. Luncheon said the revocation of Bradbury’s (a Canadian citizen) permit, was based on the conclusion that Guyana’s immigration laws were offended by Bradbury. In early January, Dr. Luncheon said the decision by the US Government to proceed with a project that the Guyana Government has already rejected is disrespectful. He said that the four components of the project were analyzed by Cabinet and one contained major activities that captured a relationship between USAID and individual political parties in Guyana. Guyana does not have a public policy by government for the support for political parties, he added. The LEAD project seeks to enhance the technical capacity and functionality of the legislature through the regular use of consultative practices and mechanisms for legislative drafting, analysis, review, and passage.
Kaieteur News
Glenn Bradbury
WITNESS TELLS COMMISSION HE HAD PREMONITIONABOUT RODNEY’S DEATH Reverend Rueben Gilbert on Wednesday told the Rodney Inquiry that he had a premonition about his friend’s (Walter Rodney) death three days before the explosion which killed him. Gilbert, 78, told the Commission Wednesday that he “had a terrible, uncomfortable feeling” that the politician would be killed. He said that he hesitated at first to tell his friend, but later visited Rodney and told him of his intuition, as he called it. “He came to the door after I knocked and I told him: you are going to be killed… he dropped his head and when he raised it again he asked if I knew of any situation and I said no and left,” Gilbert told the Commission Wednesday. Gilbert, who was being led by attorney at law Latchmie Rahmant told the Commission that he suffered personal victimization from the People’s National Congress, who was the ruling party then in the 1970’s. According to the witness, he secured a job at the Ministry of Economic Development in early 1970 but was dismissed within two weeks after a letter from the Office of the President informed the Permanent Secretary that he was a security risk. Within the next few months, finding a job was an uphill task, the witness said. Even though he was qualified, Gilbert said that his applications to the Ministry of Education could not be found. Gilbert told the Commission that he later secured a job from the then Guyana Telecommunication Corporation (Telecoms) However, he later found out that there was a letter at that telephone company as well as other state agencies from OP, barring him from
being employed. Friday Edition Over 15 million NIS contributions not yet entered in system – Dr. Luncheon With over fifteen million records of contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) yet to be entered and verified, Government has decided that the task must be concluded this year to relief contributors of this burden. This was revealed by Dr. Roger Luncheon, Cabinet Secretary and Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme Board, during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President, on Wednesday. For years, numerous contributors to the scheme have complained bitterly of not being able to access accurate contribution records. This has frustrated contributors who are oftentimes unable to receive their benefits. According to Dr. Luncheon, at the April 29 Cabinet meeting, members reinforced their earlier pledge to stakeholders to have the backlog of contribution records entered electronically and verified by the end of
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2014. He said Cabinet has been notified that the process would be executed by a combination of permanent staff, project staff hired into the service of the scheme specifically for this project, and by outsourcing to private contractors. The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that that task would require the entering and verifying of over fifteen million records. “ GRA BOSS TALKS TOUGHAS WEALTHY REMAIN BIGGEST TAX EVADERS It is estimated that the country’s wealthiest, particularly the selfemployed, are deliberately evading taxes in a massive way, only paying about 25 per cent of their obligations. According to tax chief, Commissioner-General Khurshid Sattaur, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has not been standing by idly and has been aggressively pushing to bring this “hardto-tax” group into the net. “You have to do a lot of enforcement activities, take them to court…” the official told reporters earlier this week. As a matter of fact, audit and verification exercises have been successful in the agency’s collection thrust, with the Debt Management Unit realising more than $8B in revenues. The issue has been a critical one for GRA, with increasing calls for the tax collection agency to become more aggressive. Those calls would come from taxpayers who have been compliant and who say that they are being made to pay for persons who are deliberately evading. The CommissionerGeneral made it clear that the public has a critical role to play, with a responsibility to
ensure receipts are collected when making purchases. SATURDAY EDITION WORK PERMIT REVOCATION…US “REGRETS”, OPPOSITION LEADER WARNS OF RETALIATION Two days after the Government of Guyana announced that it revoked the work permit of the Head of the controversial Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project, Glenn Bradbury, the United States has made it clear that the decision is contrary to the commitment given by this country. “The decision to revoke Mr. Bradbury’s permit is contrary to our understanding of the Government of Guyana’s commitment to review together the LEAD programme and to the spirit of the discussions proposed by the Government of Guyana itself”, the US Embassy said Friday in its first statement on the issue. The Embassy also said it “regrets” the decision to revoke the work permit which was issued to Bradbury on September 25th, last year. The revocation also sparked concern from Opposition Leader, David Granger, who believed that there is likelihood of retaliation. According to the official, his faction, A Partnership for Natio n a l Unity (APNU), “regrets the action of Government with feelings that the program was working in the benefit of young people because it started to provide information particularly on the local government elections.” “We felt that the limited engagements we had were beneficial as well. I understand that the US Embassy and (President Donald) Ramotar were engaged in talks, but I did not
get the impression that the talks had broken down and that such an action was necessary.” Granger believes that Government “will have to pay a price for that action. In this diplomacy it is going to be a juk for juk situation.” FISHERMAN HACKED TO DEATH AT HASLINGTON NEW SCHEME - WIFE CLAIMS ROBBERY, RELATIVES FINGER WOMAN’S LOVER The peace and tranquillity of the small community of Haslington New Scheme on the East Coast of Demerara was shattered early yesterday morning with the brutal hacking to death of 40-yearold fisherman Chetram Bharrat. While his 36-year-old wife Lomattie Ramdat, who was also chopped about her body is claiming that they were attacked by two bandits who carried away $500,000, relatives and neighbours are almost convinced that it was the work of the woman’s lover who has conveniently vanished. Bharrat was found lying dead on his blood soaked bed with several deep chop wounds to his head and other parts of his body minutes after his wife ran out of the house and alerted neighbours around 04:00 hours. Police in a statement said that their initial investigations indicate that two men, both of whom were armed with cutlasses, entered the 418 Ninth Street, Haslington New Scheme home of Chetram Bharrat and his reputed wife Lomattie Ramdat, 36, through a window. The men demanded cash and jewellery during which the two victims were chopped about their bodies.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 04, 2014
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Corns and Calluses
By Dr. Kumar Sukhraj, BSC, MBBS There are many people who are experiencing annoying and sometimes painful thickening in certain areas of their feet and hands. Many may take actions while some may ignore because these are usually painless. These thickening of the skin on the feet or hands are called corns and calluses. The medical term for the thickened skin that forms corns and calluses is hyperkeratosis. A callus refers to a more diffuse, flattened area of thick skin, while a corn is a thick, localized area that usually has a conical or circular shape. Corns and calluses generally form when the skin tries to protect an underlying area from injury, pressure or rubbing. These are found mainly in the skin in areas of pressure (Over bony prominence). Abnormal anatomy of the feet, such as hammer toe, bunion or other toe deformities, can lead to corn or callus. Patients often say they feel as if they are walking on stones. The following signs or symptoms may indicate the presence of corns or calluses: ·A raised bump which is hardened ·A thick and rough area of skin ·Flaky and dry skin ·Flaky and waxy skin ·Pain under the skin ·Tenderness under the skin Corns and calluses can sometimes cause pain or discomfort if they interfere with walking or other activity, but they are typically painless. Corns and calluses affect women more commonly than men, as well as people who wear ill-fitting shoes, individuals with sweaty feet,
and those who have to stay standing for long periods each day, those who equipment, tools, or instruments that exert pressure on specific locations on the fingers, certain occupations, such as farmers or garden workers etc. As mentioned above, any condition or activity that results in increased friction over the fingers or toes can lead to the development of corns or calluses. People of all ages can be affected. Corns versus calluses ·Corns are smaller than calluses ·Corns generally (not always) have a hard centre ·Corns have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin ·Corns usually occur in non-weight bearing parts of skin (not always) ·Corns can be painful when pressed ·Calluses are not generally painful ·Calluses are usually larger than corns, and vary in shape ·Calluses generally develop on the soles of the feet, especially under the heels or balls, on the palms of the hands, and also on the knees. In many cases corns and calluses can be prevented. The following measures may help reduce the risk of developing corns and calluses: ·Wash your feet with soap and water every evening. Use a scrubbing brush. ·Apply a specially moisturizing foot cream after washing and drying them well. Do not use a body lotion. ·Make sure your shoes and socks are well-fitting, and with seams that do not rub the skin. ·Buy your shoes later on during the day - i.e. when
trying on new shoes do so when your feet are at their largest (feet swell slightly as the day progresses). ·Any foot pain or skin irritation in the foot should not be ignored. ·Regularly see a foot specialist for a foot check-up. ·When trimming your toenails, cut straight across, and not down at angles or over the edges. ·Use a pumice stone or foot file regularly. Make sure you remove hard skin gently. ·Change your socks every day. Do not let your feet become sweaty. · Protect your hands - when using tools, either wear padded gloves or pad the tool handles. For many people, corns and calluses are annoying and sometimes are painful .They can be prevented by reducing or eliminating the circumstances that lead to increased pressure at specific points on the hands and feet and can be treated with many types of medicated products to chemically pare down the thickened, dead skin. People with fragile skin or poor circulation in the feet (including many people with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease) should consult their health-care professional as soon as corns or calluses develop. Please feel free to send an email to kumarsukhraj@yahoo.com or call 6228032 for further enquiry and discussion on the topic. Patient education plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of their illness. Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on health related issues in the next publication.
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BBC rebukes ‘Top Gear’ presenter Clarkson over racist language British state broadcaster, the BBC, has rebuked presenter Jeremy Clarkson over using racist language while filming car show “Top Gear”, one of the most popular and profitable TV programs in the world, but dismissed calls for his resignation. Clarkson, 54, apologized after a newspaper report earlier this week revealed he used an epithet for blacks while reciting the rhyme “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe” to choose between cars while filming two years ago. The presenter, known for his humorous but brash, blunt style, released a video on Twitter on Thursday apologizing and saying he had tried to avoid the racist expression used in a wellknown older version of the rhyme. He said he recorded three takes, mumbling the word “nigger” in two versions and substituting it with “teacher” in a third, and only realized later that the word could be heard clearly in one take. “I was mortified by this, horrified. It is a word that I loathe and I did everything in my power to make sure that version did not appear in the program,” said Clarkson, seen in the video brandishing a note to this effect sent to producers. “As I am sitting here begging your forgiveness for the fact ... obviously my efforts weren’t quite good enough.” The version did not appear on the show and it was not clear how the Mirror newspaper, which first published the story, got a copy of the take. The revelation prompted calls for Clarkson to resign or be sacked by the BBC, which is publicly funded by an annual license fee of 145.50 pounds ($250) that must be paid by all UK households
with a television. “I don’t think the taxpayer should be subjected to people like Jeremy Clarkson who uses and insults people by his comments. It is time for him to go,” opposition Labour MP Jim Sheridan from parliament’s Culture, Media and Sports Committee said on Friday. BBC SAYS VIEWS ISSUE SERIOUSLY Top Gear is one of the BBC’s best-selling shows globally, broadcast in 214 countries. The show have made Clarkson, a journalist who writes newspaper columns as well as a presenter, into a global celebrity. His strong views have pitched him up against politicians, national governments, green groups, car companies and communities across Britain over the years. Facebook has an “I Hate Jeremy Clarkson” page. But the BBC has regularly downplayed any controversies about his comments and trod carefully this week. A spokeswoman said in a statement issued late on Thursday the corporation had spoken to Clarkson. “We
have made it absolutely clear to him, the standards the BBC expects on air and off. We have left him in no doubt about how seriously we view this,” she said. She declined to comment further on Friday and a spokesman for Clarkson told Reuters that the presenter was not expected to make any further comment. The annual report of BBC Worldwide the broadcaster’s overseas sales branch - says Top Gear notched up the corporation’s third title in the Guinness World Records, where it was named the world’s most widely watched factual TV program in 2013. The show, which started in 1988, has sparked various spin-offs including video games, a game app and Top Gear magazine. During 2012/13, the BBC said it had agreed new commercial deals with UK presenters Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond to ensure the show’s future for the next three years. The BBC declined to say how much Clarkson makes or how much “Top Gear” and its spin-offs earn for the company. (Reuters)
ED drugs not working? You may not be using them right British celebrity PR guru jailed Men who don’t have success with popular erectile dysfunction drugs may be using them incorrectly, suggests a new study from Spain. Of 172 men who were not properly using their erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs, 88 responded to the medicines after they were reeducated about the treatments. “The idea came to us when we saw that a lot of patients sent to our specialized unit to try a different treatment for ED were not taking the PDE5i under optimal conditions,” Dr. Borja Garcia Gomez told Reuters Health in an email. Gomez is an author of the new study from the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre in Madrid.
for 8 years for sex assaults
Britain’s best-known celebrity publicist was jailed for eight years on Friday for indecently assaulting teenage girls in the 1970s and 1980s, the first conviction from an inquiry into sex abuse triggered by revelations that the late BBC TV presenter Jimmy Savile had been a prolific sex offender over decades. Max Clifford, 71, whose clients have included TV music mogul Simon Cowell and U.S. boxer Muhammad Ali, was found guilty on eight counts of indecently assaulting four girls aged 14 to 19 between 1977 and 1984. He was cleared
on two charges and a jury couldn’t reach a verdict on an 11th charge dating back to 1966. Judge Anthony Leonard at London’s Southwark Crown Court imposed consecutive jail terms on Clifford due to the severity of the cases, which amounted to a total of eight years imprisonment of which Clifford is expected to serve half. Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said the sentence reflected the severity of the crimes and praised Clifford’s victims for coming forward. “I hope this provides other victims with the courage and confidence to come forward and
report abuse that may have happened to them, no matter who is alleged to have carried out the abuse or when,” Saunders said in a statement. Clifford was arrested in December 2012 as part of the Operation Yewtree police investigation into historic sexual assault. During the trial, the prosecution portrayed Clifford as a master of intimidation and manipulation who used his power and celebrity contacts to prey on girls seeking a career in showbusiness. Clifford had denied all charges, saying the allegations were “utterly repulsive” lies by fantasists and opportunists.
Sunday May, 04 2014
Kaieteur News
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RODNEY COI, OPENING A “CAN OF WORMS” FOR THE PNC By Ralph Seeram The PNC is worried, very worried, and has every right to be worried about disclosures emanating from the Rodney Commission of Inquiry; not that it’s anything new to older folks in Guyana and those in the Diaspora like myself. They have for good and selfish reasons to worry about what more than half the voting population in Guyana is now learning about a period of Guyana’s history that they never experienced. Today you read about how the PPP is undemocratic; how it’s a dictatorship, and to be honest some of the PPP behaviour brought this on. However young Guyanese are now learning what a true dictatorship was under the PNC, what a real police state Guyana was under PNC rule. The PNC knew this inquiry would damage its image, so it
sought to set the stage to discredit the Rodney COI early on by questioning the impartiality of the Guyanabor n m e m b e r o f t h e Commission, and this week digging up a 34-year-old speech by the Chairman of the COI. One does not have to be a scholar to know the findings of this COI will be very unfavorable to the PNC which calls itself APNU these days to escape the stigma attached to its dictatorial past. Today there is a proliferation of foreign goods in stores, foodstuff overflows in supermarket shelves, cars clog the streets of Georgetown, and foreign artistes are practically in Guyana every week to perform. What the young people are going to learn is that this was not so in the 70’s and 80’s. Today you can buy any number and kinds of bath soap. Back in the PNC days you were thankful when
someone come from abroad and gave you a bar of Irish Spring Soap. It was that bad; bath soap was a scarce commodity. They will learn that essential items like sugar, rice and cooking oil were scarce commodities. You spend nearly a half day in line to get a pint or two cooking oil, then while in the line you may hear that “sugar come in” at another distribution point, so you dispatch another family member to line up for sugar. This may sound unbelievable to the young, but that was life under the PNC. Oh and don’t even try to store up supplies. If the police raid your home and find what they consider excess supply for your household, you were charged for hoarding. Folks went to jail for having too much foodstuff in their home. You were jailed if you were found in possession of banned stuff like a can of sardines, tomato paste, potatoes and onions. That was also life under the PNC. Yes times were tough and people wanted a change. The
Witness denies relative was .... From page 51 the commission. According to the witness it was a “walkie-talkie” device which he received from a trusted friend that caused his untimely death on June 13, 1980. More lawyers added…. The wife and the children of the late Walter Rodney along with the Guyana Trades Union Congress are now being represented by Counsel at the Commission. Attorney at Law Andrew Pilgrim told Commission Chairman, Sir Richard
Cheltenham that he has been contacted and will be working in the interest of Rodney’s widow, Patricia Rodney, and her children. Pilgrim practises in Barbados. Attorney at Law, Keith Scotland, says that he will be representing Rodney’s brother; Donald Rodney. Scotland was recently admitted to the local bar in Guyana and in Trinidad and Tobago. The Guyana Trades Union Congress’ interest is being represented by Selwyn Peters
in conjunction with Brian Clarke. The COI, among other things, will inquire into who or what was responsible for the explosion that led to Rodney’s death, whether it was an accident or an act of terrorism and the role of some persons and agencies, if any, in his death. Rodney was killed on Friday, June 13, 1980 after a bomb exploded while he sat in his brother’s car on John Street, Werk-en-Rust outside the Georgetown Prisons.
opposition PPP was helpless, so here comes this brilliant Guyanese and political activist Dr.Walter Rodney, on the political scene. Here was a man who confronted, insulted, opposed, and was most likely to depose the PNC regime. Rodney was dangerous for the PNC. Why? Rodney’s political meetings drew thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life all races. In Berbice he drew thousands of people in PPP strongholds on the Corentyne, and I would say more than Dr. Cheddi Jagan would attract at the time. Remember Guyana was a police state. While his meetings would draw thousands, it would also draw PNC thugs who would disrupt the meetings, cut the PA systems wires, and beat up WPA supporters, with the police standing by watching. I t would seem as if the police were there to protect the PNC thugs instead of maintaining law and order.
This is not hearsay; as a reporter back then I witnessed this with my own eyes. I recalled one instance in New Amsterdam, where a WPA activist was stomped to the ground by PNC thugs in sight of the police. One particular person whom I knew, kicked the WPA activist without mercy while the poor man was lying helplessly on the ground. But you know what, Karma is bitch. Years later that very leg that did the kicking was paralyzed with a stroke; Karma. All hope and inspirations for a change died that June in 1980. My hope for a better Guyana died too with his death. Two months later I was in the United States with my family. And what does Rodney’s death and the United States have in common today? In Rodney days the PPP were clamoring for the US to intervene and bring democracy to Guyana. This week the PPP government revoked the visa of the head of a US democracy project in Guyana. What irony.
A project like this the PPP would have welcome with open arms when in the opposition, so many wondered why the opposition now. The PPP is playing a dangerous game when they upped the ante with the revocation of the visa, I wondered if they thought this one through, I always felt that the President is being given wrong advice by the Jagdeo entrenched clique around him. There is going to be serious retaliation, seen and unseen, by the US, be sure of that, it would be more subtle than cancelling visas. Many in the PPP must be worried. If the PPP government falls, many would run to the US, and if the PPP loses, many Government officials will find their escape route blocked by the US. My old departed friend and folklorist Wordsworth Mc Andrew would have sized up the situation like this “Don’t wake a sleeping tiger”. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com
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Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale.Call:627-5416
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Two stalls suitable for cellphones, electronics, pharmacy etc @ Bourda Market (facing Regent street)- Call:220-1324/ 6430000 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Pork - $380, Pork Chops - $650, leg pork - $480lb, salted pork $450 (8 Lbs pails) @ Geroge & Hadfield Sts. Red Honda 250 Twister motorcycle – Contact:6713533; 681-2217
FOR SALE
Toyota Forklift - Excellent condition, 4,000lbs capacity, 117" Lift, Solid Wheels, Automatic Transmission, 4 Cylinder LPG Motor. Call: 604-6108. Cheap earth delivered to spot E.C.D and E.B.D- Call:6279977, 698-0182 Tibetan Pups – Call:2254780, 601-5927 Brand new Acer Chrome book C7 laptop - $39,000 – Call: 6274468 for more details Wed bred Yankee stallion, sea rockette yearling, going reasonable – Tel:601-0993 MERCURY 99.99% PURE ELEMENT LAB GRADE. THIS IS USAQUALITY, NOT CHINESE. $1M PER FLASK – CALL:592-649-5376 2 months old Rottweiler pups Honda Welder, 270 Amps, & 7 weeks old Rottweiler 2002 Tundra – Call:611-5114, pups for sale- Tel:683-4832, 220-4495 263-5755 PORK WHOLE SALE, 16 GB I-pad with retina WHOLE, HALF & display, WI-FI & cellular QUARTER CARCASS. NO capacity - $70,000, 16GB IPod HEAD! NO TROTTERS! – Nano touch - $30,000 – CALL:266-2711, 609-4594 Call:686-7579, 231-7537 Day-beds, office desk, Pure bred pit bull pups 6 vases, divider, table, suite, weeks old, fully vaccinated radio set, guitar and more – and de-wormed, clinic cards, Tel:226-2284 excellent structure – Call:6541-CAT 320 excavator, 1-22 5061, 686-9188 RB long boom dragline, 1- 1 Toyota RAV 4, 2001 Model, helmet & hammer, 1-120G PLL 9804 – Tel:686-5083 motor grader -D4H CAT bulldozer- Good condition- 1 -3 bedrooms, flat concrete house at La Grange – Tel:613Call:660-4021/275-0578 4131 1 Playstation3 with games $65,000, 1 – XBOX360 with games - $60,000, Used XBOX360 - $25,000, PSP $15,000, DS - $15,000 – Tel:621-7497, 603-8643 Loving, fluffy puppies – Call: 645-0240, 685-0942 One 210 Hyundai Excavator PEN PAL with one complete 6" Dredge and also 4" Dredge Contact: Lifelong partners, friends, 690-1568 companions- Call: 223-8237/ CBR motor cycle- Honda 648-6098 (8:30am-5pm) both same hours. 2007 model with installed phones power commander - $800,000 Confidential rules apply. neg. Contact Chris Da Silva Honest young man seeks – 678-0545, 226-4985 & 223- decent and committed female 7376 between 18-26yrs for serious One Brand new led relationship – Call: 639-8474 Television with 3D glass – Contact:623-1615 1–48 Feet Boat with 900lb ice box, price negotiable – Tel:609-0783 Pit-bull pups, 7 weeks old – Contact Chandra:695-7340, 699-1625 Clean Garden Earth & builders waste, our service also includes Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing & leveling - Call:616-0617, 6633285
Double lot with house at East Bank Demerara, one block away from Public Road – Call: 621-1766 One property for sale at Covent Garden Island, EBD – Call: 265-3586 1 – 2 storey wooden & concrete house with 5 bedrooms, upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M – Tel: 642-7898 Houses & land from $15M$35M Vreed-En-Hoop to Parika, Georgetown to Mahaica & Timehri, Parfaite Harmonie - $1M-2.5M – Call: 675-7292 One commercial property located at Broad St, Charlestown, close to the Public Road – Call:615-7526, 661-9885 1 Newly built 2 storey concrete house @ Canal No#2 Belle West - Tel: 6153333; 648-9428 West Bank - $20M, Kitty $32M, AA Eccles - $56M, Land – $400,000 per acre Call Diana :227-2256, 626-9382 Prime Business property, huge land space 200’X50'. Next to Police Outpost at Mc Doom. Tel: 233-0570 Republic Park P.H.I – Three bedroom house - $45M – Phone:617-4261 House at lot 97 Fourth Street, Pearl East Bank Demerara – Call:223-9362 New 28’X35’ concrete flat $7.5M at La Parafaite Harmonie W.B.D – Call:6618700, 604-3568 Property @ Oronoque Street near regent Street. Also double stall in Bourda market facing Regent street- Call:2201324/ 643-0000 One flat house for sale at Railway Embankment – Price:$6,500,000- Contact:6896255 FOR SALE/RENTAL
One nails table – Tel: 628-9297 or 602-5469 Secured Concrete bond 87’X32’ at Public Road McDoom, lots of yard space. Suitable for Car Mart. Tel: 2330570 One large bedroom apartment for rent, preferably couple at Lot 28 Hadfield Street Lodge – Call:626-9299 A shop to rent at 40 Norton Street Wortmanville, price $50,000 only serious persons interested call:667-1268.
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com
Wings Car Rental- Call:6431131 Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
VACANCY Experienced hairdressers at Magic Touch Salon- Call:2256492 One machinist & one welder – Call:234-0780 or 613-1588 Office clerk senior/junior. CXC: English, Mathematics & computer knowledge an assetCall:225-0188/223-7500 One female to assort and arrange goods. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Pump Attendant at Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) – Tel: 265-7305 Hire car drivers from E.C.D – Contact A1 Taxi – Call:220-1000 Cashiers at Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm12pm) – Tel: 265-7305 Professional HAIRSTYLIST NEEDED at DIVA HAIR SALON, TORTOLA BVI. 5+ years experience required.
LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie - $2.2M (Prime High Income Area) (100ft X 50ft), Parfaite Harmonie - $1M, Herstelling - $3M – Call: 675-7292 138FT x 1750FT 5.5 acres at Canal No.2- Price $15MCall:227-7734
American Pool Table – Call:277-0578
Progressive Auto Rental - carsCall: 643-5122 or 225-8711, Email:pro_autorental@yahoo.com CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery; also edible images and Wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One upper flat @ 6th Street Cummings Lodge ECD – Call:622-3580 House @ Lot ‘M’ First Street, Grove Housing Scheme, E.B.D – 3 bedrooms & bottom flat, big yard space – Tel:265-3055, 647-2296 Barber Station at Lot 109 Durban Street W/Rust, Georgetown – Call:682-6396 One bedroom apartment – self contained, fully grilled at Land of Canaan, EBD – Contact Navo: 615-9441,266-5563
Sunday May 04, 2014
EDUCATIONAL Practical Electronic Course beginning May 6th 2014 – Call Abdul Electronics – 226-6551 or 225-0391 Computer training for seniors, lowest prices offered – Call:661-0515, 622-7036 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 TO LET One bottom flat 2 bedrooms apartment at 91 Middle Road, La Penitence Georgetown $40,000 monthly. Contact Mohamed:621-5902, 225-1400 Two Bedroom Apartment on ECD – Tel:684-8906
TO LET Paradise - $35,000, Eccles $60,000, Ogle – US$750, Atlantic Garden – US$900 – Call Diana: 227-2256, 6269382 Furnished apartment in Eccles with cable, AC, Internet access, etc – call: 233-2770 One 2 bedrooms house at Unity East Coast Demerara – Call: 259-3170, 259-3299 Furnished and unfurnished two bedrooms apartment in Eccles, for short or long term – Tel:643-1131 One bedroom furnished apartment @ Lot 4 Henry Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown – Call Winston: 660-6446 New modern 2 bedroom apartment @ Bel-Air. Furnished, AC, Hot & Cold, CCTV, Expat preferred, no agents please – Call:692-0986 One two bedroom apartment to rent at Lot 72 West Ruimveldt - $50,000 per month – Call:692-7377. One room at 11 Charles Street, Charlestown (Bachelor preferred) – Call:223-4060
VEHICLE FOR SALE First Class Auto: Premio, Allion, Spacio, Raum, 212, Allex, Runx, IST, Fielder, Bluebird, Axela – Tel:6098188, 638-3045 One 8,000 Ford Tractor, one 450 Ford Towing Truck & size 16 & 17 tyres - Contact Floyd: 694-5599 One Toyota AT192, good condition – Price $850,000 negotiable – Tel: 616-1671 2008 Blue Bird - $3M, 2005 Spacio - $2.1M, 2006 Premio - $2.3M. ALL VEHICLES FULLY LOADED & UNREGISTERED- Call:6427295 1 -1RZ, 15 seater, automatic mini-bus, BNN 3760 - $1.5M Negotiable. Good condition, never used for public transportation – Tel:628-0310 ; 672-5429 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30-seater buses; extra-cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 Pre-order: AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN RZ & Pit-bull, 7seater Super Customs. Cash/ terms- Call:680-3154 Unregistered Toyota Raum - Year 2004 , black interior, HID lights, power door, TV navigation – Tel:617-5536 Smart Choice Auto Sales: Unregistered: Premio, Spacio, Allion, Allex, IST, 212, Fielder, Voxy– Call:6523820; 665-4529 Unregistered 2002 PremioPhone: 227-5950 or 6817117 One Toyota RAV, 4 PNN Series- Contact: 650-7875. Serious Enquires only! Sold by first owner! Toyota Avensis, PRR Series, immaculate condition, leather interior, alarm, A/C, TV, 18" Rims, HID - $3.250 Neg. – Call: 609-7257, 602-5794 Toyota Spacio – TV/DVD/ CD, body kit, reverse camera. Never registered - $2.1M. Call:617-2891 One AE100 Corolla, in good condition, engine just overhaul - $600,000 – Call: 592-6920986 1 Carina AT212, PMM Series, very good condition. Leather seats, flash drive deck, rims. Price negotiable – call: 6631576 One Toyota Land cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 225-0188, 223-7500, MonFri 8:15-4:15pm, Sat – 8:151:15PM Toyota Raum, Spacio, AT212, AT192, NZE ,L-Touring wagon, Fun Cargo, IST, Nissan E24 Caravan – Tel: 6445096; 697-1453 (Continued on page 55)
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 55
Brassington deafeningly... From page 9 this multi-billion dollar project. The company that prepared the feasibility study had set the completion date for the end of March this year. This clearly was not achieved and Brassington continues to remain mum on the state of the negotiations with the private investor. He has not publicly communicated any new timelines for the financial closure for US$39M still outstanding for the project. Head of State, Donald Ramotar, in March also promised that the information would be made public shortly after but to date this has not become a reality. He also provided a completely new financing structure for the project. Ramotar told media operatives during a press briefing at Office of the President on March 28 that “there is a lot of interest in Marriott from local banks that are here; we have local banks involved, we have also foreign banks involved and we do have a foreign investor.” According to Brassington, the Chairman of the Special Purpose Company created to build and own the hotel, Atlantic Hotel Inc.; its construction comes through debt and equity. NICIL was supposed to be investing US$4M and lending the project US$15.5M; Republic Bank Trinidad was asked to
syndicate US$27M while a still to be named investor was to invest US$8M. Brassington is also yet to provide answers as it relates to the proposals submitted by private persons or companies to run the casino and restaurant that will be a part of the Marriott Hotel. The Guyana Government is, to date, the sole investor in the Georgetown Marriott Hotel given that AHI is yet to have financial closure for US$39M of the US$58.5M required for its completion. Brassington, last September, held a special media briefing on the project. He told reporters that while the AHI would have executed a number of agreements with Republic Bank and the private investor, whom he is still to name, there is no definitive financial closure for the money as yet. That still to be named private investor will own 67 per cent shares in the company while government will own 33 per cent. Republic Bank has been asked to solicit a total of US$31M, to be repaid at an interest rate of 8.9 per cent, while NICIL will be lending US$15.5M with zero per cent return. According to the Feasibility Study undertaken for the project by a Miami based HVS Consulting and Valuation, the Senior Debt, solicited by Republic Bank will receive payment before the preferred equity, the NICIL equity, and the NICIL debt.
As it relates to the US$15.5M lent to the project by NICIL, this will be repaid, “when cash flows enable.” Incidentally, five years after the Hotel begins its operations it will take on an additional loan of US$5M. Repayment of this loan will also take priority over the NICIL’s loan. The unnamed private investor scheduled to put in US$8M, in the Georgetown Marriott Hotel is expected to rake in approximately US$46M after 10 years. This is documented in the extract of the feasibility report which was released to the media. According to reports, during the first three years of the hotel’s operation AHI will pay the still to be named private investor US$1.3M. From year four of the hotel’s operation, the unnamed private investor will be paid US$1.2M each year for the next six years. The feasibility study done for the Marriott Hotel has included in its projections for the success of the Marriott Hotel, that “we have assumed” that a portion of the nation’s economic development initiatives are realized.” The report says, “These include but are not limited to, the cultivation of a portion of Guyana’s crude oil.” This would mean that included in the factors that would make the Marriott feasible for the country is the need for Guyana to find oil. This is yet to happen.
Organizing, holding leaders... From page 14 knowledge in the movement. It is not for government or Parliament or the Caribbean Community (Caricom) alone, he said. All should make their contribution and moreover educate themselves, he added. Solomon was adamant that the movement must be strong, with a strong organization to back it. He noted however that the support of the government is lacking. It was thus agreed by the attendees that support from the central government is weak. “I am aware that the committee is very deficient,” Solomon related before reminding the gathering that leaders have to be held accountable when commitments and promises are made, but not upheld. He charged that there isn't satisfactory recognition for the movement and the reparations committee. Chairman Eric Phillips was thorough in the explanation of what he described as the “business of reparations.” He explained that
Chopped woman.... From page 51 usually made a lot of noise whenever strangers entered the yard. They believe that the man used food to lure the dogs away. “Fuss thing, dem dog dis bad wha da man gat. Earlier he been at de shop and buy sardine and bread and milk and he feed dem dogs,” a neighbour told this newspaper. “Whenever she (Ramdat) drink and does cuss out, you does hear she voice till away so. How come you nah hear she holler when dem ah chop she?” another neighbour said.
slavery is a business. He detailed the findings of research information being complied for the June approach to Europe. He explained the decimation of Africans and the manner in which their numbers dwindled. The act of slavery and genocide was a crime, “organized crime, and according to the United Nations, a crime against humanity,” he said. Phillips went on to explain the existing effects of slavery in today's societies and how much it has contributed to the global economy. He further identified methods of what was described as modern day slavery; one such being debt; holding countries indebted is another form of enslavement. Phillips questioned why Africans should not be re-paid for slavery when compensation has been paid for the loss of slaves after rebellions and emancipation. According to calculations, Phillips said, today, Guyana is owed some $34.5 trillion given the number of slaves brought here, the products produced and the hardships faced. Guyana was tagged to have had the second largest number of slaves, facing the hardest work conditions given the terrain. Attorney, Nigel Hughes, related the legal dimensions to seeking reparations and made suggestions on some aspects that might have been overlooked, including a demand for an international tribunal specifically equip to deal with such matters of crimes against humanity, thus paving a way for a means of dealing with future matters that could arise. Slavery was described as the first atomic bomb, destroying the lives of Africans; their culture, way of life and family.
VEHICLE FOR SALE Madza Axela (PNN Series) with mag rims - $2M negotiable – Tel:660-9209 New Model Hilux Surf and RX8 – Very clean vehicles. Terms available – Call:6418647 Toyota Allion (PLL Series), female driven - $2M negotiable – Tel:660-9209 One AA60 Carina - Call:6895254, 643-0332, 256-0504 One Toyota Allion for sale. Owner leaving the country – Call:621-5407/627-6728 1- Toyota Corolla AE100, excellent condition, A/C, mag rims, alarm, DVD player - $825,000 neg. – Call: 2253217, 612-9625, 695-6461 Solid Def and 2 ton dump truck, never registered @ Annandale public roadcall:643-0000 1 - Toyota RZ (Long Base) mini-bus, gear, mags, hardly used, (EFI) - Price:$1.5M Contact Rocky:621-5902 or 225-1400 1 – Toyota Raum (PMM Series) automatic, fully powered, A/C, mags, alarm – Price$1.3M- Contact Rocky:621-5902 or 225-1400 Toyota extra cab pick-up (22 R engine) manual, (EFI) 4×4, (GPP series) price $2.4MContact Rocky 621-5902/2251400 1- AT 192 Carina (Private) automatic, fully powered, mags, A/C - price$1.1M Contact Rocky:225-1400 1 Suzuki R1 wagon (Jeep) Automatic, Fully Powered with A/C, hardly used – Price:$1.2M Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400 Reg# PNN 2034 Toyota Corolla fields wagon, navy blue, magrims, CD player, alarm system, roof rock – Call:621-0045 2 – 1 RZ Van -$660,000, bus$500,000, 1 RZ Boby, RZ parts & Spares, 1 Solid Def 2 Door, G5591 – Call:614-6410, 6492450 Toyota Fielder: TV, CD, DVD, power windows, auto lock, AC, body kit - $1.5M – Call:639-8474 4 Wheel TM Bedford with Winch – Call:674-4649 Seinta and Noah with Body Kits – unregistered and top notch condition with terms available – Call:641-8647 Stick gear and automatic Pitbull and RZ buses at the best prices around – Tel:641-8647 2 Ton freezer canter, GRR Series – Call:658-3209
For our advertising rates call: 225-8491
(From page 54)
SERVICES A-Z PARTY SERVICE: Let’s Entertain the Kids - Face Painting, Bouncy Castle, Costume Characters, Games, Etc Call:660-5257 PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call: 2310655,683-8734 Omar Drafting of house plans 3D realistic and 2D view comprehensive estimates. Free approval processingCall:674-0725/266-2154 Brian Moe @ 642-3543; computer technician; FB:Brian.Moe165; home and office visits at your comfort.!!! Repairs to washers, dryers, stoves, deep fryers, control system, etc – Call:619-0793, 699-8802
WANTED Urgently needed live in waitresses to work in Bar, offering an attractive salary – Call:689-8859 One experienced supervisor; one experienced manager. Attractive salary offered. Call 627-0799 One Excavator operator to work in Georgetown. Attractive salary offered… 627-0799 Wanted, one stone quarry, one sand pit. … Call 622-7933
WANTED One cook to prepare Indian Dishes & cutters from 4pm -12am (mid-night) at a bar in Kitty – Call:618-2691, 677-9085 Experienced carpenter, labourer, mason for job at Providence & L.B.I, E.C.D – Call:690-7316 (8:00am5:00pm) Part-time salesman to sell locally manufactured Windows & Doors of High Quality - Telephone #6005253 One mechanic to work in the interior. Must have knowledge about Cummings Engine – Call:681-6044 Driver needed to work one Toyota 212, preferably from East Coast Demerara. Please contact:658-5376 or 690-4154 Live-in waitress- Call:6439007/ 664-1804 Live-out domestic babysitter and live-in babysitter – Call:225-0188, 223-7500 (Monday to Saturday ) (8:15am-4:15pm) Skilled carpenters to work in Linden- Contact:625-0930; 668-9863 Farm workers to work on Highway – Tel:644-6693, 6957075 We buy all low income lands especially in La Parfaite Harmonie 218-5591 or 6757292 Home tutoring in Diamond, Children 7 and 8, Time:3-5:30pmContact: 657-8732 One night guard – Call: 2251276, 666-7734 Experienced roti/puri cooks, curry cooks, pastry makers. Apply at Hack’s Halaal, Lot 5 Commerce Street EXPERIENCED DRIVERS: Apply with VALID Police Clearance & Driver Licence. – Tel:231-8529, 231-2344 Live-in couple. Husband: driving duties; wife: domestic. Good rates & accommodation – Tel:227-1830 Bartenders & security at El Club Latino – Call:650-4155 or 616-2902 from 10am to 6pm Cars with drivers to work at base located in Sophia (low base fee) – Call:613-1847 Experienced taxi driver, mini bus driver and dispatcher at Princess Hotel – Tel:2657075, 265-7076 Mechanical Coconut Greater- Contact: 267-2355 or 622-2290
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 04, 2014
Wanted man ‘Rambo’ busted with ganja in courtyard Notorious wanted man, Tameshwar Khemraj, called “Rambo”, 27, of Lot 171 Nigg, Corentyne, Berbice who was wanted for a number of misdemeanors, has been remanded to jail. Khemraj, who was wanted for a number of matters including the Rose Hall Town $10M robbery, was nabbed when he turned up at the Albion Magistrate’s Court for a matter. At the time he was found with six grams of cannabis in his pocket while in the precincts of the police station and Magistrate’s Court. He was in court, accused of robbing Tageram Madramootoo on October 10, last at Nigg. He was granted bail in the matter and a decision is pending. He appeared on Friday in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Shurdell IsaacsMarcus on three different charges. According to Prosecutor Sergeant Godfrey Playter the man who is well known to the authorities was charged on April 29, while at the Albion Police Station. On Saturday April 19, at Nigg Settlement Corentyne, Berbice he threatened Odessa Narine. The woman was at her home washing her motor car when the accused threatened her on more than one occasion. He first drove up in a motor car and used a series of expletives towards her before returning
on a motorcycle. He reportedly told her she can’t live there and threatened to burn down her house. He allegedly boasted of taking away $10M and also pulled a black object from his waist. The woman became afraid for her life and reported the matter to the police station. He was not arrested since he was on the run. Khemraj was also charged for the $10M robbery that was committed on Corentyne businessman, Ramlingum Mangalie, around 07:15 hrs on Wednesday April 9 at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. Mangalie was in his minivan PPP 1632 when two unmasked armed bandits on a motor cycle which bore no registration number. The men proceeded to rob the man of the cash that he was about to deposit into the Republic Bank Rose Hall Branch. Ramlingum, his brother Subramanie Mangalie and father Mangalie Permaul, own and operate the Permaul’s Snackette, Trading and Distribution store at Lot 30 B Albion Road, Corentyne. The men discharged some rounds before grabbing a bag containing $7M which belonged to Subramanie. They then grabbed another bag containing $3M which belonged to Ramlingum before fleeing the scene on the motor cycle. Khemraj was refused bail on the robbery charge and granted 10,000 each on the
other two matters. He will have to return to court on May 20, next, at the Albion Magistrate’s Court. His alleged accomplice Davendra Harricharran called ‘Bara’ 27 of Nigg Squatting area Corentyne Berbice was subsequently caught and remanded to jail. ‘Rambo’ was also wanted for questioning in the robbery/rape committed at Lot 21 Maida Farm Corentyne, Berbice on April 12, last. During that ordeal which occurred around 20:00 hrs, three armed masked bandits with a shotgun, a cutlass and knife entered the home of a hire car driver Rasheed Mohamed, 33, and robbed him of cash, a cell phone and jewelry. The men also robbed the man’s wife of a substantial sum of cash and a large quantity of gold jewelry. They also robbed two other persons who were in the home at the time of cash and a quantity of gold and other jewelry, a cell phone and $700 US. Rambo was also among four bandits who had on Saturday June 2, 2011 at Cumberland, East Canje while armed with an AK 47, cutlasses and knives robbed a couple of over $1M in cash and jewelry, four cell phones and a quantity of jewelry. They were subsequently tracked down and held at a house at Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice.
Killers appeal conviction and sentence Attorney at law Murseline Bacchus has filed a motion of appeal in the High Court following the conviction and sentence of two clients on the counts of murder. The two men, Joshua Persaud, called ‘Sunny Boy’ and ‘Bun Boy’, 25, of Bloomfield and Raphael Rene Morrison, called “Red Head”, 24, of Auchlyne Estate, Corentyne, Berbice, were convicted before Justice Diana Insanally and a mixed jury for the murder of Marlon Andrew Ramcharran on June 3, last year. They were subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 20 years each in jail. State Prosecutor Renita Singh in presenting the state case had stated that on the day in question Ramcharran was at a bar in the village where he met two friends, Nicholas Beharry and Rakesh Jaikarran. They subsequently went to a disco during which time they met the two accused. Some time during the night there was an altercation between the accused and
some other guys and the accused and Ramcharran. The friends subsequently left the bar and Marlon went ahead and his two friends followed behind. The friends consequently heard Marlon pleading ‘you chopping the wrong person’. Beharry and Rakesh then ran to where Marlon was shouting and there they saw the two accused chopping him. Marlon was later found lying on the ground in a pool of blood. During the trial the Prosecution called a number of witnesses including Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police Gary Mc Allister, Detective Constables Emmanuel Rajnauth and Andel Doris, Police Constable Nkofi Austin and Dr. Nehaul Singh who performed the Post Mortem examination which had revealed that the cause of death was due to shock and hemorrhage due to multiple incised wounds. The court had also visited the scene of the crime at Tain. Magistrate Fabio Azore and Detective Corporal Primus
Sam were also called to testify.During the trial both star witnesses (eye witnesses) Nicolas Beharry and Rakesh Jaikarran had given evidencein-chief. Attorney at Law Bacchus is appealing on a number of grounds including –the learned trial judge erred in law by not upholding the “nocase” submission put forward by Counsel and not directing an acquittal. He is also arguing that admissible evidence was wrongfully ruled by the learnt trial judge to be inadmissible. Counsel is contending that the learned judge erred in ruling that two of the witnesses for the prosecution could not be contradicted by their previous inconsistent statements. The law on inconsistency and contradictions was not properly put to the jury nor was the law on visual identification. The defence of the appellant was not adequately put to the jury he argued and the sentence was unduly severe.
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Probe into unethical lawyers: prison officers refuse to meet with Anand Trinidad Express - The Prison Officers Association (POA) has refused to meet with Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to discuss concerns about attorneys and prison inmates involved in prison litigation against the State. Their refusal comes two days after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar ignored calls for Ramlogan to step aside from any probe involving his ministry and lawyers in prison litigation and instructed him to meet with various stakeholders to address the POA complaints. In refusing Ramlogan’s invitation to meet at his ministry on Monday, the POA maintains that only an independent investigation done on the matter would be adequate to determine why certain cases were settled and judgments filed in default for others. Those issues, said president of the POA Ceron Richards, were important as money paid to prisoners could be ploughed into improving the prisons. Richards told the Express that he was not being “disrespectful” but “the AG’s office is central to this matter and we reject any call for such
a meeting”. “Our consistent and clear call is for an independent investigation,” he said. In a statement issued yesterday, the POA said it was disappointed by PersadBissessar’s decision to appoint Ramlogan to a team to address their concerns. “It is our firm view that this decision will not result in any objective outcome since the Attorney General has reported that a previous investigation done by his office revealed nothing to substantiate the claims made by the former solicitor general. “Additionally, it does not seem logical to us that it is prudent as it relates to transparency for the parties named by the Prime Minister to undertake such an investigation since to do so will appear that ‘himself is investigating himself’. That is, each office named by the Prime Minister has a critical role in the process of handling these matters and is being asked to review themselves,” the POA said. On Wednesday, PersadBissessar said she had noted the concerns of former solicitor general Eleanor DonaldsonHoneywell, SC and that of
Anand Ramlogan the POA to have the matter probed further and had set up a seven member team which includes Ramlogan, Acting Solicitor General Carol Hernandez, Commissioner of Prisons Conrad Barrow, Inspector of Prisons Daniel Khan, Minister of Justice Emmanuel George and Chief State Solicitor Christophe Grant to address concerns. Furthermore, the POA said it was concerned about statements made by Ramlogan “on a television station which appeared to convey very negative connotations about Prison Officers in the conduct of their duties as keepers of the states prisoners and those responsible for public safety.”
Antigua Finance Minister disagrees with IMF on local economy ST JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda government says it does not consider the island’s fiscal situation to be unsustainable as it responded to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report that it is concerned that the macroeconomic performance of Antigua and Barbuda has deteriorated in recent times. Finance Minister Harold Lovell says the Baldwin Spencer government has adopted new strategies to stimulate the economy with which the Washington-based financial institution disagreed. He said those fiscal measures include the major tax breaks given under the Tourism and Business (Special Incentives) Act and the reduction in Personal Income Tax. “We agreed to a package of incentives which ultimately will cause persons, we expect, to be attracted to investment in Antigua. It’s intended as a stimulus. The IMF does not like measures of that nature.
“We felt we had to reduce the taxes in terms of attracting investment by locals and foreigners and obviously it’s not something they agree with.” The IMF said the deterioration in the macroeconomic performance had been observed in the months following the conclusion of the three-yearold Stand-By Arrangement, weakening the growth outlook and exacerbating downside risks. The IMF said the local economy is facing “headwinds”. “In 2013, economic growth was somewhat lower than projected at the time of the SBA review and the fiscal deficit widened substantially. This year, the economy is expected to grow by 1.6 per cent, up from 0.5 per cent in 2013; and inflation is expected to remain subdued at around one per cent,” the IMF said. “However, risks to this outlook are high, stemming in particular from the country’s unsustainable fiscal situation,
and the large share of nonperforming loans in the banking system,” the Washington-based financial institution said. It said that the executive directors had noted with “concern that the macroeconomic performance has deteriorated in the months following the conclusion of the SBA with the Fund, weakening the growth outlook and exacerbating downside risks”. Lovell said, while the Spencer government respects the views of the IMF, it will also make decisions independently. “We also agreed we would trim a bit off the Personal Income Tax… That’s not something they (IMF) agreed with, but we’re a sovereign country and we continue to do the things which we, in our view, think are the right things to do. “At the end of the day, it’s one position against another position. We respect their position, we just don’t agree with it,” Lovell added.
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Thirteen injured after boat crashes onto sandbank - Operator was unlicensed Thirteen passengers were injured at around 05.00 hrs yesterday after a Bartica-bound jet-propelled boat, manned by an unlicensed operator, careened onto a sandbank at Ampa Bay in the Essequibo River. Four of the victims were admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
(GPHC). Those at the GPHC are Devon Williams, 28, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; Charles Richards, 41; Curtis Burnett, 37, of Hibiscus Place, West Coast Demerara; and Clairmont Willaims,49, of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. At least three of the victims sustained fractured limbs.
Also at a private hospital are Sharon Daconcei, 28, of Grove, East Bank Demerara, and Marcus Nagaherio, a Brazilian. Ms. Daconcei’s eight-month-old son, Jonathon, who was in the vessel, was examined by a doctor, but suffered no injuries. Police identified some of the other passengers as Simon Holder, 46, Terrence Warrick, 51; and Jose Da Silva Souza, 38, a Brazilian national residing at
Bartica. The vessel is owned by Barakat Speedboat Service, located in Georgetown. Police said that the unlicensed operator, indentified as Michael Williams, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, fled the scene and is still to be arrested. Several miners were on the vessel, which was to have headed to Piari Landing, Mazaruni, after stopping at Bartica. Charles Richards, who sustained a cut to his chin, told Kaieteur News that the vessel “crashed into the bushes. Richard said everyone on the vessel was asleep when the accident occurred. According to police reports, the jet-propelled vessel was in the vicinity of Ampa Bay, located some three and a half miles from Bartica, when it rammed into a tree near a sandbank. Kaieteur News was told that the operator from another speedboat took the passengers to Bartica, where they were treated. The injured were then transported to Parika and taken by ambulance to the GPHC. A source said that the operator took his boat from the scene and is still to be arrested. A release from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) stated that officials have travelled to the area to conduct an investigation.
Charles Richard
Marcus Nagaherio Sharon Daconcei and her baby boy, Jonathon
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Dozens killed in Ukraine fighting U.S. warns of plan to and fire; OSCE monitors freed attack hotel in Lagos
European military observers ODESSA/SLAVIANSK, Ukraine - (Reuters) - At least 42 people were killed in a street battle between supporters and opponents of Russia in southern Ukraine that ended with dozens of pro-Russian protesters incinerated in a burning building, bringing the country closer to war. Pro-Russian rebels in the east freed seven European military observers yesterday after holding them hostage for eight days, while Kiev pressed on with its biggest military operation so far to reclaim rebel-held territory in the area. The riot in the Black Sea port of Odessa, ending in a deadly blaze in a besieged trade union building, was by far the worst incident in Ukraine since a February uprising that ended with a proRussian president fleeing the country. A couple of hundred proRussian protesters in the eastern city of Donetsk stormed the governor’s business premises and the state security headquarters, ransacking files and smashing windows. The attack reflected growing disorder in the area, targeting as it did a security building that had already been brought under rebel control. This is for yesterday!” said Tatiana Kamniva outside the governor’s office.
“They’re monsters, worse than monsters.” The Odessa clashes spread the violence from the eastern separatist heartland to an area far from the Russian frontier, raising the prospect of unrest sweeping more broadly across a country of around 45 million people the size of France. The Kremlin, which has massed tens of thousands of soldiers on Ukraine’s eastern border and proclaims the right to invade to protect Russian speakers, said the government in Kiev and its Western backers were responsible for the deaths. Kiev said the violence was provoked by foreign demonstrators sent in from Transdniestria, a nearby breakaway pro-Russian region of Moldova where Moscow has a military garrison. It said most of the dead who had been identified so far were from there. Yesterday morning, people placed flowers near the burnt-out doors of the trade union building, lighting candles and putting up the yellow, white and red flag of the city. About 2,000 proRussian protesters outside the burnt-out building chanted “Odessa is a Russian city”. Events took a violent turn
on Friday when a column of soccer supporters, chanting support for Ukraine’s leaders, clashed with men in black, some firing pistols. Television pictures showed police caught between the two sides. Clashes then spread along the streets until rebels moved into a large trade union building. Petrol bombs were thrown and shots were heard though the exact sequence and detail of events remained unclear yesterday. Oleg Konstantinov, a journalist covering the events for a local Internet site, said bullets had flown in the melee before the blaze: “I was hit in the arm, then I started crawling, and then got hit in the back and leg.” The Odessa bloodshed came on the same day that Kiev launched its biggest push yet to reassert its control over separatist areas in the east, hundreds of kilometers away, where armed proRussian rebels have proclaimed a “People’s Republic of Donetsk”. The rebels there aim to hold a referendum on May 11 on secession from Ukraine, similar to one staged in March in Ukraine’s Crimea region, which was seized and annexed by Russia in a move that overturned the post-Cold War diplomatic order.
ABUJA - (Reuters) - The United States has warned its citizens of a plan to attack one of two Sheraton hotels near Lagos, Nigeria’s main commercial hub which attracts many foreign business people and which so far has been spared by the country’s violent Islamist militants. In a statement on its website, the State Department said those behind the plot were “groups associated with terrorism”, but gave no further details. Nigeria is grappling with an increasingly violent Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands in the past five years. Two recent bomb attacks on the edge of the capital Abuja have
heightened security concerns ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa that will be held in the city on May 7-9. Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which is fighting to carve an Islamic state out of religiously mixed Nigeria, is still mostly confined to the northeast, although it has struck across the north and in Nigeria’s capital, in the center. The group has never attacked Lagos, a sprawling city of 21 million people, although its leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to do so. “As of late April, groups associated with terrorism allegedly planned to mount an
unspecified attack against the Sheraton Hotel in Nigeria, near the city of Lagos,” the State Department said late on Friday. “There was no further information regarding which of the two Sheraton Hotels in Lagos was the possible target ... There is no further information regarding the timing or method of attack.” It cautioned U.S. citizens to avoid the hotels. The Sheraton brand is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Lagos is more frequently visited by foreign business people than Abuja, the seat of Nigeria’s government, although oil executives often visit the capital to cut deals.
Senator urges Hillary Clinton to seek presidency WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia yesterday endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, even though the former secretary of state has not announced whether she will seek the White House in 2016. Kaine, who backed Barack Obama when he beat Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, announced his support on Twitter and at breakfast meeting of the South Carolina Women’s Democratic Council in Columbia, South Carolina. “Today I encouraged Hillary Clinton to run for president & pledged my support for her candidacy if she does,” Kaine said in a tweet that linked to his remarks on www.readyforhillary.com, website of one of the most prominent pro-Clinton organizations. “She understands the challenges facing Americans from all walks of life and has the compassion and skill necessary to help improve our
everyday lives,” Kaine, former governor of Virginia, said in remarks prepared for the breakfast meeting, according to the website. Kaine added Clinton’s work as secretary of state, senator from New York and first lady during her husband Bill Clinton’s presidency also give her a deep background on foreign policy.
Polls taken this year show Clinton with an advantage of more than 50 percentage points over other potential Democratic candidates, including Vice President Joe Biden. Clinton said in April she was thinking about running in 2016 and was “going to continue to think about it for a while.”
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“Jamaica win again, ably led by Tamar Lambert!” It is hearty “Congratulations” to the Jamaicans at having won yet another regional cricket competition, a feature that they have managed especially in longer versions these last several years. At a time when West Indies international teams have struggled to have permanent, functional, effective, fully contributing leaders, perhaps even a ‘onefor-all’ captaincy for all three formats, it is a fact that one of the most successful captains ever in Caribbean cricket has never been mentioned for selection at all. I have been doing sports journalism since 1993/4, when England toured these parts,
so I have been involved in media work when Tamar Lansford Lambert, Jamaica’s captain, made his 1st class debut in 2004. During the last twenty years, I have seen many truly mediocre players represent our West Indies. Yet, at no time in his entire career, which now spans eighty-six (86) 1st class games, have I heard anywhere that Lambert, as cultivated, calculated, conscientious, always contributing as a batting allrounder, as victorious a captain as anyone could name, should be a candidate for West Indies playing honors. That in itself is such a
massive shame, as much lesser players and noncontributors have done exactly that, played relatively regularly for West Indies, in all formats, with general nonproduction overall. In the last ten years, no cricket player anywhere in the Caribbean has had a more raw deal from selectors, for international honors, than Lambert! His leadership skills in winning 2014 George Headley/Sir Everton Weekes Trophy, when Jamaica led Windward Islands on 1st innings in the final, and won by points, is yet another culmination of Lambert’s excellent abilities. Ironically, only last week,
Sunday May 04, 2014 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Don't let another person's small, thoughtless comment ruin your entire day, Aries. People may be a bit stingy with everything from money to emotions to time spent with loved ones. The more you tell someone else that they're wrong, the more that person is going to reject your advice. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You may be feeling a bit tired and worn out lately, Taurus. Don't push yourself to do things when you know that your body needs rest. It could be extremely tempting to roll with the crowd and participate in all the fun. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Don't fritter away your time with a person who isn't going to change his or her mind about something, Gemini. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): More than likely there is a person in your world who desperately wants to get closer to you, Cancer. Conflict is apt to arise tonight if you don't open up and let this person in a bit closer. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): It may be easy for you to show up at a party or answer the phone when you know that it's your best friend calling with good news, but where are you when the going gets rough, Leo? ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): Realize that your inner state of mind is quite apparent to people just by the look on your face, Virgo.from others, especially today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Your opinions are apt to be strong today and you may feel on top of the world, Libra. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): TRealize that you may be controlling other people's actions without even consciously knowing it, Scorpio. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Beware of unexpected circumstances today, Sagittarius. The good news is that your flexible attitude is perfectly suited to deal with the twists and turns that this day is likely to offer. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): Come out of your shell today and try not to be so aloof, Capricorn. You will never find the exact path you want to be on until you explore the different options. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18):You may be wondering why everyone is getting so touchy when you see this as being just a normal day, Aquarius. Cut other people some slack when you think they aren't wearing as big a smile as you are. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): It could be that you don't feel as if you can begin your day until you've made it clear to someone that you have an issue that needs to be dealt with, Pisces. You have a greater amount of emotional strength than usual, and you'll find that it's important that you hold on to this feeling against all odds.
West Indies ODI captain, Dwayne Bravo, was complaining that he was peeved at not being selected more often, recently, for West Indies in Tests. While certainly not as flamboyant on the field as Dwayne Bravo, I would wager that in especially regional 1st class cricket, our preamble to Test cricket, Lambert has efficiently and effectively produced much more consistently for Jamaica than Dwayne Bravo has done for Trinidad & Tobago. Reputations do not normally make runs or get wickets. Proper performances do! Even with actual numbers as evidence, Lambert has never been selected, perhaps not even considered for selection at all, for any international game to represent West Indies. Amazing! Lambert, now 33, was obviously born quite intelligent too, as shown on his date of birth, since he was born on “The Ides of March”, as was yours truly. That alone qualified him to succeed despite severe external stimuli. Nothing or nobody, despite massive continuing efforts, could keep people like us down. We are
Colin E. H. Croft says:
Tamar Lambert not arrogant, just fully confident. On his birth day, 15 March 1981, I was even busy making my highest Test score – also 33, out of a 57-run 2nd innings, 2nd wicket partnership with Desmond Haynes – as night-watchman, in that Test at Barbados that all remember for Michael Holding’s brilliant bowling spells against England, especially Geoff Boycott. Few even remember that I actually had the most wickets in the game – match figures of 7 of the 20 available wickets for 104 runs, from 32.5 overs,
as West Indies won by 298 runs. Unbelievably, I did not even merit any mention at all in Wisden’s match report of that Test! Lambert, like me, must have realized eons ago that being born on “Ides of March” is not always fortunate, for it was also on that date that great Julius Caesar was assassinated by his so-called friends! At 33, and as quoted by Julius Caesar; “Alea iacta est” - the die is already cast - for Lambert. I doubt very much that he could be selected for West Indies in the future, especially given that massive myth that people of some girth and additional weight could not perform properly. Interestingly, over the last ten years, Lambert has outperformed most of his contemporaries! In 86 1st class games, Lambert has made 4173 runs, including three centuries and twenty eight fifties, avg. 28.97, and has 67 wickets at 25.26 average with his occasional off-breaks. He has also been quite economical and instrumental in Jamaica’s success in both T-20 and 50-overs competitions in his ten years in teams that represent that country. Sometimes forced to demit office when Chris Gayle or Dave Bernard Jr. was given Jamaica’s captaincy, Lambert almost always found himself being called upon, on failures by his more illustrious teammates to produce victories, to return to the captaincy and his normal continued success. 2014 was one of his less productive years, but he still managed to captain Jamaica to victory in Weekes/ Headley tournament, while also producing a marvelous, much needed century – 121 – for himself and team, against Barbados in their semi-final, a game that Jamaica won by one wicket! There is really only one word to describe Tamar Lambert – indomitable. He never gives up and always gives 100% effort for Jamaica! At 33 though, he can still contribute considerably to Jamaica’s continued upward cricketing mobility for another ten or so years as both player and especially coach and mentor. One only hopes that he continues on. Enjoy!
Sunday May 04, 2014
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Sunderland claim shock win at Man Utd
BBC Sport - Sebastian Larsson’s first-half goal was enough to give Sunderland their first win at Old Trafford since 1968 and take them to the brink of safety. Barring an unlikely set of results, a single win from their remaining two games will be enough to preserve the Black Cats’ top-flight status. And it will be all but confirmed if Norwich lose on Sunday, after Sunderland condemned Manchester United to their seventh home league defeat of the season. Norwich are three points adrift of Gus Poyet’s men and must also overturn a 13-goal deficit in matches against Chelsea and Arsenal. Sunderland, for whom this was a third successive victory, conclude their season with home games against West Bromwich Albion and Swansea. But defending champions United have their own concerns. Defeat brought interim
United manager Ryan Giggs’s winning start to an abrupt end, with Louis van Gaal rumoured to be on the verge of being given the job of rebuilding a club now virtually certain to miss out on European football next season. Giggs made five changes to his starting lineup, which was lacking striker Wayne Rooney because of a combination of illness and injury, and selected two wingers. Yet any hope of the performance being a throwback to thrilling days past soon stalled as Nani and Ashley Young made precious little headway. Nani did fire a long-range effort over and Patrice Evra had a close-range header saved by Vito Mannone, who also kept out a speculative strike from Juan Mata. But, even with John O’Shea’s sliced clearance flashing over, it was a paltry return on their dominance of possession,
particularly as Sunderland looked as though they could score every time they advanced. Marcos Alonso smashed a volley wide before Larsson’s opener, a goal which exposed the defensive failings United have struggled with this season. Darren Fletcher should have prevented Connor Wickham’s cross given he had the striker trapped by the corner flag. Then Michael Carrick lost Larsson completely as the Swede speared into the area before sweeping home an impressive finish. United goalkeeper David De Gea then almost gifted Adam Johnson a chance to make it 2-0 with a mis-hit clearance. Within five minutes of the restart, Giggs had introduced Adnan Januzaj for Nani, and midway through the second half Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck were on too.
Sebastian Larsson (AP)
Yet it was Sunderland who almost profited from the home s i d e ’s commitment to attack. Fletcher c o n ceded possession too close to his
Digicel, Banks DIH & Edward B Beharry and... From page 66 Guyana.The Regional Tournaments will run from May 10 June 29 in the City at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), while the Regional Finals is scheduled for July 4 and the National Championships from July 6 - 13, also at CASH. Matches start at 15:30hrs on Fridays’ & 15:00 hrs on Saturday & Sunday. According to the organizers, games will be played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and other facilities while School and community courts will be used for conference play. It was also disclosed that a High School All star team will play at CASH on July 11 and the Regional tournaments will be used to qualify and seed teams for the National Schools Basketball Festival. Teams must participate in the ‘Regional’s’ for a chance to progress to the National Championships. Bowman said the aims of the tournament are to develop and maintain a well coordinated national school basketball championship for boys and girls, to improve on the existing basketball infrastructure in schools and communities across Guyana, to encourage physical and mental wellness through youth sport, to emphasize leadership, citizenship, scholarship and athletic excellence in young people. Bowman, who has a wealth of experience in organizing Basketball events, explained that among the events planned are educating youths about social issues and impart life skills called
‘Players Education Seminars’, Opportunities for socialization and friendships, Double round tournament play through zone championship and national championship in four divisions, Coaches Certification for new Coaches, High School All Star Game (Elite 24), three point shootout, free-throw and skills contest and Exposure and selection for Inter-Guiana Games and other FIBA international tournaments. Bowman disclosed that the current Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) champion club, Ravens, is comprised of a number of players who benefited from the YBG project adding that when the idea of the YBG project was thought about, it was put to the Director of Sport Neil Kumar who readily agreed and has over the past nine years been very supportive.Bowman promised that this year’s tournament will be of a high standard and at its conclusion 12 teams will be selected to work and build the capacity of the sport. The YBG boss stated that the NSC uses the festival to select players to represent Guyana at the Annual InterGuiana Games, contested between youth teams from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. He said the YBG project is just one of the many programmes his association has initiated with an aim to develop the youths of Guyana to become student athletes, giving them a chance to become rounded individuals. “The first National School
Basketball Festival was played from June 26-30, 2006 and from its inception the NSBF has been a partnership between the National Sport Commission and Youth Basketball Guyana to develop a structured National School Basketball Championship. Today the program has grown to almost 50 teams participating first for ranking in five separate Regional (ZONE) Tournaments, in order to qualify for the National Championship. National titles are contested for under-14, 16, 19 and girls developmental. The tournament is also used to indentify players for the Junior Elite programme,” Bowman informed. Among those present at Friday’s launching was Kumar. He congratulated Bowman and his team for organising such a Festival and reminded that the concept of the tournament came about from the Inter- Guiana Games and was happy that the Guyanese team would get the opportunity of representing their Country on home soil in this year’s Games. The Director of Sport thanked the sponsors for their support and urged GABA president Nigel Hinds, who was also present, to further develop the sport locally. “We want students in schools to play basketball so that they can earn a scholarship to play and study overseas,” Kumar stressed, saying that he is interested in seeing the country’s youths live a healthy lifestyle. Anjuli Beharry-Strand, a cancer survivor, represented Edward B. Beharry and Company and disclosed that her
Company was pleased to be associated with the programme and this was one way of her company giving back to the community. Banks DIH’s Public Relations Manager Troy Peter said Banks DIH has been on board the project for the past six years and they (Banks DIH) are pleased with what has been going on. Peters noted that the Sprite soft drink has been associated with basketball at the international level and is pleased to support something that helps to keep youths away from the social ills in Society. Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events manager Gavin Hope told the gathering that Digicel is happy to be on board and will continue to support the project. Hope said over the past years Digicel has seen the growth in the sport locally adding that the project has grown at rapid rate which calls for great organisational skills for it to prosper. Hope, a former sprinter, feels Head teachers and physical education teachers should get more involved in the sport since he feels the interest for Basketball in schools is very encouraging. GABA president Nigel Hinds congratulated Bowman and said the GABA has worked with the YBG over a number of years and will continue to work with them, despite the ups and downs they have had. St Roses High School won the inaugural Championships, while Marian Academy are the defending Champions.
own penalty area, and when Jozy Altidore crossed, fellow substitute Emanuele Giaccherini struck a post. Welbeck drilled over as United searched for an
equaliser, but the penetration required from midfield was lacking, and England boss Roy Hodgson had left by the time Carrick sent a pass intended to send Welbeck scampering free straight out of play. A minute later, Javier Hernandez fired Evra’s cross over. Sensing the prize of safety was so close, Sunderland’s commitment to remaining solid at the back shone through. Though it was increasingly rare, they still retained a threat - and Fabio Borini became the latest Sunderland man to fire against the woodwork as the clocked ticked down to a famous victory. In other results: West Ham 2 - 0 Tottenham Aston Villa 3 - 1 Hull Newcastle 3 - 0 Cardiff Stoke 4 - 1 Fulham Swansea 0 - 1 Southampton Everton 2 - 3 Man City
Action packed encounters... From page 63 waved off the proceedings at 1:50secs of the 2nd round. Delon Gordon (REP) then unleashed heavy artillery to Nduka Horatio’s head that forced a mandatory 8 count and eventual stoppage in favour of the former boxer at 16 seconds into the third stanza. Gordon was also required to fight again later in the night, this time against Tyron Hamid and he earned a points decision in that bout. Dilshan Elcock (ESSQ) was also in winners’ row with a point decision over Johnnick LaRose in their 110114lbs shindig while Republican, Stephan Andrews, forced the referee to halt his 56kgs contest against Terrence Stewart (GDF) in 1:36sec of the second round. Lorex Pellew (GDF) unleashed a wicked barrage of punches that forced Junior
DaSilva (REP) to quit on his stool at the end of the first round of their 60kgs bout shortly before Kemo Bernard earned a points verdict over Chris Charles (GDF), in the 64kgs class. Terrence Nero (GDF) failed to turn up for his 69kgs bout and gifted a walk over to Clifton Graham (REP) but Desmond Blair (GDF) made reparations for his gym with a convincing point decision over Dexter Berry (REP). One fight later, in the 75kgs category, Mervin Rawlins (GDF)stopped Sean Wilson in the 2nd round while another soldier, Quee Brotherson (GDF), knocked out Kevin DeFraitas (FYF) in 46secs of their 81kgs bout. The finals were scheduled for last night and those results will follow in a subsequent edition.
Saints Premier.. From page 63 day between the Valiant Few and Helaman’s Stripling Warriors ended in the second defeat of the day for Valiant Few and another victory for the Stripling Warriors. Valiant Few’s 98 runs were painstaking acquired with only 2 batsmen reaching double figures, Lester Elliot’s 31 (5x4) from 34 balls and A. Samaroo’s 19 from 22 balls. Ronald DeFreitas’ 2 for 28 and Joshua Singh’s 2 for 21 spearheaded the downfall of the Valiant Few’s batsmen within 19 overs. Three of Helaman’s Stripling Warriors reached
their twenties, namely Daniel Barker (22 not out off 30 balls); D. Mangal (20 off 23 balls) before being caught by Darren Massiah off Don Massiah’s bowling and the Man of the Match; Corwin London (26 not out off 36 balls). Additionally, Corwin took one catch and one wicket. The finals of the Saints Premier League will be played on May 26th between Vreed-en-Hoop’s Liahona Pacesetters and Helaman’s Stripling Warriors. Two female teams from West Coast Demerara will face each other before the start of the Finals.
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Sunday May 04, 2014
Three Guyanese players to Mavericks Beat Spurs To Force Game 7 Portland stun visiting Houston contest for main draw today
Kalyca Fraser
Jordon Beaton
Guyanese players Heimraj Resaul, Kalyca Fraser and Jordon Beaton won their respective engagements yesterday and are in contention to make the main draw when they contest their final round on matches today in the Antigua Junior Invitational Tennis Championships currently being played on the island. Resaul won both of his games first defeating Kimell Azille (Antigua) 4/2, 4/2, before returning to beat Adrian Biajnauht (USVI) 4/1 4/0. Beaton played one match
and he won against Tiger Tyson (Ant) 2/4, 4/0 (10/7), while Fraser got past Cheima Norris (Ant) 4/0, 4/2. Sarah Klautky lost both of her matches to Ashley Bersmah (Ant) 4/1, 4/2 and Kishaundah Roman (St. Croix) USVI 4/0, 4/0. According to Coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan all the matches are being played in the best of three format and short sets (4 games) and a tie break game to decide the winner. Klautky will play in the consolation round for a position.
Heimraj Resaul
Sarah Klautky.
Nets coach Kidd fined $25,000 for criticizing refs (Reuters) - Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd was fined by the National Basketball Association on Friday after complaining about a lack of fouls called against the Toronto Raptors in their latest playoff game. But the NBA took a dim view of the first-year coach’s complaints and promptly slapped him with a $25,000 fine. Kidd told reporters on a conference call on Thursday that it was “mind boggling” that guard Joe Johnson took 23 shots in Wednesday’s game five defeat in Toronto and got only one free throw in the contest. “If flopping is the way to go, then we have to maybe play that game,” said Kidd. Kidd also asserted that o n h i s t e a m ’s l a s t possession in the final seconds of the 115-113 loss, Brooklyn guard Shaun
Associated Press - Monta Ellis scored 12 of his 29 points to lead a fourth-quarter comeback, Dirk Nowitzki added 22 and the Dallas Mavericks forced a Game 7 in their first-round series with top-seeded San Antonio, beating the Spurs 113-111 on Friday night. The eighth-seeded Mavericks bounced back from consecutive losses by handing the Spurs their first road defeat when leading after three quarters this season. Monta Ellis and Tony Parker battled to the bitter end in game 6, but Ellis’ Mavericks prevailed to force a game 7. Visit nba.com/video for more highlights. About the NBA: The NBA is the... Tony Parker scored 22 to lead the heavily favored Spurs, who are stuck in a tossup series after they won all four games against Dallas during the regular season. San Antonio took a ninegame winning streak against the Texas rival into the sixth postseason meeting between the teams. The second Game 7 between these teams is Sunday in San Antonio. The Mavericks won the other one there in 2006. The Mavericks kept the series alive on the same floor where Vince Carter had given them a 2-1 series lead with an improbable winning 3-pointer. Fans were standing the entire fourth quarter this time, when the Mavericks trailed by five points to start the final 12 minutes before a 14-2 run for an eight-point lead. Parker got the Spurs close again and had a duel of driving layups with Ellis in the
Monta Ellis did it all Friday night, knocking down huge shots in the fourth quarter to help the Mavs avoid elimination. (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports) final 2 minutes. Parker, who had 13 of his points in the fourth and added six assists, spun through the lane before shoveling one up over Nowitzki with his left hand to get the Spurs within 106-105. TRAIL BLAZERS 99, ROCKETS 98 Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer and Portland stunned visiting Houston to take its playoff series in six games and advance to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in 14 years. In the raucous postgame celebration, Lillard took the public address microphone
and shouted “Rip City!” Portland, making its first playoff appearance since 2011, had been eliminated in the first round in its last six trips, and had not advanced to the second round since 2000. Dwight Howard’s layup and foul shot put the Rockets up 96-94 before Nicolas Batum’s fadeaway jumper tied it again with 39.9 seconds left. Chandler Parsons scored on a reverse layup with 0.9 seconds left to give Houston the lead before Lillard won it. Portland will face the winner of the series between San Antonio and Dallas.
Donald Sterling to ‘DuJour’ magazine: ‘I wish I had just paid her off’
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd yells to his team in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. (Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters) Livingston was fouled in front of a referee but no call was made. It was not the first time this season that the former 10-time NBA All-Star guard has run
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foul of league disciplinarians. In November, Kidd had to pay a $50,000 fine for intentionally spilling a drink on the court in order to gain more time to talk to his team in the closing seconds of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Brooklyn host the Raptors on Friday night, needing to win to force the series into a deciding seventh game.
USA TODAY Sports Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has made his first public comments since the release of a racist audio recording led to his lifetime ban from the NBA. “I wish I had just paid her off,” Sterling told DuJour magazine, a Los Angeles lifestyle publication, speaking of V. Stiviano, the girlfriend to whom Sterling made the recorded comments. The quote is the only one released thus far from what the magazine calls an exclusive discussion. Sterling told DuJour he only would do future interviews with Barbara Walters and the NBA. Sterling had been silent S a t u r d a y, when the recordings were leaked by gossip website TMZ.com. NBA Commissioner Adam
Silver banned him for life and promised to fight to force a sale of the Clippers in a news conference Tuesday. The often-litigious owner still can take the NBA to court and drag his case out if three-quarters of t h e l e a g u e ’s B o a r d o f Governors vote to force him to sell. But he spoke first with D u J o u r, a high-end lifestyle magazine founded in 2012. The magazine is delivered to those who meet criteria of wealth. “We have three million fully engaged Gilt members,” founder Jason Binn, who interviewed Sterling, said in an interview with The New Yo r k Ti m e s a b o u t t h e magazine’s launch.. “These are real shoppers spending hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Clippers owner Donald Sterling had been silent for days after his ban from the NBA. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 63
Brazil football fan killed Trophy Stall Angels, Trophy in Recife at stadium GSCL Inc/Independence Cup
Stall XI through to semis
By Zaheer Mohamed Trophy Stall Angels defeated 4R Lioness and Karibee Rice Strikers to secure their place in the semifinals when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc/ National Sports Commission Independence Cup commenced yesterday. At GNIC, 4r Lioness batted first and scored 105 for 3 off their allotted 10 overs. Tameka Wilson led with 61 (6x4, 3x6) and Ruth George made 28 (2x4, 1x6). Trophy Stall Angels replied with 111 for 4 off 7.3 overs. Heema Singh scored 28 (4x4, 1x5), Roxanne De Monick 24 (2x6, 1x4) and Odessa O’Neil 16 (2x4, 1x6). In their second game against Karibee Strikers, Trophy Stall Angels took first strike and scored 97 for 5. Singh slammed 35 (2x6, 2x4) and De Monick 31 (4x4, 1x6), Tenesha Leonard took 2 -18 for Karibee Strikers who were limited to 73 for 4 in reply, despite 28 (4x4) from Aleena Arokium and 17 (2x4) from Leonard. Karibee Rice Strikers disposed of 4R Lioness by eight wickets. 4 R Lioness managed 70 for 6 in 10 overs, with Abigail Scott 20 and Shyon Goodluck 13 leading their batting. Sha Gaj took 2 for 10 for Karibee Strikers, who responded with 74 for 2. Sheneta Grimmond made 36 (3x6, 2x4). At the Everest Cricket Club ground in the open category, Trophy Stall XI defeated Farm XI and Regal XI in their two matches. In their first game against Farm XI, Trophy Stall restricted their opponents for 61 in 12.5 overs. Rajesh Reddy and W. Yusuf were the only batsmen that reached double figures with 13 and 12 respectively. Trophy Stall XI replied with 63 for 3 off 7.3 overs. K. Bishundial scored an unbeaten 29 (3x6, 2x4). In their second game, Trophy Stall bowled out Regal XI for a paltry 87 in 11.2 overs. Kwesi Joseph top scored with 26 (2x6, 1x4) and Richard Latiff made 18. R. Ramnauth grabbed 6 for 12 and D. Deosarran 2 for 30. In reply, Trophy Stall scored 91 for 4 from 10.5 overs. Fazal Rafeek stroked 36 (3x4, 2x6) and Martin Dutchin 24 (3x6) not out; Lakeram Roopnarine snared 2 for 27 for Regal XI. Regal XI overcame Smith’s XI by eight wickets. Smith XI batted first and posted 184- 8 from their allotted 20 overs. Latchman Rohit scored 39 (3x6, 1x4),
5 wkt hauls for Ramnauth, Butts
World Cup matches will be played at an especially built stadium in Recife, Arena Pernambuco. (Reuters)
Mohamed Rafeek Ganesh Mangal 37 (3x6, 2x4), Shaz Grovesnor 34 (3x6, 2x4) and Fazeer Khan 30 (3x6, 1x4). Skipper Safraz Esau took 3 for 19 and Ricky Sargeant 2 for 40. Regal XI responded with 189 for 2 off 16.4 overs. Chien Gittens smashed 57 (5x4, 4x6), Patrick Rooplall’s 51 not out (6x6, 1x4), Latiff 44 and Joseph 30 (3x4). Farm XI got the better of Smith XI by 134 runs. Farm posted 219-7 in 20 overs taking first strike. Rajesh Reddy cracked 73, Lennox Marks 53 and Avinash Mohabir 37. Chabilall Etwaru claimed 2-37 and Jonathan Fernando 2-46. Smith XI were skittled for 85 in 13.5 overs. Rawl Reied captured 4-12 and Imran Hamid 2-15. At St. Stanislaus ground, Karibee Boyz beat Memorex by 119 runs. Karibee Boys rattled up 204-5 in 20 overs, batting first. L. Veerasammy led with 58, J. Mohamed made 47 not out and m. Ramalho 30. J. Percival took 3-32. Memorex were sent packing for 85 in 12.3 overs in reply. Balram Samaroo scored 39; S. Rangasammy grabbed 4-11, Imran Hussain 3-22 and K. Khemlall 2-32. Wolf ’s Warriors went down to Speed Boat XI by six wickets. Wolf ’s Warriors managed 144-5 in 20 overs. Ricardo Adams 42, Safraz Karim 27 and Mohamed Karim 21 were their leading batsmen. Speed Boat replied with 1474 in 13.5 overs. Greg Singh stroked 56 and Anand Bharat 47 not out. In the Master’s Category, Frontline got the better of Regal by seven wickets. Regal Masters were bowled out for 120 from 19.4 overs, batting first. Tony
Amerally led with 37 and Younis Yusuf supported with 30. Tony Singh and Hafeez Samad who took three wickets each for 17 and 20 runs respectively and Manoj Malone had 2 for 25. Frontline Rangers replied with 124-3 in 19.4 overs. Mohammed Rafeek top scored with 67 and Sheik Mohammed made 23. Regal defeated Parika Defenders by six wickets. Parika Defenders were restricted for 114-9 in 20 overs, taking first strike. Naresh Bissessar made 35 and Irvin Blacks 20; Clyde Butts bagged 5-24 and Satrohan Seeraj 2-18. In reply, Regal Masters scored 117 for 4 from 11.5 overs. Eric Thomas led with 35 and Lanceford Klass made 23; Ramesh Rambharose snared 2 for 14. Industry beat Enterprise Legends by 82 runs. Industry scored 222-2 in 20 over after batting first. Danny Gangadin slammed 110 and Fazleem Mohamed supported with 74 not out. R. Nandkishore snared 4-39. Enterprise Legends mustered 140-8 in 20 overs in reply. Nandlall Seebaran made 37 not out; David Harper took 2-12. At DCC, Floodlight overcame Industry Super Kings by six wickets. Industry made 126-9 in 20 overs, batting first. Danny Gangadeen scored 37 and Fazleem Mohamed 23. Ramesh Narine claimed 2-21 and Greg De Franca 2-22. Floodlight scored 127-34 in 13.2 overs in reply. Richard Persaud slammed 36, Rickey Deonarine 32, De Franca 25 not out and Narine an unbeaten 24.
BBC Sport - A Brazilian football fan has died after being hit by a toilet bowl thrown at the end of a Second Division match in the northeastern city of Recife. Paulo Ricardo Gomes da Silva was struck as clashes took place near one of the entrances to Arruda stadium. Another three people were reportedly hurt as toilet bowls were ripped out of stadium facilities and hurled at rival fans below.
Recife is one of the host cities of the World Cup, due to start on 12 June. But the matches will be hosted at another stadium in Recife, the Arena Pernambuco, which has been especially built for the tournament. The clashes took place on Friday night after local side Santa Cruz drew 1-1 with Parana, from southern Brazil. The visiting side’s fans were leaving the stadium
when the toilet bowls were thrown out of the upper tiers of the Arruda stadium. Police had told the visiting fans to leave the stadium earlier to avoid clashes, local reports said. But they were ambushed by a faction of the Santa Cruz fans. An investigation has begun into the incident. Earlier this year, Santa Cruz supporters hurled toilet bowls at fans of their local rivals, Sport.
Two females among 29 certified Level Two coaches
Female coaches, Toni Cowan (second left) and Kadeesh Fishley interact with (from left) Howard McIntosh, Rodrigo Kenton, and Joan Duncan Kim Mair. (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON) Jamaica Observer - TONI Cowan and Kadeesh Fishley are now certified coaches after they were among the 29 coaches presented with the Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB)/Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)/ University of Technology (UTech) Advanced Level Two coaching certificates for successfully completing the FIFA/JFF Coaching Course. The graduation ceremony was held at the JFF Headquarters on Thursday. “I am just happy that I am now certified to start coaching. The feeling is no different than if I was doing the course among just females. This shows that if you really want something and put the hard work towards it then you can achieve your goals,” declared
Cowan. “My plan now is just to start coaching as I am not coaching at the moment, but I am around Cavalier FC,” added the 22-year-old. Meanwhile, Fishley said that for her it is mostly giving back, as her plan is to build football in Jamaica. “It feels good, really good to be a certified coach among so many male coaches. Most females are interested in playing football, but I have a tactical mind and so I decided that I wanted to be a coach. “My plan is to build football. I want to see the sport grow in Jamaica and reach the highest level. I want to give back to the nation, I want to give back to my high school (St Jago) and hope one day I can look back and say I did that,” Fishley told
the Jamaica Observer. Speaking at the ceremony, FIFA’s development officer for the Caribbean region Howard McIntosh said that he was pleased with the dedication made by the coaches and that they should continue to pursue their career. “We have now over 700 certified coaches and this is a great achievement for all of us. This speaks to the building of football and I’m pleased with the effort and hard work put in by these coaches. “These coaches now have to continue to read and study the game more. I urge the coaches to use the materials that you have received from the course and apply themselves as we want to improve football,” he said.
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Guyana rifle shooters wing out for Jamaica Guyana’s National rifle shooting team left early this morning to compete in the 2014 West Indies Fullbore shooting championships (WIFSC) in Jamaica. The championships will attract teams from Antigua/ Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago hosts Jamaica and a visiting Canadian team. Guyana will be defending the long range title over 900 and 1000 yards and will be looking to reclaim the short range (300, 500 and 600 yards) title they lost to Jamaica last in Barbados. The team will be captained by Mahendra Persaud and will feature vice captain Dylan Fields, Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Ryan Sampson, Leo Ramalho, ACP retired Paul Slowe, Lt. Col. Retired Terrance Stuart, Inspector Dane Blair, Peter Persaud and Sherwin Felicien.
The local contingent will be joined by US-based Guyanese shooters John Fraser and Sigmund Douglas who will travel directly to Jamaica. GNRA Public Relations Officer Troy Peters will also be part of the delegation. The championships will fire off on Monday with three days of individual competition at the Twickenham Park ranges in Kingston. Guyanese Lennox Braithwaite is the reigning West Indies fullbore shooting champion after he won the grand aggregate in the ‘X’ Class last year at the Paragon ranges in Barbados. A lot is expected of Ramalho who returned to the team last year as well as Fraser and Sampson who missed the competition last year. Newcomer Felicien will also be looking for an impressive performance in his
international debut. With the Commonwealth Games just two months away in Glasgow, Scotland, Guyana’s three-man delegation Persaud, Braithwaite and Goodluck will also be fine tuning their preparation for the International Games. The first team match will take place on Friday with teams competing for the long range title while, Saturday the shooters will be back in action at 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges. The local squad has been hard at training over the past two months at the Timehri ranges and was exposed to two weeks of coaching by Great Britain leading coach Ian Shaw who visited earlier this year. Captain Mahendra Persaud said the national shooters are both mentally and physically prepared for a grueling week of competition.
Action packed encounters as GBA takes boxing to the community By Michael Benjamin The experiment to take boxing to the various communities seems to be the solution to the wavering crowd support as residents of East Ruimveldt and its environs flocked the East Ruimveldt Community Centre Ground, California Square, and were thrilled with several action packed bouts when the curtains went up on the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) National Novices Championships at that venue Friday evening last. The action started on an entertaining note when Republican boxer, Klaus Daniel punched his way to a unanimous decision over Robert Gillis to take their 64kgs Open category bout. This bout was indeed fast paced as both youngsters refused to back off. Wicked punches, though unorthodox, landed as both pugilists attempted to surge ahead. A wicked barrage by Daniels in the early stages of the final round turned the tide somewhat and the Republican pressed on to finish the round punching which earned him a unanimous verdict. Boxers from the New Opportunity Corp (NOC) were on show after a lengthy hiatus and Calvin Barry, fighting in the 75-80lbs division, turned in a special performance to upset Kevin Mullin of the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym (HEBG) by a unanimous decision. The more experienced of the two boxers, Mullin attempted to make a statement with several
Sunday May 04, 2014
MoE Jump Rope for Heart competition hailed a success
The top six jumpers of the competition display their silverware The Ministry of Education staged the first ever Jump Rope for Heart Freestyle Championship for Primary Schools in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden, which was also the first of such competitions that are planned for the rest of the country which will be done in collaboration with the Unit of Allied Arts and the Departments of Education in each region. This inaugural activity during the Linden Town Week 2014 celebrations saw Top 26 Freestyle Jumpers from the Primary Schools competing on April 29 at Wisroc/ Amelia’s Ward Car Park. The day’s activity started with the Last Man standing
competition where the 26 participants attempting to out jump each other but after ten minutes of jumping only Shania Liverpool of Christianburg Primary School and Shannea Worrell of St. Aidan’s Primary School were jumping. When all thought that they were tired that is when the two jumpers stepped up the competition showing off various jumping techniques while putting on a great show for the hundreds of onlookers. After more than seventeen minutes of this display the judges were more than happy to stop the competitors and declare them joint champions.
The attention then turned to the Freestyle competition where all the participants had a chance to display their individual skills being judged on techniques, creativity and acrobatic skills among others. Shania Liverpool of C h r i s t i a n b u r g P r imary emerged champion with the second and third positions occupied by Shannea Worrell and Serena Drakes both of St. Aidan’s Primary. Each participant also received a medal in recognition of their participation. Also on show were members of Praise Tabernacle Fitness Group as well as members from the general public.
Marquez makes it four poles out of four in Jerez Referee Paulette Nurse watches keenly as the fighters went toe to toe in the Novice Boxing action at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre on Friday Night. ramrod shots to his opponent’s head. Instead of backing off Barry pursued his man and stitched in several right crosses of his own. Mullin got into stride in the second round with hooks and right crosses but Barry refused to be denied and retaliated with crisp right crosses of his own. The tide took a turn for the better for the NOC pugilist midway into the third stanza and Barry unleashed several straight punches that had Mullin on the back foot. Thereafter, sustained and energetic punching by Barry kept Mullin at bay and eventually earned the former boxer a unanimous verdict. Barry’s gym mate, Nicko Jodha, could not replicate the performance and lost to
Shane Skeete (HEBG) in their 115-119 bout, while Glenroy Smith of the Essequibo Boxing Gym (ESG) turned up the heat and stopped Daniel Gibson (GDF) in 2:55secs of the first round of their 75kgs bout. Smith returned later in the night to win another bout, this time over Wayne Murray (GDF). Another Republican, Ravindra Bisoondial, also chalked up a win for his gym, this time against Victor Low (GDF) in the Open 49kgs division. Low visited the canvass early in the first round but rose and re-entered the fray after the mandatory count. He was greeted with several crunching punches that sent him back on the canvass where the referee (Continued on page
Honda MotoGP rider Marc Marquez of Spain rides his bike during the qualifying of the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain, May 3, 2014. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo JEREZ Spain - (Reuters) Spanish MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez produced a scorching lap late in qualifying to secure his fourth pole out of four this season at his home grand prix in Jerez yesterday. Honda rider Marquez, who has won all three of this year’s races and is competing
in his 100th grand prix, clocked 1 minute 38.120 seconds to smash the pole record at the Andalusian circuit, 0.421 seconds ahead of Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo. Marquez’s Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa was 0.510 seconds off the pace in third to complete an all-Spanish front row.
Decorated Italian rider Valentino Rossi of Yamaha, who has six premier class victories at Jerez, was fourth quickest. Marquez has won all three of this year’s races from pole and tops the championship standings on 75 points. Pedrosa is second on 56 points and Rossi third on 41.
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 65
Digicel Schools Football Tournament
Record number of entries anticipated since tournament’s conception Its organizational expertise is unrivalled and sponsor Digicel is promising that this year’s Schools Football Competition will easily surpass the number of entries witnessed since the event’s conception in 2011. According to Coordinator Lavern FraserThomas, the number of schools to have already submitted their registration forms hover in the vicinity of last year’s total, while there is still a large number who’ve expressed interest outstanding and expected to submit their registration forms in the coming week. Speaking at a meeting of members of the Organising Committee recently, FraserThomas revealed the Company’s desire to have games played at new locations thereby offering communities the opportunity to showcase their culture, geography and diversity to participants in the competition. “We’ve started our work very early, visiting several new locations and doing inspections of their facilities to verify their capability and readiness to host matches,” Fraser-Thomas said. The experienced Coordinator, who has held the responsibility since the event
When it all started in 2011.
was conceptualized, said that in addition to highlighting and developing the skills of the students, another aspect of the tournament is to showcase the diverse culture and geography of the country to the participants. “Schools are basically getting an opportunity to benefit two-fold by participating in the biggest junior football tournament locally,” she stated. Among the new places that they’ve
visited with the hope of staging matches are Santa Rose in Region 1; Wowetta in Region 9; Siparuta and Orealla in Region 6 and Hauraruni and St. Cuthbert Mission in Region 4. Fraser-Thomas also disclosed that Digicel has already begun to host Workshops for teachers and coaches with the first held at Wowetta in Region 9 and more are scheduled to be staged before the commencement of
competition. Meanwhile, Sponsorship and Events Manager of Digicel Gavin Hope said he is elated with the positive growth of the tournament which according to him has evolved into the premier schools football tournament in three short years. This he attributed to a well put together Organising Committee and the Company’s careful review after each edition which has allowed it to remedy any evident imperfections.
“ I think I can safely say f r o m a C o m p a n y ’s perspective that the growth of the tournament over the past three years have been positive and we’ve managed t o i m p r o v e t h e organizational capability each time, especially taking all the feedback be it positive or negative into our discussions during our review,” Hope pointed out. He said just as the Company’s motto states ‘Bigger better network’
they’ve consistently strived to apply a similar quality to the tournament. The Launch is scheduled for June 6 and according to a member of the Organising Committee the plan is to have it done outside of Georgetown which has hosted it since the start. Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School have been the defending champions for the past two years, having defeated Waramadong on both occasions in the final.
Saints Premier League activities underway The Saints Premier League tournament continued with three matches at 2 locations, namely, the National Park and the Better Hope Community Ground. The first game on May 1st, 2014, saw the Valiant Few labor to put 42 runs in a 20/20 cricket match in reply to a massive score of 239 set by the pugnacious Liahona Pacesetters. The Liahona Pacesetters won the toss and decided to bat. The opening pair, Latchman Bharat and W. Hussain put on a total of 142 before the fall of a wicket but accelerated the run rate from 9 runs per over initially, to almost 12 runs an over at the completion of their 20 overs, amassing 239 with the fall of
6 wickets. Andre Meredith of the Valiant Few was the most successful bowler taking 3 wickets for 27 runs in his four overs. W. H u s s a i n w a s adjudged the Man of the Match with the top score of 58 (3x6, 9x4) at a strike rate of 175. K. Ouderman put on 38 (3x4, 3x6) runs not out at a strike rate of 211. L. Bharat’s 33 (3x6, 2x4) runs came from 23 balls. The Valiant Few never look comfortable against the steady pace of the Liahona Pacesetters. Wickets fell steadily for 11 overs. Courtney Douglas was the main wrecker of the Valiant Few with 4 wickets for 12 runs. S. Motie took 2 for 16 runs, A. Indardeo took 1 for 2 runs, J. Budhan 1 for 2 and T.
Mohammed 2 for 3. T. Mohamed was visible everywhere as he followed up with 3 very crucial catches and scored a respectable 11 from 6 balls. In the second match at the Better Hope Community Ground between arch rivals, Sons of Mosiah and H e l a m a n ’s S t r i p l i n g Warriors, Sons of Mosiah elected to bat. At the close of 20 overs, Sons of Mosiah amassed a modest total of 113 all out. Billy Basthan’s 23 (1x4) in 19 balls and Rasheed Rohaman’s 27 (2x4) in 23 balls gave hope to the team. However, the middle order collapsed under the speed and consistency of Joshua Singh (2 for 16), Ronald DeFreitas (2 for 27) and Joshua Kuligar
(2 for 32). The Man of the Match was the consistent power hitter, Pernell London, whose 41 runs (3x4, 2x6) and a strike rate of 117 p r o p e l l e d H e l a m a n ’s Stripling Warriors to a score of 114 with the loss of 7 wickets. Again, the saviours of the Sons of Mosiah’s batting were equally persistent in the bowling department as Rasheed Rohaman’s (3 for 13), Bill Basthan’s (3 for 14) along with Alvin Persaud’s support (2 for 18) affected the crumbling of the middle. However, their efforts were insufficient to prevent a second defeat of the tournament. The final match of the (Continued on page 61)
W Hussain (left) is congratulated for his effort.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 04, 2014
EDFA/GNFCA launch 3-day Coaches Workshop
GFF, EDFA, GNFCA presidents urge participants to raise the bar
Participants of the EDFA/GNFCA Coaches Workshop, standing, pose with Presidents of the GFF Christopher Matthias seated (2nd left), EDFA’s Aubrey Hutson (centre), GNFAC Wayne Dover (right) and EDFA Executive members Sheron Abrams (2nd right) and Joseph Wilson (left). Cognizant that educated coaches will redound to the solid development of the game holistically, The East Demerara Football Association in collaboration with the Guyana National Football Coaches Association yesterday launched a 3-day Coaches Workshop at the Buxton Community Centre. Presidents of the EDFA, Guyana Football Federation and GNFCA, Aubrey Hutson, Christopher Matthias and
Wayne Dover all delivered remarks at yesterday’s opening and agreed that the continued development of coaches must be high on the agenda as their soundness would transfer into more quality players. Matthias noted that coaches must have a vision and a plan whilst understanding their roles and responsibilities. He also noted that coaches have a responsibility as teachers of the game.
National Schools Basketball Festival starts May 10 By Sean Devers The ninth annual National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) organized by Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) was launched on Friday at the National Resource Center on Woolford Avenue. According to (YBG) Director Chris Bowman, the inaugural tournament attracted 18 schools and was sponsored by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) with a single round elimination tournament.
The GFF President noted that is the aim of the federation to ensure each club has qualified coaches. Dover in his remarks reminded that coaches have an important role to play in the development of the game in Guyana. He said that his association will work closely with the GFF to chart the w a y f o r r e a l c o a c h ’s development, while noting that coaches are mentors and must be good role
models. Dover, who is at the helm of Guyana’s most successful club Alpha United, informed that his association will continue to place a high premium on coaches education since it will translate into improved players and an improved game for Guyana. He also informed that the GNFCA would have collaborated with a number of entities to educate coaches including Digicel for their
massive school’s tournament, Petra Organisation for the Milo tournament, Kashif & Shanghai for the Chico competition and Scotiabank/Pepsi for their ongoing Academy. Two coaches, Joseph Wilson and Brian Joseph were recently sent to Lethem by Digicel to conduct a programme there as preparations continue for this year’s competition. An experienced panel of coaches has been assembled
as facilitators for this workshop which will continue at 09:30hrs today and conclude tomorrow. They are Denzil Thompson, Wayne Dover, S h eron Abrams, Joseph Wilson, Ivan Persaud, Andrel Hazel and Sampson Gilbert. Coaches from Plaisance, BV Triumph United, Buxton Stars, Buxton United, Paradise, Haslington, Golden Stars, Victoria Kings, Ann’s Grove, Mahaica and Melanie are participating.
Digicel, Banks DIH & Edward B Beharry and Company Ltd on board
Chris Bowman (4th right) speaks at the National Schools Basketball launching on Friday in the presence of the various sponsor reps and officials including Sports Director Neil Kumar (centre). Bowman said this year the tournament, which has grown tremendously, is sponsored by Digicel, Banks
DIH and Edward B Beharry & Company Limited and has about 94% of Secondary and Tertiary institutions with
Basketball teams participating in five Regional Tournaments and four National Championship
divisions. The event is also being used to identify and select players for the InterGuiana games and is widely
acknowledged as the official National schools Basketball Championships in (Continued on page 61)
Sunday May 04, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 67
Organisers hope sponsors continue to Brandon Prasad, aiming for the highest pinnacle in cricket support the Linden Schools U-19 basketball The Ancient County of Berbice continues to churn out exciting young cricketers with many going on to represent the County, Guyana and the West Indies with pride. Hailing from the busy town of Rose Hall, another promising player with rich talent is quickly developing a reputation as a star for the future. That individual is 16 year-old Brandon Prasad who was born on September 15, 1997 to Brandon and Veronica Prasad. He has a sister Katherine, who is older and attends the University of Guyana. Brandon joined the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) in 2008 and over the years has represented the club at the Under-15, 17, 19, second division, intermediate and first division levels and has scored a total of 1938 runs whilst snaring 87 wickets with his leg spin bowling. The promising middle order batsman, who is currently the Vice Captain of the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team and Captain of the Rose Hall Town Bakewell Under-17 team, was recently promoted as Vice Captain of the club’s second division side, a clear indication he is being groomed for leadership at the senior level.
Brandon Prasad Brandon has scored three centuries: 105 vs Port Mourant and 108 against Big Star both at the Under-17 level and 129 vs Big Star in an Under-19 game. Brandon has also scored eight half centuries while his best bowling figures has been 727 against Port Mourant (U15) and 6-13 against Guysuco Training Centre in the NBS second division tournament. While not representing Berbice at the Under-15 level because of the Berbice Cricket Board’s withdrawal from the Guyana Cricket Board tournament in 2012, Brandon impressed at the Under-17 level last year which resulted in him being selected to represent Guyana in Trinidad. He recorded encouraging innings of 35 in the game against Jamaica and an undefeated 30 against Barbados, claiming 4 wickets
for 64 runs in the two innings that he was given the ball. This year, Brandon was forced to miss the current Inter County Under-19 tournament and possibly the Under-17 Cup due to him preparing to write 9 subjects at the upcoming CSEC examinations. Over the years, this talented player has won numerous awards at the RHTY&SC including Under13 batsman of the year, Under15 player of the year, most promising player (twice) and recently, the 2013 Berbice Under-17 player of the year award. His role models in cricket are the legendary trio of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar while he stated quite proudly that joining the RHTY&SC was the best decision of his young career. Brandon singled out for special mention; club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, Office Manager Moonish Singh, Coach Winston Smith, Test player Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Ravi Narine, Shawn Pereira and Delbert Hicks for their guidance and support. Foster has described Brandon as highly disciplined and dedicated, stating that once he remains focused and disciplined, he can become a successful professional player in the future.
Guyana Veteran Legion Dominoes on today Bannas Foundation small goal football set for tomorrow Guyana Veteran Legion (GVL) will be hosting a King and Queen Dominoes competition today at GVL Hall starting at 15:30 hrs. Entrance fee is $500 per player. At stake are trophies and medals donated by president of the GVL George Grimes, Joseph Harmon and Johnny Barnwell. The competition is being organized by Clifton Bobb and Barnwell. Meanwhile, Bannas Foundation will be hosting a small goal football competition tomorrow at Meadowbrook playfield commencing at 10:00 hrs.A, B, C and D field Sophia, Tiger Bay, Lodge and East Ruimveldt are the teams expected to take part. Entrance fee is $800 per player. At stake are trophies, medals and cash prizes donated by Kent Phillips, Bannas Foundation, Trophy Stall Bourda Market and Melbourne Inn. The competition is being organized by Johnny Barnwell and Kevin Walcott.
Johnny Barnwell displays some of the dominoes trophies on offer.
As the tenth Linden Secondary Schools Under19 basketball final was played, there were some words pertaining to the continuation of this tournament after a failure to attract some sponsors locally posed some difficulties for t h e o rg a n i s e r s o f t h e championship, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association. At the same time the members of the United States based team of sponsors were on hand to hear for themselves, the difficulties encountered over the past year of the championship which was first played in 2005. In rather terse comments, United States-based Linden Alphonso, who was Head Coach of the 1996 National Wo m e n ’s t e a m w h i c h captured the Caricom Basketball Championship in Trinidad and Tobago, said on behalf of the overseas sponsors, “We wanted to congratulate the Linden Amateur Basketball Association for ensuring this 10th championship did come off.” He stopped short of what can be expected come next year, after rumours surfaced that it would be the last for the overseas based sponsors. However, he continued by saying, “I would want to congratulate you as for the duration of these tournaments we have had the
same sponsors through to the tenth. Maxie Stephens, Lennox Allicock, Kenneth Chapman and others. When you see these guys say thanks to them.” Alphonso did cautioned the teams, Mackenzie High and Linden Foundation Secondary in the final, saying, “I would caution you guys that winning is good, but it is even better in the way you play the game. Congratulations and may the best win.” And the best team Mackenzie High School took their fifth tournament title over the ten year period. Secretary of the LABA, Joseph Chapman, noted that t h e s t e r l i n g e ff o r t o f Organising Secretary Ashton A n g e l ( J r. ) m u s t b e commended along with the Victory Valley Royals Basketball Club which teamed up with the LABA for this year’s tournament. Chapman said it had been a challenge and he was optimistic and hoped that come next year plans would be to ensure there is the 11th championship with a greater emphasis on the organising aspect of the championship. Citing, there were a number of problems encountered to have this year’s tournament played, Chapman said, it is incumbent on the Association to play competitions at the various levels among the schools which will provide the
nursery for the future of club basketball in Linden. He said that was the reason the LABA decided to have the inaugural Under 17 basketball tournament last year which was sponsored by Continental Group of Companies through its Sunburst brand product. Senior Physical Education Officer Lindley Langhorne was forthright about the problems saying, “I would like to congratulate the organizing team for surviving ten years. I know there have been challenges for a number of years. I have had various conversations with Mr. Alphonso and Mr. Chapman and the Organising Secretary Ashton Angel a number of times. We have had a number of clashes but what we want to ensure each and every time is that basketball must be the winner at the end of the day.” He offered: “Since we are in our tenth year I hope that we would change for the next year. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Mr. Olato Sam our Chief Education Officer, we hope that we would have statistics throughout the year, not just the winning team each year, and statistics will be need of players to highlight what they actually do in the game and as such we are urging the LABA to step forward and provide this information for the development of the game.”
Berbice cyclists to warm up for Independence three stage meet tomorrow Will up and coming Berbice cyclist Andrea ‘Padlock’ Green who has been in ripping form this season so far with a number of convincing victories on the road be able to maintain his winning ways? That question and more will be answered tomorrow when the Flying Ace Cycle Club along with coach Randolph Roberts organize yet another even for cyclist in the ancient county. This is the seventh event that has been organized by the FACC and Roberts for the year so far. The event, which is a 50mile affair, is sponsored by two of Berbice leading sponsors in Furniture World of Main and King Street New Amsterdam and the First Impression Hotel of Hampshire Corentyne
Berbice. The two sponsors have stuck to their word to help with sponsorship for cycling events in the Ancient County as often as possible. The r a c e w h i c h i s expected to pedal off at 08:30hrs from in front of Furniture World at Main and King Street New Amsterdam and race to the No 43 Bridge before turning back to finish at main and Alexander Street New Amsterdam. Prizes will be awarded to the first eight finishers and the first two female’s riders to cross the finishing. There will also be eight prime point prizes up for grabs. The females will race from Nand Persaud on the Corentyne. According to Roberts, the race will be used as a warm up for the Berbice
cyclist who are preparing for the annual Independence three stage cycle race set for 17th and 18th May. Cyclist from both the FACC and Trojan Cycle clubs are expected to renew battle with the likes of Andrea ‘Padlock’ Green, Ray Millington, the Crawford cousins Romallo and Jebon, Elijah Brijadder, Andrew Hicks, Wasim Hassnu, Audrel Ross, Edmond Francis, Keith Griffith, Gary Benjamin, Turhan Harris and Syborne Fernandes among others. To p f e m a l e c y c l i s t Marica Dick, who is making a comeback, is also expected to be on the saddles. The sponsors are expected to be on hand to help with the distribution of the prizes at the end of the race.
t r o Sp Action packed encounters as GBA takes boxing to the community P.63
Action in the GABA National Novice Boxing Championships at East Ruimveldt Community Centre on Friday night.
Republican boxer Ravindra Bisoondial (left) deposits Victor Low of the GDF on the canvas in their bout.
Guyana rifle shooters wing out for Jamaica Mahendra Persaud
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Dylan Fields
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Lennox Braithwaite
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