Monday May 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Let’s all be Nationalists Indignity to Human Corpses and accept the results DEAR EDITOR, As the election season comes to a climax, I see a great many declarations for one political party or the next. While I respect the right of every citizen to declare their particular political choice, I also recognize and exercise the right to retain the privacy of my political choice. The argument can be made that you should have the courage to express your conviction, but in my case, my conviction has always been that I stand committed to serve my country whatever political administration is in power. The recollection of events that follow are specific in nature and are intended for just this reason, I believe it will show that I have and always will be bipartisan when it comes to the political arena. What I have to offer, is the engagement I’ve had with successive political leaders, going back to my teenage years. It began in the early 1980s – I was Head Boy at my School when at the time it was adopted by HE LFS Burnham. It so happened at the first and only graduation he attended after adopting the school, he gave a speech. They were three speakers that day, the opening remarks were made by the Head Master, followed by myself and then of course the President. After my presentation, he went on stage and opened by paying me the compliment he had difficulty determining who the real headmaster was. As you can imagine, as a teenager at the time hearing such praise from your President spoke volumes. I was then placed in charge of managing a Farm at the
school. Years after, when I had become a staffer at Gaibank, I served on two state boards under HE President Desmond Hoyte. It so happened that I was approached to be a member of his party leading up to the 1992 elections. As history would show, I did not accept the position. Incidentally, I believe that one of the individuals who had approached me at the time is now an Academia in New York where he lectures at one of the Universities. Why I did not accept is simply because of the same position I’ve always held, I prefer to serve my country as a technocrat and to the best of my abilities. In passing I would like to state, that HE Comrade Desmond Hoyte was an honoured guest at my wedding. I didn’t know HE Dr. Cheddi Jagan well, but I remember that he graced us with his presence at one time at the Gaibank Sports Club’s classical music evenings (HE had agreed to be Patron of this event), when I was President of the Club. My longest professional engagement with any President was under former President, HE Dr. Bharat Jagdeo. I remember when he was the newly appointed Junior Minister of Finance, I was part of the senior staff at Gaibank and a member of the BOD. Our initial engagements were not mutually agreeable to put it mildly. It started out that way, because at the time I was fighting to ensure that the staff members at Gaibank were given a proper severance package in light of the fact that the entity was closing down. I continued to serve the
government as part of my scholarship’s contractual agreement and to my surprise after his ascension to Minister of Finance (Snr.) I received a call to meet with him and was asked to remain with the GNCB when my contract ended. In the years to follow, particularly after he became President, I was appointed to several state boards, and managed an agency which dealt with all foreign loans and grants within the Health Sector, managing the first Debt Recovery in Guyana on a part time basis since I was still a staff member of an International Agency. I would not say that President Jagdeo and I became friends but we shared a cordial and mutually respectful professional relationship which lasted throughout his tenure. Without negating or otherwise seeking to counter the image that persons might have of the former President, I humbly offer my own experience as a professional with him. In my experience working with him, I observed him to be a person and president who was always keen on pushing for the development of Guyana and it didn’t hurt that he possessed a great deal of knowledge in that regard and on matters of the state. The times when we did not agree on an issue, we would take a few days off and then return to it for a resolution. There is the image of HE Dr Jagdeo as a great micromanager, but that was not my personal experience – once a task was assigned - the only thing he expected was a result within the required time. When you work for Dr Jagdeo, once you achieve Continued on page 23
DEAR EDITOR, Hopefully, I am not the only one on Mother Earth who on reading of the goings on at the mortuary of the Georgetown Public Hospital was shocked to their internal consciousness enough to warrant the immediate administration of an anti– emetic. Now in an air of unfeigned disgust, permit me to once again ask the question. “What is going on?” “Who is running the show, or has the show run aground?”A malignant attitude of total disrespect among the living has permeated the entire country, and now has sadly metastasized to include the deceased. Kaieteur News May 7, detailed the anguish suffered by Roger Smith, who had gone to the overcrowded morgue to claim his deceased child. Grisly details unfold as he related the manner in which the babies were being stored, thrown in like pieces of meat, absence of proper identification or tagging of the corpses, drawer after drawer being pulled out as the searchers tried to establish the sex of the deceased. Permit me to inwardly squirm as I try to blot out the scenario that has been conjured up in my crazed mind. There is certainly no excuse for such behavior in even the most backward of Third World countries and its occupants. I am calling on the Government of Guyana, whichever one wins the elections on May 11, to forthwith address and immediately rectify this apathetically sickening situation—— indignity to human corpses. Section 182 a & b of the Criminal Code of Canada reads as follow:
Everyone who · (a) neglects, without lawful excuse, to perform any duty that is imposed on him by law or that he undertakes with reference to the burial of a dead human body or human remains, or · (b) improperly or indecently interferes with or offers any indignity to a dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not,is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. It can therefore be clearly seen by even the profoundly myopic that one can be jailed for the treatment meted out to the living as well as the dead. Do not for the briefest of moment garner the impression that I am laying the blame solely and exclusively on the mortuary personnel. They are at the receiving end of the scale, but nevertheless should ensure that the mise en cause (those responsible for preparation prior to transmission) viz: the nurses/ orderlies etc. carry out their duties in a professional manner. Of prime importance is the correct identification of the dead, to avert any likely mix up causing further stress to grieving loved ones, relatives etc. In addition they must ensure that bodies are properly attired and garments secured before departure from the place of death to handing over to the mortuary personnel. There was no mention made of any proof of receipt made between transferring agent and receiving party.
Perhaps Guyana needs to take a lesson or make that lessons on how such a process is conducted here in North America. The receiving agent at the morgue has to sign in the presence of witnesses that he has received a body, identified by the chart and the name tag applied/attached at three different areas on the shroud. Errors made can prove financially costly to hospitals, hence the safeguarding mechanism. While this entire incident smacks of human anguish, horror and deprecation, it is further compounded by an extremely archaic system. Under no account should a parent/relative/husband/ wife/funeral home employee be subjected to the intricacies of corpse preservation and storage. Why was the parent allowed to see other dead babies while in the quest to retrieve his child? Is there a protocol in place regarding the expected and tolerated storage period for the dead? Are the families aware of same? And have they been made further aware of the sequelae surrounding nonclaiming? Although I am not residentin Guyana, I am not accepting as credible the explanations given by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh and confirmed by Chief Executive Officer Michael Khan. Are the inmates running the asylum? Are these two Government officials regularly in touch with the departments Continued on page 23
Page 6
Kaieteur News
Monday May 11, 2015
Cops say serious crimes on the rise Although, there has been a big drop in armed robberies so far this year, the Guyana Police Force has recorded a seven percent increase in serious crimes up to the end of April 30 last, in comparison to the same period last year. Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping. Pushing the figure up was murder with a total of 54 at the end of April; four more than for the same time last year. But while the police have been cracking most of the cases, there remain a few still unsolved.
There has been no arrest so far in the investigations into the murder of Quincy Bowman, 31, of Cummings Lodge, ECD, whose body was found with a gunshot injury to the head in the vicinity of Busta Bridge, Festival City, on April 06, 2015. Investigations are also continuing into the circumstances surrounding the death of 17 year old Devi Ramadhar of Pouderoyen, WBD, whose body was found on the seawall at La Jalousie, WCD, on April 11, 2015. The police said that two men had been arrested and questioned in this matter and subsequently released. In one of the murder breakthroughs so far, investigations into the murder of Shevon Gordon of Block 22, Wismar, who was
shot and killed during an armed robbery in front of her residence on April 04, 2015, has resulted in three men and a woman being charged and placed before the court. A man known as Robin Thomas, 22 years of West Front Road, Georgetown; Anthony Primo called ‘Shoulders’, of Laing Avenue, Georgetown; and Adina Bowen called ‘Yankee’ of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, have been charged with murder and robbery under arms. In addition, Adina Bowen and Latisha Garraway, 20 years, of Blueberry Hill, have been charged with unlawful possession of firearm component. They appeared before Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday
CSEC/CAPE exams for today, tomorrow shifted Even as the country turns out to the polls today to vote for a new government, the Ministry of Education is reminding CSEC and CAPE students of shifts in exams due to a clash with General and Regional Elections. The shift in dates had been approved by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) after Guyana had sought permission for a change following the announcement of elections earlier this year. At least a dozen exams for CSEC and CAPE were shifted to June 15 and June 16. However, though the Guyanese candidates will be conducting their exams at the later date, The Education Ministry assured that their results will be
New dates set for June available at the same time as the rest of the region. “Students will not be disadvantaged in any way as the paper will be similarly weighted or parallel,” the Ministry emphasised. According to a Ministry of Education advisory, the new exams schedules are as follows: CSEC exams scheduled for June 15: 9:00hrs: Agricultural Science (double award) – Paper 2, Agricultural Science (Single award) – Paper 2, Theatre Arts – Paper 1; and at 13:00hrs: Electrical and Electronic Technology – Paper 1 and Food and Nutrition – Paper 2. CAPE exams scheduled for June 15: 9:00hrs:
Geometrical & Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1Paper 2; History Unit 1 – Paper 2; Art & Design Unit 1& 2- Paper 2 & 3; and at 13:00hrs: Communications Studies -Paper-2 CSEC exams scheduled for June 16: 9:00hrs: Home Economics: Management – Paper 2, and Technical Drawing – Paper 2; and at 1:00pm: Electrical and Electronic Technology – Paper 2. CAPE exams scheduled for June 16: 9:00 hrs: French Unit 2 – Paper 2 and Environmental Science Unit 2 – Paper 2; and at 13:00hrs: Pure Mathematics Unit 1 – Paper 2 and Agricultural Science Unit 2 – Paper 2.
May 08, 2015, where they were remanded to prison until May 12, 2015. However, there has been no arrest as yet as investigations continue into an incident that occurred at Eccles, EBD, on April 25, 2015, where Attorney-at-Law and former Magistrate Fazil Azeez was shot and wounded to his abdomen. There has also been no arrest as yet as investigations continue into the murder of another 17 year old Alicia McPherson, who was fatally stabbed at ‘B’ Field, Sophia, on April 19, 2015. Investigations are continuing into the murder of Sherwin Barrow, 23 of East Ruimveldt, who was shot and killed at Warlock, East Ruimveldt last Wednesday. Investigations are also continuing into the murder of businessman Farouk Ghanie, 56 of Nandy Park, EBD, whose body was found with stab wounds in his yard on April 16, 2015. A man and a woman had been arrested but were subsequently released after questioning. There has been no arrest as yet as investigations continue into the murder of Patrick Boodie, 38 years of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, who was shot and killed during an altercation with two men at Angoy’s Avenue on April 15, 2015. Meanwhile, at the end of
April 2015 robbery under arms overall has decreased by 17% in comparison to the same period in 2014. The statistics indicate a decrease of 23% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a six percent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators. Up to the end of April this year, a total of 29 illegal firearms have been recovered by the police. These comprise 14 pistols, eight revolvers, three shotguns, three rifles and one pen-gun. Just last Friday, the police recorded a major bust of illegal firearms when a cache of gun, comprising two AK-47 assault rifles and 15 nine milimetre handguns were found in a crate that was sent from the united states of America. A man who went to clear the crate has been arrested. In continuing efforts aimed at crime prevention, the Guyana Police Force continues to place emphasis on its police-community partnership programme along with social crime prevention interventions in the Policing Divisions. During April this year the community projects conducted in “A” Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) included the continuing efforts to empower youths through
skills training such as craft making, cosmetology, leather craft, embroidery and educational talks on domestic violence, proper use of the roadways and drugs awareness. A sign indicating the name of the school was donated to the Queenstown Secondary School and a number of kites were distributed to children in various communities. In “B” Division (Berbice) the police held a fund raising event aimed at garnering funds to aid in the rehabilitation of a building on the playground at Savannah Park, New Amsterdam, in order to convert it into a Research Centre and also distributed kites to youths in several communities. At Linden in “E” Division educational talks on issues such as domestic violence and drug awareness were held with youths of several Police Youth Clubs including the Wisroc Youth Group, the Victory Valley Youth Group and the Silver Hill/Bamia/ KairuniYouth Group. First Aid and Computer training were also held with the youths and kites were distributed to children of various communities. In addition to the community projects, Divisional Commanders also held community outreach meetings in various communities within their (Continued on page 18)
Gunmen storm mining camp, shoot worker In what appears to be a bitter dispute between two mining companies, gunmen dressed as security guards invaded a Konawruk mining camp and opened fire indiscrimately, wounding one of the employees. The incident, which occurred yesterday at approximately noon yesterday, is said to have been orchestrated by security guards attached to another mining company, because of a piece of land that the Figueira Mining company has been prospecting. Alisha Figuiera, who says she owns the mining operation along with her husband Mario Figueira, said employees from the other prospecting firm made several encroachments on her claim, District H45, Konawaruk. She said she was forced to file an injunction against them. According to Figuiera, the injunction filed against the rival mining company barred that firm from making any attempt to stop her mining company from
working on the disputed land until May 18th, the date set for the hearing. According to reports, yesterday, four men, who were reportedly dressed in the security uniforms and were armed with shotguns, entered the Figueira camp and started to threaten its occupants. One of the men, who appeared to be in charge, then started giving instructions to his comrades to shoot up the entire camp. It is then that Mario Figueira emerged with the injunction in an effort to dissuade the gunmen from their actions, but to no avail. According to the victim, he subsequently went to a second camp in order to collect his personal belongings. As he was passing next to some oil drums, he said, the guard gave orders for his comrades to shoot the barrels. Stating that he is not sure whether he was hit in the crossfire or if someone deliberately aimed at him, he was nevertheless shot to the back of the head. It was then that the
The victim displaying his gunshot wounds guards are alleged to have bundled him into a 4x4 and drove away. He was subsequently released by his captors, and his colleagues had him air-dashed to the city at around 17:00h. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment. Meanwhile, police confirmed that the matter was reported and that a team has been dispatched into the area to complete further investigations.
Monday May 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Merkel’s party suffers another state loss as eurosceptics roll on Reuters The Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party looked set to win seats in a fifth straight regional parliament yesterday after an election in the city-state of Bremen where Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives were badly beaten. An ARD TV exit poll indicated that the Social Democrats (SPD) would win the vote in the smallest of Germany’s 16 regional states with 32.5 percent. The SPD, which has ruled Bremen since 1946, are likely to renew their coalition with the Greens, who were projected to win 15.5 percent. The anti-bailout AfD was variously projected to win 5.0 or 5.2 percent, just crossing the threshold to win seats in the assembly. Before Bremen, the AfD had won seats in four straight assemblies: Saxony, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Hamburg. The AfD has been snatching away votes from Merkel’s conservatives since it was founded in 2013 to oppose eurozone bailouts for
Angela Merkel states such as Greece, but has recently been in decline, racked by infighting and an east-west split. The party had been registering up to 10 percent in national opinion polls last year, but has dropped to around 5 percent recently as a drift to the right - and a ferocious internal battle over its appeal to far-right voters has frightened away centrist voters, especially in western
Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives suffered yet another regional drubbing in Bremen, despite her active campaigning in the northwestern port city. Her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) looked set to win 23 percent after taking 20 percent in the last vote in 2011. The CDU, also humbled in February in nearby Hamburg with a post-war low of 15.9 percent, have been ejected from power in six states since 2011 and now rule in just five of Germany’s 16 regions. “We still believe we can do better in Bremen,” said Michael Grosse-Broemer, the CDU’s deputy floor leader in parliament in Berlin. “We won’t give up. We’ll keep on fighting.” In the last regional election of 2015 before a crowded vote calendar next year, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) won 6.5 percent after 2.4 percent in 2011. They hope to return to parliament in 2017 as a possible coalition partner for Merkel.
Saudi king sending crown prince to summit with Obama Reuters - Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has designated his crown prince to attend a Gulf Arab summit with U.S. President Barack Obama, the state news agency, SPA, reported yesterday. Foreign Minister Adel alJubeir announced that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef would head the delegation representing the world’s top oil exporter at the talks, which U.S. sources say will focus on military cooperation. A preliminary deal between Iran and world powers on Tehran’s nuclear programme and the crises in Syria and Yemen are also likely to be discussed. The two-day summit, due to take place tomorrow and Wednesday in Washington DC and in Camp David, Maryland, coincides with the start of a five-day humanitarian truce in Yemen, proposed by Saudi Arabia and agreed to by the Houthi rebels it is fighting there. Jubeir said Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman would also attend the summit for Saudi Arabia. Obama issued the invitation to the Gulf Cooperation Council to attend the May 13-14 summit after Iran and six world powers reached a framework agreement last month that would give Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for reining in its nuclear program.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef Gulf Arab neighbours, including key U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, worry that Iran will not be deterred from a nuclear bomb and will be flush with cash from unfrozen assets to fund proxies and expand its influence in countries such as Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. A U.S. source said last week that Obama was expected to make a renewed U.S. push at the summit to help Gulf allies create a region-wide defence system to guard against Iranian missiles as he seeks to allay their anxieties over the nuclear deal with Tehran. The offer could be accompanied by enhanced security commitments, new arms sales and more joint military exercises, U.S.
officials say, as Obama tries to reassure Gulf Arab countries that Washington is not abandoning them. Obama is all but certain to stop short of a full security treaty with Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states as that would require approval by the Republican-controlled Senate and risk stoking tensions with Washington’s main Middle East ally Israel. A second U.S. official insisted the summit would be a “two-way street,” with Washington pushing Gulf leaders to overcome internal rivalries and find ways to collaborate better in their own defence. United Arab Emirates will demand a U.S. commitment that the outcome of a nuclear deal between the world powers and Iran ensures that Tehran will respect its Arab neighbours, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in remarks carried by state news agency WAM. “The main dilemma in relations between Iran and the Arabs is the Iranian desire to expand,” Gargash said, according to WAM, which quoted excerpts of an interview with Abu Dhabibased Sky News Arabia scheduled to be broadcast yesterday. Apart from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the GCC also comprises Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
Page 7
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Monday May 11, 2015
Page 18
Kaieteur News
Road rage shooting leaves wrong man dead outside nightclub A night club patron was shot dead yesterday during an altercation between an associate and a taxi driver whose vehicle had struck the shooter’s car. Nigel Isaacs, 40, of Roxanne Burnham Gardens, was reportedly wounded at around 00.25 hrs. He succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation at around 19.20 hrs. Police have detained the alleged shooter.
Kaieteur News understands that the shooting occurred minutes after Isaacs and the alleged shooter had left a Main Street night club. A police release stated that at approximately 00:25 hrs yesterday, the driver of HB 4024 accidentally struck motor car PPP 7994 that was parked on Main Street, Georgetown. A confrontation ensued between the driver and the owner of the car, during which a gunshot was fired. Kaieteur News understands that after his vehicle was damaged, the man with the firearm struck the taxi driver. It was reportedly then that he accidentally discharged a round, which hit Isaacs. When the round was discharged the taxi driver reportedly tried to flee the scene, and the alleged shooter pursued him, unaware that he had shot Isaacs.
Monday May 11, 2015
AFC meets Carter Center observers The leadership of the Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday met with representatives of the Carter Center who are in Guyana to observe General and Regional Elections which are to be held today. AFC’s meeting with the mission was held in the absence of former US President Jimmy Carter who had just taken ill and had returned to the US. Members of the Center questioned AFC about its concerns about the elections process thus far. According to Khemraj Ramjattan, AFC leaders inclusive of himself, Cathy Hughes and Moses Nagamootoo expressed that they are overall supportive of the process thus far. However, he said that AFC made it known that the Party has concerns with the abuse of state resources and pointed out the state media as one such resource. Ramjattan said that the Party noted that ads from the coalition were by the stateowned National Communication refused and a frivolous excuse was
FLASHBACK: A photo taken during Jimmy Carter’s previous trip to Guyana while Ramjattan (right) was head of the Guyana Bar Association
offered. He said that the “bloated voters list” was pointed out and so were the party’s concerns about the People’s Progressive Party’s use of the race card during public meetings in a bid to win votes. Ramjattan said that his
team also pointed out that the incumbent Party utilized a number of persons who are supposed to be neutral office holders such as ambassadors, Permanent Secretaries and heads of state entities, such as Guyoil and GuySuCo.
Ramjattan told Kaieteur News that the meeting was a fruitful one. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter arrived in Guyana on Friday in advance of today’s General and Regional elections but fell ill and had to leave.
KEISHA FRASER - A queen long before... From page 16 New Silver city Secondary, as was inadvertently published in this newspaper. Keisha was not at all surprised at her latest victory. “I was confident, and the crowd response certainly gave me more courage, so I just did my best in answering the question and everything.” She says that she is however not sure what her prize is yet. “At first we were told that the first prize was to be a car, but then on the very day of the pageant our parents were called in by the organizers, who told them that there were some problems with that. “I think quite a few persons were disappointedincluding myself, but contrary
to what some persons are saying that I planned to sue the organizers, that is not true.” No date has been set for the prize giving ceremony, and the queen insists that she be informed before the event, what her prize will be. But prizes and pageantry aside, who really is Keisha Fraser? “I’m a pretty simple person. I’m presently a school teacher, with a special love for languages. At present I’m learning French and loving it- and I have a passion for the English language.” She is the eldest of four girls for her mother, who is also a school teacher. Keisha admits that at first she was not too enthused by
the idea of teaching, but was greatly influenced by her mother, who is a great role model. “Now I can safely say that it has grown on me-Im growing to love it.” VICTORIOUS AMBASSADOR As would be expected, Keisha represented the Victory Valley community, where she grew up and presently resides with her family. A victorious ambassador, from Victory Valley, one might say. And she is adamant that the sometimes negative picture painted of the community is not entirely true. “I mean I grew up here, and everything is not perfect,
but the people are very nice. They are caring and hospitable. People here live like family. If you should take a stroll in here any day, you would be most welcome!” The Linden Town Week Queen automatically qualifies to enter the Miss Guyana World. However, that is a prospect, she says, she is not entirely sure of, given her hectic work schedule. “I’m supposed to sign a contract with the VYBZ Entertainment group, but so far I have not been told anything.” For now, Keisha is focused on her teaching and learning French, for as she says, you never know where life might take you! (Enid Joaquin)
Cops say serious crimes on the... (From page 6) respective Division where they interacted with residents on issues of mutual concern. During April there was a total of nine interventions supported by the religious community in the Cops and Faith Community Network (CFCN) which treats with juvenile first offenders for minor crimes as a preemptive intervention to the New Opportunity Corps. Since the launch of the Cops and Faith Community Network and unto April 30, 2015, there has been a total of 153 such interventions. In all cases the youths
were counseled by the religious leaders and following the involvement of parents/guardians, and the victims where necessary, the majority of them were warned and sent away. Also through the Cops and Faith Community Network, the Police Force had on December 06, 2014, formally launched its Family Liaison for victims of serious crimes and domestic violence project, at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary. It has been recognised that in some instances the victims of serious crimes are not cooperating fully
with the police investigators on issues such as giving statements, attending identification parades and attending court. It is therefore felt that the involvement of the religious leaders attached to the CFCN can have a positive impact by way of bringing some psychological relief to the victims in the first instance, along with giving encouragement for their cooperation with the police as well as the provision of feedback to them on the progress of the investigations into a particular matter. Another benefit seen is
that in many instances persons are more comfortable talking to a religious leader and additionally the presence of the religious leader will serve to motivate ranks to be more professional in their delivery of service and consequently assist in enhancing public trust. In this regard, during April this year there has been a total of 16 interventions by the religious leaders in instances relating to incidents of armed robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault, and attempt suicide where the affected persons were counseled.
Monday May 11, 2015
FOR RENT
Kaieteur News
SERVICES
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
3 Storied building, bottom flat business, first & top floors 15 rooms HotelCall:225-5639-40 Bagotstown Public Road: 2 Storied Commercial property next to Rays Auto) 3,500 sq.ft –Tel: 233-2546; 233-5859
Advertisements; Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 2 Bedrooms executive apartment in exclusive residential area, security cameras, AC, good parking, etc. Call: 653-2920 or 664-1070 Five bedrooms house @ 107 Lamaha Gardens & large parking, AC rooms, hot & cold, purified water system – Call: 661-8908; 335-3590 1- One bedroom apartment to rent at Lynn Street -$35,000 per month –Tel: 670-7171 Three bedrooms house $120,000 monthly, one bedroom apartment -$35,000 monthly at Dennis Street Sophia –Call: 638-4348 Concrete compound 175X350 @ Soesdyke Public Road, access to Demerara River, ideal for sawmill/ fisheries, dockyard. Contact 682-4128; 693-5281
Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Your Dream Yard Today! Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 219-0468/ 648-1821 Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall: 225-6496, 662-6045 Services and repairs to gas stoves washing machine, electronic stoves, deep fryers- Call: 688-0183 City Printery Rubber stamp and signs, offset printing self ink, stamps @ 58 Robb & Oronoque St –Tel:225-4968; 621-3345
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807
TOURS Suriname Tour Trip Return, Independence Weekend (May 23-May26) Book Early Call: 644-0185; 639-2663; 665-5171 LOST/STOLEN 1 black Dell laptop,belonging to a staff member,of Muneshwer’s travel. The laptop contains important, information on he travel agency. A reward is offered. Contact 227-6992, or 6713332
Page 19
WANTED
SALON
FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Experienced rock driller, must know about Furukawa, Tamrock or Atlas Copco Hydraulics Machines – Call: 665-3959 or matiasorellana@exploservice. com.ar 1 Maid, 40years and older to work in Suriname- Contact: (+597)322-5442;(+597)651-6666
Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Male Enhancement; 4 in each pack -$500 - Tel: 638-1627 Imported pups Rottweiler, German shepherds, Huskys, malamute Dogo argentino, pugs and British bulldog-Tel: 664-5401; 615-5343 JUST ARRIVED!! 18" BRUSH CUTTER BLADES WHOLESALE & RETAIL QUANTITIES - FREE DELIVERY CALL: 6148564/ 639-3675 D4H CAT bulldozer, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper truck, lengths- plastic sheet piles, 17FT Truck Tray – Contact: 275-0538; 693-7105 Pile driving hammers, weight 3 and 4 tons, 6 cylinder Leyland engine, 10 tons double steel wheeled roller – Call: 275-0538; 693-7105 Pneumatic roller – 9 wheels, 2,500 GLS, steel tank, 2,000 GLS, steel tank , 428 CAT Back-Hoe Call: 275-0538; 693-7105 Attention Loggers!!! Anchor seal wood wax 18000 5-G, N.C sanding sealer $4500 1-G, nail plates, metal straps – Tel: 2653541; 695-4785 Tibetan pups, white-brown & whiter – Call: 652-8369 Over 12,000 rare & expensive stamps, old documents/ old coins & money etc –Tel: 2276817; 226-5183; 624-7341 Great Deals on video games and all gaming consoles, PC games, phone games & applications – Call: 672-2566; 265-3232 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 One Mitsubishi Canter, good condition, 2.5 ton, has dumper-$2.2M-Tel: 612-1848
Toyota Prado, Price$4.7M Neg. Call: 643-2403 Smart Choice Auto Sale: Premio, Allion, Spacio, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, IST - Call: 652-3820; 6654529
One Pastry maker- please email application to jobvacanciesg1@gmail.com Driver for contract with minibus license –Tel: 6878728 Wash bay attendants – Tel:646-8748 Top soil from Mahaica Area, please Call: 219-0468 Business/Economics Writer, email application to snow198390@hotmail.com Senior Accounts Clerk, 5yrs experienced, CAT or equivalent. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com 1 OFFICE ASSISTANT: Must have motorcycle, car/ van license, able to work flexible hours, from E.B.D. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com Taxi & Bus drivers, dispatchers at Princess Hotel, Providence –Tel: 616-5419 Female general workers for shift system -Tel: 218-1400 One pick up to hire for farm on contract – Contact Mr. Henriques, Bio – Green Farms Inc: 693-4777; 692-8635. Experienced cashier, apply Hacks Halaal Restaurant, 5 Commerce Street. One female 30-45yrs to live in and care for an elderly woman at SchoonOrd, W.B.D –Tel: 625-1514 Taxi drivers/dispatchers – Tel:231-3709;694-6609;652-4575
VACANCY Live in house keeper to care for infant 35-50yrs-Tel: 6978797 One manager to work @ Hotel Purple Heart on the Essequibo Coast, accommodation provided, attractive salary – Contact: 226-9768; 642-7963 1 Experienced female Accounts clerk, apply with hand written application @ Alabama Trading. Work from home, earn $5,000-$20,000 daily Call Monday-Friday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 638-0595 www.jobfairworldwide.com RA Soda Factory: vacancy for male & female workers and bond clerk @ Good Hope Bond/ Melanie. Tel: 623-5920; 330-2399 International Cruiselines, receptionists, cooks, waitresses, carpenters, cleaners, storekeepers, electricians, Contact Recruitment Agency - 2316296, 650-9880, www.plzrecruitme.com Checkers, Accountants & Drivers @ Rosignol Branch –Tel: 330-2399; 623-5920 Live in caretaker, cook, pastry chef, male receptionist –Tel: 225-9211; 231-1908; 223-6284
Landscape maintenance team seeks Hardworking, reliable workers 17-35 ages; on the job training -Contact: 219-0468 Supervisor for plant shop on East Bank Demerara, Training in Georgetown Plant knowledge an advantage Tel: 648-1821 Two General Managers for a hinterland location. Contact:223-5180. Attractive salary
Fluffy, loving puppies – Tel:645-0240 or 629-3814
ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn: Furnished Air conditioned apartment, free Wi-Fi, 24 hours coffee/tea, price $5,000, $6,000 –Tel: 6680306; 218-1400 & 694-7817
One tractor operator must know about rice work in Mahaicony River –Tel: 2256571; 644-6905
Newly built 2 bedroom apartment in a safe and healthy environment –Call: 698-6496
Relief Driver with minibus license –Tel:687-8728
LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Enterprise @ Lot 2 Croal Street, enquire about an international drivers permit “join us on facebook” Tel: 622-8162; 227-3869
D. Persuad Auto Deal: New model Spacio and PremioTel: 227-5950; 681-7117 Prado Land Cruiser TZ, Automatic Diesel, PHH Series -$5.2M, fully loaded Tel: 233-2546; 688-5554 1 L-Touring Wagon, flair kit, remote start- $1.450,000, 1 Honda CRV, $1.850, 000, 1 AT192 - $850, 000. All in good condition, price negotiable –Tel: 626-2884 Two FUSO canter truck with three ton crane GPP & GTT series, price $5.5M & $4.5M – Call Ward: 622-6746 3 Ford F350 2006 model, extended cab 4X4, 6" lift kit, 35" tyres, diesel, auto, excellent condition – Tel:610-5370 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Nissan X-Trail, Doctor’s Car, immaculate condition -$3M negotiable. Phone: 328-7832, 641-3001, 232-0628 1 Toyota Hilux mint condition –Tel: 601-0053; 691-8075. New model Allion: TV reverse camera, low mileage -$3,300,000 negotiable –Tel: 655-3400
TO LET One church @ 180 Charlotte Streets Bourda for rent $150,000 monthly negotiable –Tel: 624-7341; 227-6817
1 Experienced driver for route #32 mini bus –Call:629-2302 We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Parfait Harmonie, Uitvlught & in West Berbice –Tel: 675-7292; 611-7223
First Class Auto: 09 Allion, 05 Premio, 06 Allion, Bluebird, Rush, Spacio, Runx, IST, Carina 212, Verossa, Mark 2, Axio –Tel: 609-8188; 638-3045
PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land for sale @ Leonora New Scheme –Tel: 679-9851
LAND FOR SALE 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front -reasonable offer accepted, serious enquiries only! – Tel: 669-8152 Parfaite Harmonie : $1.3M, $1.4M, Herstelling: $5M, Uitvlugt – $2.5M, Bath Settlement, West Berbice $1.2M –Call: 675-7292; 6117223 MASSAGE Relaxing Massage therapy service-Tel:674-8147
Monday M ay 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Nursing calamity - Specially trained nurses leaving Jamaica in droves The Gleaner - The ailing public health sector could be hauled into intensive care as scores of specially trained nurses have been leaving Jamaica for higher-paying jobs overseas. While Jamaican nurses have always been in high demand in foreign markets, the most recent exodus is particularly worrying to health sector insiders, who say overseas recruiters have been targeting the most highly trained nurses. These nurses have spent years earning speciality training in high-demand areas of patient care, including midwifery, critical care and operating theatre. According to some sources, as many as 150 such specialist nurses left the island last year. According to president of the Nurses’ Association of Jamaica (NAJ), Janet Farr, the migration of these specialist nurses is having a calamitous effect on the health sector. “Last year alone, almost 90 specialist nurses left one particular institution in Kingston, and by specialist
nurses I am talking about nurses who are double trained in midwifery, trained in accident and emergency, trained in critical care, and the recruiters are looking for these nurses desperately, and the result is draining our system,” said Farr. The NAJ president argued that the Government needs to implement a retention programme that would offer highly trained nurses special incentives in an effort to keep them in the local health care sector. “We understand that there might not be enough money to pay them what they are worth, but the Government could offer them parcels of land or discounted loans for cars. These are things that the Government has done before, but we don’t see them doing it anymore. Offer them something tangible that might make them think twice before leaving, because as we train them, they go,” added Farr. The flight of specialist nurses has had a particularly negative effect on the
University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). According to CEO of the UHWI, Dr Cecil White, the hospital lost a substantial number of specialist nurses last year despite its investment in the training of these nurses. “The UHWI offers specialist training through its Nursing Staff Development Division (in-service), for nurses in critical care, emergency room nursing, operating theatre nursing and midwifery. Nurses are also given study leave to receive specialist training in psychiatric nursing, paediatric nursing, nephrology nursing offered by the Ministry of Health InService Education Unit,” said White in a statement to The Sunday Gleaner. “Despite these efforts, during 2014, 50 specialist nurses resigned from the UHWI, and have indicated that they are migrating to North America,” added White. He said specialist nurses who left the hospital last year
included 25 critical care nurses, seven operating theatre nurses, five nurses specialising in midwifery and four emerge n c y r o o m nurses. White noted that the loss of such a large number of trained personnel in such a short period of time was placing additional pressure
on the hospital’s administration. “Whenever specialist nurses resign, it results in shortages and increases the need for sessional work to maintain satisfactory levels of patient care. It also increases our administrative costs, as replacements have to be recruited and trained on an
evident. He reminded the conference that Grenada recorded a 300 per cent loss in gross domestic product (GDP) as a result of one storm. “We see across CARICOM, an average of two to five per cent loss of growth due to hurricanes and tropical process which occur annually. “For the Bahamas, which has 80 percent of its land mass within one metre of mean sea level, climate change is an existential threat to our land mass. Indeed, that is the story across the region. And as I have said from place to place, if the sea level rises some five feet in the Bahamas, 80 per cent of the Bahamas as we know it will disappear. The stark reality of that means, we are here to talk about survival,” Christie said. President of the Regional Council of Martinique Serge Letchimy, who opened the summit, warned that “half of the islands in the Bahamas could vanish due to rising sea levels”. “Caribbean Climate 2015 is a push to vigorously encourage the international community to reach an agreement at COP21 to keep global warming below 2
degrees C. This is a crucial goal for Caribbean island nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and which only contribute 0.3 percent of global greenhouse emissions.” French Environment minister Ségolène Royal told the summit that the islands have the means to fight climate change but needed assistance as he read the “Declaration of Fort de France” that appealed on the world’s conscience to fight global warming. Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said climate change is having a huge impact on his country affecting agriculture and the eco-system. “As you know we promote heavily ecotourism, and if action is not taken by the international community to halt greenhouse gas emissions we’re going to have a serious challenge. “We’re a coastal country and as the years go by you are seeing an erosion of the coastal landscape. You have a lot of degradation taking place. That has resulted in us spending tremendous sums of money to mitigate against that. “Clearly, small countries
like Dominica, and indeed the entire OECS do not have the kind of resources required to mitigate against climate change. We are the least contributors but we are the most affected,” Skerrit told the summit. OECS Director General Dr. Didicus Jules said the the impacts of climate change can be seen everywhere across the region. “It’s beginning to pose a huge threat as we saw in the case of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The last event there, the damage was equivalent of about more than 20 per cent of their GDP. “So just a simple event can set us back so drastically
A section of the group of nurses who recently completed their first year at the University of Technology’s School of Nursing. Many of them could be offered high-paying jobs overseas once they complete training in speciality areas locally. ongoing basis,” stressed White. “Most of the nurses that resign cite financial and family commitments as their main reasons for leaving for greener pastures. The UHWI is unable to offer salaries to compete with the packages being offered by the recruiters.”
France urges rich countries to help Caribbean deal with environment
MARTINIQUE- A one day Franco-Caribbean summit on the environment ended here Saturday with French President François Hollande calling on wealthy countries to help poor ones deal with the impact of climate change and other environment problems. Hollande called for “rich countries to help poor countries fight global warming” ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Paris later this year. “If there is nothing in terms of finance for countries that are the most vulnerable and the poorest, they won’t follow you,” Hollande said. The summit was attended by 13 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders as well as Cuba’s Environment Minister Elba Rosa Prez Montoya. Hollande also called for the establishment of an international green fund could help the vulnerable, tourism-dependent Caribbean region mitigate the effects of climate change. “Thanks to this fund, we will be able to find solutions to the problem of global warming,” he said. Officials have said they hope to secure at least 50 per
François Hollande cent of the US$10 billion that governments have pledged for the fund before the Paris summit begins. He said climate change is a pressing issue that represents US$600 million a year in costs to the Caribbean region alone, promising to reinforce and expand a local natural disaster fund. “This is a human issue that has displaced millions of people and caused the disappearance of species every year,” he said. CARICOM Chairman and Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie told the summit that the evidence of the impact of climate change within the CARICOM region is very
and that is why the member states are so concerned because these events have all kinds of downstream impacts on the economy, not just the damage and loss caused by the events themselves.” The Caribbean islands contribute only 0.3 per cent of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere but suffer their effects in a rise in sea levels, increasingly extreme weather and the spread of sargassum algae that harm seashores. Hollande, who is on a five-day visit to the region, will also travel to Cuba and Haiti on Monday. (Caribbean News)
Page 22
Kaieteur News
Venezuela parliamentary elections to be held in fourth quarter Reuters - Venezuela will hold parliamentary elections in the last quarter of this year and the exact date will be announced soon, the head of the National Electoral Council (CNE) said yesterday. Socialist president Nicolas Maduro is under growing pressure over the 2015 elections, especially after leftist ally and regional heavyweight Brazil on Thursday urged its neighbour to set a date. “We can say that in the last quarter of this year we’ll have the elections. We’re going to announce it very soon,” Tibisay Lucena said in an interview with the Televen television channel. Luis Emilio Rondon, a CNE official, said on Friday the elections will be held at the end of November or the beginning of December. The scheduled vote comes as a severe economic downturn pummels Maduro’s popularity, leading to speculation in opposition circles that the election may not be called at all. “Where are they getting this idea that we won’t have elections? From the start of
Nicolas Maduro this year, we’ve said that this is an electoral year,” Lucena said, attributing the delay to the CNE being busy organising the primaries. The opposition MUD coalition is slated to hold its primaries next Sunday while the ruling socialist party will choose its candidates on June 28. Polls show that the perennially fragmented opposition has a strong chance of winning over the National Assembly, long a stronghold of the “Chavismo” movement founded by late leader Hugo Chavez.
Monday May 11, 2015
Putin says Ukraine peace ‘moving forward’ despite problems (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday that the peace process in eastern Ukraine was progressing despite difficulties. Merkel reaffirmed her support for the peace efforts and repeated her calls to Putin to use his influence with pro-Russian separatists battling Kiev government forces to end a conflict in which more than 6,000 people have been killed since April 2014. “There is every reason to believe the Minsk process is moving forward, though with problems,” Putin told a joint news conference with Merkel, referring to the peace deal signed in February in the Belarussian capital. “With all the problems in east Ukraine, it has nevertheless become quieter,” he said, adding that direct dialogue between the Kiev government and the separatists was crucial for peace.
Relations between Russia and Germany, which have multi-billion-dollar trade and energy links, have soured sharply over Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean region and its support for the separatists. Berlin has strongly backed the Western economic sanctions subse quently slapped on Russia. “But still, the lesson of history is that we have to try everything to solve conflicts - as difficult as they might seem - peacefully and in dialogue and that means diplomatically,” Merkel said. The German chancellor was visiting Russia for events to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, although she stayed away from a military parade on Red Square on Saturday. Merkel and French President Francois Hollande
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) gestures as Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during a news conference after talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. REUTERS/Kirill Kudryavtsev/Pool helped broker the Minsk ceasefire deal on Feb. 12 but it has been violated many times. Both sides report small numbers of casualties on an almost daily basis.
Before their talks yesterday, Putin and Merkel took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the walls of the Kremlin.
After surviving Boko Haram, returnees face hunger in Nigerian towns
Women travel in the back of a truck in the town of Mararaba, after the Nigerian military recaptured it from Boko Haram, in Adamawa state yesterday. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye MICHIKA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Since Nigeria’s army began clearing large areas of the country’s northeast from Boko Haram, some of the 1.5 million internally displaced people have started returning home. But thousands could now face severe food shortages as reconstruction lags behind. Along the main roads heading north from Adamawa’s state capital Yola, some trade has resumed in the towns but ghostly pockets and haunting reminders of the insurgent takeover are evident.
Some three months after the fighting ended, the smell of rotting corpses still clings to the air by the headquarters of the Church of the Brethren near Mararaba. Islamist militant group Boko Haram grabbed swathes of Nigeria’s northeast last year, killing thousands in an unprecedented land grab. It took over most of Borno state, the birthplace of the group, and parts of Adamawa and Yobe while increasing incursions on neighboring countries. The army began pushing
back when Boko Haram was about 100 km (60 miles) from Adamawa’s state capital. In the last few months, many people have returned to Adamawa but health clinics, banks and schools are still lacking, especially in the northernmost areas, and vast stretches of farmland between towns stand barren. In the town of Michika, which saw some of the fiercest fighting, residents are too afraid and lack the equipment and manpower to farm, and at least for the moment they will not be able to live off the land.
Monday May 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Making the right choice: Learning from Gandhi and Martin Luther King in the context of Guyana’s Future DEAR EDITOR, On June 7th, 1893 – Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , the father of the modern Indian independence movement was unceremoniously kicked off the first class section of a train whilst travelling from Durban to Pretoria in present day South Africa. Gandhiji or ‘Bapu’ as he was later on affectionately called was asked to move from the first class cabin to that of the van compartment because a white man sitting in the first class section objected to an Indian person sharing his same space. Gandhi refused to budge on the basis that he was holding a first class ticket which he paid for and secondly having been admitted to practice as an Attorney in The British
Commonwealth (South Africa was still a British colony) that he was therefore a subject of the British Realm and therefore entitled to the same priveleges and civil decorum he had come to enjoy years earlier as a law student in Great Britain. Regrettably, that right was not realized until Mandela became President of South Africa more than 100 years later but that event was the start of South Africa’s long walk to freedom. This epochal event in Gandhi’s life is what ultimately shaped his outlook on life thereafter because as he was kicked off that train in Pietermaritzburg – he chose to spend that cold and shivering winter night in the train station’s waiting room where he decided to stay in south Africa and wage the struggle against socioeconomic and human injustices
Indignity to Human... From page 5 in the hospital, and familiarized immediately with any impeding or likely crisis? If the answer bore any element of positivity then it is obvious that such a quagmire as has been reported would not have even existed. The facts speak for themselves with no necessity for preponderance of evidence. I conclude my call for action and remediation with a few apt quotes: In a 1998 letter, Creating a Culture of Life, Cardinal Roger Mahony states, “Any society, any nation, is judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members — the last, the least, the littlest.” “A society will be judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members and among the most vulnerable are surely the unborn and the dying,” ~Pope John Paul II. “The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Lutheran Pastor and theologian. The people of Guyana can now judge for themselves, as the world has already completed judgement. Yvonne Sam
Let’s all be Nationalists... From page 5 results there is ZERO interference. My relationship with Donald Ramotar, which preceded his becoming President, was closer to a friendship. When he was elected, as I have done with every significant change of administration going back to 1992, I formally resigned all my public service posts. This wasn’t a case of “Playing dead to see what funeral you would have”, I did this to give every new government the opportunity to select board members and senior officials based on the criteria they saw fit. It so happened that he rejected my resignations and as such I continued to serve in the positions I held at the time. What I’ve admired about President Ramotar, is the keen interest and enthusiasm he shows in reducing poverty in this country and pushing the Development of Guyana like his predecessor.
From the first time I entered my professional life, my sole commitment has been to serve the country of Guyana to the best of my ability. I don’t believe that this is something that is unique to me and I know it is a quality that is shared by persons from both sides of the political divide. Regardless of where my vote goes, no single side has a complete monopoly on patriotism. In closing, I wish to state that I’m really hopeful that those parties and the Guyanese public is acceptant of the winner since I believe doing otherwise would be a step in the wrong direction. It is also, my hope that observers can be stationed at each polling station, whereby making the process as free and as fair as possible. That said, I’d like to wish my friend Donald Ramotar well in his bid for re-election to the Presidency. Keith Burrowes
not just for persons of East Indian heritage but for the local black community as well. It is out of his principled stand that his policy of non-violent resistance or “Satyagraha’ emerged as the most potent and powerful force known to mankind in fighting against racist or political oppression and tyranny. Gandhi himself inspired the formation of the African National Congress and several persons of Indian ancestry born in South Africa such as the venerable Naidoo family, Moosa Meer (father of the ANC activist the late Fatima Meer) and others played a pivotal role in same which even led to Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada being jailed for life together with Nelson Mandela and others on Robben Island following the Rivonia Trial of 1963-1964 on the oppressive charge of treason. Gandhi’s teachings and philosophy eventually led to India’s freedom from British colonial rule on August 15th, 1947 following his famous ‘Quit India’ movement. In the mid 1950s, Rosa Parks refused to give her seat on the bus to a white person in Montgomery, Alabama and that was the spark of the US Civil rights struggle against Jim Crow laws of racial inequality and in 1959 – the late Dr. Martin Luther King whom had embraced Gandhi’s philosophy travelled throughout India with the late Coretta Scott King to see firsthand the results of Bapu’s unparalleled philosophy of peaceful and non-violent resistance after which he (Dr. King) became a lifelong apostle of. In 1963, Dr. King led the freedom movement across the famous Edmund Petus Bridge in Selma, Alabama and during which one of my heroes – Congressman John Lewis (Democrat – Georgia) was beaten severely by the oppressive forces unleashed by Governor George Wallace upon innocent men civilians merely exercising their God given right to peaceful assembly and freedom of
expression. Congressman John Lewis to this very day still shows the scars and nurses the pains of a cracked skull that he suffered at the hands of a repressive state government and brutal system that was legal until the passage of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964. Tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Guyanese of all walks, religious beliefs and ethnicity will line up early to cast their electoral ballot in what is undoubtedly the single most important political elections in almost twenty five years or since political independence. It is a clarion call for change, it is a choice that has to be made once and for all as to whether we simply allow the arrested development brought on by the divisive agenda of ‘Apanjhaat Politics’ of the past fifty years or will we as a besieged, oppressed, brutalised and deceived nation choose the path to the future, a future where each and every Guyanese irrespective of race, colour , creed or class can feel that we are an important stakeholder in the country’s future socio-economic development. We need to embrace each other’s diversity as a sign of our richness of cultures, creed and everything else noble that we can pool together because this is a country that is endowed with so much that no person should ever be left behind. Our future must be one that offers the hope for a brighter, better and prosperous tomorrow and one that is free from the shackles of mental bondage and the evil thoughts of racial superiority. It matters not whether we are
African, East Indian, Portugese, Chinese, Amerindian or European or Hindu, Muslim, Christian or even Jewish – what matters is that we are all God’s children and the only thing that makes one of us better than the other is the pureness of one’s thoughts and actions or ‘Karma’. I implore all of my brothers and sisters of this great land to respect each other, treat each person with the love and respect you will expect of yourself and to desist from any acts of political or racial violence which will derail the electoral process. The will of the electorate must be respected and that is why there are so many international observers present in Guyana – to ensure that there is no electoral fraud or hanky panky taking place. These elections are more about the choices we make for the country’s future than they are about Granger or Ramotar, so please do not be baited by anyone to commit any act that can and will result in the innocent loss of lives. I am certain that as nation that is now better informed and exposed thanks to the role of social media – one has the intellect and the ability to discern the truth from any kind of Stalinist malarkey being peddled by those that view Moscow and of late Beijing as their new masters. When was the last time did you receive a Christmas barrel or a small piece from Moscow or Beijing? I have seen firsthand what
the long lasting effects of what politically inspired violence or ethnic cleansing has done to societies in places such as Afghanistan, Rwanda and even India where I have either lived in or visited many times. It is not a pleasant sight because it is the mental pain, physical anguish and despair that has affected millions of innocent lives in the final analysis. In a society, where we have a peaceful and orderly transfer of power – we will have the hope of a better tomorrow, a tomorrow that will bring investments from reputable western companies, creation of well paying jobs, technology transfer, respect for the environment, an improved quality of life and a better standard of life for all Guyanese. However, in order to achieve these things, we do need to create the enabling environment and this means making the proper and informed decision of voting for a leader that is above board, beyond reproach and is willing to bring this beautiful motherland of ours back to a place where public security, safety, zero tolerance for corruption, zero tolerance for narco-trafficking, zero tolerance for domestic violence, zero tolerance for money laundering, good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law will not be ever compromised. Anything less is a recipe for continued disaster. Mike Singh
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Monday May 11, 2015
Rosberg turns the Jadeja, McCullum lift Super Kings to No.1 tide with Spanish win
Ravindra Jadeja picked up 4 for 11 in his four overs. (PTI) ESPNcricinfo - Chennai Super Kings almost confirmed themselves in the playoffs with a comfortable 12-run win against Rajasthan Royals that took them to the top of the table with 16 points. They still have two games at hand. Royals, on the other hand, were now placed
precariously, needing a win from their last league game against Kolkata Knight Riders to qualify. The positions the teams were in the table had an air of “I told you so”, so had the pattern the game followed after Super Kings decided to bat on a sluggish pitch.
St. Michael School honours Jason Holder Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston, Jamaica - The St. Michael School has hundreds of alumni that they are proud of and Jason Holder is one of them. As part of the school’s 87th anniversary celebrations, a reception was held in Holder’s honour at the Martindale’s Road institution last Thursday. Holder entered the school at the third form level after being transferred from the now defunct Louis Lynch Secondary School. Just last year, Holder was appointed as the West Indies One-Day International Captain, the youngest ever captain in West Indies’ history. He was also instrumental in helping the West Indies to draw the recently ended Test series against England. A number of former Barbados and West Indies cricketers attended the reception, including Barbados Cricket Association President Joel Garner, who gave a short speech praising Holder for his performances for the regional outfit thus far. The articulate Holder noted that he didn’t think that he would have been showered with so much appreciation for what he has done in his short career thus far.
Memphis wins at home... From page 25 After making 20 turnovers in the Game 2 loss, Golden State committed 17 more turnovers in Game 3 that led to 22 Memphis points. The Grizzlies had their largest lead with 10:38 left in the fourth quarter when Randolph knocked down a step-back jumper for an 83-64 lead. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, who again played with a mask because of a facial injury, had 11 points and five assists. Guard Courtney Lee finished with 11 points and four assists. When an NBA team takes a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven series, that team goes on to win the series 81.7 percent of the time.
The batsmen generally struggled for timing but Brendon McCullum, the only batsman to make a halfcentury in the match, braved the sapping heat to set up Super Kings for another sub160 total. Then Ravindra Jadeja picked a bagful of wickets after a 15-day barren spell to derail Royals’ chase. It hasn’t been a highscoring season in Chennai this year. The home team batted first in each game, but only twice were able to go past 160. Still, such has been there control on this ground that except Mumbai Indians, no one else was able to breach the target. After the early losses of Dwayne Smith and Suresh Raina, McCullum played an innings slightly out of character: it did not feature allout aggression. He would hit a six, a boundary, then go back to nurdle the ball in the gaps. And such was the necessity, too, as the ball did not come onto the bat. That he found success was not surprising, his fast hands allowing him to generate pace on the ball. McCullum reached his half-century, his third 50-plus score this season, in 44 balls despite five fours and two sixes. The run-rate at that stage - the 13th over hovered just above six an over. Despite fatigue setting in, he ensured Super Kings accelerated by picking up 31 more runs in the next 17 balls. By the time he was dismissed, in the 18th over, the score had swelled to 132. MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo then pushed it to 157 with late hitting. Royals knew they needed runs early on before the onset of spin. Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson started well, but once Mohit Sharma had Rahane top-edge a pull, Royals’ innings lost steam. Jadeja, then, ran through the middle order in a spell that read 4-0-11-4, the highlight being the gravity-defying catch by Bravo at the long-on boundary. Royals were left needing 65 to win from the last five overs. There were a few flashes of aggression from Sanju Samson, but the team slowly caved in to fall well short. That Dhoni did not use R Ashwin at all reiterated Super Kings’ control. The loss was Royals’ first under Steven Smith’s captaincy this year. Scores: Chennai Super Kings 157 for 5 (McCullum 81, Morris 3-19) beat Rajasthan Royals 145 for 9 (Jadeja 4-11, Mohit 3-25) by 12 runs.
Reuters - BARCELONA – Nico Rosberg beat Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton for the first time this season and cut the Formula One world champion’s lead to 20 points with a commanding victory in the Spanish Grand Prix yesterday. Hamilton, who had won three of the first four grands prix, had lost the battle for pole position and a slow getaway from the front row left the Briton playing catchup all race. Hamilton tried his best, clawing back second place from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, but Rosberg remained well out of reach and took the checkered flag 17.5 seconds clear of his title rival. “It was a perfect weekend. Everything worked out: the car was great, nailed the setup for the race, for qualifying. Everything came together,” Rosberg told reporters after the ninth win of his Formula One career and third Mercedes one-two of the season. “That still we are dominating in such a way is fantastic to see,” he added. Hamilton now has 111 points to Rosberg’s 91, with 14 races remaining and Monaco — where the German has won for the past two years — next up. After parking his car alongside Rosberg’s, Hamilton shook the German’s hand and patted him on the back in recognition of a job well done. His race engineer had told the champion, who made
three stops to Rosberg’s two after losing time with a slow first one, to resign himself in the closing laps on a circuit where overtaking is famously difficult. “I don’t think it would be possible with the remaining laps, we’d be better just looking after this one, let him have it (the victory),” Hamilton was told. “Is it impossible?,” the Briton replied, with the engineer’s reply confirming that there was no hope: “He is going to respond if we pick the pace up. It would be impossible.” Hamilton agreed that it had been a simple case of damage limitation. “I had quite a poor start, it’s been quite a time since I had such a bad start,” he added. WRITE-OFF Vettel, who had seized second place into the first corner, was happy to finish third but frustrated to see Mercedes still so far away. “I’m not happy with the gap (to the front), not happy at all,” said the four-times world champion despite his fourth podium appearance of the year. The victory was Rosberg’s first since Brazil in November and made him the ninth different winner in the last nine years at the Circuit de Catalunya. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen found himself in a Williams sandwich, finishing fifth behind fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas and ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa.
Daniel Ricciardo was seventh but lapped for Red Bull, with team principal Christian Horner effectively writing off the season for the former champions thanks to ongoing problems with the Renault engine’s reliability and performance. [L3N0Y10BZ]. “I think we are nowhere near winning a grand prix,” added Horner. Romain Grosjean was eighth for Lotus, while team mate Pastor Maldonado retired with a broken rear wing, and Spanish rookie Carlos Sainz scored points at home with ninth place for Toro Rosso. The final point went to Red Bull’s Russian Daniil Kvyat, who was cleared by stewards for a defensive move on Sainz. McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, who had hoped for his team’s first points of the year, retired after 28 laps with a brake problem that caused him to overshoot his pitstop as the jack mechanic leapt out of the way. His team mate Jenson Button finished but said the race ranked among the scariest of his career and questioned whether McLaren would score this season. “The first 30 laps...were the scariest laps of my life,” he declared. Alonso’s lack of success with his new team, after five years at Ferrari, and the economic situation in Spain were blamed for empty seats earlier in the weekend but organizers said 86,700 turned up on Sunday.
Murray stuns clay king Nadal... From page 27 “To play Rafa in Spain is extremely tough and this is the reason why we play tennis for these matches,” Murray said after receiving the trophy from Spain’s Queen Sofia. “It’s one of the toughest things in tennis to try to beat Rafa on clay,” added the 27year-old. “I’ll keep trying to play well over the next few weeks with Roland Garros just around the corner.” Murray had never beaten third-seeded Nadal on clay in six attempts but raced into a 3-0 lead at the futuristic magic box arena and fended off three break points to close out the set. The world number three broke Nadal twice more to open a 4-0 lead in the second and finished him off on his first match point when the Mallorcan sent a weak forehand return into the net. Nadal, 28, congratulated Murray for a “great season”
and said he would try to keep working back to top form at this week’s Rome Masters before heading to the French capital. “Obviously, this wasn’t the match I wanted or expected to play today,” Nadal said. “Although it’s not nice to end it like this, it has been a very important week for me, very positive, in which I rediscovered sensations I had not had on a tennis court
for a long time,” he added. It was Murray’s 10th Masters crown and 33rd career title, while Nadal missed out on a recordextending 28th Masters and 66th title overall. Nadal needed a win to stay fourth in the world rankings and he will drop to seven when they are updated, putting him outside the top five for the first time in a decade.
Powell speeds to year’s... From page 27 Rapidly improving Jasmin Stowers lowered her women’s 100m hurdles leading time to 12.39 and fellow American Aleec Harris remained unbeaten in the men’s 110m hurdles, running 13.16 to equal the year’s top time. Fast times also came from Jamaicans in the men’s 200 and women’s 100. Diamond League champion Nickel Ashmeade ran 20.25 to win the 200, and Elaine Thompson, already the year’s fastest, clocked 10.97 in the women’s 100. American Tyson Gay, who had been scheduled to run the 200, did not compete.