Wednesday May 11, 2016
The happenings at Mae’s Primary and Secondary schools DEAR EDITOR; Responding to a letter in your papers Tuesday, May 10, 2016 titled ‘Trouble at Mae’s Primary’ I would like to highlight that not only in the primary but also the secondary school has reached to a sad state. I was a teacher at Mae’s School and the way the administration treat the staff is worse is terrible. Teachers have been complaining for years of the School’s disregard for labor laws and professional rules. Teachers are overworked, underpaid, ask to work extra hours and on weekends, go in school during holidays to mark exam papers, because exams are held on the last week of school. And for the first year of work there teachers have no sick leaf or any leave and if you take a day then your salary will be cut. I am finally glad to see parents waking up and understanding that if teachers are affected than the children would be affected and it is the parents that have the voice to change things since they are the paying customers and can demand good service for their hard earn dollars. The staff turnover is the worst I have ever seen; every term teachers leaving. For a school year you can have more than ten teachers leaving. And when teachers leave, the administration routinely disgrace and degrade the teacher and say that the teacher has been fired. The high turnover of teachers alone is enough for students to not reach their full potential, and there are many other obstacles to learning in the school. For a private school I can honestly say parents are not getting even twenty percent of what they are paying for. Parents need to ensure that the teachers are treated well because it is teaches that have direct contact with their kids. There is much more to be said about the school but I think the parents are the one who have to ensure the school is delivering what they expect. Former teacher (name supplied)
PPP executive rejects airport being named after Corriea DEAR EDITOR; President Granger has presided over the renaming of the Ogle Airport. It is a done deal but I followed with interest the controversy over the decision to rename the Ogle international Airport after one of the pioneers of local aviation, the late Eugene Correia. While I have to admit that I know little of Mr. Corriea’s contribution to the growth and development of the aviation sector, as a resident of the Ogle-Goedverwagting community I can attest to the enormous strides made over the past few decades by the several local airline companies now operating out of Ogle. The arrivals/ departures of these aircrafts, in particular the heavier ones plying the Caribbean route, cannot be missed as a consequence of the daily deafening moments which usually accompanied take offs and landings. At the risk of appearing parochial, I thought the name Ogle had quite an appeal especially when compared to the new name. My difficulty however is much more fundamental. The late Eugene Correia, I learnt, was a cabinet member of the interim government that replaced the elected and
popular PPP government in 1953 which was ejected from office after a mere six months in office following a resounding victory in the historic elections of 1953, the first under Universal Adult Suffrage. Whatever the justification offered by the British Government to overthrow the popular and duly elected PPP government under the then charismatic leadership of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, it was undoubtedly a reactionary and undemocratic decision which did not go down well with the vast majority of the population. Re-naming a national institution after someone who was a member of an appointed interim body in this our 50th year of political independence speaks to some amount of insensitivity if not disregard to the contributions made by our founder fathers to the liberation struggle of Guyana. Hydar Ally
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Kaieteur News
Dr. David Hinds is accused of hypocrisy DEAR EDITOR; Dr. Hinds is someone whose writings I have always admired and respected. He is an unapologetic Afro Guyanese nationalist who has paid a price for his activism, and vigilance against the unadulterated use of state power in Guyana. Lately however, Dr. Hinds has demonstrated a strange kind of hypocrisy in his attacks on the AFC. This is the same Dr. Hinds who along with his cohorts have betrayed Dr. Rodney by becoming a junior partner (Hinds’ words) in a coalition in which he Dr. Hinds accuses one of its members of having a hand in the murder of Dr. Rodney. As far as I can tell Dr. Hinds has tap-danced
around the coalition handling of the COI report while some of his colleagues sits comfortably in the bosom of that coalition and has gone completely silent on Walter Rodney. Dr. Hinds keeps referring to the WPA as Junior Partner. With all due respect sir, the WPA role in the coalition is an accommodation to Dr. Roopnarine. Junior Partners usually have a voice and a lot more say in the direction of any organization to which it belongs. This brings me to Dr. Hinds strange attacks on the AFC. It seems as if Dr. Hinds is using the AFC as a convenient cover for his frustrations with the coalition stewardship of the nation. Dr. Hinds is either unwilling or
unable to place blame where it rightfully belongs. Here is Dr. Hinds in his own words “AFC members see it fit to use their power to attack and threaten David Hinds, but they have not used their power to recover a single cent of the assets stolen by the PPP cabal. They have not used their power to push for justice for Courtney CrumEwing and the many who were murdered over the last few decades. They have not issued press releases against the merchants of death that still stalk Guyana. They have not attacked the clear censorship and political bullying in the state-owned media. They stopped hollering at the PPP since they got the throne that the PPP had. They have not used
their power to stand up for the dignity of street vendors, the poor and the powerless.” Here is a simple question for Dr. Hinds. Who really holds the power to do any of these things referred to above? AFC or APNU? I bet every high school child in Guyana knows the answer to this question. I will even add another question. Who reneged on the terms and agreements of Cummingsburg Accord? You see Dr. Hinds there is power drunkenness emanating from the coalition but it’s not from the AFC camp and everyone knows it. The real question is - Do you Dr. Hinds have the courage of your conviction to tell the emperor he has no clothes on? Courtney Lane
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE EPA BY ENGINEER, CHARLES CERES DEAR EDITOR; The Environmental Protection Act No. 11 of 1996 (EP Act) clearly states under Part II Establishment and Functions of the Agency “In the exercise of its functions the agency shall (a) compile and amend from time to time with the assistance of internationally recognized environmental groups a list of persons who have the qualifications and experience to carry out environmental impact assessment”. I served on the very first Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) established in Guyana and am aware that neither the EPA nor the EAB is authorized to circumvent the EP Act. In spite of the legally established requirement, detailed above, however, the EPA, under the jurisdiction of Executive Director Ramdass and Environmental Management Division Director Seebarran, has continually ignored this mandate of the EP Act by compiling and distributing a list of consultants and firms who, in their opinion, are qualified to conduct environmental impact assessments. This clearly contravenes the intent of the EP Act. The clear intent of the EP Act to identify persons (not firms) who have the qualifications and experience to carry out environmental impact assessment” raises serious questions about
Directors Ramdass and Seebarran. Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc. (GSEC) has the largest portfolio of environmental compliance project in Guyana. GSEC has completed several ESIAs in Guyana including the Maple Creek Diamond Mine, Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, Skeldon Estate expansion, Peters Mine, Aurora Gold Mine, Marudi Mountain Hard Rock Mine, Alluvial Mining at Marudi Mountain, Sandspring Resources Gold and Copper Mine, Petroleum Refinery at Crab Island and for the Haags Bosch Landfill. Environmental compliance undertaken by GSEC include audits for Omai Gold Mines for Cambior Resources/Iamgold, the privatization of Linmine and Bermine for the Adam Smith Institute, the closure of the Omai Linden yard and for Reunion Manganese. We are currently involved in providing environmental compliance services to several projects in Guyana including Guyana Goldfields, Sun and Sand Resources, Romanex and to Ion Geoventures as subconsultants. GSEC has also provided environmental compliance services to Chevron for gas stations located in Guyana, Surinam and Grenada and has served as sub consultants to Environmental Resources Management (ERM) on
several projects in Guyana and Surinam including the red mud stacking proposed for the Suralco. GSEC has also provided training to EPA staff in exposure assessment and to the GGMC staff in earth and rock slope stability. In spite of the experience and qualifications demonstrated by successful completion of the projects listed above, Ramdass and Seebarran have not seen it fit to include GSEC on the list of firms which they have identified as being qualified to conduct ESIAs in Guyana. While the compilation and circulation of this list continues to contravene the intent of the EP Act, both Ramdass and Seebarran compound their action by instructing firms, to whom the list is provided, that no firm not identified on that list would be acceptable to the EPA. It can be stated with fear of contradiction that neither Ramdass nor Seebarran are adequately competent in the diverse range of disciplines required to prepare a proper ESIA to make that determination. The actions of both Ramdass and Seebarran is indicative of a continuation of the policy articulated by Dr. Luncheon, during the Jagdeo/Kissoon libel trial, which clearly established that certain Guyanese are not qualified to work in certain areas in Guyana. The EPA under Ramdass epitomizes the implementation of the PPP policy, as articulated by
Luncheon. Ramdass and Seebarran are Mr. Editor obviously not content with the effectiveness of their policy at the EPA and are now apparently focused on extending that policy to the entire country by identifying firms/individuals as being qualified to conduct ESIAs with the clear intent of excluding the most qualified firm in Guyana simply being. GSEC are consequently hereby requesting both Ramdass and Seebarran to publicly state their basis for contravening the AP Act and to further identify the criteria they have used to determine the qualifications and experience of persons (or firms) to carry out environmental impact assessment. It is expected that these individuals will justify their position by detailing of list of projects on which these firms have provided environmental compliance services. It would also be helpful if Ramdass and Seebarran can justify their ability to identify suitably qualified individuals/firms by specifying exactly the area of environmental compliance in which these individuals have experience which mirrors that of GSEC. We trust no cries of “witch hunting” will be heard now that Ramdass and Seebarran are being asked to address their failure to adhere to the professional standards associated with the responsibilities they have been tasked to discharge. Charles P. Ceres
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Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
Non-release of Rodney COI report…
AFC’s political conviction faces test tomorrow in Nat’l Assembly By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell
The Alliance For Change (AFC) will find itself in a ‘tight spot,’ come tomorrow’s sitting of the National Assembly. The party will be placed in a position where it has to choose between voting along government lines and voting for what it believes in as an independent party. Tomorrow is Private Members’ day. This simply means that the opposition’s business will take precedence over government’s business. The standing orders provide for Private Members Day on every fourth sitting of the National Assembly. Despite this, President David Granger is also scheduled to address the House tomorrow. Also, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic opposition has tabled a series of motions. Among the motions is one that stands in the name of Chief Whip, Gail
The late Dr. Walter Rodney Teixeira. This addresses the non-release of the Walter Rodney report. Teixeira’s motion, titled “Report on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry,” has three whereas clauses and one resolve. In her whereas clauses, Teixeira notes that the report on the COI appointed to enquire and report on the circumstances surrounding the death in an explosion of the late Dr. Walter Rodney was handed over to the Government of Guyana on February 10, 2016. She also pointed out that the Government made public commitments to table the Report of this Commission in
the National Assembly, but 77 days have passed since the Government is in possession of the Report. Teixeira’s motion resolves to have the National Assembly call on the Government to table the Report of this Commission within two weeks. The PPP/C does not have control of the House, it sits in the minority. Therefore, it has no power to pass anything on its own strength. “BLIND SUPPORT OF APNU” The AFC had publicly stated that it wants the government to release the report. In a public missive the AFC had expressed the view that the report “affords the country an opportunity to address a difficult period of its history.” The Party said that it hopes that the report forms the basis for national healing and reconciliation. Teixeira, when contacted yesterday said that she does not hold much expectations of the AFC sticking to its guns. She said that it is highly unlikely that the AFC will “depart from its blind support of the APNU.” Teixeira said however, that in light of AFC’s public announcements, it will be
“interesting” to see how the party will manoeuvre. The Chief Whip said that it will indeed be a pleasant surprise if the party can stand up in what it believes. She added, “Politics is like cricket, totally unpredictable at times.” In 2013, 33 years after his death, the PPP/C government announced a COI into the death of the famous Guyanese who was described as a scholar, historian, activist, formidable orator and, in his latter days, a politician. Dr. Rodney, co-founder of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), was killed when a bomb exploded in a car in which he was an occupant. He was 38 years old at the time. Rodney’s brother, Donald Rodney, who suffered injuries during the explosion, claimed that Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) electronics expert, Sergeant 4141 Gregory Smith, had given the politician the bomb that killed him. It was alleged that Smith planted the bomb in a walkietalkie that blew up on Rodney’s pelvic region while he was on John Street, Werken-rust, between Hadfield and Bent Streets, less than 100 metres from the Camp
PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira
AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan
Street Prison. There have also been claims that Rodney’s assassination was set up by the government of Forbes Burnham, whom Rodney was opposed to. This was because his assassination came at the height of a planned civil rebellion against the Burnham-led administration. But Burnham’s party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), had firmly denied being any part of the bomb blast killing. Both the WPA and AFC had welcomed the announcement for the official probe. In 1974, Rodney returned to Guyana from Tanzania. He was due to take up a position as a professor at the University of Guyana, but the Burnham government
prevented his appointment. He became increasingly active in politics, founding the WPA, a party that provided the most effective and credible opposition to the PNC government at the time. In 1979, he was arrested and charged with arson after two government offices were burned. After his assassination, Rodney received several honours. In 1993 the government of Dr. Cheddi Jagan posthumously gave him the country’s highest national award, the Order of Excellence and the Walter Rodney Chair in History was established at the University of Guyana. Rodney’s death was also commemorated in a poem by Martin Carter entitled “For Walter Rodney.”
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
Obama to visit Hiroshima, will not apologise for World War Two bombing
Barack Obama Reuters - Barack Obama will become the first U.S. president to visit Hiroshima in Japan later this month, but he will not apologise for the United States’ dropping of an atomic bomb on the city at the end of World War Two, the White House said yesterday. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize early in his presidency in 2009 in part for making nuclear nonproliferation a centrepiece of his agenda, Obama on May 27 will tour the site of the world’s first nuclear bombing with J a p a n ’s P r i m e M i n i s t e r Shinzo Abe. With the end of his last term in office approaching in January, Obama will “highlight his continued commitment to pursuing the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons,” the White House said in a statement. “He will not revisit the decision to use the atomic bomb at the end of World War II. Instead, he will offer a for-
ward-looking vision focused on our shared future,” Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser, wrote in a separate blog. The visit comes as part of a May 21-28 swing through Asia, which will include a Group of Seven summit in Japan and his first trip to Vietnam. The Asia trip seeks to reinforce his geopolitical “pivot” toward the region, though friends and allies there have sometimes questioned Washington’s commitment. The Hiroshima tour will symbolize a new level of reconciliation between former wartime enemies who are now close allies. It will also underscore Obama’s efforts to improve U.S.-Japan ties, marked by an Asia-Pacific trade pact as well as cooperation against China’s pursuit of maritime claims and the nuclear threat from North Korea. On the final day of the summit in Japan, Obama and Abe will visit the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park near the spot where a U.S. warplane dropped an atomic bomb 71 years ago. The decision to go to Hiroshima was hotly debated within the White House. There were concerns a U.S. presidential visit would be heavily criticized in the United States if it were seen as an apology. The bomb dropped on Aug. 6, 1945 killed thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year. Another was dropped on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, and Japan surrendered six days later. The majority of Americans view the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as justified to end the war and save U.S lives. Most Japanese see it as unjustified. Obama’s press secretary Josh Earnest said it was “an entirely legitimate line of inquiry for historians” when asked why the White House had decided not to use his Hiroshima visit to issue an apology. He told reporters that while Obama understands the United States “bears a special responsibility” as the only country to use nuclear weapons in wartime, the president will emphasize Washington’s responsibility “to lead the world in an effort to eliminate them.” Abe, speaking to reporters in Tokyo, said he hoped “to turn this into an opportunity for the U.S. and Japan to together pay tribute to the memories of the victims” of the nuclear bombing.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Wednesday May 11, 2016
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Kaieteur News
A WAKE-UP CALL! The picture in yesterday’s front page of Kaieteur News should be a wake-up call for the Ministry of Public Security. The picture showed three fire tenders fighting a fire at one of the largest businesses in Guyana. If a small house is on fire, then three fire tenders should be able to contain the fire from spreading too far. But three fire tenders are not going to contain a fire of the size that destroyed the Gafoor Complex on Monday. A fire of that size needed about ten fire tenders. Forget about the hoses that had holes. These hoses are expensive and even in America the hoses have leaks. The holes in the hoses were not a factor in containing the fire. The lack of fire tenders were. This is not about casting blame. It is about examining what can be learnt from this terrible experience. It was always going to be difficult to control that fire. After a fire reaches a certain stage, it usually is not easily contained and has to burn itself out. In such circumstances, the strategy is not to put out the fire but to contain its spread. Sixteen bonds were destroyed in Monday’s fire at Houston. These bonds, given the materials that may have been in some of them, would have been difficult to save even with ten fire tenders. But there was no way that the shopping complex at the front of the bonds should have suffered the extensive damage that it did.
The Ministry of Public Security must carry out an analysis as to why there were only three fire tenders at one stage fighting such a huge fire. It must determine just how many tenders can respond to an industrial fire in the future. And one hopes there are no such fires in the future! The Ministry of Public Security must undertake an assessment of the readiness of the fire service to respond to fires in the commercial and industrial districts of Guyana. If there were other businesses nearby to the Gafoor we may have been looking at a far more calamitous situation. There are some reporters and news houses that are saying that hundreds of millions of dollars were lost as a result of the fire. Well, Kaieteur News got it right! It was billions in losses that were suffered as a result of the fire. This, therefore, was a massive loss and must count as one of the most costly fires in the history of Guyana. It will have an economic impact because many other hardware stores source their supplies from Gafoor’s. The Ministry of Public Security therefore needs to undertake an assessment of just what are the fire-fighting capabilities in industrial and commercial areas. If the capabilities are weak, the Ministry needs to inform the business community so that they can take their own action to provide some sort of firefighting response.
This brings us to the question of zoning. There are many business places popping up in residential areas. There are all sorts of businesses being established in residential areas. This increases the risk of homeowners and also increases their insurance premiums. A business burning in a residential area will cause serious collateral damage. The government has to seriously look at this problem. It has to have separate areas for businesses and for residential areas. This would allow for better fire-fighting planning because there can be special fire units established to respond to commercial and industrial fires while the regular units can be
maintained for residential areas. But if there is no distinction between commercial and residential areas, this makes planning very difficult because no fire service in the world can afford to retain a fire fighting fleet to fight both industrial and residential fires in the same area. Commercial and industrial fires require a large number of fire tenders and such fleets are too large and unaffordable for residential areas. It is time that zoning is strictly enforced in this country. Monday’s disastrous fire is a wake-up call for all of Guyana.
Dem boys seh...
DEM BOYS REMEMBER LAST YEAR DAY LIKE TODAY Last year time like now people been walking and encouraging people who been out and vote. Nuff people start going house to house and finding out who register and wheh dem had to go and vote. Some of dem tek dem car and help carry people to vote. Dem boys use to tek dem drink, but this time last year all dem rum shop was closed. And in any case nuff people woulda get a thumping fuh getting drunk before dem vote. Last year Kwame was still pompous, but he belly was rumbling, because fuh de fuss time he realize that he didn’t own Ohh Pee. Bharrat already had a taste of de court and Donald was quiet. Rob de Earth done plan to lef de country because he smell de rat before anybody else. Dem boys seh that he was smelling de Rat long before, though, because he did marry to de Rat niece. Rain didn’t fall like this time suh de place was hot, but people just pick up dem umbrella and walk. Dem boys see nuff of dem tek up
position outside dem polling station. Dem stand up there till late in de night. Last year time like now, Georgetown was stink; dem had garbage all over de place and Jagdeo couldn’t care because wheh he live didn’t have any. All been over de seawall and people never use to look there. Last year, time like now, somebody pocket $500 million that Jagdeo give he boys to cleanup Georgetown. People been to church de day before and dem pray to see de end of corruption. Night like tonight nuff people couldn’t sleep. Dem was waiting fuh a change because all of dem who like de Hap New and de Hay Heff See sing ‘Time for a Change’. That was de same song de Pee Pee Pee sing way back in 1992 when Papa Cheddi was de leader. Dem get de change but some people now wondering whether dem jus’ get an exchange. Talk half and remember that is day like today that Kwame jaw break.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 11, 2016
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
IS THE AGE OF FEAR OVER?
A letter sent to this newspaper in November 2015 solicited my assistance in what the complainant alleged was a man of worth usurping public land next to where I live. For reasons I cannot recall, I did not reply to the letter-writer, but when he jogged my memory through the reproduction of his letter and reminder in the April 10 edition of this newspaper, I can remember vaguely his November 2015 missive. Let me quote from his lamentation; “There is a very wealthy gentleman with huge property holdings who has occupied a squatter lot on the Railway Embankment next to Caricom and directly opposite where Freddie Kissoon lives. This man has built a neat flat house that stands out. That is why I cannot see how Freddie Kissoon could have missed it. If anyone I expect to expose this is Freddie Kissoon. He has a legacy of fighting against
injustice. How did he miss this one? “Did he really miss it or is that he couldn’t be bothered? This construction went on right opposite where Freddie Kissoon lives. Could someone as well connected as this gentleman construct a building next to a settlement of squatters and Freddie Kissoon didn’t see that? Is Kissoon telling me that not even for one day he didn’t see what this fellow was doing? This man’s dwelling stands out like a light on the ocean right in the middle of the squatters’ houses and right in front of Freddie Kissoon’s home.” The signature, Shakur Abbas Khan, wants me to do something about it. Let me first thank Mr. Khan for the kind words about me in his letter. But I honestly don’t know in what ways I could get involved. I suspect the writer may be a squatter in the nearby area. Yes, Mr. Khan is right. Many Sunday mornings, my wife and I sat on our verandah
having breakfast and I saw the gentleman, Dr. Cecil Rajana, putting up his house across the road. I never paid any attention. At the time of writing, I don’t know if Dr. Rajana is squatting. I know the small dwelling sits right in the heart of the squatting area, but I don’t know if Dr. Rajana is squatting; it may be his land. On seeing the construction going up, it was logical to think that the land belongs to Dr. Rajana. I have no idea what is going on there. But I don’t want to intervene, because Mr. Khan has already intervened with his two letters on the subject. If Mr. Khan knows that Dr. Rajana is squatting, then given the fact that he can Frederick write two published letters in the newspapers, where do I fit in? I appreciate Mr. Khan’s perception of me, but Mr. Khan has made the issue public. Can’t he take it from there? What am I supposed to do? Mr. Khan’s letter first appeared in November last year. Assuming Mr. Khan’s fact is fool-proof, where was Minister Keith Scott? Did Scott read Khan’s missive? If he did not, instead of reproducing his publication in April of this year, couldn’t Khan send his mail to the Minister of Housing? The purpose of this
column is to inform people like Mr. Khan that they have to help themselves. They cannot rely on others to expose wrong-doing. They have to chip in too. I am not even sure if the signature is that of a real person. If it is not, then the situation becomes more complicated. Assuming that the name is fictitious, is Khan still afraid to speak his mind in a country where there is a new government that doesn’t seem inclined to victimize people who expose violators? Mr. Khan has reminded me twice – November 2015 and April 2016 – that Dr. Cecil Rajana may be occupying public land. I don’t know if that is so, but am I supposed to investigate? If yes, why me and Kissoon not the Ministry of Housing? I hope this column brings an end to Mr. Khan’s advocacy that I intervene. Once more, I would like to thank Mr. Khan for the respect and admiration he has shown to me in his letter and I wish on another level or in another sphere that I could help. But the matter is now in the public domain. I conclude by clearing the air for Mr. Khan, who hinted that I may know Dr. Rajana and that is why I am silent. I have never met with or spoken to Cecil Rajana. All I know is that there is a man named Cecil Rajana and he built the CARICOM annexe, next to where I live.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
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KOREAN CONSULTANT SUBMITS FINANCIALS TO CHECK WORKS ON GPL POWER NETWORK During the opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), one consultant’s financial proposal was opened. The company is seeking to validate the rehabilitation works executed on the medium and low voltage distribution network at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). Back in 2014, the European Union (EU) had funded a US$64.5M project which had several components; to make GPL’s senior management more efficient; to introduce a strong Corporate Development Programme and to rehabilitate the existing distribution network as part of a strategic loss reduction programme. There were also bids for the supply, delivery, installation and testing of equipment at the Linden Technical Institute. There were also bids for the provision of audit services at the Audit Office of Guyana.
Under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, bids were also extended to provide design and consultancy works for Rural Enterprise and Industrial Development Projects, which encompass call centres at Tuschen and Enmore. The engineer’s estimate for lot one was $47.5M, while the estimate for lot two was $12.9M.
In addition, there was a contract for the supply and deliver stationery at the Book Distribution Unit, NCERD, 68 and 21 Brickdam.
And finally, there was a contract for the supply, delivery, installation, testing and training of equipment for the science laboratory at the University of Guyana- Turkeyen.
In addition, there were also bids for a consultancy service to be provided at the Industrial Estate, Coldingen and Belvedere.
There was one bidder, under the Ministry of Education, for the procurement of two new 32-seater buses.
In addition, the Ministry of Education put out a contract for the supply, delivery, installation, testing and training of simulators at the Leonora Technical Vocational Training Centre.
Bidders also vied for the contract to supply, deliver, install and testing of photocopy machines at President’s College and Planning Unit.
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Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
Police investigating “suspicious” death of elderly woman
The cordoned off room where the woman’s body was found.
An elderly woman is dead and her husband was taken into police custody, effectively bringing to a dismal end a 50-year union. Dead is Sohodra Ramkarran of Lot 4 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. The 71-yearold was the mother of five children, three of whom have passed away. Her 76-old husband, Ramkarran, was taken into custody as part of a police investigation. The two lived together at the two-flat Zeelugt domicile for several years. “For as long as I can remember they lived at this house...since I born they living there; they never break up and that is more than 50 years they together,” one of the woman’s relatives told this publication yesterday. However, there are some individuals who are suspicious that foul play might have led to the woman’s demise. Liloutie Parsram, the dead woman’s granddaughter, although not convinced that the death was sinister, related that there were some suspicious marks on her grandmother’s body. She disclosed too that her grandmother’s already stiff body was found lying on the floor of a bedroom yesterday morning. “She been lying down on she back on the ground...she face was blackish, bluish and she foot part had some blood. I couldn’t really watch so I don’t know if she had any injury. She had varicose vein and I don’t know if any coulda burst or something like that,” Parsram related. Parsram, who lives a short distance away from her grandparents’ home , said that she
Grieving family members preparing for a wake.
first got word of her grandmother’s death when a neighbour telephoned her yesterday morning. Based on her grandfather’s account, Parsram said that her grandmother was found dead in a locked bedroom in the bottom flat of the house. The couple would reportedly sleep in the very bedroom. But according to the young woman, her grandfather said that since Monday evening his wife had locked herself in the bedroom, because they had an argument earlier. Parsram said that her grandfather related that earlier in the day he travelled to Georgetown to do some business. It was upon his return home that he and his wife had the argument. Before Ramkarran’s arrival home, though, his wife had reportedly started to prepare dinner, but because of the argument she decided to imbibe alcohol instead. “The roti de done knead and the fish done cut up and left right there,” said Parsram who recalled seeing the uncooked food in the kitchen yesterday morning. “Grandfather claimed that after he quarrel on she, she went into the room (located in the bottom flat) and she just lock she self in there,” said Parsram who pointed out that a wall separates the bedroom from the kitchen and that it could only be locked from the inside. The couple would sometimes imbibe alcohol together and would from time to time get into arguments, Parsram related. But according to the woman, her grandfather insisted that he didn’t consume alcohol Monday. Parsram said that her grandfather related that when he attempted to access the room on Monday night it was still locked, which led him to believe that his wife had fallen asleep. As such, he claimed that he decided to sleep upstairs instead. The man reportedly claimed that he awoke sometime before 05:00 hours yesterday, and came downstairs as usual and checked on his wife only to find that the door was still locked. He started to call out to his wife but got no answer. It was at this point he reportedly got worried, Parsram said. She disclosed that it was a male neighbour who helped Ramkarran gain access to the bedroom by prizing open a window in order to gain access to the locked room. However, it was upon his entry to the room that the man said that he discovered a lifeless Sohodra Ramkarran leaned against another window that was already opened. The neighbour, refusing to touch the woman, reportedly hurriedly opened the door to allow Ramkarran
Sohodra Ramkarran and her husband. access to his wife. According to Parsram, she learnt that her grandfather was the one who placed her grandmother in a lying position in the room since he was reportedly claiming that she was
not dead. However, rigor mortis had already started to set in, Parsram noted. The police was summoned soon after the discovery and cordoned off the bottom flat of the house.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
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Kaieteur News
NCN appoints veteran broadcaster as PROGRAMME MANAGER - NEW BOSS CHOSEN FOR HR
New Programme Manager, Ron Robinson The Board of Directors of the National Communications Network (NCN) has announced the appointment of two new members of the
network’s management team who will function as Programme Manager and Human Resources Manager. According to NCN, veteran broadcaster and theatre personality, Ronald Robinson, assumed the post of Programme Manager, while Tishikta De Costa is the new Human Resources (HR) Manager, both with effect from May 3, 2016. “Based on the current revitalization process
underway at NCN, Robinson emerged the most suitable candidate following a shortlist and interview process conducted by members of the board and a professional HR consultant,” NCN said. The state-owned e n t i t y, w h i c h r u n s a number of television and radio stations across the c o u n t r y, said that Robinson brings to the network more than 40 years
of experience in the media, cumulatively, and a wealth of knowledge pertaining to G u y a n a ’s broadcast landscape, training and production management. “Prior to her appointment as the new HR Manager of NCN, Ms De Costa, who also went through a similar interview process, had worked in the Human Resources Division of the Audit Office, Guyana Revenue Authority and
Unicomer. She brings to the network approximately eight years’ experience in recruitment, staff welfare, people management and HR strategic planning and budgeting among other critical areas.” NCN has been facing criticisms, running at a loss for years, with millions owed to it by advertisers and even political parties. The David Granger administration had
New HR Manager, Tishikta De Costa announced plans to reform the government news agencies, following the coalition’s victory at last May’s general elections.
120 CITY VENDORS
RELOCATED …temporary situation demands consideration and tolerance - City Hall
The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been able to relocate more than 100 street vendors who were removed from various locations around the city. Clerk of Markets, Sherlock Lovell, said yesterday, that 120 persons have registered and have secured spots at their new Hadfield and Lombard Streets location, while more vendors are expected to come onboard. He said that washroom facilities, lighting and security are available at the location. It was noted, however, that some amount of unease was expressed by vendors after requests were made for two persons to occupy one tent. They complained about the heat and small operating spaces. The Council is aware of this discomfort, but urged tolerance from the operators. Town Clerk Royston King said that vendors must be “considerate and open-minded about the situation.” He noted that the vending situation had to be urgently addressed and the unavailability of an alternate location led to the use of the current one. “All these vendors cannot fit at the location in separate tents. There is simply not enough space. Persons cannot expect also to layout all their items to sell, again there is simply not enough space. It therefore requires understanding, tolerance and consideration on the part of the vendors.” Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, said that Section 9 of the city By-laws says that no citizen is permitted to place any item on city pavements or walkways. The law highlights that no obstacle including boxes and barrels among others are to be left, stored or placed on city pavements or any other city property that would obstruct or prevent the easy movement or access of other citizens. It was found that not only did persons place items on city pavements and other city spaces, but they stored their items there; they confiscated some spaces to the point that persons could not use certain public spaces. Some vendors stored their items and belongings on the roadway while others slept on the pavement as if taking up permanent residency. Many locations were also found to be filthy and therefore posed great danger to health. Mayor Patricia Chase-Green recently admitted to the Council losing control of the vending situation given the Municipality’s previous situation. Acknowledging that many single parents, especially mothers, were involved in street vending, and many persons gained employment through this avenue, some leverage was given. It was also noted that the city defended vendors when they were being evicted from the streets with no other mechanisms being put in place for them. However, the Council is now adamant that a new organized vending system must be developed as the city moves ahead and the “confusion” that once existed can be no more. The Council continues to urge the co-operation of all vendors and insists that what is being sought at this time is a meaningful solution to the organization and confirmation of persons who once illegally occupied city spaces.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Brassington was Director/Chairman for 13 govt. entities ...held negotiations with self - Audit report is also a private investor of the Berbice Bridge Co. Inc. (BBCI), of which the Executive Director was the Company Secretary. NICIL
Auditor, Anand Goolsarran BYABENAROCKCLIFFE-CAMPBELL The forensic audit into the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) has revealed that the company’s former Director, Winston Brassington was also Director/Chairman for at least 12 other government entities. He also held negotiations with many of these companies. Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran conducted the audit into NICIL’s operations. Goolsarran highlighted that Brassington also held directorship and/or chairpersonship in several agencies in which the State holds investments via NICIL. These include Atlantic Hotel Inc., where he was the sole director and chairperson; Guyana Power and Light (GPL); the National Communications Network (NCN), Property Holdings Inc., Linmine, Bermine, Bidco, Aroaima Mining Co. Inc., Linden Electricity Co. Inc., Mathews Ridge Power and Light Inc., and NEOCOL. Goolsarran said that “from a governance standpoint, and possible conflicts of interest, the holding of such directorship and/or chairmanship are considered inappropriate in
Former multi-Director, Winston Brassington view of NICIL’s relationship with these entities”. Speaking about NICIL’s investment in shares in Hand-in-Hand Trust Inc., the audit noted that in 2002 the Government had sold 90 percent of its shares in the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB) Trust Corporation to Hand-in-Hand Mutual and Fire Insurance Co. for $439 million. He said that prior to 2006, the financial statements of NICIL showed an investment of 10 percent of the shares in GNCB Trust Corporation which was renamed Hand-in-Hand Trust Inc. Goolsarran noted that there was an allegation of conflict of interest involving the Executive Director of NICIL whose brother owns one-third of the shares in Hand-in-Hand Trust. This came when the Executive Director signed a resolution of Hand-in-Hand Trust dated 24 August 2011 on behalf of his brother. In response to the allegation, Goolsarran noted that Brassington said that he had consulted with the then Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh and the then Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and was told that they saw no conflict of interest. Goolsarran said that Hand-in-Hand Trust
‘A’ Division boosts strength by 400 more ranks
Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken outlining plans for the policing of Independence Anniversary activities in the city. From the look of things you might not believe that the police have doubled its strength in Georgetown and its environs. A senior police official has confirmed that the Division is now manned by a little more than 800 ranks. This augurs well for the security of the capital city and surrounding areas for the fast approaching activities to celebrate Guyana’s 50th year of independence. There were concerns expressed in certain quarters that recent criminal activities will loom like a large cloud over the Independence parades and related activities.
Chief among those expressing concerns was the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which had stated that the recent sensational crimes could deter visitors from coming to participate in the upcoming celebrations. Their concerns were raised following the brazen attack on the Princess Hotel casino two weeks ago. But the Guyana Police Force is assuring that with 60 new recruits recently graduated from the Felix Austin Police College, added to the 287 who graduated in February this year, the current crime situation is being Continued on page 27
had also invested $950,000 in shares in BBCI. These were eventually sold to the NIS in order to raise funds.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
Trio gets five years jail for robbing businesswoman Three persons were given a combined jail sentence of 15 years after they were found guilty of the offence of robbery under-arms by City Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’
- lawyer gives oral notice of appeal Courts. Peter McKenzie, 23, of 298 Meadow Brook, Squatting
Area; Alana Taylor, 36, of 212 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown and
Amunike Rogers, 21, of 195 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, were convicted
for robbing businesswoman, Elizabeth Hendricks at gunpoint on March 2, 2014 at Lime Street, Georgetown. They relieved the woman of her BLU cell phone, a gold chain, a handbag, one laptop and three BlackBerry phone chargers. McKenzie, Taylor and Rogers were each sentenced to five years imprisonment. The accused had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge and were represented by Attorney Dexter Todd. The lawyer gave oral notice of his intentions to appeal the decision. He argued that the conviction of his clients is not justice, because they are maintaining their innocence. The lawyer added that his clients are of good character in society. After hearing the Magistrate’s ruling, the accused stared around the courtroom in disbelief. Taylor and Rogers broke down in tears and had to be consoled by family members who were seated in the court. During the summing up of evidence yesterday, the Magistrate told the court that Hendricks testified that McKenzie placed a gun to her head and demanded that she hand over her valuables. The Magistrate said that Hendricks recalled that McKenzie ransacked her wardrobe and removed the laptop and phone chargers. According to the Magistrate, the witness pointed out that McKenzie threatened to kill her after she refused to go into the bathroom. When called upon to lead a defence, they all gave sworn testimonies. McKenzie called Rogers and Taylor to testify on his behalf, while Taylor called her daughter to the witness box. McKenzie had testified that the victim owed him $150,000 as payment for work he had done for her in the interior. He recalled that the woman invited him over to her home where she gave him the laptop and gold ring. McKenzie stated that police later arrived at Hendricks’ home and brutalized him. He claimed that the lawmen placed a plastic bag over his head and tightened it with a belt. However, the Magistrate asserted that she disbelieved his claims of police assault. She said that she believed that McKenzie went to the woman’s home to execute a robbery. Further, Magistrate Latchman added that she did not believe Hendricks gave her belongings to McKenzie. As it relates to Taylor, the Magistrate stressed that she believed she was the mastermind behind the robbery. Based on evidence tendered in the trial, the
Alana Taylor
Amunike Rogers
Magistrate affirmed that she was satisfied that they acted together to carry away the items mentioned in the charge. Before handing down her decision, Magistrate Latchman took all mitigating factors into consideration. She stated that Taylor acted in a distrustful manner even though she and Hendricks were friends. She highlighted the fact that a gun was used to commit the robbery and that the crime was well organized. The Magistrate noted that violence was used during the ordeal and a threat was made to Hendricks’ life. She also noted the need to prevent others from contemplating such crimes. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Kerry Bostwick informed the court that the convicts have no previous brushes with the law.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Exhibitors to benefit from ‘value added experience’ - says GuyExpo Coordinator “Bigger and better” has for years been the slogan under which events like the Guyana Trade Exposition (GuyExpo) are held. The event usually comes down to a regular trade exposition which sees exhibitors seeking to garner as much sales as possible. But this year the event is expected to be one with a very noticeable difference. At least this is according to its Coordinator, Ms. Tameka Sukhdeo-Singh. During an interview with this publication, she related that “this year there are a lot of differences.” A primary difference, she disclosed, is the event will be held under the purview of the Ministry of Business. Previously it fell under the Ministry of Tourism. A key slogan of the Ministry of Business, Sukhdeo-Singh noted, is that “Guyana means business,” and is this very slogan that event will embrace this year. “There are segments that will be focused on business,” said the Coordinator, as she spoke of planned workshops intended to help enhance the business knowledge of micro, medium and small enterprises in the area of packaging and promotion, social media marketing, access to financing and how to prepare a business plan. This tactic was in fact deliberate, as according to Sukhdeo-Singh, many of the exhibitors are young entrepreneurs. “Some of these entrepreneurs they only know how to start a business, they have never really sat down and did a business
GuyExpo Coordinator, Ms. Tameka Singh plan.” According to the Coordinator, a business plan is generally crucial to any business, because it is a road map for the business over the years. With a business plan, she explained, entrepreneurs would better be able to budget; determine how they could project their income; learn how to break even; determine where they can get financing and how many years they would need to repay that loan. A business plan can therefore help to guide an entrepreneur marketing plan and show how growth and development occurs. “Many of our companies don’t do that and we are hoping to guide them, or at least show them various aspects that are important to them. Many times when you go to access financing you are asked what is your plan, so that goes hand in hand with access to financing,” Sukhdeo-Singh underscored. In addition to sharing information on how to (Continued on page 25)
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Exhibitors to benefit... (From page 16) prepare a business plan, the Coordinator added that entrepreneurs will also be enlightened about the various types of ways to access finances through loans or grants that are available. In fact, Sukhdeo-Singh noted that in light of the fact that the business sector has been gradually moving away from the traditional modes of advertising, the planned workshop will incorporate this evolution. “Everybody is into social media...so we are going to be showing them as well ‘this is how you use social media’, which is the most advantageous or optimum way to use social media to promote your business,” she stressed. Packaging, she related, will also be an important feature of the planned interactions with the entrepreneurs. “When you see a Fruta tin, for instance, you know what it is right away...that image is already embedded in you. So one of the things we will emphasize is the importance of packaging and promotion,” Sukhdeo-Singh added. GuyExpo this year is catering to 400 exhibitors and, according to the Coordinator, all of them will be eligible to attend the workshops. Sukhdeo-Singh is convinced that local exhibitors will be able to take away a great deal from the event this year. While the majority of the exhibitors are local businesses, Sukhdeo-Singh did note that there are some overseas businesses that are also on board. A team of businessmen from Florida are expected to attend the four-day event, and they will be gearing to look at businesses with which they can network or even help to develop, the Coordinator informed. She pointed out that while GuyExpo is about promoting Guyanese businesses, it is also designed to promote businesses that have invested in Guyana. “We will be promoting everybody across the board,” said Sukhdeo-Singh as she pointed out that GuyExpo this year will not merely be about the amount of sales exhibitors can get but rather, it will be “a more value added experience for exhibitors.” GuyExpo is slated to commence tomorrow and culminate on Sunday.
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Kaieteur News
Three more years for convict who chopped fellow inmate Convicted robber Marlon Persaud was yesterday jailed again. This time for unlawfully and maliciously wounding an inmate in the Camp Street Prison. Persaud of West Ruimveldt, Front Road, Georgetown is currently serving a 56-month prison sentence on a robbery underarms conviction. Yesterday, he was sent to prison for three years after he was found guilty of wounding Wayne Gilbert on October 2, 2015 at the Camp Street Prison. The decision was handed down by City Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Court facts revealed that on the day in question, Persaud inflicted wounds on Gilbert with a cutlass. At the time of the incident, they were both inmates of the same division in the prison. The convict threatened to kill his fellow inmate who was later rescued by a prison officer and taken for medical attention. A medical report in favour of Gilbert was tendered as evidence. It showed that Gilbert
Marlon Persaud sustained multiple lacerations to his hands and feet. During the summing up of evidence, Magistrate Latchman informed the court that Persaud gave an unsworn testimony and called two witnesses on his behalf. She said that during his testimony, Persaud pointed out that Gilbert and police officers gave conflicting evidence against him. According to the Magistrate, Persaud remained silent when asked whether he had chopped Gilbert.
Before passing sentence, the Magistrate underscored that Persaud did not act in self-defence and his attack was intended to cause harm to the prisoner. She told him that he should have exercised better judgment. Magistrate Latchman took all mitigating factors into consideration and pointed out the fact that a cutlass was used to inflict the wounds. She also stressed the fact that the victim received injures and the need to prohibit others from contemplating such crimes. In mitigation, Persaud begged the Magistrate to exercise leniency. He told the court that a lot of violence is occurring in prison. He said that he was convicted in 2012 for an armed robbery and will be out of prison in November. Persaud told the Magistrate that he was willing to do community service. However, his pleas were to no avail. After the Magistrate announced her ruling, Persaud began behaving disorderly and had to be restrained by police officers, who escorted him out of the courtroom and into
the lock-ups. Before leaving the courtroom he told the Magistrate that she “does not have a heart”. In August 2012, Magistrate Latchman jailed Persaud for 56 months after he was found guilty of the offence of robbery underarms. He was convicted for robbing Melissa Samuels of a BlackBerry cell phone, a gold chain, a handbag among other items. According to court facts, on May 5, 2012, Samuels and Rovin Harry were walking along Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, when Persaud held them up with an ice pick and relieved them of valuables. The court was told that immediately after the robbery the victims reported the matter to the police, who visited Persaud’s residence. He was arrested after admitting to the crime.
PAGE 26
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
CITY HALL AWARDED $40,000 AS VENDOR WITHDRAWS COURT MATTER The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was granted $40,000 in cost after the complainant who had caused a High Court Judge to lay an injunction against the Municipality, withdrew his case yesterday. Last week, the vendor, who refused to be part of the city’s ongoing street vendor relocation initiative, approached the High Court to halt his removal from the Water Street location outside the
…injunction discharged Guyana Stores zinc bond. He claimed that the bond’s owner, businessman Malcolm Panday, had given vendors permission to operate in front of his property. The court granted the ex parte injunction. However, Panday denied giving permission for vendors to occupy
the perimeter of his bond and provided an affidavit to authorities attesting to this information. When the matter was called at the High Court yesterday, the complainant withdrew his case and was ordered to pay costs. Prior to this, the Council was also
able to have the injunction discharged. This was after the attorney for City Hall, Roger Yearwood had presented the businessman’s affidavit to the court. The Mayor and City Council says it is currently seeking an organized and healthy vending situation in the city and welcomes the participation of all stakeholders.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 27
Guyana’s High Commissioner Police issue wanted bulletins to Canada meets Guyanese for five more suspects
High Commissioner Clarissa Riehl (left) with Ontario Associate Finance Minister Mitzie Hunter at the Guyana Ex-Police Association of Canada’s Annual Ball. BY LINDSAY DAVIDSON Newly appointed High Commissioner to Canada Clarissa Riehl received a warm welcome when she met with Guyanese in Toronto on Saturday - her first trip to the Ontario Capital since presenting her credentials last month to Canada’s Governor General David Johnson. High Commissioner Riehl had a hectic day meeting her countrymen and women including Consul General, Sattie Sawh, and Consular staff at the Consulate, members of the 50th Anniversary Independence Celebration Committee, and a wide cross section of Guyanese and representatives from the Caribbean Diplomatic Corps at a welcome reception at the Sheraton Hotel in Richmond
Hill, a northern suburb in the Greater Toronto Area. Later that evening the High Commissioner was a special guest at the Guyana Ex-Police Association of Canada’s Annual Ball dedicated this year to mark Guyana’s 50 years as an independent country. There she met with top Toronto and Ontario police officers and Ontario Associate Finance Minister Mitzie Hunter, the province’s only Black female Cabinet member. At every occasion where she met Guyanese, High Commissioner Riehl sought to encourage them to return home and invest in the development of Guyana. She explained that her mandate from President David Granger is to strengthen economic
relations between Guyana and Canada and importantly to “lead some of you back home” to invest in and grow the economy. “Our population is not growing as it should and there is no way we can develop Guyana with the current population of 735,000, “ she said. “We are very grateful for the significant contributions to Guyanese at home from out here. We thank you for those gifts but it is not enough,” High Commissioner Riehl said. “We have such a rich country and we have not been able to exploit it and that is because you are not there,” she told the audience. But even as she continued to encourage members of different groups she met during the day to return and invest at home, many pointed out to her that it is not that easy. She got an earful of complaints of a lack of response to proposals and requests for information by Guyanese leaders at home including from Cabinet Ministers. Frustrated professionals and business owners told her that while President Granger continues to repeat the call for diaspora investment there is no effective structure in place to facilitate meaningful diaspora engagement and that has resulted in many giving up on the idea of remigrating. High Commissioner Riehl however told them not to give up easily and to continue to push to engage the decision makers because Guyana needs the involvement of all Guyanese in the diaspora to help develop the country’s rich resources. The High Commissioner returned to Ottawa on Sunday.
The Guyana Police Force has issued bulletins for five men who are wanted for questioning in relation to a number of offences including murder. One of the murder dates back to 2013 while another occurred as recent as last year. Police say Leon De Yonge is wanted by the police for questioning in relation to the murder of Titus Sutton which occurred on November 08, 2013, at Baracara, Canje Creek, Berbice. Sutton, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, was killed when a man blasted him with a shotgun. A friend of Sutton was also wounded in the incident. Police have no address for De Younge. A bulletin has also been issued for Rickford La Fleur known as Rickford Orlando, who is wanted for questioning in relation to the murders of Sebastian Clayto and Cleveland Hetymer. Police say La Fleur is 41 years old and his last known address is listed as Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara and Smithfield, New
Amsterdam, Berbice. Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander is wanted by the police pending investigations into the discharging of a loaded firearm and also the murder of Linden businesswoman Shevon Gordon. Alexander was held for the murder, but managed to escape from custody in Linden. Alexander is 30 years old and his last known address is Laing Avenue, Georgetown. Meanwhile, Lennox Patterson and Ravindra Samaroo are wanted by the police for escaping from Lawful Custody at the New Amsterdam Prison on August 12, 2015. Patterson is 27 years old and he hails from Lot 369 Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice, while the 25 year old Samaroo lived at Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of these suspects is asked to contact the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.
‘A’ Division boosts strength... From page 14 aggressively tackled. “All Divisional Commanders have been given additional manpower, but ‘A’ Division has been given the bulk,” a senior police official told this newspaper. When asked why the disparity in the distribution of ranks, given that visitors for the independence celebrations will be located throughout the coastland and other areas, the official explained that 60% of the crimes are occurring in the Division. “And besides, most of the independence activities will be held in ‘A’ Division,” the officer said. The Guyana Police Force had stated that, in preparation for increased social activities during this period, it had planned a number of initiatives that include additional manpower deployment, particularly in tourist hotspots. All Annual Vacation Leave due to ranks will
be suspended for the month. “In addition, there will be increased patrols along the East Bank Demerara corridor and other major arteries; increased collaboration with the Force’s auxiliaries and other partners; increased vigilance at all the Ports of Entry; increased Immigration deployment at the Ports for the faster processing of passengers; escorts and close-protection will be provided for VIPs; efforts to maintain traffic enforcement to prevent congestion and deal with drunk driving and speeding; and Operation Dragnet activities that benefit from Joint Services collaboration will increase,” the police had said in a statement a week ago. The police will be backed up by ranks from the Guyana Defence Force, who also form part of “Operation Dragnet,” which was implemented five months ago to provide security for several major events during the period up to May 31 and a little beyond.
PAGE 28
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Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Unregistered Toyota Allion 2005: dark interior, HID lights, rose light - $2.2M negotiableCall: 617-5536 One Toyota IST 2007 Model, PRR series, female driven, in excellent condition. Call: 6782495 & 692-1999 Toyota Fun Cargo, AT212, AT192, RZ, 4 Door Canter, Wagon (Suzuki Viatara 4WD) Nissan pickup 2008 unregistered. Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
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2 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment for rent @ Buzz-aBee-Dam, E.B.D. Call: 6128364; 233-5218 2 Bedrooms apartment to rent in Diamond for more information. Call: 676-0037 Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: church, office, lessons place, storage bond, private school, others -$20,000- Call: 603-6400 EDUCATIONAL Private Tutoring is available for all age groups-Contact Ms Cort on 672-0348 for details.
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Wednesday May 11, 2016
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Kaieteur News
The Chairman of Glowing defence of Joe Harmon the Board clarifies DEAR EDITOR; Please allow me to response to a letter that was published in the letter column of another under the caption “Govt. Should be fair in Executing duties” and was written by a concerned contractor. The contractor in the first paragraph of his letter seems not to understand that I still and always will stand for what I think is the best for the people of my region and Guyana at large. I am always against corruption and always will be speaking out against it in every community and everywhere and every time I could even under this government. The contractor went on to say that my voice seems not to be coming out on corruption now. Well I will like to advice the contractor to visit the RDC and every corner of the RDC’s heads of departments (HOD) offices in that compound and find out about Abel Seetaram and his stands; even make a call to some of my fellow councilors like Takoor Singh, Hermon Anthony, Carol Smith Joseph and others and find out what is Abel Seetaram’s stand on corruption and discrimination. After that survey I challenge you to write another article in the newspaper and state your findings (truthfully). As chairman of the Board of Directors of MARDS Rice Milling Complex located in Burma Mahaicony, I always consult my board members before making any decision and this was one that was done. I have received a letter from the Region 5 - 50th Independence Anniversary Committee seeking sponsorship\funding towards the building of a Cenotaph and a fun park at Forth Wellington, West Coast Berbice. Upon consultation with the other members of the board, we have decided that it is something that will be part of history in region 5 and Guyana at large and we will support the project as long as the terms of agreement are being worked out by both parties and agreed upon. This was done whereby the Regional Engineer will be the point man of the project providing the bill of quantity (BOA) and the design of the area. It was also decided that the Regional Democratic Council shall be the employer. Therefore the board of directors of MARDS and the chairman had no hand in giving out that contract and according to information received, it was properly
awarded to a contractor. The writer went on to accuse the MARDS board of giving contracts to contractors to build roads in Burma Housing Scheme with funds from MARDS. Well I will like to advice that contractor who seems to be bent towards politics under the PPP that at NO TIME UNDER THIS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS and ITS CHAIRMAN DID WE APPROVED ANY ROAD WORK OR UNDER TAKE ANY ROAD WORK UNDER THE BOARD in the said housing scheme or any other. What I know for a fact is that the previous Chairman of MARDS who was also the Chairman of MMA\ADA had took tens of millions of dollars from MARDS board and give it towards building the road at MMA\ADA Onverwagt, although no farmer planting the lands in the Burma area benefitted. Tens of millions was also used from MARDS to purchase equipments for D&I work but was given to MMA\ADA and MARDS was still paying to MMA\ADA D&I. As Chairman of the board I was very upset when I first step into Burma and saw the conditions of the area and the office building that is being used by MARDS. I will stand in ensuring that Burma Housing Scheme becomes Burma back in the days again whereby there are proper living conditions for the residents. I want to ensure the public that everything that this board does to enhance Burma will be transparent and accountable and that we will we ensure we seek help for the people of Burma to live a good life. I will like to leave this for the contractor and his allies in the PPP, Don’t Forsake Those That Feed You, Don’t Curse those That Help you and Be grateful for what you have and help others. Abel Seetaram Chairman MARDS Rice Milling Complex
DEAR EDITOR; I have recognised with much annoyance the relentless accusations that are continuously being printed and aired in the media against the Honourable Joseph Harmon and therefore wish, through this missive, to categorically denounce the unsubstantiated claims that are made against this philanthropist. To begin with, some vocal members of society have reprimanded Minister Harmon over the appointment of Mr. Brian Tiwari. Their arguments were primarily based on Mr. Tiwari’s alleged involvement with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). No other arguments were made which could have convinced me and other readers and listeners that Tiwari is associated with corruption. When this new government took over it was BK Tiwari that began the massive clean up exercise and it was BK Tiwari that spoke about the many sluices that were left unattended by the
PPP. I vividly remember seeing him on HGPTV Nightly News publicly chastising the PPP for their complete neglect of the many kokers and sluices. It was BK that spent money and showed the public that he is fulfilling his responsibilities. When this businessman was doing the above none of us spoke, rather we all sat quietly and when he was given a honourific certificate which basically is a form of appreciation with no pay we all suddenly got the audacity to speak against Harmon. Why didn’t we tell Harmon from the beginning to let BK go and don’t allow him to do nothing for this government? Why didn’t we do that? Secondly, clarity was already given with reference to Minister Harmon’s trip to China hence I need not waste ink to reiterate. However I would like to know if it is a crime to take a picture with anyone? Whether it is accepted or not let it be registered in the minds of all that BaiShanLin
came to Guyana under the PPP and I am absolutely sure that he has all the legal documentations to show that he is not here illegal. He is an investor and assuming that he was not conducting himself properly during the PPP, then it is quite understandable that Mr. Harmon and BaiShanLin would have to meet. The duty of this government is not to chase investors away or create an unfriendly environment for investors but rather to put corrective measures in place so that current and prospective investors will agree and comply. In short Harmon and BaiShanLin had to meet. Thirdly, it is an arguable fact that Chinese have contributed significantly to the economic and continuous economic growth of this country. Even though some of us believe that Guyana will soon become GuyChina it is an undeniable fact that Chinese have contributed significantly to the
development of this country and therefore what was illegal if the Honourable Minister just requested a favour to put a hold on the seizure of the vehicles? Remember it was the ambassador of China to Guyana that requested the favour. Put yourself in Harmon’s shoe and ask yourself what would you have done? Editor in closing, permit me to define the word corruption. Simply put corruption is dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power typically involving bribery. I therefore ask the public what was dishonest or fraudulent about Harmon’s action? More so did he take bribe from anyone? I maintain that Minister Harmon did nothing illegal and it is my opinion that someone or more than one is after Minister Harmon but I am sure that he or she or they will not succeed. Minister Harmon will continue to serve the people of Guyana and I wish him well in doing so. Ganesh Mahipaul
Jung Bahadur Singh and the Shaping of the Indian Imagination DEAR EDITOR; As Indians celebrate 178 years of being in Guyana, it is fitting to remember an iconclastic person who figured prominently as a leader of the Indian community - Dr. Jung Bahadur Singh. Jung Singh was a pioneer in many ways. A strong case can be made that JB Singh was indeed responsible for shaping and influencing the political career of Cheddi Jagan. For one, it was JB Singh who advised Jagan’s father in 1935 to “send the boy to study [abroad]” after Cheddi had difficulty securing employment in the civil service. Second, when Jagan returned to Guyana in October 1943, his political views were shaped in part by his association with the
NEW CITY COUNCIL, SAME OLD... From page 4 staggering and still climbing. When will the new Council review this? The rate of appointments, promotions and new hiring is frightening. When will the new Council bring an end to this? The doling out of contracts is unprecedented. When will the new Council commission the needed forensic audit? Will the central government continue to allow King and his cabal to make Georgetown into a failed city? Shanta Singh
British Guiana East Indian Association (BGEIA), an influential organization to which JB Singh was elected as president seven times. Ironically, Jagan contributed to Singh’s political demise when his preferred candidate, an estate shovelman, Fred Bowman (who later joined Burnham’s camp), defeated Singh for the West Demerara constituency in the 1953 elections, and thereby, ending Singh’s 23 years of service in the Legislative Council. Jung Bahadur Singh, the eldest son of 13 children, was born in 1886 in Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara. He was the eldest of thirteen children. It is widely believed that JB Singh’s father was indentured from Nepal. On February 23, 1910, Jung married Alice Bhagwanday, the daughter of Hurdutt Sital Persad from Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana in a ceremony that included a civil marriage, a Christian ceremony and a Hindu wedding. Alice, in her own right made a tremendous contribution to the uplifting of the culture of Indians in Guyana The young Jung, like his grandfather, was trained as a ship compounder and from the age of 16 to 28, a total of 12 years, Jung worked in the
medical service on immigrant ships. By last count, he had made 24 trips in all, transporting indentured immigrants from Kolkata (Calcutta), India to overseas colonies such as British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, the Caribbean, South Africa, Mauritius and Fiji. He witnessed the spread of the Indian diaspora across the globe. The ship doctor was an important personnel on the ships because he was seen as someone who spoke the language of the Indians, many of whom trusted him during the long journey across the “kala pani”. Jung Singh completed his medical studies in 1919, and in 1923, he went into private practice in the city of Georgetown. He bought a home at Lamaha Street which became the base of his medical practice, as well as his political and social activities. As early as 1924, Dr. Jung Bahadur Singh, as a member of the British Guiana East Indian Association (BGEIA), fought on behalf of workers in the Ruimveldt Massacre. Between 1920 and 1949, he served as President of the BGEIA six times. He was a founder of the orthodox Hindu organization, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, and he served as its president from 1934 to 1955. Dr. Singh was the first
Hindu to be elected to the Legislative Council in 1930. During his more than 22 years in the Council, he served on many official committees and boards. As a member of the Franchise Commission, he advocated for universal adult suffrage, many years before Jagan took up the cause. As a member of various legislative committees, he made tremendous contribution in the field of education, labor, health, drainage and irrigation, social welfare, information and publicity, and civil rights. Dr. Jung Bahadur Singh had unsuccessfully introduced a Bill in the Legislative Council to permit cremations as the last funeral rites for Hindus. However, after his death in 1956, his body was “officially” cremated at Plantation Ogle foreshore. Aside from his legislative role, Jung was a Trustee of the Man Power Citizens Association representing trade union rights of sugar workers, founder of the British Guiana Nurses’ Association, co-founder of the Indian Educational Trust College, Sanatan Dharma (Hindu) elder, and President of the British G u i a n a Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. Baytoram Ramharack
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Wednesday May 11, 2016
THE VOICE OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS...
THE TROUBLE WITH THE GPSU By Sase Singh
INTRODUCTION So the fix is in and all that matters is “the now”. The now always trumps the later. Every time! The future is a sucker’s bet with no certainty. A contingency perhaps; a maybe perhaps, but the future can never win the present moment. The only thing that is real is the present moment and more Guyanese politicians have to engender that culture of fulfilling their campaign promises by honouring it, now rather than later. The Ramotar government rarely honoured the now when it came to workers’ pay packets and it seems as if that culture continues today with the carrot being tied to the workers’ head with the lame excuse that we must wait on the Lutchman Commission before we can commence negotiations under the Collective Bargaining process. This is a very uninformed and unfair position. Did the Ministers wait on a process when they arrived at their 50 percent increase? So why do the workers have to wait? LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE NURSES I speak now specifically to the living conditions for our nurses in the public service. The reaction of the Granger Government to the working and living conditions of the nurses who work in the State System is just not good enough. Even today, the State continues to be robbed of its geniuses in the nursing system who worked beyond the call of duty to keep our health care system together. Our incongruence in how we deal with this issue, directly contributes to that march towards dystopia in the medical sector; something we all fear. However, many in power clearly do not have the courage of conviction to do the right thing. The GPSU, the workers’ union that claims
to represent the nurses of Guyana, has progress on this front? Yet not one day in consistently failed to provide effective 2016 has he called a nurses’ strike to wake up representation to its constituents in the the government on this wages issue. This is now a war between the ruling class medical profession. If one evaluates the past salary deliberations between the GPSU and and the working class, and clearly, as a result the Jagdeo /Ramotar administrations, one can of the underperformance of the GPSU’s find a history of underperformance, weak leadership, the workers are losing this battle. militancy, and poor advocacy. THE WAGE CARROT Can we expect any better from this Union today? Can we At the May Day Rally 2016, expect it to carry out the the Hon. Prime Minister revolutionary fight for a living wage for the nurses so that recommitted “to dealing with these professionals can the wages issue in 2016”. But concentrate on the job at hand that may be viewed as another to fix the healthcare system empty rice pot promise, since rather than how much those commitments were also moonlighting they have to do, made in 2015. Rice will only fall in order to put the next loaf of into the workers’ pot if they take bread on their tables at home? direct action and become more Poverty is an evil that has militant in 2016. to be combatted on all fronts The GPSU has a duty to and it is about time that the pull out all stops to ensure that allocations made in the 2016 the nurses of Guyana are paid Budget are put to work. It is a a living wage? Another living shame that so many of promise is not satisfactory; it our nurses today are on the is time for action and it is time Sase Singh borders of poverty, in a country for a piece of the good life. Let so rich. us put all of the budgeted G$50 One only has to observe over the last five billion into the workers’ pockets now; not years the maternal mortality rate, the infant tomorrow. mortality rate and the conditions in which If we continue to deceive the nurses, more nurses work, especially at that West Demerara of these national assets will depart the “land Regional Hospital, and you walk away clearly of the many waters” for jobs overseas. And believing that the State’s healthcare system why not? They also have an equal right like is nothing but a death zone. So what really is any other Guyanese to build their own homes, the GPSU doing for the nurses in 2016? So far and if The Bahamas is the vehicle to this end the evidence says - not much! result, so what? And if one is to go by their public I am one of those who firmly believe the declaration, as reported in the Demerara Cabinet, by right, also deserves a living wage, Waves online news outfit, one struggles to but we cannot have one set of rules for Uncle understand the union’s strategy to secure a Tom and another for Aunty Sally. There must better pay for the nurses. be consistency in commitment across all Is Mr. Patrick Yarde even remotely aware classes of workers. The nurses deserve a that 2015 has come and gone and 2016 is well living wage too! advanced, and there has been limited Now I am not advocating for a 50 percent increase in wages for the nurses similar to what the Ministers got. Clearly, the economy cannot afford that, but another 5 percent in 2016 will be most obnoxious; grossly obnoxious. While we agree that there must be collective bargaining, we also believe that
today there must be an across the board preliminary injection of new cash into the pockets of the nurses, irrespective of whether the collective bargaining process was completed or not. At the rate things are going, collective bargaining can drag out until 2017, while the nurses continue to receive peanuts. But my grave disappointment remains with the leadership of the GPSU who have failed miserably over the last decade to leverage a living wage out of successive governments for the nurses. They failed under Jagdeo post2005; they failed under Ramotar and today they seem to be so much weaker as a bargaining unit. What has happened to George Daniels’ Union that stood for principle in the great days when top trade unionists like Gordon Todd were around? It is time for the GPSU to become more militant and use all the tools at its disposal to ensure that the nurses secure a reasonable increase in wages soon. The GPSU has a duty of fair representation to the nurses of Guyana in an environment of good faith, honesty and enhanced militancy. What we have observed from the GPSU over the last decade is that it has consistently acted in an arbitrary fashion, to the point that people have negative and unflattering perceptions. Because of the inconsistent levels of advocacy from the GPSU, the workers it represents, including the nurses, continue to get the short end of the stick. Don’t you the members of the GPSU think it is time for new leadership in your union? CONCLUSION If the GPSU continues to fail to properly represent them, then the nurses should form an alternative Organizing Committee and take their grievances to the Minister. It is not like the Minister is unaware of the plight of the nurses; he was part of the state medical system for years. The APNU+AFC Manifesto also promised to “make nursing once more an attractive and well-paid profession”. When do the nurses need this living wage? Now! As I said at the start of this piece – the now always trumps later. Please send your comments to sasesin1@yahoo.com
Wednesday May 11, 2016
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Cameron says leaders of ‘fantastically corrupt’ countries to attend UK anti-graft summit
Suspected ‘trunkers’ charged with stealing gun, cash from car
From left Randell Douglas, Afzad Khan and Parmanand Rampersaud
The Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow (L) speaks as Queen Elizabeth, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Prime Minister David Cameron and Chris Grayling, leader of the House of Commons listen, at a reception in Buckingham Palace to mark the The Queen’s 90th Birthday, London, Britain yesterday. REUTERS/Paul Hackett Reuters - Prime Minister David Cameron was caught on camera telling Queen Elizabeth yesterday that leaders of some “fantastically corrupt” countries, including Nigeria and Afghanistan, were due to attend his anti-corruption summit. Cameron will host an international anti-corruption summit tomorrow aimed at stepping up global action to combat corruption in all walks of life. In a pooled video feed made available to the ITN broadcaster, Cameron was shown talking with the queen at Buckingham Palace about the summit. “We had a very successful cabinet meeting this morning, talking about our anticorruption summit,” Cameron said when the queen approached. “We have got the Nigerians - actually we have got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain.” Cameron went on: “Nigeria and Afghanistan - possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world.” The queen, who steers clear of political comment, did not respond to Cameron’s comment. But the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: “But this particular president is actually not corrupt.” Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, both of whom are due to attend the summit, acknowledge corruption in their countries and have pledged to clean it up. Buhari’s spokesman Garba Shehu said Cameron’s remarks were not “reflective of the good work that the president is doing”. “The Prime Minister must
be looking at an old snapshot of Nigeria,” Shehu said, adding: “Thank you to the Archbishop.” Afghanistan is at number 166, second-from-bottom, in campaign group Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, an annual ranking of countries. Only North Korea and Somalia, jointly ranked at number 167, are perceived to be more corrupt. Nigeria is at number 136 in the index. “There is no doubt that historically, Nigeria and Afghanistan have had very high levels of corruption, and that continues to this day,” said Cobus de Swardt, Managing Director of Transparency International. “But the leaders of those countries have sent strong signals that they want things to change.” It was not clear whether Cameron realised he was being filmed and recorded at the event, held to mark the queen’s 90th birthday last month. After Cameron’s remarks about Nigeria and Afghanistan, John Bercow, the speaker of parliament’s House of Commons, joked: “They are coming at their own expense, one assumes?” “Everything has to be
open,” Cameron said of the summit. “There are no sort of closed-door sessions. Everything has to be in front of the press ... It could be quite interesting.” Cameron’s Downing Street office said both Buhari and Ghani acknowledged they faced a challenge to tackle corruption and they had been invited to the summit because they were leading the fight against graft. “In a collection of essays on the fight against corruption to be published on the day of the summit, President Ghani writes that Afghanistan is ‘one of the most corrupt countries on earth’,” a spokeswoman for Cameron said. “President Buhari writes that corruption became a ‘way of life’ in his country under ‘supposedly accountable democratic governments’.”
Three men who police claim are responsible for robberies targeting businessmen after they had visited commercial banks, were granted $250,000 bail when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday. Taxi drivers, Afzad Khan, 53, of Belle West, West Coast Demerara, Parmanand Rampersaud, 56, of Kaneville Grove, East Bank Demerara and Randell Douglas, 39, of Palm Street Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess to answer a joint charge of simple larceny. The charge read that the trio entered Brian Narine’s motor car PJJ 989 on April 26 at Middle Street, Georgetown, and stole a green bag containing $400,000, a .32 Taurus pistol, and 45 rounds of matching ammunition – a total value of $550,000. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to them by Magistrate Bess. Prosecutor Michael Grant did not disclose any facts about the case but he informed the court the three men are “known characters” to the police department. He said that the trio had previously been charged on similar offences, and arrested during a “sting” operation set up by police, prior to this
offence. He said he is unsure if they were ever convicted “but I know they have been charged before”. Grant said there is a video footage from a CCTV camera implicating the three accused in a robbery committed a few weeks ago. The prosecutor stated that he believes there are other charges forthcoming and therefore, he asked for more time for the police to bring the additional charges. The prosecutor then strongly opposed bail for the three defendants based on that fact, and also on the nature of the offence. However, attorney-at-law Patrice Henry who represented the three men argued that his clients were all law-abiding citizens, who are also working fathers with fixed places of abode. Given pre-trial liberty, the
law y e r s a i d h i s c l i e n t s would attend their hearings at the specified times allotted by the court. He then said the police had “ a m p l e ” o p p o r t u n i t y to investigate the alleged additional offences before his clients were brought to court. The lawyer said the prosecutor’s statements were highly prejudicial. He nevertheless made an application for the defendants to be granted reasonable bail. The magistrate then informed the prosecutor that “being charged does not make you a criminal. As long as you are charged before a court, these men are innocent until proven guilty”. Magistrate Bess then said he considered the nature of the charge and granted bail to the tune of $250,000 each. The matter was adjourned until May 16.
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Brazil’s Rousseff makes final survival bid as Senate poised to oust her
A supporter helps clean Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff’s face during the opening ceremony of the National Policy Conference for Women in Brasilia, Brazil,yesterday. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino Reuters - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff took her battle to survive impeachment to the Supreme Court yesterday, in a last-ditch attempt to stay in office a day before the Senate will likely vote to try her for breaking budget laws. Attorney General Eduardo Cardozo, the government’s top lawyer, asked the Supreme Court to annul impeachment proceedings arguing they were politically motivated and had no legal basis. “I will not resign, that never crossed my mind,” Rousseff said in a speech to a conference hall full of women supporters who cheered when she vowed to keep fighting her removal. But the leftist leader appeared resigned to leave the presidency after a Senate vote today that is expected to suspend her, pending trial. In her office in the modernistic Planalto presidential palace, aides had packed her
papers and cleared the shelves. The political crisis has hit at a time when Brazil had planned to be shining on the world stage, as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August. Earlier in the day, the acting speaker of the lower house of Congress, Waldir Maranhao, withdrew his controversial decision to annul last month’s impeachment vote in the chamber. That meant Cardozo’s appeal to the top court may be the president’s best hope of stopping the process from moving forward. If a simple majority agrees to put her on trial, Rousseff will be suspended from office tomorrow, leaving Vice President Michel Temer in power for up to six months during her trial. If Rousseff were convicted and removed definitively, Temer would stay in the post until elections in 2018. With the prospect looming of an end to 13 years of
rule by Rousseff ’s leftist Workers Party (PT), anti-impeachment protesters blocked roads with burning tires in Sao Paulo, the capital Brasilia and other cities, snarling morning traffic. The PT and labour unions have called for a national strike to resist what they call a “coup” against democracy. The legality of Rousseff’s imminent removal from office was questioned by the secretary general of the Organisation of American States, Luis Almagro, who said he would seek the legal opinion of the Inter-American Human Rights Court. M a r a n h a o ’s s u r p r i s e decision on Monday threw Brazilian markets into disarray and threatened to drag out a painful political crisis with a constitutional standoff that could have ended up at the Supreme Court. Brazil’s currency, the real, strengthened 1.6 percent and the benchmark Bovespa stock index .BVSP closed 3.8 percent higher, reflecting investor hopes that a more market-friendly government will soon take over the recessionhit country under Temer, who is forming a cabinet with probusiness figures. Temer aides said yesterday that he will stick to plans to cut the number of government ministries to 22 from 32 to show his commitment to plugging a widening fiscal deficit that cost Brazil’s its prized investment-grade credit rating. Senate President Renan Calheiros, a leader of Temer’s PMDB party, disregarded Maranhao’s decision on Monday and said the Senate would press ahead with today’s vote. It is expected to take place at about 8 p.m. (2300 GMT) after an all-day session of speeches.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
T&T Coast Guard locks down south-western peninsula …Venezuelans cautious entering Cedros, Icacos
Flashback: Customs and police officers check the documents of these men, who are foreigners, on Kings Wharf, San Fernando, last November. Foreigners come to the wharf to do trade on a regular basis. Trinidad Guardian - Very few Venezuelans are taking the chance to enter T&T illegally through unofficial ports of entry as the coastline along the South Western peninsula is being manned around-theclock by a T&T Coast Guard vessel. The vessel, according to villagers at Icacos, has been anchored off the coast for the past two months. Villagers at Cedros also confirmed that and said that on a sunny and clear day one could see the anchored vessel. It is alleged that a helicopter and an interceptor “work alongside” the Coast Guard vessel. “We see them patrolling in the air and over the ocean between Venezuela and here
(T&T),” a villager (who wished anonymity) from Cedros said. During a trip to the peninsula last Friday, some Icacos fishermen, who all wished to be unidentified, alleged that they were harassed by Coast Guard officials. “Because of this we are unable to ply our trade properly. We cannot fish and right now we are all suffering as a result,” one fisherman, aged 54, said. T&T Guardian understands that some Venezuelan nationals take the chance to “bribe” T&T fishermen by handing over drugs, guns and ammunition in exchange to be brought into T&T through illegal ports of entry. Some fishermen even take
t h e Ve n e z u e l a n w o m e n as wives and have them living with them here in T&T. It is said that since the heightened coastal patrols along the coastline by the Coast Guard, this kind of trade/ human trafficking is becoming more and more difficult. Since the crippling of the Venezuelan economy, especially in recent times, even food and water have become scarce necessities. Scores of Venezuelans, both men and women, sacrifice 6 0 , 0 0 0 Ve n e z u e l a bolivars, which is equivalent to just under US$100, to travel to T&T via a passenger ferry from Venezuela. An a v e r a g e o f 3 5 0 Venezuelan nationals, according to unnamed Immigration sources, arrive on a monthly basis at the port in Cedros. However, that same trip from T&T to Venezuela would cost TT$1,200 but very few Trinbagonians actually make that trip, according to Immigration sources. An email listing several questions sent to Venezuelan Ambassador Coromoto Godoy-Calderon last week went unanswered. Several calls to the Venezuelan Embassy in an attempt to speak with her were unsuccessful as she was said to be not in office.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Caribbean students to benefit from Rihanna’s new scholarship programme BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbadian-born Grammy-winning singer Rihanna has announced a global scholarship programme that would fund education for students from seven countries, including her home country and four other Caribbean nations, in the United States. The college scholarship programme, launched through her Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), would provide up to US$50,000 in scholarships for successful applications from Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, or the US who have already been accepted into a b a c h e l o r ’s d e g r e e programme at an accredited four-year college or university in the US for the 20162017 year. “To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honour.” Higher education will help provide perspective, opportunities, and learning to a group of kids who really deserve it. I am thrilled to be able to do this,” the star told USA Today. Recipients will receive an award ranging from US$5,000 to US$50,000, which may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a
Rihanna
bachelor’s degree is earned. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance, and awards may be used only for tuition expenses. The deadline for applications is June 10. Once applications are submitted, a committee will screen 50 finalists based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and a personal essay, and winners will be announced by August.
The foundation’s website said the global scholarship programme is designed to assist students who are aspiring to reach their fullest potential. “The goal is to create a cyclical effect with CLF Scholars eventually being able to help others become thriving professionals, educators, and philanthropists,” it said. Rihanna founded the CLF in 2012 in honour of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. (Caribbean360)
OAS chief defends Venezuelan lawmakers against treason charges Washington (AFP) - The head of the Organisation of American States yesterday defended Venezuelan opposition lawmakers who have been accu s e d o f treason for asking the regional body to help overcome a political crisis in their homeland. Six members of the opposition-controlled National Assembly met with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro two weeks ago in Washington. They asked the Uruguayan diplomat to facilitate a dialogue and observe a process initiated by the National Assembly to hold a referendum to recall President Nicolas Maduro. On the lawmakers’ return to Venezuela, ruling party legislators filed a complaint with the country’s attorney general, accusing four lawmakers, including three of those who went to the OAS, of “treason against the fatherland.” In a statement, Almagro
Luis Almagro expressed concern that the lawmakers had been targeted “for visiting me and informing me of the situation in their country and reminding (us) of the commitments that governs all of us in the hemisphere.” He recalled that the promotion of democracy is a right under the InterAmerican Democratic Charter, a binding agreement by t h e O A S ’s 3 4 m e m b e r states aimed at upholding democratic institutions in the Americas. “Nobody who acts re-
sponsibly in that direction can be a traitor to his country,” Almagro said, noting that the visiting lawmakers were “elected by the people of their country.” His statement followed a heated special session of the OAS’s permanent council last week in which Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez accused Almagro of siding with the opposition and the United States to invoke the charter and intervene in its affairs. Almagro is considering convening a debate within the OAS on the state of democracy in Venezuela. “My duty as secretary general is to guard the fulfillment of the inter-American norms that our countries have agreed to and are an obligation for all of us,” he said in the statement. “Anyone who asks for help, good offices or diplomatic efforts to that end can not and should not be considered a traitor,” he said.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Kaieteur News
Manohar steps down as BCCI president ESPNCRICINFO Shashank Manohar has resigned as BCCI president in the lead up to the elections for ICC chairman, a post that must now be contested by independent candidates not linked to any country’s board. Manohar will not be able to continue as ICC chairman either until the elections because the present post goes to the BCCI nominee to the ICC, which is Manohar. “I hereby tender my resignation with immediate effect from the post of President of Board of Control for Cricket in India,” Manohar said in a letter to BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur. “I also resign with immediate effect
Shashank Manohar makes his way to the BCCI headquarters, Mumbai, January 18, 2016 ©PTI as the representative of BCCI on the International Cricket Council, as also the Asian
Cricket Council on which I was nominated by the General Body of BCCI.”
Wednesday May 11, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Travel will result in new romantic attractions. If you have treated them equitably, you might be able to count on their loyalty. Don't let your lover put demands on you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can make extra money. Rewards will be yours if you put in the overtime required. You may attract attention if you get out socially. You can get phenomenal returns if you present your ideas to those who can back your interests. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should be making plans to spend some time with the ones you love. A change in position could be better than you thought. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Extend an invitation to clients you enjoy spending time with. Be prepared to lose friends or alienate loved ones due to your stubborn nature lately. Outings with relatives or good friends will provide you with stimulating conversation. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may overspend if you travel today; however, the trip will be one to remember. You are ready to blow up and your stress level has gone into over drive. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Try not to be too aggressive or judgmental when talking to your mate. Interaction with colleagues will only be upsetting. Your best efforts will come through hard work..
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your changing attitudes may be causing concern for your partner. You can put in some overtime and make extra cash. Don't let someone take the credit for a job you did. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can get into weight loss programs or go out and change your image with a new look in clothing, hairstyle, and attitude. You will find the excitement gratifying. You may find a rare antique today. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. Your involvement with groups will raise your self esteem. Go with the flow and don't be concerned about your own job. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Stress coupled with diet will add to stomach problems. Your ability to put a deal together will surprise others. You may feel a need to make changes to your legal documents AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Try to put your money away for a rainy day. Don't let others make you feel guilty or insecure. You can't win and they won't listen. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your partner's a little jumpy. Your financial situation may be draining and it's time to make some serious changes. You can make life easier for an older member of your family.
Thakur confirmed to ANI that Manohar had stepped down because of the upcoming ICC election, for which the nomination process began on May 8. The ICC had announced in February that itsnew chairman would be independent and no longer be able to hold a position with their home board, like Manohar and his predecessor N Srinivasan had done. The ICC election will be overseen by the body’s independent audit committee chairman and all present and past ICC directors will be eligible to contest. Candidates can only be nominated by a fellow ICC director and a director can make only one nomination. Any nominee with the support of at least two Full Member directors will be put forward as a candidate for chairman. Manohar had been elected BCCI president in October 2015 - his second term - after the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya. According to the BCCI constitution, in the case of the president resigning, the secretary will have to call a special general body meeting with two weeks notice to decide on the way forward. Manohar’s resignation came amid the Indian board’s legal troubles with the country’s Supreme Court in the wake of the Lodha Committee’s recommendations to restructure the organisation.
Did the Basketball Federation get its... (From page 37) about Guyana through the G.A.B.F and the Government of Guyana, all should have been done so we could have the best person to represent Guyana. I know that Mr. Mohan and another F.I.B.A referee were the holders of a US Visa when they did their F.I.B.A referees training. The other countries would be sending their Past Nationals especially their Caribbean All Star Players once they are available. Mr. Mohan’s knowledge of the Sport would be easy for him to prepare a 3 on 3 team and win a championship of that age level. G.A.B.F Executives get it right and let’s move forward for Guyana. I remain yours in Sport. Dennis Clarke.
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Wednesday May 11, 2016
18-year old swimmer Andrew Picard banned for life by USA swimming (SwimSwam) Andrew Picard, a former USA Swimmer, has been added to the list
of Individuals Suspended or Ineligible – Permanently, the organization announced on
Monday. Picard, who registered with USA Swimming with both the names Andrew Laurence and Andrew Boeckman (as recently as December on the latter name) and whose prior legal name was Andrew Laurence Boeckman, last swam at a meet in December of 2015. Picard made global headlines earlier this year when he received only a suspended prison sentence despite being caught by an undercover police officer sharing pictures of young children in an online chat room. Picard, 17 at the time but now 18, was found with 1,185 indecent images and videos on his computer and external hard drives. The material was described as “disturbing” and by the case’s judge as “so appalling, frankly I can’t bring myself to talk about it.” According to police, the videos included abuse of babies and toddlers. Picard pled guilty to one count of possessing indecent pictures of children, one count of making indecent pictures of children, and 8 counts of distributing indecent photos of recordings of a child.
He was sentenced to 10months in prison, suspended for 18 months. What that means is that if Picard doesn’t break the law and fulfills the conditions of his probation over the next 18 months, the sentence will be dismissed. The reason why his story became so public is that he received a relatively lenient sentence despite a relatively serious crime, and observers made accusations that his status at Eton College in the UK, where the pictures were sent from and where he lived as a boarding school. The school, for students aged 13 to 18, is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country, including having educated 19 prime ministers since its founding in 1440. Picard’s father Philip Boeckman is a well-known attorney who has practiced both in the United States and the United Kingdom, bringing about accusations that Picard’s sentence was lenient as a result of his family history and connections. Picard only has a few records of racing in the United States, but has a much
broader history of racing for the Chelsea & Westminster Swim Club, though his last recorded swim in the UK was in August – prior to his last recorded swim in the United States. His best times include a 57.45 in the 100 long course meter freestyle and a 2:06.5 in the 200 long course meter butterfly. His ban, enacted effective April 28th, cites the following two sections of the Code of Conduct: · 304.3.6 Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present, or the existence of any pending charges, for (i) any felony, (ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, (iii) any crime involving sexual misconduct, or (iv) any criminal offense against a minor. · 304.3.19 Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
Foreign exchange problems could stop Trinidad and Tobago from hosting CPL finals Port of Spain, Trinidad: The foreign exchange situation in Trinidad and Tobago will play a vital role in determine if the twin island republic will host the finals of the 2016 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament. According to reports out of Trinidad, CPL officials are asking for US $1 million in US currency but the government is insisting that all contributions will be paid in Trinidad and Tobago dollars due to the shortage of foreign currency in the country. Another matter of contention is the government wants its contribution to pay as many local bills as possible, so that less money will leave the country. It is understood that CPL is asking for US $4.5 million to award the finals weekend
to any of the Caribbean countries. Negotiations between the two parties are continuing but there is a strong possibility that the organisers will reject the T&T currency and play the finals at another venue. Guyana and Fort Lauderdale where the last round of matches will be played are still under consideration. There is a school of thought that the CPL officials ask the final four qualifiers to stay on for a few extra days in Broward to play the finals. Sources close to the situation have indicated that a decision has to be made by the end of this week. “The government is trying all that is reasonable to bring the finals to T&T but at the same time they want to make sure they do the right thing and use the opportunity of
staging the finals to assist the local economy even if it is for a short time”, a source said. Guyana was named as the venue for the finals as part of their 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations. However, the Trinidad and Tobago government asked the CPL owners for the opportunity to make a revised bid. In 2015 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago paid US $3.5 million to host the event for the second time in the three-year history (the other venue being St Kitts and Nevis). Initially the government refused to pay US$4.5 million to host the matches and instead, offered US $1.5M which was turned down. Last week Damien O’Donohoe, chief executive officer of the CPL said that no decision has been made on the venue for the finals. “The CPL is currently in negotiations with three countries who are each bidding to host the finals of this year’s CPL. Despite recent speculation, no decision has been made regarding the venue and it is hoped that negotiations will be concluded within the next fortnight,” O’Donohoe said. (bhpfm.com)
Wednesday May 11, 2016
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Sunrisers defend 137 to go top of the table ESPNcricinfo - Sunrisers Hyderabad possess perhaps the best - and certainly the most inform - pace attack in the IPL, and this proved decisive in bowlerfriendly conditions that produced a low-scoring thriller against Rising Pune Supergiants in Visakhapatnam. There was turn, and R Ashwin andAdam Zampa - whose figures of 6 for 19 were the second-best in the tournament’s history - helped keep Sunrisers to 137, but there was also swing for the new ball, a bit of bounce, and grip for Mustafizur Rahman’s cutters. The chase was a chess game. MS Dhoni promoted George Bailey and Ashwin to Nos. 3 and 4 after the early loss of both openers, with the thirdwicket pair ostensibly instructed to push the ball around and stabilise Supergiants’ innings, given the modest required rate. Bailey and Ashwin put on 49 in eight overs, and when the partnership ended Supergiants needed 70 from 48 balls. Dhoni didn’t walk in then; he came in with 60 required from 40. It eventually came down to 42 off the last four, and Dhoni and Thisara Perera, conscious of the risk of hitting out against Mustafizur, were content to take
singles and twos against the left-armer. The ploy kept Mustafizur wicketless, even as he conceded only 13 off his last two overs. Dhoni and Perera made up for that in the 18th over, in which they took 15 off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but they were still left needing 14 from the last over. Ashish Nehra started the final over with a full ball that Perera couldn’t get under, and then a perfect yorker that Dhoni could only hit for one. Perera skied the third ball to extra cover, leaving 12 to get off the last three. Dhoni hammered the first of them - a full toss - over the wide long-on boundary, but when he was runout going for a second that didn’t really exist - he went for it because he simply had to - Zampa was left needing to hit a six to win it off the last ball, or a four to tie. He only managed an outside edge to a flying Naman Ojha behind the stumps as Nehra closed the match with a wide yorker.
Adam Zampa took 6 for 19 in four overs, Rising Pune Supergiants v Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016, Visakhapatnam, May 10, 2016 ©BCCI The win took Sunrisers top of the points table, and left Supergiants with close to no chance of qualifying for the playoffs. The captain winning the toss had chosen to bowl in each of the 20 IPL games that preceded this one, and David Warner raised a few eyebrows - including Dhoni’s - by opting to bat. Given the swing and bounce available to the quicks, a traditional good length was a pretty good T20
length as well, and Ashok Dinda and RP Singh, by dint of denying the batsmen width, kept Sunrisers to 34 in the first six overs, while dismissing Warner. Ashwin, often used sporadically by Dhoni in recent weeks, came on at the start of the non-Powerplay overs, and immediately found the pitch to his liking. His third ball spun from just outside off stump and turned a long way down the leg side, beating not
just the advancing Kane Williamson but Dhoni as well. His fourth dipped on Shikhar Dhawan, left him searching far out in front of his body for a flick, and ran off the leading edge through point. Ashwin finished his full quota in one go, dangling the ball above the batsmen’s eyeline and teasing them with dip and turn. He got Dhawan to hole out in his third over, and only conceded one run in his fourth, with two slips breathing down Yuvraj Singh’s neck. When Ashwin finished his spell, Sunrisers were 70 for 2 in 13 overs. Williamson and Yuvraj hit two fours and two sixes in the next two, off Rajat Bhatia and Perera, before the advancing Yuvraj skewed a Zampa googly to long-off. Williamson and Henriques took 12 off the 17th, bowled by Perera, before Zampa dismissed both of them in the 18th, off successive balls. Both holed out to long-off, but the bowler played a big role in at least one of the dismissals, forcing Williamson to reach out for a wide legbreak. Dinda came back for the 19th, and - in hindsight -
bowled a match-turning over, conceding 15. The four and six he conceded in that over came off attempted yorkers that didn’t miss the mark by much, but missed it by enough. Ojha whipped away the leg-stump half-volley, and Deepak Hooda deposited the full-toss high over midwicket. Dhoni, often averse to bowling spinners in the end overs, threw the ball back to Zampa. Hooda ran down and hit his first ball for six, but the bowler saw him stepping out again and fired in a wide legbreak. Then, off the last three balls of the innings, he bowled Ojha off the thigh pad with a slider, saw RP Singh put a skier down off Barinder Sran at short third man, and had Bhuvneshwar caught at longon. Little would he have known then, as he walked off smiling, that he would be called on to bat with a boundary required off the last ball of the match. Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 137 for 8 (Dhawan 33, Williamson 32, Zampa 6-19) beat Rising Pune Supergiants 133 for 8 (Bailey 34, Dhoni 30, Nehra 3-29) by four runs.
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Stephen Curry back with a bang in epic NBA OT show Los Angeles (AFP) Stephen Curry returned from injury to deliver an overtime performance for the ages Monday, scoring 17 points in the extra session to lift Golden State to a 132-125 win over Portland in game four of their playoff series. Curry reminded everyone why he is the reigning league MVP, coming off the bench to finish with 40 points in 37 minutes of playing time as the Warriors moved to within one victory of the NBA Western Conference finals. Curry, who sat out the past four postseason games with a knee injury, bagged all but four of Golden State’s overtime points as he outscored the Trail Blazers by himself in the extra session. “It took me a while to get in the groove but it finally happened,” said Curry, who also had nine rebounds and eight assists. Warriors coach Steve Kerr started his news conference Monday by joking, “Steph will start on Wednesday night”, referring to game five. Kerr said he expected to
have to limit Curry’s minutes Monday to about 25. But after watching the way Curry rallied the troops, he threw that plan out the window. “The guy has played one game in three weeks,” Kerr said. “I expected a lot of rust. Nobody could have predicted that explosion. “I figured he would find his stroke and make a few shots, but that was crazy.” Curry didn’t enter the game until halfway through the first quarter, with the Warriors trailing 16-2 in front of a crowd of 19,500 at Portland’s Moda Center arena. “I been through a lot in the last three weeks,” Curry said. “A lot of people helped me to come back and play.” Klay Thompson scored 23 points and Draymond Green collected 21 points, nine rebounds, seven blocked shots and five assists for the Warriors. Damian Lillard scored 36 points and handed out 10 assists, CJ McCollum added 24 points, and Al-Farouq Aminu chipped in 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Blazers, who
Stephen Curry returned from injury. (Getty Images) will attempt to extend the series by winning Wednesday at Oracle Arena. - Wade ‘unstoppable’ Curry scored the Warriors’ first 12 points of overtime for a 123-118 lead with 1:51 to go. Harrison Barnes’ fastbreak layup extended the lead to 125-118 with 1:23 to play.
Lillard made a pair of free throws to cut the difference to 125-120 with 1:18 to go, but Curry drained another threepointer and it was 128-120 with 65 seconds left. The Blazers got no closer than seven points the rest of the way. In the Eastern Conference game Monday, Dwyane Wade scored 30 points and had a clutch steal and dunk in over-
time as the Miami Heat evened their second-round playoff series with a 94-87 win over Toronto. “This is one heck of a series,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Was there any doubt this was going to overtime?” The Heat stepped it up in overtime as Joe Johnson blocked two shots, Justise
Winslow produced a tip-in basket and Goran Dragic had a key layup as Miami levelled the best-of-seven series at two games each. “That is just him being D. Wade,” Dragic said. “Unbelievable. He is unstoppable.” Game five is Wednesday in Toronto, where Wade will be public enemy number one after Toronto fans accused the Chicago native of being disrespectful in game three for shooting baskets during the Canadian national anthem. On Monday, Wade tied the score with 12 seconds left by driving to the rim for a basket. Toronto had a chance to ice the victory in regulation but Cory Joseph missed a 15foot jump shot at the buzzer in front of a crowd of 19,600 fans at Miami’s AmericanAirlines arena. Toronto, who played without injured center Jonas Valanciunas, got scoring from some unexpected sources — 14 points each from DeMarre Carroll and Joseph. Bismack Biyombo started in place of Valanciunas and tallied a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Valanciunas is out for the rest of the series.
Wednesday May 11, 2016
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Former 100m world record holder eyes sprint double at Olympic Trials -Asafa plans to double Jamaica Observer - Asafa Powell’s 200m race at the 13th Jamaica International Invitational meet at the National Stadium last Saturday was more than just early season training as the former 100m world record holder says he will be hoping to run the double at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s (JAAA) Olympic Trials in late June. Powell beat a decent field with a season’s best 20.45 seconds after he ran 20.51 seconds at a meeting in Texas last month. While that time will not scare the big guns in the half-lap event, the likes of world record holder Usain Bolt, American Justin Gatlin and even the fastest Jamaican this year, Nickel Ashmeade, and World and Olympic Games medallist Warren Weir, the 34-year-old Powell is confident he will be able to contest the double at the Olympic Trials.
In his post-race interview, Powell hinted that he was targeting the double at JAAA Trials. “Honestly, I don’t remember how to run the 200m, so it’s a work in progress, hopefully by national trials I will get there.” Acknowledging he was not getting any younger, Powell said: “Time is running out and I have been running only the 100m for years now and most sprinters are running the double and I want to give it a shot.” When pressed by the Jamaica Observer whether he was able to handle the load of both events, he said candidly: “Definitely I can, I will be able to do it.” Powell, who has a personal best 19.90 seconds set at the National Stadium 10 years ago and ran 19.97 seconds in 2010, admitted he struggled at the end of the race on Saturday. “I felt good for the first 150, I ran well but the last half
I got tired and dropped my knees a bit, some lactic acid as well,” he said. “I have been working so hard this week and I was kinda surprised that I made it that far; I felt comfortable before the race and just wanted to win here in front of the Jamaican fans.” Powell, who received one of the biggest cheers from the decent turnout, said he was boosted by his victory over the field that included Commonwealth Games 200m champion Rasheed Dwyer, who finished a disappointing third in 20.52 seconds. “I was not focused on anyone else (in the race) but was aware that Dwyer was in the race and I have a lot of respect for him as he is a tough competitor, and to get the win over him tonight is a good motivation,” Powell said. His plans this year, other than to win the elusive global gold medal in the 100m at the Rio Olympics, he said was to
Asafa Powell (second right) powers to victory in the 200m ahead of Rasheed Dwyer (right) and American Bejee Lee (second left) at the JII meet at the National Stadium on Saturday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings) have a good year. “I just want to have a fantastic year and to enjoy myself and just go out there and do my best and hopefully my best will be good enough to carry me through.”
Powell told the media his training was going well and he was working hard. “No problems in training, I am working very hard and sometimes I wonder if I am working too hard, but my brother is my
Kenya names Korir in marathon team for Rio (Reuters) NAIROBI Former Boston Marathon winner Wesley Korir was named on Tuesday in the Kenyan team for this year’s Olympic Games, continuing a history of contentious selections by the east African country famed for its longdistance runners. Korir, who won Boston in 2012 but was fourth last month, was included alongside twice London marathon champion EliudKipchoge and Stanley Biwott who won last year’s New York City marathon. Cyprian Kotut, who won the Paris Marathon, and Bernard Kipyego were named as reserves. World record holder Dennis Kimetto and Wilson Kipsang, who won Olympic
Wesley Korir of Kenya runs the last few yards to finish fourth in the 2016 Boston Marathon. (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports) bronze in London four years ago, were not considered after failing to finish at last year’s world championships in Beijing,
The choice of Korir, who is also a Member of Parliament, ahead of Kotut, younger brother of former multiple marathon winner
Martin Lel, was not widely popular. “I would have preferred Kotut to Korir. What race has he won lately? Besides, he has political responsibilities to attend to, which is a distraction,” said a senior sports official who did not want to be named. On the women’s side, London winner Jemima Sumgong, Paris champion Visiline Jepkesho and world silver medallist Helah Kiprop made the team for Rio. Florence Kiplagat, who won the Chicago Marathon last October, and Mary Keitany were named as reserves. “Those are the athletes we have named today after consulting with them and having confirmed their availability,” Susan Kamau, the acting
Chief Executive Officer of Athletics Kenya, told Reuters. Kenya will name its final athletics team during the Olympic Trials from June 29July 2. Barnaba Korir, a member of AK’s executive, said coaches considered many factors in the selection process. “Championships require experience and ability to perform in extreme conditions,” he said. “Kimetto and Kipsang could not perform in Beijing last year because of the tough conditions. Coaches were looking at a combination of ability to withstand difficult conditions and speed where guys like (Eliud) Kipchoge and (Stanley) Biwott are good at,” he added.
coach and I know he won’t kill me off in training,” he joked. He made his second foray into the indoor circuit this year and after two lightning fast 6.44 seconds in the first two rounds, was second in the final in 6.50 seconds, beaten by American Trayvon Bromell with 6.47 seconds. This he said has helped him to prepare for the outdoors. “The indoor races got me more focused in getting back the start and working on getting back the first 60m on par and obviously it’s there, so I am just trying to maintain that and working on the last 40m as well,” Powell said. When asked whether he was past the stage where he can still compete with the likes of Bolt, Gatlin and youngsters for the 100m gold, Powell quickly shot it down. “Definitely not; I know that I have a lot more in me and that’s why I am not giving up. I have a lot more in me.” With his training programme still at the background stage and still doing strength work, Powell said while he was able to run fast, his full speed will come later.
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Busta maintains support Berlusconi opens exclusive AC Milan sale talks with Chinese group for Soft Shoes football In another forceful expression of confidence in the work that the Petra Organisation is doing, the Guyana Beverage Company maintained its support for the Soft Shoes Football Championship after handing over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Director Troy Mendonca at the Company’s Head Office in Diamond. Warehouse Manager Dave Persaud speaking at the occasion said that, “Busta is pleased once again to be a sponsor in event”, noting the company’s prevalence in the sporting arena in the country is apparent through many sporting events locally and abroad. He added that the entity prides itself in giving back to the people and extending support to communities. “We should all be proud where we are today and where we are heading,” Persaud mentioned.
Mendonca in his response thanked the company for coming on board to help make the event a reality, pointing out that the commitment offered by the entity w i l l p r o v i d e t h e opportunity for youngsters to display their skills and highlight their a b i l i t i es during the tournament. The event is scheduled to start to on May 17 and run until June 18 and will feature twenty-four teams drawn from communities across Georgetown where they will battle in a group stage format. Following the completion of the group stage, the top two finishers from each group along with the four best third placed finishers will advance to the knockout round. The teams are: defending champ Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Campbellville, West Back Road, Charlestown, Bent Street, Old School
Ballers, Cross Street Werk-EnRust, Stevedore Housing Scheme, Sophia, Holmes Street- Tiger Bay, California Square, West Front Road, Queen Street Tiger Bay, Broad Street, Upsetters, East Front Road, North Ruimveldt, Alexander Village, Leopold Street, Channel 9, North East La Penitence, Albouystown and Globe Yard. Winner of the event will collect $300,000 and the Championship trophy, while the second, third and fourth placed team take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. Among the other sponsors on board are: Ministry of Public Health, GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel’s Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store Matches will be played a t t h e Tu c v i l l e , We s t Ruimveldt and Santos grounds, with entrance to the venue free.
MILAN (Reuters) Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi opened exclusive talks on Tuesday with a group of Chinese investors about selling a majority stake in soccer club AC Milan, one of the media mogul’s most cherished assets. Berlusconi’s family holding company Fininvest said it signed a memorandum with the Chinese consortium at a board meeting on Tuesday to “kick off in-depth negotiations.” Fininvest gave no deadline but a source close to the matter told Reuters the talks would last one month and were non-binding. “The Chinese are valuing the club at up to 750 million euros ($854 million), including debt,” the source said. Berlusconi, who has owned AC Milan for more than three decades, is looking to sell the club at one of the low points in its history that dates back to 1899. Second only to Real
The AC Milan logo is pictured on a pennant in a soccer store downtown Milan April 29, 2015. (REUTERS/STEFANO RELLANDINI) Madrid in the list of winners of Europe’s top club competition, AC Milan has failed to win any major silverware in the past five years and is lying a lowly seventh inItaly’s Serie A top division. The club, which reported a loss of 93.5 million euros last year, needs an injection of capital to fund its business and put it on a par with the top European clubs, many now bankrolled by Gulf and Asian owners. But a deal to sell AC Milan is still far from certain as the 79-year-old four-time prime minister remains reluctant to loosen his grip over the club he calls “my Milan”. IN GOOD HANDS Last year, talks with Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol to sell a majority stake foundered when Berlusconi changed his mind at the last minute, saying he did not want to sell more than 48 percent, a person who followed the talks said. “How many times have we been here. Fininvest wants to sell but every time we think we’re there Berlusconi says No,” said a top banker familiar with the matter. According to another source, Fininvest’s talks with the Chinese consortium envisage an initial sale of 70 per cent. “The rest will be sold in the following 12 to 18 months,” the source said. Berlusconi rescued AC Milan from dire financial
straits in 1986 and has poured in millions of euros, helping it to five European and eight Serie A titles since taking over. In a video-message published on his Facebook page on Friday, Berlusconi said he had invested more than one billion euros in the club, including 152 million this past season. He acknowledged that it had played dreadfully but said he “liked to leave Milan in good hands... preferably Italian ones”. Beijing is pushing hard to turn China into a soccer force by encouraging investment both at home and abroad. Chinese investors agreed in December to pay $400 million for a stake in the group that owns soccer clubs including England’s Manchester City and New York City FC, the country’s most significant overseas investment in the game. The consortium, led by China Media Capital (CMC) Holdings and CITIC Capital, took a stake of more than 13 percent in City Football Group. Chinese property group Dalian Wanda last year bought a 20 percent stake in Champions’ League finalists Atletico Madrid. AC Milan’s local rivals Inter are 70 percent owned by a group led by Indonesia’s Erick Thohir. ($1 = 0.8784 euros)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 11, 2016
Region One to host t20 Cricket extravaganza... (From page 40) part of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary celebrations, has been organised by the Region One Committee which stated that the entire region is excited about the game which is sanctioned by the Guyana Cricket Board and supported by the Government. The Region has a lot of untapped potential and the committee feels that this venture will serve as a motivation for the young cricketers. TDO of the GCB former West Indies pacer Colin Stuart agrees. “This is a wonderful idea and I am confident that some players with natural talent would be discovered and help to widen the pool for selection to Essequibo teams in the future. The interaction with players they had only heard or read about should spark plenty of interest and help harness what would otherwise be lost talent to Guyana’s cricket,” Stuart said.
Shiv Chanderpaul The Region one body expressed gratitude to the executives of the GCB who are keen to see the outcome and promised to assist with the growth of the game in the area. The GCB has also contributed towards the air fare of seven players, while George Melville, the Managing Director of Global Technology on Camp Street Georgetown and who comes from that part of Guyana’s largest County, assisted with the air fares for the other players and Coach Michael Hyles Franco. The
Robin Bacchus committee has also expressed gratitude to Sky West Airline. Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson, who is tipped to get a Test recall against India later this year, his deputy Vishaul Singh, and Te s t o p e n e r R a j e n d r a Chandrika were set to be on the plane which is scheduled to touch down in Region One at 07:00hrs tomorrow, but are now unavailable due to West Indies batting camp commitments in Barbados. Sherfane Rutherford, Chanderpaul Hemraj and
Romario Shepherd are their replacements. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was also set to play tomorrow but due to injury has been replaced by Christopher Barnwell. Director of Sports Christopher Jones will present the Trophies while Stuart informed that the GCB will fund the airfare for Umpire Zaheer Mohamed’s trip to officiate in the historic game. On Monday the players paid a courtesy call on Sports Minister Nicolette Henry, who reminded them that were ambassadors for the game and rest of Guyana. The visitors will be divided into two teams which will also comprise talented players from Region One. It is understood that the ground has been cut and the pitch is being prepared for the biggest cricket match in the history of Mabaruma, the center of the administration which has a mixed population of close to 12,000, inclusive of several Amerindian villagers.
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Letter to the Sports Editor
Did the Basketball Federation get its selection right? Dear Sports Editor, I read in the Stabroek News an article sent by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (G.A.B.F) that Mr. Hercules is going to be Guyana’s representative at the 3 on 3 two day Clinic in Puerto Rico. I have nothing against Hercules but the G.A.B.F Executives, which I am not sure is putting a square peg in a round hole, maybe because of a family relationship to my knowledge. W h e n M r. P a t r i c k Haynes mentioned this tournament at a G.A.B.F meeting on skype, I was hoping that the three G.A.B.F Executives; President Hinds, Vice Presidents’ K.P Thomas and Michael Singh were going to put Guyana First in selecting the right coach. The best person in my mind for this task is Lugard
Mohan who I saw Captain St. Stanislaus College to many school championships, Junior and Senior National Captain, Caricom All Star player, Captain and Coach of Raven’s Basketball Club w i n n i n g m a n y championships, F.I.B.A. Referee and now trying from the cradle up at the YBG Clinic. The person or persons who made Hercules their choice were very disrespectful to basketball. Guyana is the only country that bench their experienced past basketball players. Mr. Mark Agard was sidelined after returning from 8th to 5th at the Caribbean Championships and so many others. We all know a US visa is required for the trip. If Mr. Mohan who has done Guyana proud from then to now, if we are talking (Continued on page 31)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 42
Wednesday May 11, 2016
WICB coaches complete workshop on Bowling Actions BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – As part of its continued efforts to enhance coaches’ education, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) hosted another key initiative with a two-day workshop to deal directly with the bowling actions of players across the region. Richard Done, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) High Performance Manager, conducted the programme “Identifying and Rehabilitating Suspect Bowling Actions” — the aim to assist coaches with another aspect in their roles of developing players. The sessions were held at the West Indies High Performance Centre at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. The participants were the 25 regional coaches also involved in the Level III coaching course, hosted by the WICB in collaboration with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Ezra Moseley, the former West Indies fast bowler and West Indies Women’s assistant coach making a point. (WICB Media/Fawwaz Baksh and Philip Spooner) In explaining the reason for the workshop, WICB’s Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus, said: “the aim is to help our coaches firstly identify players with suspect bowling actions and then the remedial work required afterwards. It has been excellent, very stimulating, very thought-provoking and very necessary for the region. We have to make sure that as our players grow, we
are able to support them. We would like to build on this as we look to nurture our players assist with our coaches’ education programme.” Done noted: “We looked at principles of bowling and how you can assist any bowlers who have suspect bowling action. The programme was all about coaches’ education and how we can get better at doing the
Richard Done of the ICC with participants Courtney Walsh, Steve Liburd, Junior Bennett and Robert Samuels. (WICB Media/Fawwaz Baksh and Philip Spooner) job of coaching and assisting the players under our watch.” The two-day workshop ended on Sunday. FULL LIST OF COACHES: Samantha Lynch, Colin
Stuart, Rayon Griffith, Esuan Crandon, Julian Moore, Glen Dwarika, John Pollard, Tony Gray, Rydell Ramsarran, Robert Samuels, Cleon Smith, Junior Bennett, Gibbs Williams, Irvin Warrican,
Fernix Thomas, Clifford Thomas, Steve Liburd, Pernel Watley, Courtney Walsh, Winston Benjamin, Philip Service, Dexter Toppin, Ezra Moseley, Rohan Nurse, Henderson Bryan.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 11, 2016
PAGE 43
STAG / WDFA Senior League
Den Amstel, Uitvlugt, Pouderoyen & Young Achievers win
Pouderoyen FC goalscorers.
When play in the STAG / W D FA S e n i o r L e a g u e continued last weekend at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground, all four matches ended in positive results for Den Amstel, U i t v l u g t Wa r r i o r s , Pouderoyen and Young Achievers.
Den Amstel got the better of Stewartville 3-1 thanks to goals from Gavin Graham who scored a double (13, 23) and Travis Hilliman in the 77th minute. Shelton Forde s c o r e d S t e w a r t v i l l e ’s consolation in the 37th minute. Uitvlugt made light work
of Eagles clipping their wings to win 4-1. For Uitvlugt, Kevin Duke was on target in the 14th minute, Jermaine Accra (43rd), Kevis Fraser in the 48th and Keon Duke in the 67th minute were the goal scorers. Tucking one in for Eagles was Alkebu in the
Gavin Graham right and Travis Hilliman - Den Amstel FC goal scorers. 15th minute. O n S a t u r d a y, Pouderoyen hammered debutants Vegae Boys 9-2. Leading the goal party were Morgan Denny (9th, 25th, 40th) and Troy Allicock
(20th, 22nd, 38th) with a hattrick each. Quacey Alleyne scored twice (30th, 43rd) with the other coming off the boot of Dwayne St. Kitts in the 27th minute. The weekend commenced
Lloyd Prince (left) and Stephan Jupiter – Young Achievers with Young Achievers blanking Jetty Gunners 3-0. Lloyd Prince fired in a double (15th, 62nd) while Stephan Jupiter put the icing on the cake in the 66th minute.
Kristian Jeffrey to race Radical SR3 driven by reigning F1 champion Reigning Caribbean motor racing champion Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey seems intent on using this year to extend his control as one of the premier racers in the region. Jeffrey, who has won the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) back to back in 2014 and 15, recently returned from competing in the 2016 Barbados Festival of Speed where he was able to rub shoulders with current F1 champion Lewis Hamilton told Kaieteur Sport, during an interview at his home yesterday, that he is looking forward to the new season and his plan is to maintain his dominance over his regional rivals. The soft spoken racer also revealed that he will be racing in the Suzuki Swift / Radical Series, while also preparing to defend his regional title. To this end his father and Team Principal, Kevin, recently purchased the same
Kevin Jeffrey stands next to the Suzuki Swift Radical SR3
Kristian Jeffrey (right) takes a photo op with Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton in Barbados last weekend. Radical SR3 2016 that was driven by FI champion Hamilton, who was on the island to participate in the Speed Festival last weekend. According to the senior Jeffrey, the Radical was on auction and was bought by David Simpson of SOL, who subsequently decided to offer him at the same price which he gleefully accepted. “It was worth it, you had the reigning F1 champion drive it and he gave an impressive exhibition to the fans that thoroughly enjoyed
every moment of the display,” Jeffrey recounted. Jeffrey’s skill and ability has been on notice for the past two years and has won the hearts of many knowledgeables in the sport who believe that he has a good career ahead of him as long as he continue to hone his skills. Speaking about the experience, Jeffrey said it was difficult, but one that he learned a lot from having to actually be running from one car to get into the next.
He pointed out that there was limited time also to get accustomed to the different setups because the cars are totally dissimilar in suspension, gearbox and braking. Jeffrey, who will be sponsored by SOL for the Suzuki Swift Series, is presently part of a strong Guyana contingent to contest the opening leg of the CMRC later this month in Jamaica and all eyes will be on him as he targets retaining his title.
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Busta maintains support for Soft Shoes football
Warehouse Manager Dave Persaud (5th left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to Petra’s Troy Mendonca in the presence of staff members yesterday.
Region One to host t20 Cricket extravaganza Windies World Cup tomorrow champions plus Shiv
World Cup in India, is Never in their wildest unavailable to be a capacity crowd, the dreams would the villagers due to burns of Region One’s Agriculture on her leg caused by a motor time of their lives. The International and and Fishing community of cycle accident. Mabaruma have imagined Smartt’s presence in the national cricketers are that they would wake up Hinterland Community as an expected to put on a tomorrow to see cricketing ambassador for Women’s pulsating and riveting Superstars they had only cricket and talking about the performance on what should read about in the papers or benefits of females being be one the most memorable h e a r d c o m m e n t a t o r s involved in cricket should go days for those lucky enough describe on the Radio. a long way of sparking to be at the ground from Tomorrow all roads, interest in girls wanting to 09:30hrs tomorrow morning trails and Canoes from play cricket in Mabaruma. in an event staged to promote riverain communities, leads Smartt is also a qualified Guyana’s National Sport in the rural district and to the Mabaruma Settlement Coach. Recreation ground to see But National opening hopefully inspire interest Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the batsman Robin Bacchus, and motivation for some of second highest West Indies who returns to a settlement those who live there to aspire run-scorer in Tests behind where he spent the first three to play for Essequibo, Brian Lara, West Indies years of his life and which is Guyana and ultimately West under-19 World Cup trio an hour away from the hustle Indies. Only two players born in Shemron Hetymer, his Vice- and bustle of Guyana’s Captain Kemo Paul and Capitol by plane, could get Essequibo, Ramnaresh Tevin Imlach along with the biggest welcome as he Sarwan (Wakenaam) and the late Ivor Mendonca (Bartica) female West Indies World returns home. Cup Champion Tremayne The high quality on the have ever played Test cricket Champions! World Cup winners Kemo Paul, Shemron Hetymer & Smartt in action. field and fun and frolic for the West Indies. Tevin Imlach & Tremayne Smartt will all be in Mabaruma tomorrow. The event, which forms a Shamaine Campbell, beyond the boundary, should Campbell (sitting right) is unavailable due to injury. (Continued on page 37) who also played in the t20 provide what is anticipated Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210 By Sean Devers
on show in Mabaruma