Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Guyanese must raise their voices in unison Guyana like any other country has its share of public scandals: when these occur, the need for thorough investigation, justice and closure is especially important. Very often, the need for closure is inextricably tied to the system of justice, which in this country is notoriously slow and transparently flawed. And we speak not only of the judiciary. Since most Guyanese believe in the axiom that justice delayed is justice denied, then the slothfulness of the justice system means justice is very often denied. As such, many public scandals continue to fester without resolution through justice and, therefore, without appropriate closure. The need for closure is particularly glaring when there are scandals involving high-level functionaries, and those in positions of responsibility and expected trust such as law enforcement officers, whose duties require the utmost integrity. When such officers are the subjects of allegations of impropriety or criminal conduct, members of the public reasonably expect full and timely investigations. They also anticipate that the officers in question will be either exonerated or prosecuted, without undue delay. Unfortunately, when such scandals arise in Guyana, they are seldom pursued in a way that results in the type of closure the public expects. The news is replete with examples of this. The details of many of these cases are common knowledge and most times those details are consistent. In other words, the facts are determined in the quickest possible time and those providing the facts are unwavering in their conviction. In the interest of decency, accountability, fairness, and most importantly, peace and security, ways must be found to rid the system of the embarrassing bureaucracy, which sometimes shifts the focus and allows for hollow debate. The matter involving 15-year-old Alex Griffith, who was shot in his mouth by a policeman, no less than a Cadet Officer, is fast becoming a scandal of immense proportions. The details have been publicized and to a great extent, verified and established. There is no need to repeat them. What is interesting, however, is the awkwardness that abounds with respect to official procedure, namely blurred timelines, perceived truthfulness and lack of communication. It beggars belief how this matter has already attracted these negative characteristics. The Police Office of Professional Responsibility on Tuesday last (May 13), issued a release to indicate that it has completed investigations. It said the file had been forwarded to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) that same day. Coincidentally, this publication had minutes earlier sought perspective on the issue from the PCA Chairman, Justice Cecil Kennard, and he somewhat intuitively declared that there would be “no cover-up”. Interestingly, contrary to the information provided in the release, Justice Kennard later confirmed that he had in fact not received the file. The PCA Chairman was emphatic that “I left my office at about five o’clock (pm) and I did not receive any file. If my Secretary had received it, she would have brought it to me immediately”. Suffice it to say that the receipt of such an important document would undoubtedly have engaged his attention. This is but a small sampling of the confusion that exists in a needlessly drawn-out system. It is a head-scratching developments in scandals such as this one – the inexplicable shooting of a 15-year-old boy by an individual in authority who alleges that the teen witnessed a crime - that have created the even more pressing need for closure. Indeed, official reports on the progress of this investigation have been extremely hard to come by. The net effect of these unnecessarily prolonged scandals has been to leave certain public figures under suspicion, as well as to give credence to the public’s

Friday May 16, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

We have a government that is no more governed by our laws DEAR EDITOR, The laws of a democracy are its foundation, and establish the principles which guide the conduct of its citizens with each other. ‘Citizen’ used here encompasses all the members of society, inclusive of institutions, agencies and organizations, from churches to businesses to government. These laws are handed down through generations, and are the means by which order is maintained in society. The trespass against a law has various responses which are dependent of the nature of the trespass. It can have as a consequence the necessity of having an informal conversation with a neighbor over a minor infraction to the more severe case of personal violation involving the loss of life, to crimes against the state which necessitate intervention by the court to deliver justice. A crime against the state is an act which, in my opinion, threatens (with intent to violate) the stability and general welfare of that state, or else deliberately violates the rights of the people of that state, thereby forcing that state to exist in a state of oppression, where there is a real reduction in the welfare of that state. While the trespass of laws between individuals, and by all organizations other than government, can find resolution in the courts, which are established and maintained by

government, a democracy is presented with a much different scenario when the culprit is the government itself. Given that the laws of a democracy are to be upheld and enforced by its government, and are its foundation and protection, then the willful violation and disregard of those laws by government constitute a crime against the state. The disregard of one of society’s laws, and the continuation of such an act, by its government, strikes at the foundation of a democracy. The breach of other laws by government destroys that foundation, replacing it with ‘the rule of the government,’ meaning that society’s laws cannot now protect them from the treachery of its government. This, I submit, is the current state of affairs in Guyana. Over the last twentyone years or so, our press has documented willful breaches and violations of the laws of Guyana by representatives of government, with no justice being served by the courts on the part of the victims. They are numberless to me, but the evidence of these crimes is available for any who cares to consider. The disregard of a court order by Mrs. Janet Jagan constitutes a crime against the state; the suppression of the media by government is a crime against the state; the violence meted out to a member of society by a ranking government official who continues in his office without being brought to

justice constitutes a crime against the state; the documented instances of corruption that has become lawful constitutes a crime against the state; the use of criminal elements to execute ‘justice’ during the mayhem at Buxton constitutes a crime against the state; the abuse of power by government to channel wealth (e.g. the selective distribution broadcast licenses and exorbitant charge for these or similar licenses) and marginalize sections of society constitutes a crime against the state; the wilful disregard of an order of one of our highest governmental organs, Parliament, constitutes a crime against the state; the wilful misuse, abuse, and waste of the resources of our people for which the government has responsibility by ranking government officials constitutes a crime against the state. The list can go on and on, but I leave that task to my learned friends in law and justice, whose mandate it is to protect us, who are more familiar than I with the transgressions of this government, to unreel. We have on our hands in Guyana a situation where our government is no more governed by our laws. There needs to be a stronger effort in Parliament, the legal system and the wider society to put an end to instances of these crimes against our state and preserve our democracy. It is not something to be trifled with. Craig Sylvester

The “tint” regulations need urgent attention DEAR EDITOR, The manufacturers of vehicles build them with tinted glasses for different reasons. These include protection from the sun. Government has since put regulations into place to restrict these so-called dark glasses. The reason they have given is that criminals use tinted vehicles to commit crime. This would have made sense if sedans were the only vehicles around. What about an enclosed van or other similar vehicle? What stops criminals from using them? The “ban” on certain level of tints has been proving a major problem for the regulators. Mr. Editor, this country has more than 40,000 cars

with dark tint. Every month, 500 cars are shipped in, with about 400 of them having heavy tint. Of every 10 cars that are built, eight are tinted. The Ministry of Home Affairs gave permits for these cars to be driven for six months. The situation has created a major headache for persons living out of town, especially those from Berbice and Essequibo. It takes billions of dollars to change all tints from the cars. It is not only a waste but it has provided a way for police to make money or harass citizens. Lawmakers need to pass laws that are designed to make lives of citizens easier, not harder. Mr Editor, I know of many Guyanese who are

perception that the justice system in this country has been compromised, perhaps irretrievably. If the officials affected by the scandals are innocent, they do not deserve to have their names tarnished. If they are guilty, they have undeservedly eluded justice for too long. It is sad that such unresolved scandals tend to persist indefinitely in this country, but it would be much worse if the public did not make known their acute dissatisfaction with this state of affairs, in the strongest possible terms. Guyanese must raise their voices in unison and press relentlessly for the timely closure of all public scandals concerning issues that deeply affect their lives.

yearning to return home but are turned off by the way things are in this country. We now have a major problem with the Toyota Spacio cars. This is a case where the vehicles are registered with seven seats. The police want it to be five seats for the hire cars and taxis. The running around from Berbice and Essequibo to the police and GRA has been a major source of frustration for car owners and dealers.

Why can’t GRA put systems in place where Berbicians can do business of this nature at the branches, instead of persons have to waste valuable time in the city. The issues of congestion and parking in the city are also a major source of frustration. As an citizen who lived overseas, it is hard now not thinking of wanting to move back out of this country. Zakir Allu

Prof. Suresh Narine is a role model for Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, Further to the several accolades attributed recently to Professor Suresh Narine, I wish to add another dimension of which many Guyanese might not be aware: His world class status in the academic/scientific/ research/innovation arenas have not got into his head so that he remains humble and approachable; he is a real joy to be with as a friend, colleague, fellow Hindu and a decent human being. I recall with amazement

being totally impressed by his active participation and his inspirational discourses at the stirring ‘satsanghas’ which the late renowned Pandit Prakash Gossai Ji used toconductallacrossGuyana. In Prof. Suresh Narine, we Guyanese are blessed with a true role model; please let us do whatever we can to retain him in the many capacities he has already demonstrated his unique combination of competences. Guyana needs more of his kind. Nowrang Persaud

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Mr. Persaud ignored Nostalgia and the brutal NAREI’S recommendations awakening of reality

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow us the chance of responding to the claims of mystery disease affecting crops written by Mr. Baliram Persaud. This is the second letter of this nature written by Mr. Persaud on this matter within a year. The first was written in October of 2013. The mystery disease referred to by Mr. Persaud is an infestation by the fungus, Fusariumoxysporum, a soil borne fungus that causes wilting in a number of crop grown locally especially tomato, pepper and boulanger. On Sunday 20/10/2013 a team of extension staff from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) comprising the Coastal Coordinator, the Regional Coordinators (Region 4 and 2) and the District Crop Extension Officer (Region 2) visited Mr. Persaud’sgarden plot located at Lot 19 Section B Suddie. Upon inspection, it was found that a total of six plants (4 boulanger and 2 hot peppers) died sometime prior to our visit. Since extensive desiccation and degradation of affected plants had occurred the samples were deemed unsuitable for

laboratory examination. However, based on their inspection and descriptions given by Mr. Persaud,the team concluded that the plants died as a result of fusarium wilt. Mr. Persaud informed the team that he always plants boulanger, peppers and tomatoes on his land and this has been going on “as far as he can remember”. Fusarium wilt is a common soil borne fungal disease caused by the pathogen Fusariumoxysporum. The fungus gains access through the root and clogs the vascular system of the plant and chokes the supply system of water and food leading to death through dehydration. Once a patch of soil is infected with F. oxysporum,it is difficult to treat and the fungus can remain active in the soil for four or more years. Based on the current practice employed by Mr. Persaud of growing one family of crops, the most practical management strategy was provided to him on practicing crop rotation for two to three years – utilizing crops such as bora, ochro, beans, cucumber, saeme, celery, etcbefore returning to the affected crop speciesin

the affected area to avoid this problem. The team further explained that other options are available which included extensive treatment with chemicals through fumigation or soil sterilization. Both of which are costly alternatives with no guarantee. He finally accepted that there is need to avoid planting the susceptible crops on the infected plot. Subsequent visits by the extension officer revealed that Mr. Persaud continued to plant the same crop on the infected areas with the same result against our recommendations. He further claimed that our technical staff cannot help him and refused access to his garden. From October 2013 to April of 2014, Mr. Persaud was visited on eight occasions. The most recent being, 30/04/2014. At the time of that visit, he claimed that he abandoned the plot and cannot accommodate the extension staff. At this time we cannot understand the purpose of Mr. Baliram’s letter and conclude that it is at the minimum deemed as being mischievous. Deputy CEO (Extension and Training)

If the police protect their own, who will protect us from the rotten apples? DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me to ask the following question; Where are the members of the police force that stand for justice, do they exist? As an ordinary citizen, it is very difficult to analyze the culture of the police force without coming to the conclusion; they are in it together, they protect their own. So, if the police protect their own, who will protect the people from the rotten

apples? Being a victim of police brutality myself, I can remember countless police officers of various ranks empathizing with me in private. However, I do not remember a single rank publicly condemning the actions of their colleagues. Is there a written/ unwritten rule that states members of the force should not openly condemn police brutality or is it part of the culture?

I firmly believe that not only us citizens should be protesting these heinous acts, members of the force with conscience and with the betterment of our country at heart need to stand up. As an ordinary citizen, I will do my part and use any outlet available to bring light to this issue plaguing our nation. I hope the men and women in uniform that have what it takes, join me and do their part. Ronson Gray

DEAR EDITOR, I stepped out of Brian (Buju) Johnson’s taxi and nodded at the security guard at the gates of my old school, Wismar Christianburg Multilateral Secondary. September 2012 sun glared down on me. I was overwhelmed by nostalgia mixed with the uncertainty of what to expect. After receiving permission from someone in the headteacher’s office, I headed to the main building. As I walked along the concrete walkway to the entrance of the main building, I stopped momentarily and closed my eyes. On my left was the basketball court. In the distant memory of my early teenage years, I relived the moments of watching Roy Peters, Marlon Britton, Goofy George and the rest of the creme de la creme of that instituition of learning noisily jostling each other for a ball that constantly entered a hoop much to the rejoicing of excited onlookers. I proceeded up the first flight of stairs and then to the second, where I turned left and headed to my class,1A. As I passed many students liming in the corridors, I thought of a distant yesterday where everything was young and new. I stood at the doorway of the teacherless classroom and looked beyond the many children occupying it, into a yesterday where Judy Griffith, Felicity Crawford, Harold Bascom, Lennox Thom and other teachers moulded us. I looked beyond the reality before me of children staring at what appeared to be an overseas based individual in dark glasses questioningly, and saw myself, Tyrone Alexander, Trevor White, Lauren Schultz, Petal Aprel Daw,Arlene Samsair Mckenzie, Sherwyn Henry, Godwin Caesar and the rest of us chatting away. I waved and said hello to

the students and hurried to exit the building, only to glance at the railing where Howard Beaton had nearly dropped a girl to her death as a result of a jealous fit. My next stop was the auditorium. That place where the entire school gathered to listen Simone Noble sing, ‘The Greatest Love Of All’, and where I would spend the entire time trying to catch the eyes of Teresa Narine. I stepped inside the auditorium and froze! Time had taken its toll. It appeared as though it had aged untouched by the hands of refurbishment. It was unfit to house sheep and goats. My heart sank. The plaque of outstanding students was no longer there. No Wayne Josiah’s name engraved in gold to behold. I walked through the empty ruins to the distant sound of Noble’s voice in my head.’I believe the children are the future teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.. give them a sense of pride to make it easier..’ The toilet facility in the auditorium was non functional; an apparent storeroom of junk. Broken taps and broken everything. I was heart broken. The beauty of my memories of that time, brutally assaulted by the tragic circumstances of the present. I got into my taxi, a despondent and dejected man, and told Buju to take me to Wismar Hill Primary School. That school looked new. It is a beautiful school with two magnificent looking buildings. The headteacher, Mrs. Web, politely granted me

permission to tour its grounds. I walked up to my old class almost hoping to see Donna McAlister or Miss Carr but was greeted by the reality of a shocking sight of a classroom overpopulated by children who appeared permanently uncomfortable by the excessive heat. Extra fans were in the classroom but it was so packed beyond capacity, the body heat could make one ill. The school had to house the children of One Mile Primary which was destroyed by fire during the Linden Struggle. Tonight, as I write this little note to you, I think of the many overseas visitors who became active patrons of Linden Town Week 2014. I am told more than a thousand overseas based Guyanese were a part of the town’s birthday. I am told that each would have spent in excess of $US 500 on drinks, food, condoms and hotel rooms, during the week long festivities. I am told that people got so drunk that they slept on car bonnets and in car trunks. The millions that were squandered in senseless jamboree would inevitably be in the coffers of Banks DIH, Dem Rum etc. The children are still packed like sardines in classrooms and One Mile Primary is yet to be rebuilt. Don’t cuss me when I talk about mixed up priorities. Let us re-intensify the drive to see One Mile Primary speedily rebuilt. Somewhere in the auditorium of my yesterday a fine voice sang, ‘the greatest love of all is easy to achieve, learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all..’ Norman Browne

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Friday May 16, 2014

Permanent Secretary “There’s a quiet room at NOC…but no detention room” denies sex allegations - Youth Minister By Latoya Giles Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony said that he cannot agree with the statement that there is a “detention room” at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) but rather that there is a “quiet room”. The Minister along with his Permanent Secretary Alfred King and staffers from the NOC held a joint press conference yesterday seeking to address the various allegations of sexual and physical abuse which have been leveled against officials by students. There are reports that the “detention room” is even worse than the Brickdam Police Lockups, and is for children who “misbehave”. Minister Anthony said yesterday that he is aware of a “quiet room” but would not be able to know if there’s a separate room. The minister sought to explain to the media about the grounds that would warrant officials to send “students” to the “quiet room”. Anthony said that if one is to visit the NOC, there are open dormitories and from time to time the students would fight. “What we do is separate the aggressors,” the minister told the media. Anthony was further grilled about whether

in this “quiet room” there are containers for the “students” to defecate and urinate in. He maintained that the children are only in the “quiet room” for a limited time and are given meals. “We can’t starve anyone; if you check the budget we are given adequate money for this cause,” the minister said. He said that rules of institution do not allow for children to be kept there for more than 24 hours. “If children are kept for so long we should investigate that claim,” Anthony said. When pressed further about whether the children are placed into this “quiet room” practically naked, Mark Dover, an official at NOC, said that the males are only allowed to wear “boxers”. He said that it was a security measure taken by the NOC. Medex Carol Daniels, who is also stationed at the NOC, said that the females are placed into the “quiet room” in “tights” and brassieres. She said, however, that it is the same bra straps the females would use to tie around their necks. She said that there have been cases like that before. Daniels said that she would make checks on the females in the company of other staff members. She maintained that there have been no cases where an actual bra was removed, even though she said that they would use it to tie around their necks. Daniels said that females are given a medical examination which consists of “cavity searches” when they have absconded from the NOC. According to Daniels, the females would be told

Dr. Frank Anthony what is being done before the actual examination is done. According to the woman, the teenage girls would lie on examination tables covered and she would examine them. The medex said that she would never insert her fingers. “I’m so trained that I know what I’m looking for without any insertion…so I’m just looking to see any lacerations or penetrations,” the medex told the media. Within the last week several allegations have been emanating from the NOC about caregivers committing sex acts on teenagers. Parents of teenagers have come forward and told harrowing stories about sexual abuse. On Friday last, Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene, managed to get a High Court order to remove four of the teenage girls from the NOC. Greene said that the girls will remain in protective custody. Last Wednesday Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, said that she had asked the Child Care and Protection Agency to investigate the alleged sexual molestation of female inmates of the New Opportunity Corps.

Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King has denied rumours that have suggested that he was involved in sexual relationships with female students at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC). The Permanent Secretary debunked the allegations yesterday at a press conference calling them “most ridiculous and erroneous”. “Any or little investigation would indicate to those peddling such rumours that it is false, since I am in no way responsible for the day to day operations of the institution,” King told the media yesterday. “How will I get there to do that and even when students are brought out, my contact with them is monitored and restricted,” he explained King said that he has been integrally involved in teaching and training youth

Alfred King and stressed that his record in that regard is testimony to his integrity. The Permanent Secretary told the media that he strongly believes that he has been dragged into the issue because there is another person who has the same

surname that works at the NOC. Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that he was disheartened to see how the media handles these sensitive matters in some media organs. “We have heard the names of the students and parents being used,” the Minister said. He said that by identifying the students by name and displaying their images is in itself a criminal violation. “At the same time I note that in several media reports names of staff members have been mentioned….while I know that there is an urge to “name and shame” I will urge caution until the Child Protection Agency completes its investigation….I do not have to stress how much harm can be done if people who are innocent are wrongfully blamed,” Minister Anthony said.

C’TYNE WOMAN LEFT HOMELESS AFTER FIRE A differently-able woman has been rendered homeless after an early morning fire yesterday. Chandradai Ragnauth, 57, who is a deaf-mute, lived alone at Lot 26 Cromarty Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The woman’s next door neighbour, Latchmee Ashardat, said she was at home with her family around 00:30 hrs yesterday when they were startled by crackling sounds. Shortly after they saw a bright light and felt terrible heat and soon realized that their neighbour’s house was on fire.

The woman was not at home at the time, as she had gone to spend the night by another villager who had come in from overseas. The woman’s modest 14 ft. by 9 ft. two-bedroom wooden home, with the kitchen downstairs, was completely destroyed. The home, which was built with the help of residents and the religious organizations in the area, had the basic amenities. A unit from the Guyana Fire Service’s Rose Hall location arrived on the scene within 25 minutes of being summoned. Residents are

calling for more stations to be established on the Corentyne because of the distance. Although they had words of commendation for the work of the firemen, by the time the unit arrived everything was burnt. They however managed to save nearby houses, one of which was scorched. The woman who is staying by friends in the village is appealing to the general public for assistance. An account has been opened at the NBS. That number is C901836 or persons can call 6157627.

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

Modi on brink of power ahead of India vote count NEW DELHI (Reuters) I n d i a ’s e l e c t i o n r e s u l t s today could usher in the most profound economic change in a generation if opposition leader Narendra Modi wins a clear mandate for his agenda to revive growth and create jobs. Tension that has built up over the five-week election will be released in a few hours as the Election Commission tallies the 537 million votes cast from Tamil Nadu in the south to Jammu and Kashmir in the north. If the results of the world’s largest exercise in democracy are in line with exit polls, Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies will win an absolute majority of more than 272 seats in the lower house of parliament. That would open the way for Modi, 63, to act quickly to form the core of a new government by naming loyalists to the prized cabinet posts of finance, home, defense and external affairs. Betting on that outcome, foreign investors have poured more than $16 billion into Indian stocks and bonds in the past six months and now hold over 22 percent of Mumbailisted equities - a stake estimated by Morgan Stanley at almost $280 billion. But with markets racing higher, anything short of a ringing endorsement for Modi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could trigger volatile trading on Friday. “The bar for the opposition team has risen significantly,” investment bank DBS wrote in a note yesterday. “Compared with prepoll surveys where NDA’s tally averaged around 250, the average has moved up to 280 in the exit polls. This suggests that if the actual tally is closer to 250-260 seats, the markets might be disappointed.” The Election Commission will collate returns sent in by 989 counting stations from 8 a.m. (0230 GMT). Preliminary figures, showing how many seats a

Narendra Modi

party is leading in, may give an early indication of final results due by around lunchtime. Since being named as his party’s candidate last September, Modi has flown 300,000 km and addressed 457 rallies in a slick, presidential-style campaign that has broken the mould of Indian politics. In so doing, Modi has outclassed Rahul Gandhi the fourth-generation s c i o n o f the Congress party’s Nehru-Gandhi dynasty - while burnishing his pro-business record as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who as finance minister launched economic reforms in 1991 that brought an end to decades of economic isolation, has already bid farewell to his staff after a decade in office marked by mounting policy paralysis. Modi’s mantra of development has won over many voters skeptical about his Hindu-centric ideology and role in sectarian riots in his home state in 2002 in which more than 1,000 people died, mainly Muslims. He has denied any wrongdoing and a probe ordered by the Supreme Court has found he had no case to

answer. Exit polls estimate that the BJP’s vote share rose by 15 percentage points to 34 percent. Under India’s firstpast-the-post system, that may be enough for the BJP to take battleground states like Uttar Pradesh - home to one in every six Indians. Modi has promised that, if elected, he would take decisive action to unblock stalled investments in power, road and rail projects to revive economic growth that has fallen to a decade low of below 5 percent. Tax and labor market reforms, backed by a gradual opening up to foreign investment, would seek to create the 10 million jobs that Asia’s third-largest economy must create every year to employ young people entering the workforce. If Modi does fall short of a majority, he could face lengthy coalition talks with regional parties that might demand a high price for their loyalty and dilute his reform agenda. Modi has retreated to his home base in Gujarat, where he will learn of the election results today before flying to New Delhi for what could be a hero’s welcome from party loyalists clad in the BJP’s orange colors.

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Friday May 16, 2014

Power play: Politicians to join JPS in fight against electricity theft Jamaica Gleaner - Julian Robinson, state minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, has been assigned to lead a task force to engage politicians to take the fight to electricity thieves, even as the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) warned that it remained determined to rid its grid of the scourge. With the high incidence of electricity theft plaguing garrison constituencies represented by prominent members of the country’s two major political parties, Robinson told The Gleaner that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has emphasised that part of the solution must zero in on political representation. The meeting between the JPS and a government team led by Simpson Miller agreed to the establishment of a joint Government-JPS committee, under Robinson’s chairmanship, to look at a range of solutions to address electricity theft and related matters. At the same time, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has signalled that it has no intention of letting up on its cease and desist order, when it stressed that the JPS was being investigated under the OUR Act. The Robinson-led committee is scheduled to have its first meeting next week. “We had a very constructive meeting, and we will examine some specific proposals next week to deal with the issue of electricity theft,” he said. Robinson told The Gleaner that Simpson Miller instructed that part of the

solution must involve political representatives, in collaboration with the Social Development Commission. Late yesterday, the JPS indicated to The Gleaner that it remained steadfast in its resolve to find ways to get illegal connections off the grid, as its actions have farreaching implications for customers and its operations. The JPS carried out antitheft operations in Windsor Heights and Windsor Meadows, as well as Big Lane and Little Lane in Central Village, St Catherine, yesterday, tearing down 1,085 throw-ups, and removing 13 illegal meter connections. A pharmacy operator on Barnett Street in Montego Bay, St James, was also arrested and charged for the illegal abstraction of electricity yesterday. “Electricity theft sends up the cost to paying customers and compromises the safety and reliability of the power that the company provides to legal users,” said Winsome Callum, the JPS’s director of communications. “We are ready to partner with the Government, political representatives, the security forces, our paying customers and other stakeholders to ensure that sustained solutions are implemented to address this national problem,” Callum added. She stressed that the JPS has complied with the directive issued by the OUR to stop the energycurtailment strategy, which negatively affected paying customers during the fourday period that it was implemented. Added Callum: “The company regrets the

temporary inconvenience to our customers and wishes to thank each and every one who has continued to pay their bills.” The meeting, held at Jamaica House, was also attended by Dr Omar Davies, minister of transport, works and housing. Data released by the JPS showed that electricity theft is prevalent in some communities located in the South St Andrew constituency he has been representing since 1994. Other government officials who accompanied Simpson Miller to the meeting with JPS executives were Horace Dalley, minister with responsibility for the public service in the Ministry of Finance; Sandrea Falconer, minister with responsibility for information in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM); Attorney General Patrick Atkinson; as well as Robinson. Simpson Miller reportedly made it clear that the Govern-ment does not support the theft of electricity. However, she said the JPS must search for ways to deal with the matter of illegal connections without punishing customers who were paying for the service. “ L e g i t i m a t e customers cannot be forced to suffer for those who break the law,” the prime minister r e p o r t e d l y t o l d t h e JPS executives. The OPM said the JPS expressed regret at n o t having dialogue with the Government prior to its decision, and also apologised to its paying customers who were affected.

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Recognition is earned and bequeathed There has never been any doubt in my mind that many, not all, of the persons appointed as Senior Counsel in Guyana attained such a standing long before they merited that status. A great many of the appointments as senior counsel made under both the PNC and the PPPC regimes were political. It is doubtful whether some of those appointed would have ever made the cut under another government. In fact, one President was quoted as saying that one individual would never become a senior counsel, an indirect admission of the fact that some appointments may be based on political considerations. This is not to say that the entire process has always been political. Not at all! Many deserving persons were meritoriously donned in silk. But many others owe their high standing at the Bar to political favouritism. The appointment of senior counsel appointed was always susceptible to this risk. It was therefore necessary for a system to be developed that would be based on meritocracy. But never for once did I think that we would have reached a stage in Guyana, like in other countries, where persons would be invited to apply for appointment as senior counsel. I think it is extremely awkward for anyone to have to apply to be so honoured. A modest man would never wish to apply. Someone applying may even be accused of wanting to elevate himself in the legal

profession. These things do not accord with the lofty standing of a senior counsel. If appointment as a senior counsel is recognition for service to the legal profession, then having to apply for the position of a senior counsel is incompatible with such recognition. A person does not gain recognition by having to apply for it. Recognition is both earned and bequeathed. It is not granted without merit; nor is it solicited. For these reasons this columnist does not support lawyers having to apply for the status of senior counsel. There may be many deserving lawyers who will find it uncomfortable having to apply for the status of senior counsel. Modesty alone may prevent some of them from making an application. Having to apply also creates a certain degree of expectation that the application will be favourably looked upon. If it is not, then the person who is not appointed will feel disappointed and may even harbour bitterness towards the ones successfully appointed and towards those entrusted with making the recommendation to appoint. A balance therefore has to be found between the two best known practices of appointing senior counsel. A balance has to be found between the system in which a person is appointed by the authorities and the system in which a person is appointed after consideration of his or her application. It would have been much better if a team of eminent retired jurists in Guyana could

have been cobbled together to shortlist individuals for appointment as senior counsel. In making such a shortlist there will obviously be a need for criteria to be determined. The first of these should be service beyond a certain number of years. One does not expect that a person just out of law school is going to be appointed. But equally one should not deny a brilliant lawyer, such as what Forbes Burnham was in his time, to be denied the status of senior counsel, simply because he or she may not have many years of practice. Persons may be appointed as senior counsel for both their service in the criminal and civil domains. But the litmus test of a senior counsel should mainly be about an individual’s record in civil trials, because it is mainly in such trials that they will find greater leverage in demonstrating their competence in case law. A person appointed as a senior counsel should also be associated with some important case which has found recognition in published law reports. More importantly, that person should have advanced arguments that had a bearing on the outcome of the proceedings. For example, in the Esther Pereira case which saw the 1997 elections being vitiated, the argument that led to the vitiation was made by a counsel who advanced the position that the use of the voter ID card was unconstitutional. That lawyer was already a senior counsel, but it was his arguments that

New Parliament Website to be launched soon In its efforts to have the public updated on the work of the National Assembly, the Parliament Office has developed a new website which will offer live streaming of parliamentary sittings. The website is expected to be made public in about six weeks. Parliamentarians from both sides of the House were briefed on the ICT updates of the Parliament, prior to start of the Parliamentary sitting yesterday. The site which has been created by Cyrus Multimedia will provide information from yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly to as far back as possible. However, this will take some time because this information would have to be gathered manually and then be fed into the electronic system. It will consist of reports,

- will provide live streaming options notice papers, search engine, simplified content management, along with many other features. Information Technology Consultant of Cyrus Multimedia, Christopher Lawrence noted that the programme was originally designed to revamp the old website, however due to several reasons it was decided that the team will construct an entirely new one. The project was designed to run for six months after which technical support will be offered by the company for one year. It also comprises a capacity-building aspect which will see staff of the Parliamentary office being trained in basic Information

Technology skills that will be needed to maintain the site. This training is currently ongoing. Lawrence added that the site is designed in such a way that there is minimum need for maintenance, however there is need for a web master, and efforts have been made in this regard. He also noted that the involvement of stakeholders in very critical in this project. The Project is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Canadian Government. Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman noted that this project will bring the parliament closer to the people. He added that this (Continued on page 12)

led to the elections being vitiated. Khemraj Ramjattan’s brilliant use of citations and precedents following the legal challenge to the swearing in of Mrs. Janet Jagan is another example. Anil Nandlall’s superb arguments in a number of recent constitutional cases certainly, in my estimation, qualifies him most eminently for appointment. In appointing someone as a senior counsel, it is necessary to consider that person’s contribution to case law. If that person’s

contribution is given recognition in a published and reputable law report, then that person may be considered for the status of senior counsel. There is obviously the temptation to award the status of senior counsel to lawyers who have served for many years in the profession. Such appointment may be seen as a good way of rewarding them for their years of service. That however should not be the case. To qualify for the position of senior counsel should entail, at the minimum, that someone

be associated with an important ruling in local, regional or even international jurisprudence. In that instance and with due consideration to years of service, one can say that the appointment of senior counsel would be earned and would constitute justified recognition.

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Kaieteur News

Friday May 16, 2014

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

The desecration of modern civilization in Guyana The most tragic thing to have happened to this country since Mr. Jagdeo’s presidency is the next generation’s ignorance of what constitutes modern civilization. And Mr. Ramotar is quite happy to follow Jagdeo’s pattern. Any psychologist would tell you that if a human lived with certain substandard values all his/her life, then those are the values that he/she uses to judge people, institutions and life itself. Take a simple example.

The University of Guyana does not have a bookstore at all. The UG bookstore disappeared in the mideighties and that was that. Now if you were educated at UG, you would have no concept of what a university bookstore is. If you are touring a foreign university, you will not ask to see the bookstore because you are not aware of the concept of a university bookstore. The same with garbage. If you grow up in a country where garbage in the entire country is ubiquitous, then

you see nothing wrong at all with taking discarded stuff and putting at the roadside. It is not that you are dirty or cheap or unhygienic. It is simply that the type of value is normal and acceptable as you know it. This is what is so dangerous about the continued rule of the PPP. These power-holders are simply not interested in arresting the desecration and destruction of civilization in Guyana. Take historical records. What occurred in the UK a month ago will never happen here unless we make a start. Google the words, “twins find each other after 78 years,” and you will see what is normal will never happen in Guyana. The twins were given away in the 1930s by their poor mother who couldn’t bring them up. Just a tiny detail led to a meticulous search through the birth and death registry of various towns in England, then to the US. And the documentary trail was there. If you go into our archives you can see before your very eyes the decay of documents that could never

be replaced. Leonard Craig is a witness to what I saw at the Brickdam Police Station. We were on the second level waiting to see an officer over police foot-dragging on a rape case. We decided to wander inside the building. We stumbled upon an empty storeroom full of cartons of station entry books. The pages for several of these books were missing and dozens of pages were scattered on the floor. The books themselves were in a terrible condition. A station entry book is a recording of all the transactions between the station and the public who came to the station to make a complaint or related business. Some of these books were dated as recent as 1999. What this means is that vital data on criminal matters are lost forever. It is a researcher’s nightmare. Let us say that I go to Brickdam and complain that I saw my neighbour having sex with a goat (not the goat that bit a politician). I told

them that I can distinctly remember on the day of the national election in 1997, I made a similar complaint. Suppose my neighbour says that I am lying, the records for 1997 will show that I am not. All the officer in charge has to do is go back to 1997, using the day of the election, and he will find the statement. But those station entry books are rotting in a room at Brickdam Police Station. A citizen told Mark Benschop and me five years ago that a very prominent woman who was once the common-law wife of a certain authoritarian PPP politician at the time was involved in an accident in which his child was killed in the midnight hour. He said the woman and the driver, who was the son of a former Cabinet Minister, ran off the road at Land of Canaan and killed his teenage child. The victim’s father actually complained to his lawyer and Benschop and I met him at the lawyer’s request in her office. I

Frederick Kissoon subsequently found out that Grove Police Station does not have the station entry book for that year. The books for that year and subsequent years were discarded. What that means is that there is absolutely no record any longer of that fatal accident. Researchers investigating the abuse of power in Guyana for that period have lost valuable insight into how the police were cowed by the ruling elite. I encountered the same problem at the Kitty Police Station involving a former Vice Chancellor of UG. The station books for that year and other years have been dumped. Civilization in Guyana is disappearing.

Dem boys seh...

Everybody conning de Guyanese people When de news come out that Bobby gone and lef he panda, people start fuh wonder how that coulda happen. Was not an easy parting of ways. In fact, one man come back and tell dem boys that Jagdeo follow Bobby to New York, seh goodbye and come back to Guyana. That is when people start to talk about who own what. Dem talk bout Ed de Mad One who tie bundle wid de fat crook while he was de head of NICIL. De Mad One buy de land fuh one purpose but then he get de bright idea fuh sell de land fuh build house and mek a hefty profit. Dem boys decide fuh ask how come people can buy de land fuh one purpose and then tun round and do something else. Brazzy get ketch. At first, he start fuh complain how he ain’t know nutten bout land change. This time de thing watching he full in he face. When dem boys provide de evidence he change he tune and announce that he gun join wid GuySuCo and start an investigation. But he never intend to do that because people who wukking wid de Mad One done sell de property and dem busy advertising. Is Thursday that de Lunch Man talk de

whole story. Dem boys ask wha happening wid de land that de Mad One buy from NICIL and de Lunch Man tell dem that dem got to go to court. That mean that he done know that what de man buy de land to do he done change he mind. De thing is that if people is to get to de bottom of this thing dem gun find out that nobody ain’t going to court because people done collect dem small piece. To go to court mean getting expose. Dem boys seh that this is just another one of dem schemes that been cooking in Guyana. Was de same thing when dem was to build de hydro road. Fip mek he small piece and run. Dem announce that dem carrying he to court but to this day nobody ain’t mek that move. Rob de Earth did announce how he gun carry de Chinese to court fuh de Skeldon sugar factory. De Chinese still smiling and Guyana paying back US$17 million per year to de Chinee bank. Suh dem boys telling people that dem mustn’t get fool by all this talk about going to court. Talk half and watch how de country getting con left, right and centre.

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

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CJ recuses self from writ challenging Sooba’s appointment

Town Clerk saga…

By Zena Henry Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang has recused himself from hearing a prerogative writ (quo warranto) filed by a lawyer for the newly votedin Town Clerk (ag) Royston King, which seeks to challenge the legitimacy of government-imposed Town Clerk (ag) Carol Sooba. When the matter was heard for the first time midmorning yesterday, the Chief Justice (CJ) referred the matter to Justice Diana Insanally. The CJ had ordered in early April that the Minister of Local Government has no power to appoint Local Government Officers; which included Sooba in the capacity of Town Clerk. He ordered, however, that she would remain the de facto Town Clerk in the absence of the Local Government Commission, which deals with the hiring and firing of local government organ staffers. The Chief Justice mentioned that it would take a quo warranto to challenge Sooba’s imposition. This document would order her to show what authority she has for exercising some right or power being claimed; in other words, ‘what warrants’ her appointment. The quo warranto was filed Tuesday morning by Attorney Nigel Hughes and served on the ousted Town Clerk (ag) Carol Sooba.

Royston King

Carol Sooba

Subsequently, Sooba filed an application in the High Court asking the CJ to quash the decision by the Mayor and Councillors who voted to remove her as Town Clerk and replace her with King. The application also asked that King not be allowed to perform any Town Clerk duties among other things. Sooba’s application was heard the next day (Wednesday) and the CJ granted the request in the interim that the Mayor and City Councillors give reason and authority for their decision to have King replace Sooba. Apart from the High Court matters, the Local Government Ministry, Sooba and King had expressed dissatisfaction with the CJ’s April ruling, and two separate matters are before the Court of Appeal challenging his

decision. When the matter for the Local Government Ministry and Sooba was heard by Justice Yonette Cummings yesterday morning, lawyers for the two parties were given leave for an affidavit in reply. King’s team was last week granted leave for their affidavit in answer and that was submitted. Within that appeal, Sooba’s lawyers have also filed for a stay of execution against the CJ’s ruling to have her function as a de facto Town Clerk. It is asking that the court put a hold on the CJ’s April ruling; the stay would return her as ‘official’ Town Clerk. Attorney Roysdale Forde is representing Sooba, and Adrian Smith, in association with the Attorney General Anil Nandlall, is for the Local Government Ministry. The matter will continue next

Former Courts manager set to be new NCN boss Former Marketing Director of Courts Guyana, Molly Hassan, is reportedly set to take over the helm of state-owned National Communications Network (NCN). NCN, which manages the state’s network of radio and television stations, has been facing flak by the Opposition which accused it of biased coverage overtime. Hassan’s groundings in marketing may have been the tilting factor for her hiring, NCN officials confirmed yesterday. Government is yet to make an official announcement. Hassan would be taking over from former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Acting, Michael Gordon, who earlier this year was appointed the General Manager of the Guyana Chronicle, the state-owned newspaper.

Molly Hassan Raymond Azeez, NCN’s Marketing Manager, has been in charge of the entity since Gordon’s departure. NCN came in for sharp scrutiny in 2012 when it was discovered that a senior officer collected almost $4M and placed it in his bank

account. The monies were paid over by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company which had hired NCN to help produce a popular singing competition. The officer, Martin Goolsarran was suspended while CEO Mohamed Sattaur resigned. An audit into GT&T and conducted by a private accounting firm found alarming breaches. NCN’s Board of Directors later ordered a wider assessment. The administration has refused to release that report which was given to President Donald Ramotar. The Opposition, upset over NCN’s operations, has since 2012 been refusing to approve Government subsidies to that agency, demanding that widespread changes be made first.

Thursday. Currently City Hall has two Town Clerks acting; one voted-in by the Mayor and City Councillors of Georgetown, Royston King, and the other appointed by former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud. More than a year ago the Minister had appointed Sooba who was soon rejected by city Mayor and Councillors. They claimed that she refused to adhere to the decisions of the Council and act accordingly as the secretary to the body. Several calls were made to have her removed from the post, and Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Norman Whittaker convened an interview panel to have a suitably qualified person chosen to assume the post since, apart from Sooba’s defiance, the Council is adamant that she is “unqualified and incompetent”. However, despite the decision of the interview panel which advised that Sooba was the least qualified

and least suitable for the post, Whittaker went ahead to appoint her as the substantive Town Clerk. King who was a candidate for the post then approached the court to quash the Minister’s decision and show grounds for bypassing the advice of the interview panel and ignoring that applicants had a legitimate expectation that after the interview the most suitable and qualified person would be chosen. While the CJ in his ruling on this case dismissed ‘legitimate expectation’ since the Minister did not submit his power to the panel and was not obligated to take their advice, it was mentioned that the Minister himself had no power to appoint Sooba in the first place. The Councillors, under various sections of the Municipal and District Councils Act 28:01, believe that they are authorized to vote out Sooba and vote in a replacement, hence King’s appointment. According to the Constitution, the Local Government Commission is

Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang authorized to hire, discipline and fire local government staffers. It came into law in 1969 but never became active. While various sectors of society have called for the Commission and Local Government Elections, the government has argued that Wednesday’s High Court order has quashed all decisions voted for by the Council until they can show authority for their decisions. This matter will also be called next Thursday.

Kaieteur News74-year-old law amended…

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Friday May 16, 2014

NOC sex scandal…

Culture Minister “saddened” by allegations of misconduct - calls MPs’ interest cheap politicking By Latoya Giles After almost three weeks of coverage by various media outlets about sexual allegations made by teenage girls at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony has now asserted that he’s “saddened” by the allegations. The Minister along with his Permanent Secretary Alfred King and several staffers from the NOC addressed the media at a joint press conference at the Ministry’s headquarters. According to Anthony, he is saddened by the allegations of misconduct and/or inappropriate behaviour at the facility and the allegations that have been unfolding over the past week, with unsubstantiated information, causing the demoralization of staff of the NOC, and unnecessary unease among the juvenile internees. “I am pleased that the parents who have concerns have made a formal report to the Child Protection Agency on May 6th 2014….which is in keeping with the law. The Child Protection Agency

applied to the Courts for the removal of the girls from NOC and was granted this Order on the May 9th 2014,” Anthony said. He further explained that on May 10th, four female students were released into the custody of the Child Protection Agency. He said that two days later an investigative team visited NOC and interviewed staff and students pertaining to the allegations made. According to Anthony, the staff of NOC was instructed to cooperate fully with the investigative team. He emphasized that allegations of sexual misconduct are treated seriously. “In the Sexual Offences Act it clearly stipulates the various offences and those who indulge in such practices must feel the full force of the law,” the minister said. He said that, on the other hand, the same Act stipulates that where persons make false complaints, give false statements, depositions and evidence, they can be charged with making a false complaint, or for perjury. “We note that opposition

NOC staffers with Minister Frank Anthony (centre) and Permanent Secretary Alfred King (second from left) at the press conference yesterday. MPs Christopher Jones and Trevor Williams have been quite vocal on the matter and instead of working in the genuine interest of the students at NOC and their families, they have sought to politicize the matter and it is quite unfortunate that they would exploit people’s vulnerabilities for cheap politicking.” THE 2012 COI REPORT Anthony was also asked why the findings of the 2012 Commission of Inquiry are almost two years behind schedule. He acknowledged that the final report was to have been submitted since September 2012. He said that the ministry

has written to the Commission’s Chairman, Justice Winston Moore over a period of time asking for the report to be submitted. He said that Moore has not been paid for the work as yet, since the agreement was “after completion and handover” he would receive a “stipend”. Further, the minister said that the board as far as he is aware produced a preliminary report. OPENNESS AT NOC….NOTHING TO HIDE Anthony said that unlike many juvenile facilities, the NOC is quite accessible. According to the Minister, they have a partnership with most faith-based institutions that visit on a weekly basis, with students having full access to these faith leaders. Anthony said that they also have a committee that visits the institution on a regular basis and is authorized by law to access and speak with anyone at NOC. The

Suddie Hospital, according to the minister, provides monthly visits to the institution. “Over the last few years we had several partnerships with various international organizations. These included live-in volunteers from the US Peace Corps, CUSCO, and currently we have two USAID SKYPE mentors living at NOC.” He maintained that there is openness and officials at the NOC have nothing to hide, opining that the police should also begin to look into the allegations. MEASURES Meanwhile, the minister said that while they await the outcome of the investigations, several measures will be put in place. According to Anthony, they would work to complete the fencing of the institution so as to prevent any absconding to the backlands. They would also mandate the committee to meet

students on every visit and to make recommendations. “We are willing, as we have been in the past, to have residential volunteers from i n t e r n a t i o n a l organizations….instead of visits every two months. We would like parents to visit once a week,” the Minister noted. Anthony said that they are willing to partner with local organizations that can provide mentorship and will have open days so that the public can get a better appreciation of NOC. He said in the medium term they would contemplate separating the boys from the girls, “that is making a separate institution for girls away from NOC”. Further, he said that they would also contemplate having a closed area for juveniles that have committed serious offences. They would not be allowed to mix with the general population, as is the current practice.

New Parliament Website... (From page 9) project has three phases; development of the site, live streaming and the placement of tools in the hands of the Members of Parliament (MP). Dr. Nicole Giles, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, said that the Canadian Government was very pleased to support this initiative. She added that this undertaking will allow all Guyanese and those in the Diaspora to have equal access to information about their country, and the decision-making that may influence their lives in one way or another. UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative, Chisa Mikami, noted that the organisation was proud to be a part of the initiative which commenced in

APNU’s Sydney Allicock receives a tablet from UNDP’s Chisa Mikami October 2013. The UNDP donated 15 Samsung Galaxy

tablets to members of the National Assembly.

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

Police detective’s murder… Police Forensic Analyst, Superintendent Steven Greaves told the court yesterday that blood was not detected on the sledgehammer, which was allegedly used in the murder of Police Detective Igris Bobb–Blackman. Greaves was called to the stand by Defence Attorney, Peter Hugh. Hugh is representing Desiree Jeffers, who is on trial before Justice Dawn Gregory and a mixed twelve-member Jury for the capital offence. Y e s t e r d a y Superintendant Greaves told the court that he conducted forensic tests on specific

No blood was visible on the hammer

- Witness items collected from the scene of the crime. According to the Analyst, human blood was identified on a number of items. The items which were tested for traces of blood included a carpet, sheet, knife and sledgehammer. The witness subsequently noted that the sledgehammer, which was allegedly used in the committal of the crime, did not test positive for blood. Nonetheless, Greaves told State Prosecutor Natasha

Backer, while under crossexamination yesterday, that he did not conduct the tests on the entire sledgehammer. “I applied solution to only spots which I thought was necessary… which was the metal head of the hammer…no blood was visible on the hammer.” Backer is working on behalf of the State in association with Attorney Mercedes Thompson. She had initially objected to Greaves’ testimony on the grounds that the law as it relates to such offences does not provide for the records of analysts to be tendered as evidence before the court.

Minister’s comments to UN forum on Amerindians misleading - APNU’s Norton “Life is not a bed of roses for Amerindians as painted by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai at a recent United Nations (UN) forum, where she was tasked with addressing “Principles of good governance consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” says A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian, Dr. George Norton. According to Norton, the realities for Amerindians residing in Guyana’s hinterland and riverain communities are not truly represented by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. In fact, good governance as purported by Government is not enjoyed by Amerindian communities. He stressed that the Ministry continues to neglect critical issues affecting Amerindians while trying to control and manipulate village leaders. For instance, numerous Amerindian leaders and youths are being summoned to protest to propel Government’s positions on matters, but are not given prior information as to why they are protesting. He was stern that Amerindians should not be used as a tool and if Government is serious about development it should stop giving handouts and presentation of gifts. “Days for handouts and presentation of gifts are over and Government needs to come up with relevant development strategy to match this new dispensation of a minority Government,” Dr. Norton said. He said the Minister was not being totally truthful in her presentation to the

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Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai

APNU Parliamentarian, Dr. George Norton

Thirteenth Session United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, on Tuesday last. Sukhai told the UN forum that Guyana continues to effect and uphold compliance with Articles 3, 6 and 46 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples. The Minister said that with respect to Article 3, “Government places emphasis on pursuing the principles and practices of good governance, and places priority on Indigenous People’s rights. And development was pursued prior to the implementation of the UNDRIP (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) in 2007.” Pointing to the evidence, Sukhai said the Amerindian Act No. 6 of 2006, was enacted. It clearly states that it is “An Act to provide for the recognition, and protection of the collective rights of Amerindian, the granting of land to Amerindian, and the promotion of good governance within Amerindian villages and communities.” According to Dr. Norton, the residents of the Amerindian community of Kurututu, situated up the Cuyuni River, Region Seven,

have been robbed of their lands. He noted that Toshao Solomon Lewis has been in contact with him since the publication of Sukhai’s engagement at the UN. During an interview with Kaieteur News, Lewis related that his village, which has a population of 160, has been experiencing several difficulties, and every complaint to the Ministry has been ignored. Lewis said that the land title received by his village from the Government does not represent the true land size owned by Kurututu. The outstanding land has been a matter of dispute, but the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has ignored the community and granted mining concessions to foreign nationals. Lewis claimed that the foreign nationals have threatened to kill villagers if they enter the concessions. He said this has left villagers to depend on farming at the subsistence level as the main economic activity. The Toshao said that the mining operations have also polluted the three creeks that villagers depend on for domestic purposes. He stressed that the mercury present in the water is dangerous to them since they eat the fish.

Dead: Igris Bobb-Blackman Justice Gregory overruled the objections and allowed Greaves to give his portion of evidence. The witness later agreed that it is however possible that blood could have been removed from the sledgehammer using cleaning agents or chemicals. “I don’t know of any chemicals that can do that… but I guess it’s possible.” On Wednesday, the accused, Desiree Jeffers recounted her experiences with the former Police Detective Igris BobbBlackman, whose body was partially submerged in a septic tank in January, 2011. Jeffers, 61, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, detailed to the court the relationship she shared with the former Police Detective. The accused told the court yesterday that she met

Bobb-Blackman four years before he was found dead in the septic tank at her La Parfaite Harmonie residence. Jeffers claimed that a few years after she met the detective, their relationship ended after she found out that her lover was “gay and HIV positive”. Jeffers said that she was staying the United States at certain points of their relationship but that she returned sometime after and the policeman attacked her after he saw her with another man. She told the court that he kicked and slapped her. The woman said that she subsequently left for the United States. She said that when she returned to Guyana, Bobb-Blackman picked her up in a vehicle at the airport. Jeffers said that she noticed items in the back of the vehicle: a wheelbarrow, sledgehammer, and barbed wire. She said that in January 2011 she received a call from one of Bobb- Blackman’s relatives, who told her that he was missing. Jeffers said that she drove to La Grange Police Station, where she met the policeman’s brother and a woman whom she didn’t know. She said that it was after the policeman’s body was found in the septic tank that she learnt the name of the woman to be Gail Franker. Franker was having a common-law relationship with the policeman.

Murder accused Desiree Jeffers “After he beat me up, we ended up with a court matter…. But I didn’t know Gail Franker and I never threatened anyone or kill Bobb- Blackman.” The accused claimed that it was because of her kindness that she was in jail. Jeffers said that she tried to explain to the arresting officer that she was nowhere around when Bobb-Blackman was killed, but the officer didn’t listen, he just arrested her. Earlier in the trial, prosecution witnesses, Gail Franker and Claudette BobbBlackman told the court that Jeffers had threatened to kill the policeman several times before his body was later found in a septic tank.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

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Kaieteur News

Friday May 16, 2014

Continuing education being embraced by GPHC ...as Nurses’ Week is observed In light of the need for continuing education for nurses, a primary aspect of the celebration of Nurses’ Week, which is currently being observed, has been to expose nurses to a number of edification sessions. Moreover, nurses, at various levels, were yesterday gathered in the MultiPurpose Room of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), absorbing a number of presentations aimed at helping them to improve their practice. In its quest to ensure that nurses are kept abreast with the continued evolution of the profession, Assistant Director of Nursing, Owen John, revealed during an interview with this publication yesterday that “we have a number of plans to do just that.” One strategic move he pointed out is to take full advantage of the knowledge of those nurses who would have completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of Guyana. B o t h t h e B S N and the Master of Science Degree in Nursing were conceptualised and introduced by a nurse of many years, Sister Gwendolyn Tross, who first functioned as the Coordinator of the programmes at UG. Moreover, John noted

that nurses who have been so qualified will be placed in leadership positions at the hospital with a view of them helping other nurses to improve their performances. “Nurses are a force for change and so we believe once we empower them through education there will be more change for the better,” John assured. A symposium earlier this week saw a number of nurses in attendance being enlightened in four particular areas of focus including: Critical Thinking Nursing, Evidence Based Nursing, Concept Mapping in Nursing and Empowerment of Nurses. This interactive engagement, which saw a number of presentations from resource professionals, was yet another tactic towards the edification of nurses, John underscored. “At the end even the nurses in attendance said that they were feeling empowered with the wealth of information they received,” the Assistant Director said. And according to him there are plans being streamlined to ensure that nurses are continually afforded nursing education sessions, as part of the efforts to ensure that they are kept at a level of professionalism that is on par with the rest of the world.

Nurse Victor Van Buckley (standing) making a presentation to a group of nurses yesterday as part of the observances for Nurses’ Week. As part of the continued observance of Nurses Week too, nurses of the GPHC on Wednesday left the familiar hospital space to reach out to children at three schools in the city. This saw them descending on the St Angela’s and Winfer Garden Primary Schools as well as the Christ Church Secondary School to share informative health information. And according to Nurse Somati Parmanand, the focus at the primary schools was that of puberty, while at the secondary level adolescent health was extensively discussed. However, she noted that at both levels of

schools the children exhibited keen interest in the subject matter and were only too eager to interact with the nurses. Moreover, Nurse Parmanand noted that requests were made by school teachers for nurses to have sustained health talks at the schools rather than only during Nurses’ Week. “We want a relationship

with the schools, because one of the approaches to health is preventative care rather than curative care...So if we can teach them at that level there is a likelihood that there will be less transmitted diseases, since we would have been able to persuade these young children not to experiment thereby preventing them from contracting all kinds of

diseases,” Assistant Director John emphasized. Activities to commemorate Nurses’ Week are currently being observed countrywide, some of which are being undertaken in collaboration with the Guyana Nurses’ Association. Nurses’ Week is being observed under the theme “A force for change: a vital resource for health.”

State terrified of the few non-govt. media Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Moses Nagamootoo, has firmly asserted that his party notes with alarm, pronouncements by the “intrusive” Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, that the press in Guyana should be regulated. He said that in ordinary people’s terms, this translates to telling the press what to or what not to publish, and to punish the press for violations. Nagamootoo said that the State is terrified of the few non-government media, while it encourages the vulgarity of its own media for being wholly partisan, propagandistic and pathetic, and for disregarding completely, standards of objectivity, balance and fairness. During a press conference held on Wednesday at the Side Walk Café on Middle Street, Nagamootoo said, “The AFC is opposed to the State or politicians legally regulating or controlling the press, though we admit that standards ought to be raised, but this should be done by self-regulation.” “We also expect that by self-regulation, journalists and their professional associations should adopt high standards of ethics, and have greater regard for truth,

- Nagamootoo verifiable facts, balance and fairness in their work. Several of our journalists, mostly in the free and independent media, have already distinguished themselves for adopting these higher standards.” The Member of Parliament stressed that the government has a legal duty to protect press freedom, not to undermine it. “We have seen in the past how the free press was strangled by regulations that equated the importation of sardines with that of newsprint, and how the direct impact of trade policies resulted in non-government press being crippled. We don’t want to return there. The Attorney General ought to know that there already exist laws that deal with secrecy and defamation, that limit how much the press should know or publish. The much-abused “national interest” concerns also act as a hindrance, though necessary, to press freedom. In addition, there are also seditious acts that would make criticisms of the State a crime, for which even truth would not be a defence.” Nagamootoo stressed that “there is no need to regulate the press, to make laws that

AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo could further fetter it, that could muzzle it, and turn it into a toothless poodle”. “Historically the press has been the Fourth Estate, and in some societies the last bastion of a free society. We need an inquisitive press, not state inquisition against the press. The AFC recognizes new features of mass media that now include blogging, and sees the need for a full debate on the role of our mass media which include not only newspapers, radio and television, but cable, satellite, internet and even mobile phone communication. This, however, must not give the State an excuse to draft regulations for the press, or to dub perceived adversaries “meddlers”, or to gag nongovernment critics.”

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Man who fell from building discharged Fizul Habiban, the man who miraculously survived a fall from a four-storey building on Wednesday afternoon was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday. Many have expressed surprise that the 40-year-old man of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) survived such a fall with no broken bones or any internal injuries. Reports are that Habiban, who worked as a labourer on a building which is under construction at the corner of East and New Market Streets, Georgetown, was at the time lifting steel rods onto the fourth storey when he fell. According to information, the 40-year-old man accidentally hit one of the overhead electrical wires with the steel rod and was shocked instantly. He lost balance as a result. Habiban was not wearing

Survivor Fizul Habiban any protective gear. Yesterday, the man’s wife, Sita Habiban said that she will not allow her husband to work at that site any more.

She claimed that since the incident no one from the building contacted her to offer their sympathy. “I will not let him work there again. Up to now I still

Draft Teachers’ Professional Standards getting more attention With 12 stakeholders consultations already conducted, Region One has been leading the way to carefully examine the Ministry of Education’s Draft Professional Standards for Teachers. Five such engagements have been held in Georgetown, while three each have been conducted in Regions Six, Three and Two. Two consultations have been held in Region Seven. Moreover, a total of 28 consultations have been conducted across the Regions since the Draft document was introduced earlier this year. According to a statement issued by the Education Ministry, consultations on the draft Professional Standards continue to gain momentum in Guyana and have garnered substantial participation from the public. “The Ministry of Education is pleased that the public has recognized the imperativeness of establishing professional standards which teachers will be expected to follow towards Guyana achieving the desired educational o u t c o m e s … T h i s acknowledgment is evidenced by the active participation of the public in every consultation and the number of engagements online over the past weeks,” the statement outlined. According to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, the

forthcoming responses have been heartening. In fact, during a recent interview with this publication, she said that the document has even been attracting overseas attention as well. “It is very pleasing to me to see persons living abroad giving their input too. I will write to each of them personally to say thanks for being interested and paying attention to our sites and to actively engage with us,” the Minister told this publication. The overseas response, she disclosed, has seen the Ministry being able to access other similarly crafted documents from various countries which could help guide the way forward. “It has been extremely good, the input we have been getting so far, because people are telling us what they think is wrong or right,” added the Minister. Copies of the draft Professional Standards for Teachers were made available to teachers in the printed form for their perusal and comments. The ministry has also placed the document on i t s website, www.education.gov.gy to allow additional comments to be made and to facilitate those who would like to contribute but are unable to physically be present at consultations. In addition, members of the public were invited to submit their comments on the document via email at educationministry@gmail.com. Professional Standards

are designed to offer the professional community specifications against which teachers are able to set goals for personal development and progress in the profession. The Standards are multidimensional and give cognizance to the key props for learning to take place, namely a motivated and willing learner, effective teaching and learning, and an enabling environment. Once implemented, the Standards will serve as a tool to monitor and evaluate teachers’ performance in the classroom, knowledge of the subject(s) they teach, techniques used and level of commitment to the learners in their care, and effectively manage diversity to promote inclusiveness in the learning process. The Standards will also help teachers sharpen their professional skills and help them interact with parents and the community. The consultations commenced on February 26 last at the Kamarang Primary School, and are slated to come to an end by July. It is expected that a total of 71 consultations will be held across Guyana. “Through the establishment of professional teacher standards, the Ministry strongly believes the teaching profession will be significantly strengthened, further recognized and aptly placed among the other leading professions in Guyana,” said a statement from the Ministry.

Habiban fell from the top of this building don’t know who the owner is. The only call I received, was one saying I should go to the hospital and that is it.” Workers who spoke to this publication on Wednesday said, “All of a sudden he start swaying and before we coulda rush to him he fall off from the top floor and onto the concrete ground, and he just stay

there. We thought he dead but when we rush down he raise up and start crying out for his belly.” Habiban was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for immediate medical attention. In a brief interview with this publication, Habiban on his hospital bed said that he

survived the accident with just a few minor scrapes, burns and a tummy ache, and it is proof that God has a purpose for him to fulfill. “When I fall I swear to you I saw the Heavens above. God talk to me and he tell me fuh love me wife. I am going to be more supportive to my wife Sita. She is all I have. I love her dearly.”

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Kaieteur News

Friday May 16, 2014

Role of family pivotal to nation’s well-being - Minister Webster … as Guyana joins in celebrating Int’l Day for families Guyana yesterday joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Day for Families, under the United Nations declaration of 1993. May 15 has been designated United Nations International Day for Families and has been celebrated by countries around the world for the past 20 years. Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster in her address to the National Assembly, said this year the day is being celebrated under the theme “Families Matter for the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”.

“Such a bold assertion must not be trivialised or dismissed as impracticable. Indeed the undeniable fact remains that the family is the very foundation of every human society,” she told the House. The Minister pointed out that the first eight Millennium Development goals (MDGs) represent a road map for human and social development. These MDGs are, MDG 1 - Overcoming Poverty and Hunger, MDG 2 Universal Primary Education, MDG 3 - Gender Equality, MDG 4 - Child Mortality, MDG 5- Maternal Health, MDG 6 - Combat HIV/

AIDS and Other Diseases, MDG 7 - Environmental Sustainability and, MDG 8 Global Partnerships. To this end, the Minister pointed out that the National Commission for the Family in Guyana, considers the achievement of these goals as a national imperative, but contends and concurs that their achievement is contingent on the deliberate and sustainable strengthening of the family. Minister Webster stated that in order to achieve MDG 1- Overcoming Poverty and Hunger requires the active involvement of the family. “It is the developmental

and empowerment opportunities provided to local communities; who in turn work towards finding the solutions to their unique problems and challenges that is most effective in overcoming poverty and hunger.” The Human Services Minister added that it is the empowerment of families through the provision of adequate resources and education that eradicates poverty, and sets the socioeconomical foundation for future generations. “The achievement of Universal Primary Education is one of the MDGs which

Up to 21 dead, doctor says, as anti-China riots spread in Vietnam HANOI (Reuters) - Up to 21 people were killed in Vietnam, a doctor said yesterday, and a huge foreign steel project was set ablaze as anti-China riots spread in response to China deploying an oil rig in seas claimed by both countries. The doctor at a hospital in central Ha Tinh province said five Vietnamese workers and 16 other people described as Chinese were killed on Wednesday night in rioting, one of the worst breakdowns in SinoVietnamese relations since the neighbors fought a brief border war in 1979. “There were about a hundred people sent to the hospital last night. Many were Chinese. More are being sent to the hospital this morning,” the doctor at Ha Tinh General Hospital told Reuters by phone. Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh confirmed one death in the clashes, and described media

reports and accounts on social networking sites of higher casualties as “groundless”. China’s state news agency Xinhua reported that at least two Chinese nationals had died and more than 100 were hospitalized. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called on police and state and local authorities to restore order and ensure the safety of people and property in the affected areas. The Planning and Investment Ministry blamed the clashes on “extremists” and warned that they could seriously affect the investment environment in Vietnam. Formosa Plastics Group, Taiwan’s biggest investor in Vietnam, said a steel plant under construction in Ha Tinh was set on fire after fighting between its Vietnamese and Chinese workers. One Chinese worker was killed and 90 others injured, it said in a

statement in Taipei. It was not immediately clear if the casualties were among those admitted to the Ha Tinh hospital. The plant is expected to be Southeast Asia’s largest steel-making facility when it is completed in 2017. No details of fire damage or financial losses were immediately available, the company said. The Ha Tinh industrial park, estimated to cost more than $20 billion, is more than half complete and due to be completed in 2020. Such industrial zones are the backbone of Vietnam’s $138 billion economy. The country has 190 registered industrial parks employing about 2.1 million people. They manufactured products worth $38 billion in exports last year, or 30 percent of Vietnam’s total export revenue. The anti-China riots erupted in industrial zones in the south of the country on Tuesday after protests

against Beijing placing an oil rig in a part of the South China Sea claimed by Hanoi. The brunt of the violence has been borne by Taiwanese firms, mistaken by the rioters as being owned by mainland Chinese. China expressed serious concern over the violence and urged Vietnam to punish criminals and compensate victims. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying suggested Hanoi had turned a blind eye to the protesters. “The looting and stealing that has taken place at Chinese businesses and to Chinese people has a direct relationship with Vietnam’s winking at and indulging law breakers there.” A top Chinese general defended China’s deployment of the oil rig, saying Beijing can’t afford to “lose an inch” of territory and blaming Vietnam for stirring up trouble by dispatching ships in an attempt to “disrupt” Chinese activity.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster

Guyana can boast of having virtually achieved.” It is for this reason; the Minister said the National Commission for the Family believes that the family plays a very critical role in a child’s education. “The accomplishment of this goal of “primary education for every child” depends greatly on the partnership amongst parents, families, governments and educators working together in support of the family unit, and the educational development of our children.” Minister Webster however, noted that while the commitment of Government to education delivery is commendable as evidenced by the significant budgetary allocation to the education sector, nothing is as effective in securing the educational needs of the nation’s children, like a supportive family environment and parental involvement in the educational wellbeing of our children. “Having a stable and empowering home and family environment is critically necessary for the educational development of children.” According to Minister Webster MDG 3, Gender Equality also requires for its achievement, the active involvement of the family. She further informed the National Assembly that MDGs four and five speak to reduction of child mortality and maternal health. She added that the primary health care needs of children are first met within the context of the family. To this end she alluded to the fact that the National Commission of the Family advocates that stronger partnerships be built between the family and the neonatal and post natal health services providers, with a very strong focus on education for

families. “It is vital that information and education be made available to families through a family-centered approach to reducing child and newborn mortality and morbidity as well as maternal mortality.” As it relates to the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Minister noted that the family is at the very forefront for its success. Quoting Terrence D. Olson, Ph.D she read, “Those who take family life seriously are our greatest allies in the fight against AIDS.... Those voluntary organisations, including religious ones, who teach abstinence and family commitment, should be encouraged, not criticised.... Moral commitments to family life are fundamental.” Again the Minister noted that the National Commission for the Family further recognises that the vital care and support required for those living with and affected by HIV/ Aids can best be provided by the family. “Hence, an appeal is made to families within which they are members affected by this disease, that education be sought as to how to provide the very critical and necessary support needed by those affected.” On this note, the Minister took the opportunity to commend the work of the National Aids Programme Secretariat for the role it has played in the national drive on this issue. “It is truly an undeniable fact that the role of the family in a nation is pivotal and fundamental to a nation’s health and wellbeing. Equally important therefore, would be the contribution of the family to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In conclusion, family really matters.”

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

Basil Rodrigues laid to rest

Basil Cuthbert Rodrigues, more affectionately called Uncle Basil, was on Wednesday laid to rest in his beloved Santa Rosa, Moruca after a brief illness. Eulogized by the Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett who herself is a ‘daughter of the s o i l ’ , c i t i z e n s of the community Graham Atkinson, Murphy DeSouza, members of the Region One Education Fraternity, Ms. Hermina Rebeiro District Education Officer (ag) and Mr. Nigel Richards Regional Executive Officer, Uncle Basil’s humble traits and cultural and education contribution to his

(ABOVE LEFT) Pallbearers leaving the church with the remains of Basil Rodrigues. (RIGHT) Cross generational representation at the Mass for Basil Rodrigues at the Santa Rosa Catholic Church. community was fully articulated. Basil Rodrigues’s funeral service was presided over by the local Catholic Church of which he was a devoted member. One unique observation was that the congregation was almost evenly split between both the young (even school students) and those who are members of his generation. Another unique act of paying tribute was a phone link-up between Annai

(North Rupununi) and Santa Rosa; Morucan Mr. Victor Ferreira, fellow educator and musician with Uncle Basil composed his tribute and performed his piece via this link-up. Basil Rodrigues MS AA, leaves to mourn Delores Rodrigues, his wife of some 55 years, son Wallace, and daughters Beverley and Kay. Uncle Basil was recognized by Kaieteur News as a Special Person.

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PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale.Call:627-5416 Double lot with house at East Bank Demerara, one block away from Public Road Call: 621-1766 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Pure bred Rottweiler puppies, 8 weeks old – Call:682-2148 or 618-2903 Tibetan terrier pups for sale. Colours are: white, fawn and mixed – Call: 649-4247 Suites, beds, desk, guitars, divider, radio set, table –Tel: 226-2284 Honda Welder, 270 Amps, 2002 Tundra – Call:611-5114, 220-4495 PORK WHOLE SALE, WHOLE, HALF & QUARTER CARCASS. NO HEAD! NO TROTTERS! – CALL:2662711, 609-4594 1-CAT 320 excavator, 1-22 RB long boom dragline, 1helmet & hammer, 1-120G motor grader -D4H CAT bulldozer- Good conditionCall:660-4021/275-0578 Toyota 4 Runner, great condition – Call:223-9719, 227-1028 Well established auto parts store. Fully stocked with all used Japanese Parts, serious inquiries only – Call: 6192090 Clean garden earth, also Bobcat & Excavator rentals. Tel: 626-7127 Pure bred pit bull, 6 weeks old – Call: 661-1601 Two stalls for sale at Port Kaituma – Contact: 6846428, 618-7983 PVC Ceiling Panels, PVC Mouldings, Medallions. American Standard!!! – Call:614-8564, 680-0862 Cold Storage Facility: freezing & cold storage facilities. Affordable price @ BM Enterprise Inc., Houston GFL Wharf Call: 227-8176/77. Internet Café and Game Arcade equipment (complete controllers/glass case/etc Contact Alwin: 696-4832

FOR SALE Toyota Forklift - Excellent condition, 4,000lbs capacity, 117" Lift, Solid Wheels, Automatic Transmission, 4 Cylinder LPG Motor. Call: 604-6108. Brand new 6,500 watts power fist gasoline generators on wheels & Led torchlight – Contact: 617-2205, 681-1032 Pure Rottweiler pups, parents are imported pedigree dogs Call: 264-2870 or 672-6402 after 6pm 665-9140 or 639-1431 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943

Prime Business property, huge land space, 200’X50', next to Police Outpost @ Mc Doom. 233-0570

Snow cone carts and hot dog carts. Call 667-2575 Fully furnished two-storey house at North East La Penitence - $17 Million. Contact 691-1521

2 Storey concrete property in Parfaite Harmonie, size 24’X57’, Price: $16M – Call:622-1782/658-5803

Chowmein/noodle equipment, including five roller machines. One mixing machine. 2 steamers, drying system. Call 661-3878

1-3 storey business property @ Middle St. G/Town, 2 business properties @ Whim Public Road, price negotiable Call: 619-7134, 225-6481

One tractor driven water pump on trailer. New. Bargain price. Call 227-1830

Nandy Park (need work) $21M. Parfaite Harmonie (new) -$17M Contact Diana:227-2256, 626-9382 Transport house & land @ Tuschen old Scheme newly built & visible from the public road – price negotiable – Tel: 667-5900

Nine & seven months old female German shepherd for sale – Contact: 263-5755, 6834832 Canadian rebuilt Perkins Duetz engine, Lincoln generator welder, model M with winch, 320 excavator – Call: 691-2921 1 MF290 Tractor, 1 Toyota Tacoma, STIHL chainsaws, tractor parts, STIHL blower, STIHL paint sprayer, pressure washer, etc – Call:689-8884

CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery; also edible images and Wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798

TO LET One newly built 2 storey concrete house, 2 bedroom for short or long term Bartica Call:685-2707 2-bedroom apartment @ 2290 Section C Block X Diamond New Scheme – Tel: 673-8128 TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT in Charity Housing Scheme – Contact: 771-4180, 687-5814 Rooms - Tel:225-9223 Furnished executive one or two-bedroom suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call 609-2466

Food warmer and Deli case . Call: 696-9999

One smoothie machine and ice machine – Call:231-0655 or 683-8734.

House on 7 Acres of Land @ Canal No 2 - $15M. Call: 6899379 Lot 81 Lamaha Street. No Agent! – Call: 673-5882

Prime Business. Established Business, Three storey building 220 South Road Lacytown Georgetown – Tele: 227-1042, 601-3369. Serious callers only!

Complete Salon Furniture for sale and space for rent Tel: 600-0036, 223-1719

One 4 month old female pure breed German shepherd - Contact: 638-5778

Diamond (Land with foundation) $3.2M, Pearl (2 lots 100ftX50ft each with house -$13M), Parafaite Harmonie (100ftX50ft) $2.2M – Tel:675-7292

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building. Tel 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

Furnished and unfurnished two bedrooms apartment in Eccles, for short or long term Tel: 643-1131 FOR SALE/RENTAL American Pool Table – Call:277-0578

Friday May 16, 2014

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One barber shop / salon with 5 stations at David & Queen Streets Kitty – Call Alana: 646-0268 G.T TOOLS RENTAL: CONCRETE SAW, RANDSOM & MORE. EVERYDAY SPECIALS – CALL:675-0767 OR 6275098

SALON

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

Toyota Land Cruiser 105 series, 2000 model enclosed, 5 door, 7 seats, mint condition – Tel: 668-3581

Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD Tele: 265-4138, 652-5800. We specialized in everything for women. Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces – Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241

One bedroom semifurnished apartment @ Diamond, preferably single working / studying female $28,000. Contact Vishnu: 6806946, 618-9771 Secured Concrete bond 87’X32’, Public Road McDoom, next to Police Outpost. Suitable for storage/factory, etc. Tel 2330570 House in Diamond/Grove. Tel 692-8513 or 223-0733 House to rent 1-3 bedrooms @ Anna Catherina W.C.D – Contact J. Allie: 276-0818 Prashad Nagar: Self contained studio (fully Furnished) - US$100.00 weekly - Tel: 612-3194, 2238258

CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com Progressive Auto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 628-2284 , E m a i l : p r o _ autorental @yahoo.com

Seinta and Noah with Body Kits – unregistered and top notch condition with terms available – Call:641-8647 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $10,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766 House plan drafting from$10,000 electrical works and estimates services available. Tel: 667-2189, 646-6572, 6298750 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 6472943 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045

Wings Car Rental- Call:643-1131 Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup - Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 AE100 Toyota Corolla, excellent condition - AC, Mag rims, alarm, DVD player, etc. Price $825,000. Call 6129625, 225-3217, 695-6461

EDUCATIONAL Balloon Decorating Classes – 31st May 2014 – Call: 2253133 or 613-7513 for more information and to register.

Toyota Spacio – TV/DVD/ CD, body kit, reverse camera. Never registered $2.1M. Call:617-2891 Toyota G-Touring Wagon – Price -$700,000 – Tel:6105502 or 652-8068

One nails table – Call:6025469 or 628-9297 One bottom flat (30x42) Carmichael Street; ideal for business/office. Contact Vishnu: 680-6946, 618-9771

Smart Choice Auto Sales: Unregistered: Premio, Spacio, Allion, Allex, IST, 2 1 2 , F i e l d e r, Vo x y – Call:652-3820; 665-4529

2006 Toyota Tacoma fully loaded - $3.5M – Tel:6857659, 622-0445 2 Ton freezer canter, GRR Series – Call:658-3209

New Model Hilux Surf and RX8 – Very clean vehicles. Terms available – Call:6418647 Stick gear and automatic Pitbull and RZ buses at the best prices around – Tel:641-8647 2008 Blue Bird - $3.0M, 2005 Spacio - $2.1M, 2006 Premio - $2.3M. ALL VEHICLES FULLY LOADED & UNREGISTEREDCall:642-7295 RZ Minibus BLL Series – price negotiable – excellent condition – call: 673-7934 Toyota L-Touring & Fielder Wagon, At192, AT212, AE110 Corolla Raum, Fun cargo, RZ minibus, IST –Tel: 644-5096, 697-1453 1 -1RZ, 15 seater, automatic mini-bus, BNN 3760 - $1.5M Negotiable. Good condition, never used for public transportation – Tel:628-0310 ; 672-5429 STAR CARS AUTO SALE: Premio, Spacio, Allion, IST, Feilder, Altezza, new Raum, Axela, Carina 212 – Call: 679-3140, 615-1199 Pre-order: AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Unregistered Toyota Raum: year – 2004; black interior, HID lights, power door, TV navigation. Tel 617-5536 Toyota Raum, Silver; year – 2002; PMM series with alarm. Call 621-5244 DAF 55-210 sand truck, GMM series; $2.8M negotiable.Call 623-8302 Cactus Auto Sales: Reduced prices, Premio, Spacio, Allex, AT212, etc. Call 681-4208, 220-6262 (Continued on page 31)

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

Guyanese charged with terrorism in Venezuela released Trinidad (Newsday) Healthy, safe and free, but not yet home free. This is the state of the three local Imams who have finally been released from the Venezuelan prison in which they were held for weeks. Salam Abdul, Hamza Mohammad and Sheikh Hamid Hassan walked through the gates of the Sebin prison in Caracas at about 8.45 pm on Tuesday after they were examined by a medical doctor. Also tasting freedom was a Guyanese national who lives in Venezuela, Imran Bacchus. Bacchus had been acting as the Imams’ chauffeur at the time of their arrest. In a release from the Islamic Missionaries Guilds of the Caribbean and South America, president Imtiaz Mohammed stated that the doctors found the men to be

healthy and not physically or mentally abused. The men were arrested in March along with 19 others, including Muslim women and children, and charged with terrorism and criminal conspiracy. The women and children were held for approximately two weeks before they were released and returned to Trinidad. Despite their freedom, it does not seem that the Imams would be able to return to Trinidad within the next few days. Their security while in Venezuela however, has been made top priority for the lawyers of the law firm of Tamayo-Tamayo. “When the Imams were freed none of their belongings, including 66 passports and money (US$6,000) seized from them, were given back to them. Today (yesterday) our

lawyers and the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission will be dealing with the issue. The Imams’ return to Trinidad will be determined by the outcome of this issue,” said Mohammed. He added that the families, congregations and friends of the Imams were “overwhelmed with feelings of joy and happiness” at the news of the men’s release, and are excited as they await their return. Mohammed also thanked the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Security for the role they played in the release, the media, and all those in the Muslim community who contributed to the legal fees which amounted to US$17,000. He added that it was anticipated that the total cost of the matter would amount to approximately $120,000.

Lucky seven win free trips at Insel Air launching Seven lucky persons were beneficiaries when airline tickets were raffled on Wednesday for the three destinations offered by Insel Air at the local launching of the entity. Winners will have to register their tickets within six months, with at least a year’s lifespan. Wednesday’s launching at Duke Lodge, Kingston, saw speeches from Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who congratulated and welcomed the newcomer; the airline’s Sales Manager, Nicole Berenos; and Chief Executive Officer, Frederick Nuboer, along with Roraima Airways boss Gerry Gouveia, all of whom spoke on the benefits and prospects of the airline. The executives promised intended customers superb service and giveaways when flying. They also reminded of the benefits of preimmigration checks done in Aruba before entering the United States. Additionally, the airline’s representatives were especially proud to lessen what they described as Guyana’s isolation to the rest of the world, as numerous connecting flights to several other destinations can be boarded in the mid-leg destinations. With Insel Air’s inaugural flight less than a month away, tickets are on sale for an experience which the airline’s executives say is one above the rest. With some of the lowest fares entering the local aviation market at US$270 to US$345 round trips, to destinations such as Aruba, Curaçao or Miami, the Dutch

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FOR SALE/RENTAL Mining Claim – Rent/ Sale: located at R.Bwcknoch Creek L.B Essequibo River 1S! miles from river mouth – Call: 672-8749 From Page 30

LAND FOR SALE House lots in Friendship – Tel 692-8513 or 223-0733 DRESSMAKING Jean is offering courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral & cake decoration @ 153 Barr Street Kitty – Call: 6702653, 618-1706 CATERING Roxy’s Catering: We cater for any special occasion, also available daily breakfast, lunch & snacks – call: 223-0092, 223-0095 NOTICE Flambouyant Restaurant & Bar has reopened its doors to the public Located: 271 BB Eccles H/Scheme E.B.D Call: 233-2849, 678-4470

WANTED 1 honest & trustworthy caregiver to work in Canal No.1, W.B.D, age 45-50, 2 references are required – Call: 683-8758, 218-0082, 226-2677 Live-in domestic to work in Mahaicony River, age 18-40 years. Call 613-6613 or 225-6571 Pacific Development Inc – Looking to buy empty lands in all areas. Contact 227-8274, 223-6035 One experienced welder; must have knowledge about grill work & able to work with limited supervision. Call 6133879 Eperienced cashier to work @ Western Union Mon Repos / 38 Ketley St Charlestwon, over 18yrs send application @ Humprey Bakery 38 Ketley St.

VACANCY MANAGER/SUPERVISORS at Xenon Hotel Charity / EBo. ACCOMODATION PROVIDED. Attractive Salary is offered – Contact: 223-5273/4

Salon Assistant, not older than 25yrs; must know to cornrow. Call 225-8701, 622-2643 Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665

One female clerk – Call: 2315171 Vacancy exist for Helper/ maid and a cosmetologist. Call 227-4799

Two lucky winners collect their prizes from Insel Air executives -Caribbean airline is gearing to merge Guyana with the rest of the Caribbean and several international destinations including the United States, Canada and Europe. Tickets are currently on sale at facilitating agency, Roraima Airways’ Travel Agency, Eping Avenue, Bel

Air Park and other Georgetown travel agencies. Flights, which are expected to commence on June 19, will leave Guyana on Thursdays and Sundays and return Saturdays and Wednesdays, with direct flights connecting new destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao.

VACANCY Drivers, Porters, checkers, accountant. Apply R.A Soda Factory @ Good Hope Bond. Driver & salesperson @ #7 Bakery. Call 330-2399 Accounts Clerk & Cashier. Apply with written application & passport size picture to Survival @ 173 Sheriff St., Campbellville. Call 227-5286/9 Exist for Pharmacist: Apply with written application at Survival Shopping Complex @ 173 Sheriff St. Campbellville – Tel: 2275286/9 DRIVER and SALESMAN for Gas Trucks on East Coast, West Coast and East Bank Demerara. 266 4427 Two hire car drivers to work with taxi service in city – Call: 611-1018 or 663-8654 Bakers and table hands to work at Bakery in Best Village W.C.D – Call: 254-1399, 6272515 One Trainee refrigeration A/ C Technician – Tel: 231-0655, Call between Monday-Friday (8:00am-4:30pm)

WANTED Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter – Call:225-0188, 223-7500 (Monday to Saturday ) (8:15am-4:15pm) Cashiers needed to work in supermarket on East Coast, preferably with computer knowledge between 2545yrs – Call: 629-8469 Barbers and tattoo artist opposite Kitty Police Station – Call: 621-8812 Cars to work at GR Taxi Service – New Base at Sheriff St, Opposite Survival Supermarket. Base Fee $6,500 – Contact:614-6202 Urgently needed, live-in waitresses to work in Bar. Reasonable salary offer – Tel: 259-0574 Republic Park Family needs live-in aid/domestic. Alternate week off - $12,000. Police clearance needed – Call:627-5098, 675-0767 Work from home earn $5,000 -$20,000 - Contact: jobfairworldwide. com - Call: 622-1957, 9 AM-5 PM (Mon–Fri) Contract hire cars & male dispatchers to work at Flambouyant Taxi Service – dispatchers preferably from E.B.D- Tel:678-4470, 2180702 Maid to work on lower East Bank Demerara- Call: 6717878 between 6pm to 9pm only General domestic maid at Lot 8A Eccles Public Road, E.B.D – 233-2408 or 2332631 Experienced hire car drivers and contract vehicles at Buddy’s Transportation Service – Call: 645-0025 Land to buy in La Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling & all low income land – Call:675-7292, 2185591 One nail technician & hairdressers to work in salon also station to rent weekly – Contact: 677-2219, 699-7043, 231-1787 Stall ‘A’ Bourda Market require experienced workers Call: 227-3407 Roti/Puri Cook, pastry maker, counter servers, handy boy- Apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Full time care giver for elderly person, light housekeeping and meals on W.C.D – Call Natasha 2690287

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Putin urges Europe to do more to help Ukraine, end gas dispute MOSCOW (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin urged European Union leaders yesterday to do more to help Ukraine through its economic crisis and said Moscow was ready for consultations with Europe over Kiev’s gas debts. “The Russian Federation is still open to continue consultations and work together with European countries in order to stabilize the situation,” Putin said in a declaration to foreign leaders. “We also hope that the

European Commission will more actively engage in the dialogue in order to work out specific and fair solutions that will help stabilize the Ukrainian economy.” He said state-controlled exporter Gazprom had been forced to demand Ukraine pay in advance for gas as of June after its debt for Russian gas supplies reached $3.5 billion. Moscow has twice reduced gas supplies to Kiev during price disputes, causing disruptions in supplies to Europe, which

Vladimir Putin takes about half of the gas it imports from Russia through Ukraine.

Friday May 16, 2014

Mass funerals, mounting anger as Turkey mourns mine workers SOMA, Turkey (Reuters) - Loudspeakers broadcast the names of the dead as rows of graves were filled in this close-knit Turkish mining town y e s t e r d a y, while thousands protested in major cities as grief turned to anger following the c o u n t r y ’s deadliest industrial disaster. Rescuers were still trying to reach parts of the coal mine in Soma, 480 km

(300 miles) southwest of Istanbul, more than 48 hours after fire knocked out power and shut down the ventilation shafts and elevators, trapping hundreds underground. At least 283 people have been confirmed dead, mostly from carbon monoxide poisoning, and hopes are fading of pulling out any more alive of the 100 or so still thought to be inside. Anger has swept a country that experienced a decade of rapid economic growth under Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted government but still suffers from one of the world’s worst records of workplace safety. Furious residents heckled Erdogan on Wednesday as he toured the town, angry at what they see as the government’s coziness with mining tycoons, its failure to ensure safety and a lack of information on the rescue effort. Access to the mine entrance was blocked by paramilitary police roadblocks several kilometers away for a visit by President Abdullah Gul yesterday. Officers searched cars. “We came here to share the grief and wait for our friends to come out but we were not allowed. Is the president’s pain greater than ours?” asked Emre, an 18year-old trying to get to the

mine who said friends from his village were still trapped. Erdogan, who announced three days of national mourning from Tuesday, expressed regret for the disaster but said such accidents were not uncommon, and turned defensive when asked if sufficient precautions had been in place. Newspaper Radikal published an amateur video clip on its website appearing to show Erdogan saying “Come here and jeer at me!” as he walked through a hostile crowd in the town. A picture doing the rounds on social media of one of his deputy personal assistants, Yusuf Yerkel, kicking a protester as he was wrestled to the ground by armed special forces officers did little to help the prime minister’s image. Colleagues in Erdogan’s office defended Yerkel, saying the protester had travelled to Soma deliberately to cause trouble. London’s prestigious School of Oriental and African S t u d i e s (SOAS), w h e r e Yerkel once studied, issued a statement saying it had no association with him after being besieged with enquiries. “I am sad I was not able to maintain my composure despite all the provocations, the insults and attacks to which I was e x p o s e d o n t h a t d a y, ” Ye r k e l l a t e r s a i d i n a statement.

U.S. criticizes Nigeria over kidnapping response WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - A top U.S. Defense Department official yesterday said Nigeria had been too slow to respond to the threat of Boko Haram but Washington is committed t o h e l p i ng fight the Islamist militants and rescue over 200 girls seized from their school a month ago. U.S. officials have said the effort to retrieve the girls is now a top priority but has been complicated by N i g e r i a ’s early reluctance to accept assistance, and U.S. rules banning aid to foreign forces that have committed human rights abuses. “In general Nigeria has failed to mount an effective campaign against Boko Haram,” Alice Friend, the P e n t a g o n ’s principal director for African Affairs,

told a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations C o m m i t t e e ’s Africa subcommittee. “The Department has been deeply concerned for some time by how much the Government of Nigeria has struggled to keep pace with B o k o H a r a m ’s g r o w i n g capabilities,” Friend said. Friend said it was “troubling” that atrocities have been perpetrated by some Nigerian forces during operations against Boko Haram. Robert Jackson, acting assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, said Washington has urged Nigeria to reform its approach to the group. “When soldiers destroy towns, kill civilians and detain innocent people with impunity, mistrust takes root,” he said.

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

Probe into cause of fire at Sangster International airport A section of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, (PHOTO: ACEION CUNNINGHAM

MONTEGO BAY, St James – A team of fire fighters from the St James division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade are now conducting a probe to determine the cause of a fire which razed a section of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay Wednesday night.The Fire Brigade say that about 9:05, St James fire fighters responded to a call that a fire was raging at the

AJAS maintenance and storage area on the property. The St James Fire Department, which responded using seven units and 40 of its members, was joined by 10 airport-based fire fighters using three units. The team managed to contain the blaze to the storage area. An assessment of the damage is now being conducted by authorities at the airport. Sangster Airport

is the hub for tourist arrivals in the island. However, reports from operators MBJ Airports are that flights were not seriously affected by the blaze. According to MBJ Chief Commercial Officer, Elizabeth Scutton, two flights were delayed for 15 minutes because of the fire. Flight activities are now back to normal at the airport, officials say.

DOMA on Seetahal‘s murder probe: Give cops the reward Trinidad Guardian - Give the hand-picked team of officers assigned to investigate the assassination of Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal the $3.5 million reward being offered in the case and you are bound to get results. The proposal was made Wednesday by secretary of the Police Second Division Association, Insp Micheal Seales, after a similar suggestion by the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA). DOMA made the suggestion as it said it was tired of hearing excuses in dealing with the crime scourge, noting that any incentives given could help in solving Seetahal’s killing but the overall crime problem as well. But Seales had a caveat: If the team does not solve the crime it would “be a failure on the part of the Police Service and its leadership. “Seetahal’s murder was not ‘ordinary’ but rather was an act to terrorism and a threat to the country’s democracy,” Seales said. He added: “You have to treat the police as professionals and we are saying give us the $3.5 million instead because it requires a

‘Incentive may bring results’ certain level of knowledge and technology among other factors. It goes beyond the scope of ordinary policing. “The association wants this murder to be solved and we have to look at it through the eyes of the man in the street, who have already given the Police Service a big “F” and if they do not solve this murder then the Police Service deserves the big “F.” Despite repeated assurance from National Security Minister Gary Griffith and acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams that the investigating officers are diligently working on bringing the perpetrator/s of the crime to justice, there have been no arrests in Seetahal’s May 4 murder to date. In a statement earlier yesterday, DOMA said instead of only offering incentives in response to major crimes, they should be given to the police perhaps on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. “If we were paying incentives for service, wouldn’t we be assured of better service? And if incentives work in one

service, say national security, couldn’t we then try this model in other sectors?” DOMA asked. “Why not offer the $3.5 million reward to those police officers that solve this crime? Why not overhaul the management model of our national services? Why not ask the managerial elite to write a new rule book for critical governance issues?” It added that rather than finding an answer to the crime scourge, successive governments have continually come up short. “What is extremely depressing, however, are the lame, repetitive responses from the various agencies and authorities whose job it is to protect our nation. What has occurred is an unmistakable threat to the future welfare of our country. “Nowhere in the various assurances of action to be taken have we heard of a single new strategy. All of the old ideas are regurgitated every time we face the horrors of criminality; more guns, more vehicles, more cameras and bigger cash rewards for information.

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Brazil’s Rousseff sticks to her guns despite investor pressure BRASILIA (Reuters) Dilma Rousseff sometimes enters the cabin of her presidential plane, asks to see the flight plan and orders the pilot to fly around potential turbulence - even if it might add hours to the journey. Since taking office in 2011, Rousseff has often tried to control Brazil’s economy in the same hands-on way. That’s not going to change if she’s re-elected in October, officials close to her say. Despite a sharp slowdown in growth, she plans to mostly ignore pleas by investors to alter her interventionist style or embrace sweeping probusiness reforms. While a few market-friendly changes are likely, Rousseff will stick with a leftist policy mix that gives her control over everything from taxes to some companies’ profit margins in an effort to ensure a “fairer,” more equitable economy. Reuters spoke to five officials who are helping Rousseff set priorities for a second term. They spoke on condition of anonymity because Rousseff has prohibited them from

discussing her plans until the campaign officially starts in July. The officials said the likely changes include a new finance minister who has a better relationship with investors; a renewed attempt to simplify what the World Bank calls the world’s most complex tax system; and an enhanced, active role for Rousseff’s predecessor and political mentor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who could bring a more pragmatic voice to big decisions. But those changes may not prove as dramatic as they seem, largely because of who will remain in the pilot’s seat. “Dilma is Dilma, and she’s not going to change,” said one senior official who has known her for years. “You’ll see some (policy) modifications, but the essence will remain the same.” A status-quo approach would be a big letdown for Brazilian financial markets, which have rallied recently on speculation that Rousseff might make a more meaningful policy shift, or that one of her more centrist rivals might win

the October 5 election. A lifelong government technocrat who studied postgraduate economics, Rousseff has been involved in every big economic decision of her presidency and many small ones too, aides say. Her government has alternately raised and lowered certain taxes, sent interest rates up and down and then back up again, tried to pressure private-sector banks into lending at lower rates, and forced state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA to keep fuel prices well below international levels. Each of those policies has arguably caused as much harm as good, swelling Brazil’s budget deficit and sending inflation higher, among other problems. More broadly, many investors say that by micromanaging, Rousseff has squandered the reputation Brazil earned last decade as a stable, profitable emerging market. While the business climate remains far better than in some other Latin American countries like Argentina or

Venezuela, economic growth under Rousseff has slowed to just 2 percent a year - about half the average pace under Lula. Inflation is running above 6 percent, and Brazil’s stock market has sagged about 22 percent since she took office. The strains aren’t limited to Wall Street. Anger over rising prices and poor public services caused huge street protests last year, and many observers expect them to erupt again in June when the soccer World Cup focuses the global spotlight on Brazil. Rousseff’s office declined requests for an interview. The number of Brazilians who describe Rousseff ’s government as “good” or “great” in polls has fallen from 65 percent in March 2013 to 35 percent this month. Her lead over her election rivals has also shrunk. That has increased calls, including from members of her own coalition, for Rousseff to adopt more business-friendly tactics. Yet Rousseff measures success differently, and always has. During her formative

years as a leftist guerrilla in the 1960s, she opposed a military government that often boasted economic growth rates above 10 percent but also saw real wages decline for the working class, exacerbating one of the world’s biggest gaps between rich and poor. Since then, as a mid-level energy policy official after democracy returned in the 1980s and now as president, Rousseff has focused on job creation and wage growth as her main goals. Seen through that lens, her first term has been positive. Unemployment has fallen to record lows of around 5 percent, and stayed there. Under Lula and then Rousseff, more than 40 million people were pulled from poverty, making Brazil one of the few countries anywhere that has paired solid economic growth with falling inequality. Rousseff has said she supports profitable businesses, but she must manage the economy to prevent excesses inherent to the private sector. She has also continued to stimulate

domestic demand while rejecting calls for austerity or changes to Brazil’s generous labor laws, pointing to Southern Europe’s high unemployment as a kind of alternate reality. “There are people saying we need unpopular measures,” Rousseff said on May 7, in an allusion to budget cuts. “But you have to be careful. An unpopular measure can turn into a measure that hurts people.” Those close to Rousseff say her interventionist style is as much a matter of personality as governing philosophy. Having never sought elected office until Lula chose her as his preferred successor in 2010, Rousseff lacks the charisma or deal-making ability often prized in Brasilia. She feels more comfortable within the sterile world of Power Point presentations and policy papers, and thus her decisions sometimes feel more authoritarian than she intends, they say. Indeed, some in her inner circle have taken to joking about her obsession with detail.

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Berbice Bridge Company... GABF allows use of CASH... while his organization supports all sports activities, the relevant organizations are required to satisfy the rigid criteria of his organization. Among these are the hosting of Board meetings and legal registration with a functional board. Mr. Samaroo also pointed out that the proceeds of the event being sponsored must also be utilized towards the upgrading of the respective infrastructure with the communities and other stakeholders being the beneficiaries. “We’ve noted that the KMTC has satisfied the criteria and as such we had no problem in acquiescing to their request for sponsorship,” pronounced Mr.

Samaroo. He also noted that the KMTC has recently staged a lunch and award ceremony at the Bushlot Farm headquarters where the principals of that organization recognized the input of those organizations and individuals that have contributed to the development of the sport. Mr. Kennard was appreciative of the support rendered and told Mr. Samaroo just that. He reiterated the importance of the sponsors as an important cog towards the development of the sport. He acknowledged Mr. Samaroo’s commendations and said that the aforementioned function was arranged to demonstrate gratitude to sponsors for the

support rendered over the years. Mr. Kennard said that all systems are in place and the weather forecast has suggested favourable conditions on race day. Several other races are carded for that day including the event between the 3 and 4 years old horses over a distance of 6 furlongs where the winning jockey carts off $300,000 and the second place finisher receiving half that amount. There will also be four other races in the GI and Lower, J1 and Lower, D1 and Lower and the I and Lower. Activities will be conducted under the auspices of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and all rules and conditions are applicable.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Paperwork involving money could be a real drag for you today, Taurus. You'll have to get it done, but you'd rather be elsewhere. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A contract of some kind, perhaps involving the home, might need some careful consideration today, Gemini. You could find it a little difficult to understand, as it could be full of fine print and legalese. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You might pick up some rather disturbing thoughts from a friend, neighbor, or relative, Cancer. This person could be upset over something and not communicating his or her feelings. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Some gossip about a friend could reach your ears today, Leo, and it might seem a bit shocking at first. Money could be involved. However, don't accept what you hear at face value. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might find yourself the center of attention, Virgo. Friends could ask for some information they know you have. It might involve telling a story or giving practical advice.

Nigel Hinds we have got positive responses from several business entities but also need the Government’s support”, he said. Hinds stated that the Government should ensure that the Sports Hall is made

accessible to athletes adding that it was a sorry sight to see the players who are keen to represent their country being locked out from it. He said the GABF has to pay to use the facility.

Young Warriors protest loss to Police in Ramcharitar semi final

Friday May 16, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A neighbor or relative might volunteer to help you with some chores around the house, Aries, but you could sense that his or her heart isn't in it. This person is probably thinking about things and just needs some kind words and a little advice.

From page 43 junior tournaments which will commence tomorrow involving Georgetown, Linden and Berbice. The President said that Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) selected national teams for the past few years which should not be. “The GABF should be the body responsible for selecting any national team”, he lamented. Hinds explained that they do not receive any assistance from the Ministry of Sport and the executives have to utilize their personal resources to run the sport. “Basketball in Guyana has suffered tremendously under the current Director of Sport, Kumar but we will achieve our goals which include taking our senior team to the British Virgin Islands,

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you might take up some sort of occult study, such as astrology, numerology, or alchemy that seems like Greek to you at first, Libra. As a result, you could be tempted to abandon it. Don't! SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A friend might be in such a dour mood that you wonder if this is the same person you know and love, Scorpio. During the day you might be tempted to try to analyze what's going on, but this is apt to raise more questions than answers. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A friend or romantic partner might need your advice, Sagittarius, and want to discuss a few things that you don't really understand. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you might read a book on exercise or nutrition that seems a bit unsettling, Capricorn. According to the book, you're doing everything wrong! AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) YMemories and emotions welling up from the past might excite your creative impulses today, Aquarius. You may not quite be able to understand what all of this means, but the pictures should keep coming to you nonetheless. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A subject you're researching, perhaps for a class or workshop, might prove more difficult than you expected, Pisces. The resources you consult might be very scholarly and thus difficult to read.

Universal DVD Young Warriors have lodged a protest with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on their loss to Police in the semi final of the 2013 Ramcharitar Construction Service 50 overs knock-out competition. Police trounced Warriors by 55 runs at the Cumberland ground on Saturday last. Young Warriors are contending that Brentol Woolford who represented Police in the match,

was a registered player with another Berbice first division club, Bush Lot United Rising Star and played for the last mentioned club in 2013, therefore should not have played for Police without being granted a transfer by the board. The matter will be deliberated on at a meeting of the Competition’s Committee of the BCB on Sunday from 13:00hrs.

GSU&SA training to start May 29 The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) training classes for the year 2014 will commence on Thursday May 29 at 17:00hrs at Demerara Cricket Club, Queenstown. Thereafter sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17:00 to 19:00 hrs of each week and will conclude with the Umpires Preliminary Examinations scheduled for Sunday July 27. Registration fee is $500. Cricketers, administrators, captains, coaches and reporters are also invited to attend.

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Some observations of football in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, After an exciting and entertaining afternoon at the Regency Suites where according to the press Matthias outfoxed his opponents, I would like to make a few observations and points. When is the GFF Constitution correct and when it is incorrect? Why is the Constitution being used conveniently to satisfy some persons’ personal agenda? Is the real motive to develop football or is it to satisfy egos? I say this, to say, that it is my personal opinion that the Guyanese pubic is being hoodwinked by a smooth talking and slick individual. The GFF Constitution Article 34: Decisions states: Para 1: “The Executive Committee shall not engage in decision making unless four (4) of its members are present.” Para 2: “The Executive Committee shall reach decisions by a simple majority of the members present in the event of a tied vote, the President shall have the casting vote. Voting by proxy or by letter is not permitted”. The above section of the Constitution is as clear as a crystal clear day, just attending primary school alone and you will comprehend same, no need to go to Harvard. Now! Let us go back a little bit and see what Article 33: Powers of the Executive Committee says: Para a): Shall pass decisions on all cases that do not come within the sphere of responsibility of the Congress or are not reserved for other bodies by law under the

constitution. Para b): Shall prepare and convene the Ordinary and Extraordinary Congress of the Federation. Para c): Shall appoint the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and members of the standing committees. Para d): Shall appoint the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and members of the judicial bodies. Para j): Shall appoint coaches for the representative teams and other technical staff. Para I): Shall ensure that the Constitution is applied and adopt the executive arrangements required for its application. My fellow Guyanese and football lovers, the GFF is or was in a Constitutional upheaval and crisis. A Credible Vice President resigned, another Vice President was unlawfully suspended by an Unconstitutional Extra Ordinary Congress, another Vice President had stopped attending meetings and was calling on the President to resign, a Committee Member also stopped attending meetings. Out of six executives only two were functioning, the President and his loyal Committee Member who has been benefitting financially by presenting fictitious bills and advances on his monthly stipend (SALARY) (talking about stipend, this same individual earns more than all the permanent staff members at the GFF, this is exploitation at its best). The President with no approval or authority from any one charaded with two

individuals and made them provisional VP’s and they attended Ex Co meetings. Now tell me which part of the Constitution gave the President the permission to do so. The President has the gumption to make these appointments on his own, who does he think he is, he doesn’t own the football and I hope CFU, CONCACAF & FIFA are noticing the crass disrespect that is being perpetrated by this dictator like President. There is a Referees Committee and also a Disciplinary Committee which were recently installed, The Executive Committee did not appoint and approve of such as in the above extraction of the Constitution, hence they are both illegal. Who gave the approval and permission to call an Extraordinary Congress to suspend the UDFA Executive and who gave the approval and authority to call this just concluded Ordinary Congress, I guess it was Matthias. And he is on record saying he is not a Dictator. On the issue of Interim Management Committee having voting rights, as a remigrant and ardent follower of Guyana’s Football, I am aware and all in Guyana are that IMC’s do not vote. Georgetown and Linden were denied voting rights a few years ago. Voting rights are for Associations that have fulfilled all the rudiments and requirements of being a member. IMC’s are usually installed after violation has been created by the Association hence the need to have an IMC. An IMC is installed and given a time

frame to get its house in order before full membership is reinstituted. An Association is errant if the said Association is dormant as in the case of Essequibo. This member has no properly constituted club so it cannot be considered as a full fledge member. They have the same status as provisional members and in Article 10: Request and procedure for application for full and provisional membership Para 2 reads: “In case the applicant has been granted provisional membership, it will enjoy the rights of a full member upon the prior approval of the Federation. However, it shall have no voting rights at the Congress .The Congress may after a two year period of provisional membership consider to admit or not to admit the provisional member into full membership of the Federation. In the case of Bartica, it was reported that the clubs moved a vote of no confidence against the Executive and installed an IMC to run their business

until officers are properly constituted and installed. For an IMC to be accepted the Executives of the GFF must concur, this did not happen. Well, the Linden situation was conveniently fixed to facilitate the Congress; again there were no Constituted GFF Executive to approve and Install an IMC hence they were unconstitutionally invited to attend and vote and that was illegal, crockishness and hijacking the process of good governance. I recently saw that Lindener, Jermaine Figueira has been relentlessly pursuing a case for Mr. Matthias, but a forensic look at the style and presentation of those letters, clearly shows that he was not the author of those letters. I have seen earlier missives of this individual and his style of writing is erratic, confusing and congested at times. The author of those letters is more systematic, grammatically correct and more informative. However, can “Mr. Figueira” say if the Linden representatives were given a

mandate to support Mr. Matthias after what he did to their democratically elected executives, I saw him asking the similar question about other associations? Mr. Matthias continues his crusade in destabilizing football. Recently he fired the cleaner for no reason maybe because she worked for the past regime. Those who pretend and preach about God will be whipped the most when judgment day comes. The tears of that lady, her children and grandchildren will be on you for the rest of your earthly life. It is time FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU come to rescue Guyana’s Football from this tyrant of an individual, with his lies, fabrications and trickery. It is rumored and being gossiped around that he wants to get his hand on the FIFA money (US1 Million dollars) that is due from FIFA after the World Cup and has devious plans in the spending of it. Divine intervention is needed now, now, now. Yours respectfully Chandrika Samsundar

Heat rally past Nets to East finals, 96-94

Brazilian anti-World Cup... From page 39 they may face during the tournament, which kicks off on June 12. He adds that, with both the World Cup and a presidential election this year, many groups have spotted an opportunity to exert maximum pressure on the government. The demonstrations began earlier in the day in Sao Paulo, with one of the biggest protests in the city’s Itaquera district near the Arena Corinthians stadium, which will host the tournament’s opening match. Protesters there demanded housing, and not stadiums, be built in accordance with FIFA standards, in reference to world football’s governing body. ‘No panic’ “Our goal is symbolic,” said Guilherme Boulos, the

head of Homeless Workers Movement. “We don’t want to destroy or damage the stadium. What we want is more rights for workers to have access to housing and to show the effects the Cup has brought to the poor.” The government has tried to downplay the scale of Thursday’s unrest, arguing it was not related to the World Cup.“From what I’ve seen, these are specific claims by workers. I’ve seen nothing that is related to the (World) Cup,” Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said. “There’s no reason to panic ahead of receiving three million Brazilian tourists and 600,000 foreign tourists (for the tournament).” Army deployed The planned protests coincide with a range of strikes, including one by the

police force in the northeastern state of Pernambuco. The army has been deployed there to provide additional support after some robberies and looting, as the strike enters its third day. Recife, the state capital, is due to host five matches during the World Cup. Recent protests in Brazil have been much smaller than those which took place in June last year in various cities. More than a million people took to the street then over poor public services, corruption and the high cost of hosting the World Cup. The wave of protests prompted Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to propose a referendum on political reform. She also pledged to invest 50 billion reais ($25bn, £16bn) in public transport, one of the protesters’ main grievances.

LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat reacts to winning Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets From page 40 with 32 seconds remaining was the go-ahead moment, and the Heat wouldn’t trail again. Allen disrupted Joe Johnson’s dribble on the game’s final play, James then swiped the ball out of everyone’s reach, time expired - and the Heat advanced. Chris Bosh scored 16 and Allen finished with 13 for Miami. Johnson had 34 points, Paul Pierce scored 19 and Deron Williams had 17 for the Nets. It’s the sixth trip to the East title series in the last 10

seasons for Miami, which is bidding for a fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals something only the Lakers and Celtics franchises have accomplished. James is heading to the East finals for the sixth time in eight seasons, the first two of those trips coming with Cleveland in 2007 and 2009. The Heat will next face either fifth-seeded Washington or top-seeded Indiana. The Pacers lead that series 3-2, one win away from setting up a rematch with Miami that seemed like an absolute certainty for much of the

season. Brooklyn led 49-42 at the half, with Miami missing 15 of its first 16 tries from 3-point range. The Nets closed the half on an 8-0 run and the lone bright spot in the opening 24 minutes for Miami was Wade, who had 20 points - more than any other two players to that point combined - on 7-for-12 shooting. Eventually, barely, Miami broke through. But it took most of the second half to get there, since whenever Miami tried to put together a run Brooklyn found a way to keep things together.

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Nadal pushed to 3 sets again at Italian Open Rome (AP) - Rafael Nadal was pushed to three sets for the second consecutive match before ultimately prevailing on Thursday to set up an Italian Open quarterfinal against Andy Murray. The top-ranked Nadal dropped behind a set and a break against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, then took 11 of the final 12 games to win 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-1 on another windy day at the Foro Italico. At 27, Nadal’s best days could be behind him. Nadal was looking forward to facing Murray for the first time in more than two years. Murray eliminated Jurgen Melzer of Austria 7-6 (1), 6-4 to celebrate his 27th birthday, and Novak Djokovic fell behind 4-0 in the opening set before rallying for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber. In an upset, the seemingly ageless Tommy Haas beat third-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. On the women’s side, Maria Sharapova’s 12-match winning streak - which included titles in Stuttgart and Madrid - ended with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Ana Ivanovic. Showing no signs of trouble from the left thigh injury that forced her to withdraw from Madrid, defending champion Serena Williams cruised past fellow American Varvara Lepchenko 6-1, 6-2. Pushed for three hours by Gilles Simon to nearly midnight a day earlier, Nadal didn’t generate the usual depth with his groundstrokes, and began to take control only when Youzhny started committing more unforced errors. Nadal consistently ran around his backhand, a shot that also caused him concern in recent losses to David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, respectively. Of Nadal’s 29 winners, only two of them came with his backhand. Haas, the oldest player in the draw at 36, used his expertise to give Wawrinka trouble with heavy topspin. Haas last beat a top-10 player more than a year ago in

Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny

Friday May 16, 2014

Pernel Schultz scores first Pro League goal Young Golden Jaguar Pernel Schultz scored his first TT Pro League goal for his club Caledonia AIA in a 1-1 draw against W- Connection, recently. The 20 year-old striker kept his nerve to hold off a defender and chip over the keeper to give Caledonia the lead. “It’s a great feeling to score my first goal in the TT Pro League. Caledonia has made a huge investment in me and I am ready to deliver the goals, stated Schultz. Pernel joined Caledonia from Fruta Conquerors in 2012 but was sent on loan to T&T Super

League Club Maracas United for two seasons. However the diminutive striker was brought back into the Caledonia professional team during the January transfer window. “We always knew Pernel had the talent, stated Caledonia Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz. “And like Trayon Bobb we took a methodical approach to his development. “He’s had two seasons of Super League action and scored some very good goals for Maracas. “After playing so many games his confidence is up,

so we brought him back with the pros and now he’s showing he can play at this level , added Shabazz. With one more game left in the season Pernel is already looking ahead. “ I wanna get in a good preseason and help Caledonia get back winning titles in the new season. “My ultimate goal is to play in Europe like Trayon Bobb and Walter Moore. “So the new season is a critical one for me to hold down my starting spot and score goals for Caledonia, ended Schultz.

Grant Flower named Pakistan batting coach

Germany’s Tommy Haas returns the ball to Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka Miami, where he took out then-No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Wawrinka cited a back injury that occurred in colder conditions during his opening win. Wawrinka has made a great start by winning the Australian Open and the Monte Carlo Masters but another early exit in last week’s Madrid Open leaves his form in question with the French Open starting in 10 days. Haas’ quarterfinal opponent will be Grigor Dimitrov, who at 22 is the youngest player in the top 20. Dimitrov rallied past sixthseeded Tomas Berdych 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2. Fifth-seeded David Ferrer beat Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 6-2, 6-3 and will meet Djokovic.

Also, eighth-seeded Milos Raonic defeated 11thseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 76 (5), 6-4, and will next face Jeremy Chardy, the Frenchman who eliminated Ivan Dodig of Croatia 6-3, 6-2 a day after putting out Roger Federer. In other women’s play, second-seeded Li Na defeated Sam Stosur 6-3, 6-1 and will next meet Sara Errani of Italy, who kept the crowd content by beating Czech qualifier Petra Cetkovska 6-4, 7-6 (3). Also, third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska eliminated Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-1, and will play 2007 and 2008 Rome champion Jelena Jankovic, who got by Flavia Pennetta 6-2, 6-3.

Grant Flower, the former Zimbabwe batsman, has been named Pakistan’s batting Coach for two years. The appointment comes little more than a week after Waqar Younis returned as the Head Coach as Pakistan overhauled their national team management. Flower was recommended by the Coach Selection Committee comprising Moin Khan (chief selector), Intikhab Alam (director domestic cricket operations) and Haroon Rashid (director game development). He will start in August, just before the Sri Lanka series. Flower, 43, was Zimbabwe’s batting Coach for

over three years starting October 2010, and was a key player for his country in a lengthy career that included 67 Tests and 221 ODIs. He had applied for the Pakistan batting coach job last year as well but was not appointed. Pakistan’s batting has been one of their major weaknesses in recent years, and the PCB had turned to former greats like Inzamam-ulHaq, Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas t o b r i n g about improvements. Pakistan had also hired Australian Trent Woodhill for a brief two-month stint last year, but had decided to do away with the post earlier this year when Moin

Grant Flower was named head coach. With former fast bowler Waqar now in charge, the PCB decided to appoint a mentor to the batsmen. (ESPNcricinfo)

Lewis Hamilton: Damon Hill says Mercedes driver has extra gear Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has another gear to hit this season and will be “almost impossible to beat”, says former world champion Damon Hill. Hamilton won his fourth consecutive race of the season in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix to take the championship lead from teammate Nico Rosberg. “Up until this season, it always looked like Lewis’s focus could go at any time,” said Hill, 53. “He now seems to have the demeanour of someone who is totally content.” London-born Hill, who won the world title in 1996, added: “I do wonder if he is just cruising. I think he has another gear. “He is so focused on the job, I think he will be almost impossible to beat.” Hamilton’s season started badly when the 29year-old retired from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix with an engine issue, with Rosberg, 28, going on to take victory. But Hamilton bounced back with an impressive win in Malaysia and then held off a fast-charging Rosberg to take a thrilling victory in

Lewis Hamilton (right) and Damon Hill. Bahrain. A third triumph followed in China and then in Spain, despite being beaten by Rosberg in the sessions leading up to qualifying, Hamilton delivered when it mattered - taking pole and absorbing pressure from Rosberg to take his fourth win in five. Hill added: “Nico had two opportunities to beat Lewis - in Bahrain and Spain - but he let them slip through his fingers and that might already be too much to recover from.” British Racing Drivers’ Club president and former British F1 driver Derek Warwick, 59, agreed with Hill that there is more to come from Hamilton this season. “I think there is another gear,” Warwick told BBC Sport. “And I think you’ll see it at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix in July,

in front of his home fans. “Great drivers find a level and are able to raise their game to reach it. Just think of Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and now Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.” After beating Rosberg to victory in Bahrain and Spain, Hamilton said the German was faster, but that led former teammate Jenson Button to suggest “there are mind games going on”. Warwick agreed: “Of course it’s mind games. Drivers are competitive animals. The first thing you do is try to get into the mind of your team-mate without falling out.” The next race of the season takes place in Monaco between May 22-25. (BBCSport)

Friday May 16, 2014

Kaieteur News

GSA/Woodpecker National Junior Squash C/ships

Griffith upsets Melville in night two action at GT Club The Guyana Squash Association (GSA), in collaboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel Guyana, National Junior Squash Championships sponsored by Woodpecker Products Ltd. continued on Wednesday evening, day two at the Georgetown Club. Some exciting matches were witnessed with one of the feature games of the evening involving Shemane Griffith, a 14-year-old Guyanese now living in Barbados and one of the top juniors in Guyana, Alec Melville. Griffith has improved tremendously during the past two years and this was evident during the match. Griffith won the first game 119, but Melville evened things up with a hard fought 11-9 win in the second game. Griffith came out like a boy possessed in the third to sweep the set 11-0. Melville however dug deep and won the fourth game 11-7 but Shemane was not to be denied and won the fifth and deciding game 11-8

creating the first major upset of the tournament. Makeda Harding continued her impressive performance over the last few months with a hard fought 31 victory over Savannah Mendes scores being 11-4, 911, 11-6, 12-10. Results of the matches on night two were as follows: Girls Under-11 Madison Fernandes defeated Aliyah Persaud 11-0, 11-2 Kirsten Gomes beat Beau Fernandes 11-1, 11-4 Haley Carpenter defeated Paige Fernandes 11-9, 11-7 Boys Under-11 Gianni Carpenter defeated Nechemiyah Levans 11-3, 11-2 Rajiv Lee brushed aside Nathan Rahaman 11-0, 110 Zachary Persaud took care of Demetrius De Abreu 119, 5-11, 13-11 Michael Alphonso defeated Ethan Jonas 11-13, 11-4, 11-7 Shomari Wiltshire trounced Dominic Collins 11-2, 11-2

Boys Under-13 Anthon Islam beat John Phang 11-4, 11-1, 11-8 Daniel Islam got past Lucas Jonas 11-2, 11-5, 117 Shomari Wiltshire beat Gianni Carpenter 11-3, 112, 11-2 Girls Under 13/15 Makeda Harding beat Savannah Mendes 11-4, 911, 11-6, 12-10 Sarah Lewis was better than Maya Collins 11-6, 11-8, 11-2 Boys Under-15 Shemane Griffith beat Anthony Islam 11-1, 11-3, 11-5 Boys Under-17 Jael Gaskin beat Michael Ramroop 13-11, 11-8, 1311 Ben Mekdeci defeated Alexander Cheeks 11-1, 114, 11-3 Shemane Griffith beat Alec Melville 11-9, 9-11, 11-0, 711, 11-8 Boys Under-19 Nyron Joseph defeated Matthew Phang 11-2, 11-5, 11-1 Matches were scheduled to continue last evening at the same venue.

Theodore passionate about Antiguan football

St, John’s, Antigua & Barbuda - Transporting the elderly and disabled through New York City is Lesroy Theodore’s day job. It is one in which he takes great pride. If you ask him where his true passion lies, though, he is quick to respond, “Football is my passion.” Football is so much his passion that Theodore journeyed from New York to his native Antigua & Barbuda for the CONCACAF “D” License Coaching Course conducted at the Antigua Recreation Ground, May 8-11. “I found out about it from my son (who lives in Antigua),” Theodore told CONCACAF.com. “He got the news and I thought it was very important for my development.” So Theodore packed his bags and paid his way home to be part of the initiative that is designed to provide coaches with a valuable, internationally-accredited license for those working with youth. “The CONCACAF course is very educational,” Theodore said. “I have a lot to gain from doing this course, tons of things I didn’t know before that I am learning

Lesroy Theodore here now. Learning how to deal with kids from 6-12 is very important and assists us junior coaches.” More than a decade ago, Theodore attended another CONCACAF-related course in Antigua, before immigrating to the United States in 2001. In the “Big Apple,” he has been the assistant coach of the John F. Kennedy High School girls team and, previously, at Mott Haven Community High School in the Bronx, but lamented the lack of opportunity to further his coaching education. “In Harlem, we don’t have these programs,” Theodore

noted. “It is very costly to get a certification and courses aren’t close in proximity. “In the long run, this will pay off and lots of kids will benefit.” Theodore has his pulse on the game in New York’s inner city — principally Harlem — where he resides and where, according to him, youth participation in football is growing steadily. “Soccer is getting big in Harlem especially with African Americans, Hispanics and those of Caribbean heritage,” he asserted. “The parents are very involved, which is good and kids are realizing soccer is an avenue for them to get an education.” He thanked the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association for accepting his request to participate, especially after sharing his plans of giving back to the local game in the near future. “The ABFA knows I am genuine and loyal and will definitely give back to the country when I am finished,” stressed Theodore. Until then, he plans to keep his passions fuelled, either by assisting the less fortunate on his bus or on the football field.

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Trinidad names roster for South American tour Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago Head Coach Stephen Hart has urged fans of the Soca Warriors to manage their expectations as his team prepares for two games in South America next month. On Tuesday, Hart announced a 22-man squad for friendlies against host Argentina (June 4 in Buenos Aires) and Iran (June 8 in Sao Paulo, Brazil). Veteran striker Kenwyne Jones, who plays with Welsh side Cardiff City, leads a selection that includes seven Europebased members. “Ideally we’d love to win the two games but we have to be realistic,” Hart said. “Both Argentina and Iran will be comfortable as they will be fully prepared for a World Cup which starts a few days after our matches. But surely this is a wonderful opportunity for us to test our level of readiness against two great opponents.” Gavin Hoyte, a former England youth international, is the only newcomer to the team, joining his brother Justin. “Regarding the squad, I tried to come up with the best possible names considering that the games are being played outside of a FIFA date and clubs are not obliged to release the players,” noted Hart. “But we’ve come up with a pretty decent list and I’m sure everyone will be very eager to do their best in the matches.” Trinidad & Tobago is

Kenwyne Jones preparing for this year’s Caribbean Cup, the region’s biennial championship for national teams that doubles as a qualifying competition for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. GOALKEEPERS: Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic FC), Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC) DEFENDERS: Radanfah Abu Bakr (FK Kruoja Pakruojis/ Lithuania), Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen/Belgium), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Gavin Hoyte (Dagenham & Redbridge/ England), Justin Hoyte (Millwall/ England), Carlyle Mitchell

(Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada) MIDFIELDERS: Andre Boucaud (no club), Kevan George (Dayton Dutch Lions/ USA), Ataullah Guerra (Central FC), Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk), Joevin Jones (W Connection), Marcus Joseph (Point Fortin Civic FC), Kevin Molino (Orlando City/USA), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava/ Slovakia), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA) FORWARDS: Trevin Caesar (North East Stars), Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City/Wales), Rundell Winchester (Central FC), Willis Plaza (Central FC). (concacaf.com)

Brazilian anti-World Cup protests hit Sao Paulo

One protest in Sao Paulo was held near the stadium which will host the tournament’s opening match Riot police in Brazil have fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse thousands of people in the city of Sao Paulo who were protesting against the cost of hosting the football World Cup. Some demonstrators hurled stones while other burned tyres and blocked roads. They say they are angry

that billions of dollars are being spent on next month’s football tournament, rather than social projects and housing. Protests are taking place in many other cities, including Rio de Janeiro. Aerial images showed hundreds of people marching in rush-hour traffic on a main thoroughfare in the Brazilian city, which will host the final

match of the World Cup on 13 July. Police, teachers and civil servants, among others, have also been on strike across Brazil. The BBC’s Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo says that the scale of the protests will be watched closely by the government as an indication of the security challenges (Continued on page 37)

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Kaieteur News

GCA’s Carib Beer T20 final set for Eve Leary tomorrow

Police aiming to upset GCC in first division-one final since 1980s By Sean Devers The battle lines will be drawn tomorrow from 13:00hrs when Police face-off with GCC in what is anticipated to be a pulsating final of the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA) Carib Beer first-division T20 cricket tournament at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. While GCC is one of the leading sides in Guyana in recent times and has been involved in several divisionone finals, this is a massive game for Police who will want to avenge their only loss in the preliminary rounds when they were beaten by GCC, who will enter tomorrow’s grand finale with a hundred percent record. In the early 1980s Police dominated first division cricket with players the caliber of Hubert Carrington, Jeff Jones, Leonard McRae, Joseph Simpson, Lloyd Harper, Collie Solomon, Milton Pydanna, Anthony Rigby, Eddy Nichols, Keith Cameron, Calvin Burnette and the late William Jeffery. But since the 1980s when they last qualified for the National Bristol Cup final, the lawmen have not reached a first division final. Yesterday in the scorching sun, the Cops were hard at practice at the match venue. Police Skipper 24-year-old Royan Fredricks was

confident at the official launch of the final yesterday at Eve Leary which was also attended by GCC Captain 25year-old Robin Bacchus. “Police cricket has grown in recent times with more emphasis placed on the sport now and we are looking forward to an exciting final with GCC, the only team to beat us in this competition,” Fredricks, who represented Guyana at the Under-19 level in 2008, disclosed. The winner will take home a Trophy and $110, 000 while the runner up will collect $60, 000. There will be trophies and medals for the leading batsmen, bowlers, fielders and MVPs from the two zones in the preliminary rounds while the man-of-match, batsman with the highest score, bowler with the most wickets and fielder who effected the most dismissals in the Final will also receive trophies and medals. DCC were dethroned when a hyped up Police unit whipped them in the own back yard at DCC to qualify for the tomorrow’s game and a large partisan crowd is expected to create a fantastic atmosphere at Eve Leary. But Bacchus, a former National youth and senior player, who has recently been selected for the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2014 CPL tournament, said his team was not going to underestimate Police because

of their win in the preliminaries. “We could still have Leon (Johnson) since he is seeking permission to return home for the final. But even without our Test players we have a strong team and usually play as a unit for our club and we are confident even though Police cricket has come a long way in a short time,” Bacchus said. Police support will come from Fredricks, the Benn brothers (Troy and Trevor) Rawle Browne, Yatesh Dhanpaul, Jason Heyliger, Ricardo Adams, Rawle Haynes, Seon Daniels, Randy Knights, Kelvin Letch, Jermaine Reynolds, Pernill London and Stephon Blacks. The hyper active Trevor Benn in particular, could easily get into the ‘heads’ of batsmen, especially if Johnson does not play tomorrow and the pitch is a fast one. The entertaining Bacchus could lead the GCC batting since talented teenager Renaldo Mohamed could be unavailable due to Under-19 Inter-County duties. GCC’s team will come from Bacchus, Martin PestanoBell, Elon Fernandes, Gavin Singh, Devon Lorde, Joshua Wade, Cleyon Critchlow, Chidanand Shivram, Royston Alkins, Jamal Anderson, Tyree Glasgow, Samuel McKenzie, Dellon Fernandes and Leon Johnson.

Cooper shines as Rajasthan win to go 3rd AHMEDABAD, India – Trinidad and Tobago allrounder Kevon Cooper turned in an enterprising performance with bat and ball to help lift Rajasthan Royals to a 62-run win over Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League here yesterday. Sent in, Royals mustered 201 for six off their 20 overs with the right-handed Cooper blasting 32 from 16 balls. In reply, Delhi were restricted to 139 for nine from their 20 overs, with Cooper producing a stingy spell, sending down three overs for just 19 runs and taking one wicket. The victory was Rajasthan’s seventh of the campaign and it kept them in touch with the leaders, in third on 14 points. Playing at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Ajinkya Rahane top scored with 64 from 50 balls and put on 44 for the first wicket with Karun

Nair (19), and a further 49 for the second wicket with Cooper. Usually a lower order batsman but promoted to number three for this game, the 25-year-old Cooper blasted two fours and three sixes, as Rajasthan found momentum up front. He announced his attentions off the second ball he faced, smashing left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem for a straight six and followed up in the bowler’s next over by clearing long-off with another big hit. Cooper also clobbered JP Duminy for a straight six but in attempting another big stroke off the next ball, holed out to cover in the 11th over. Sanju Samson then hit 40 from 25 balls, to sustain the momentum for Rajasthan. When Delhi batted, they crashed to 58 for five in the tenth over and only Manoj

Friday May 16, 2014

GABA names women team for Inter Association series The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) has named its team to represent the association in the Inter Association 2014 series that brings together Linden and Berbice basketball teams. Natasha Alder will Captain the side with Timike Joseph-DeRouche as her Vice Captain. The other members are Kean Andrews, Natasha Andrews, Ameena Alphonso, Ginelle Ifill, LaToya Rodney, Lowquantor Gibson, Kristy Roberts, Sharon Jerome, Kadian Rowe and Rhonda Charles. Brian Carter is the Coach.

The first game is scheduled for tomorrow at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court with Georgetown bouncing against Linden while the teams will meet again Saturday May 31, 2014. Apart from determining which association has the better female team, performances in these games will be one of the key considerations for selection to the National team for participation in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championship set for the Island of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, later this year.

NBS 2nd div. 40 overs

Leonard Sandy hits 74 and snaps up 4-26 for No.64 Fighting Marines The New Building Society (NBS) second-division 40overs cricket competition continued recently with the highlight being Leonard Sandy of No. 64 Fighting Marines all-round performance. Sandy slammed 74 (5x4 7x6), Emmanuel Davidson hit 50 to guide Fighting Marines to 203 in 22.2 overs against No.68 Turn Team. Sandy returned with the ball as opening bowler to snap up 426 to orchestrate Turn Team’s demise for 147 in 23.3 overs. Off-spinner Steffon Adams grabbed 5-12 from 6 overs and leg-spinner Emerson Benjamin 2-14 from 6 overs as Hopetown United bowled out Bush Lot Challengers for just 61 in 20 overs. Hopetown went on to win by 9 wickets. After Daneshwar Ramkissoon scored 57 (11x4) to lead D’Edward Warriors to 162 in 25.3 overs against Monedderlust, his teammates, pacer Joshua Hamid had 5-28 from 6 overs and off-spinner Narendra Iqbal 4-7 from 3.2 overs to skittle out No.5 for 56 in 12.2 overs. SUMMARISED SCORES At No.63 - No. 64 Fighting Marines trounced No. 68 Turn Team by 56 runs. No.64 Fighting Marines 203 in 22.2 overs; Leonard Sandy 74, Emmanuel Davidson 50, Toolaram Persaud 3-23. No.68

Turn Team 147 in 23.3 overs; Naresh Nandkumar 38, Leonard Sandy 4-26, Kumar Chan 2-6. At Hopetown Hopetown United hammered Bush Lot Challengers by 9 wickets. Bush Lot Challengers 61 in 20 overs; Steffon Adams 512, Emorson Benjamin 3-14, Hopetown United 64 for 1 in 9.4 overs; Kwasi Mentore 27 not out. At No.5 - D’Edward Wa r r i o r s blasted Monedderlust by 106 runs. D’Edward Warriors 162 in 25.3 overs; Daneshwar Ramkissoon 57, Mohandat Ibarrian 46. Monedderlust 56 in 12.2 overs; Joshua Hamid 5-28, Narendra Iqbar 47. At Belvedere - Belvedere

United got past Belvedere Battle Steel by 3 wickets. Belvedere Battle Steel 148 in 31 overs; Kevin Veerapatren 34, Sudesh Verapen 30, Ramanrine Permaul 28, Sudesh Veerapen 2 for 21, Ryan Munna 2-33. At No.43 - No.43 Scorpion beat Yakusari Caribs by 3 wickets, Yakusari Caribs 108 in 21; Satesh Danroop 2-12, No.43 Scorpion 109 for 7 in 25 overs; Farouk Drepaul 30, Ramesh Ayana 2-13. At Bush Lot, West Berbice - Rainbow Generation got past Bush Lot United by 34 runs. Rainbow Generation 163 in 32 overs; Odel Burnett 37, Keino Gravesande 33, Navendra Mahadeo 2 for 18, Kurd Griffith 2 for 22. Bush Lot United 129 in 29 overs; Dellon Joseph 33, Rennison Mitchelle 3-25, Duvston Cummings 2-12, Keino Gravesande 2-2, Junior Mc Kenzie 2-35. At D’Edward - D’Edward thumped Blairmont Community Centre by 6 wickets. Blairmont Community Centre 5 in 20.4 overs; Tony Ramanan 45, D’Edward 97 for 4 in 11.4 overs; Devendre Lalsa 28, Kevon Jawahir 28. At Fyrish - Courtland All Star trounced Kendall’s Union ‘B’ by 8 wickets. Kendall’s Union ‘B’ 79 in 17 overs; John Percival 2-2, Clarence Yearwood 2-5, Leland 2-16, Trelon Cort 2-23.

Miami (AP) - LeBron James leaped onto a courtside table as the postgame celebration was starting, thumped his chest and punched the air. Next stop: The Eastern Conference finals. Again. James scored 29 points, Dwyane Wade added 28 and Ray Allen delivered two huge plays in the final seconds as the Heat rallied to beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-94 on

Wednesday night, winning the second-round matchup 41. ‘’It’s always been like that for us,’’ James said. ‘’It’s never easy. It’s never easy for us.’’ Sure looks easy, though. It was the 10th straight series win for the two-time defending NBA champions. ‘’When we met the first day for prep we said the No. 1 key, overwhelmingly the No. 1 key in this series, was great

mental stability,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘’That’s what it was down the stretch ... incredible focus.’’ Incredible defense, too, when it was needed most. Down by eight with less than five minutes left, the Heat forced Brooklyn into nine straight missed shots while peeling off a 12-0 run to take the lead. Allen’s 3-pointer off an assist by Mario Chalmers (Continued on page 37)

Steffon Adams

Heat rally past Nets to East finals, 96-94

Kevon Cooper came in as a pinch hitter Tiwary, with 61 not out, showed any enterprise. (CMC)

Kaieteur News

Friday May 16, 2014

Page 41

PMTC Red prevails as BVA Inter School Volleyball tourney concludes

PMTC Red defeated the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre (UCITC) 30-28 to seal off the top spot in the male category when the finals of the BVA Inter S c h o o l Vo l l e y b a l l

Competition concluded at the Port Mourant Training Centre Courts April 9 last. UTITC had to settle for second place while JC Chandisingh Secondary (JCCSS) sealed off the final

podium position after defeating Canje Secondary School (CSS) 25-4. JCCSS shrugged aside its third place spot in the male category and rebounded with a win over CSS 15-11, to capture the

Independence three-stage cycle road race

Flying Ace Cycle Club names one female in strong 9-member team Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) of Berbice has named a strong nine-man team inclusive of one female to participate in the 32nd annual Independence threestage cycle road race which begins tomorrow at 07:30hrs, with the first leg from Corriverton in Berbice to New Amsterdam. The second leg will also pedal off tomorrow from 14:00hrs at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice and finish on C a r i f e s t a Av e n u e i n Georgetown. The third and final stage will see riders moving off at 08:00hrs on Sunday from Cara Cara, Linden to finish on Homestretch Avenue in the City. The riders are expected to cover an overall distance of 171.5 miles or 274.3 kilometres. Cyclists named are Ray Millington, Wazim Hassnu, Elijah Bijadder, Keith G r i ff i t h , O d r e l R o s s , Syborne Fernandes, Jamal Jarvisand and Myron Rose who is making a comeback. The lone female is Marica Dick. Coach Randolph Roberts is confident that his

Marica Dick charges will do well since they have been putting in extensive training over the past month for the event. The FA C C t e a m w i l l b e s p o n s o r e d a n d accommodated by Water Chris Hotel. Roberts is appealing to the general public in Berbice to take notice of the number of cyclists that will be on the road and to take precautions.

He is making a special appeal to persons drying paddy on the road to desist or wait until the race would have passed. Roberts is also appealing to lorry and trailer drivers who are usually parked on the road, especially in the Upper Corentyne area and moreso in the vicinity of Nand Persaud Business Complex to take extra precaution. Apart from the many clubs in Guyana which are all expected to be represented, teams are also expected from Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago (Heat Wave) as well as Team Coco’s. Transportation for cyclists to Berbice will leave the Ministry of Sport, Main Street at 11:00hrs today. Defending champion is Barbadian Jamal Eastman who will be competing for local club, Carlton W h e e l e r s . E a s t m a n ’s winning time was Six hours 58 minutes 13 seconds (06h 58m 13s). He won stages one and two last year while Robin Persaud won the third stage. (Samuel Whyte)

honours in the female category. The respective winners convened at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School Tuesday afternoon last where Competition C o o r d i n a t o r, G o d w y n Allicock, handed over the prizes to the respective winners with assistance from Quacy Matheson, Jason Seelochan and Javed Motiepersaud. M r. A l l i c o c k congratulated the teams and encouraged them to continue practicing in preparation of the National Schools Competition scheduled for later this year.

The Competition Coordinator said that while he was heartened with the general participation level, he was somewhat peeved that only one Primary School enrolled for that segment of the tournament. He was also a bit disappointed that only two of the participating secondary schools fielded female players but said that he was otherwise pleased with the response. The first place winners in both categories each received a trophy and a Mikasa MVA 330 ball donated by the National

Sports Commission and the BVA respectively while the second place finisher received a ball and a FIVB net. JCCSS received a MVA 330 ball for their third place spot. The BVA also presented two Mikasa kids’ balls to Physical Education teacher of the Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary School, Carl Vanier, to assist in that school’s volleyball development programme. The organizers said that they will plan another school’s competition just as soon as the CSEC examinations are completed

KMTC Pre-Independence Horse Race Meet

Berbice Bridge Company Inc. sponsors race The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) is noted for organizing action packed horse race Meets and turfites are expected to come out in their numbers this Sunday, May 18, when those organizers host a PreIndependence event that will feature some of the country’s top thoroughbreds competing for huge monetary prizes. While the action on the track is eagerly anticipated, turfites cannot enjoy these races devoid of the input of the corporate community. As such, it is through obligation and commitment that the management of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has once again acquiesced to another sponsorship deal to offset the huge expenses associated with the

Justice Cecil Kennard (L) gratefully accepts the cheque from Mr. Samaroo at the latter’s office yesterday. organizational costs. Consequently, President of the KMTC, Justice Cecil Kennard visited the Main St office of the sponsor where Chief Executive Officer, Omadatt Samaroo, handed

over a cheque in excess of $150,000 for the winner of the J 3 and W/A race over 5 furlongs. Shortly after the cheque exchanged hands Mr. Samaroo explained that (Continued on page 36)

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Kaieteur News

Guyana Cricket Administration bill passed The National Assembly last evening passed the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill that seeks to provide legal administrative guidelines for cricket, which over the years has become a national sport. The Alliance For Change (AFC) did not support the bill, while the other parliamentary party, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) voted in favour. Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony who presented the bill to the National Assembly said it was drafted after extensive consultations with all stakeholders, and moreso, following recommendations in a ruling made by the High Court. Dr. Anthony pointed out that the bill firstly makes it legal for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to be established as a corporate body comprising the Demerara, Essequibo and the Berbice Cricket Boards, all of which will also be made corporate entities. A section of the bill will address the issue of phantom

voting for the election of persons for administrative positions and at the same time, gives limited power to the Minister of Sports. “We created a unique innovation and we created the position of a cricket Ombudsman, this person will be tasked with the responsibility of verifying and registering of clubs, he or she will have ample time to verify legitimacy of clubs.” The role of the Minister under this legislation will only be to appoint the Ombudsman. “The Minister’s roles has been minimised in this bill, the only role is that which is provided for, he can only appoint the ombudsman, after that first election the role of the minister ceases.” The National Assembly was also told that the bill provides for better financial accountability. As such, the GCB, under this new legislation will be required to present timely audited financial reports to the National Assembly, as well as the National Sports

Commission. “We feel that with greater scrutiny and oversight of financial records, that allegations of financial impropriety will be reduced.” The Subject Minister a d d e d t h a t t h e recommendations from the Chief Justice in his rulings were taken into consideration and were clearly crafted in the bill. Issues raised during public consultations over a period of time were also taken into consideration. Minister Anthony added that he is confident that all the past issues which once hampered cricket in Guyana have been addressed in the bill. Guyana now joins two other Caribbean nations, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados which made the governing bodies for cricket legal entities. This bill also will bring to an end the life of an Interim Management Committee which was established following a court battle and the Chief Justice’s ruling in 2011. (GINA)

EBFA mourns the loss of Delon Barton The executive and members of the East B a n k F o o t b a l l Association is mourning the loss of Grove Hi Tech p l a y e r, D e l o n B a r t o n who passed away as a result of a vehicular accident on the Craig Public Road on May 4, last. The former midfield player was a prominent member of the Grove Hi Tech club and was an integral part of the side that is currently at the helm of the Stag Beer division one league. E B FA P r e s i d e n t Wayne Francios said that Barton’s death came as a shocker to the football fraternity noting that his last hours were spent at the Grove Playfield before he joined his friends in a car that was

Delon Barton involved in the accident. “We at the EBFA would like to extend our sincere condolences to Barton’s family and the Grove Hi Tech Football Club which honed his skills through the years. He was maturing into a fine player and making his contribution, was always

disciplined and dedicated.” President of the Grove Hi Tech Club, Kevin Anthony said that Barton who was born on March 26, 1981, grew up next to the Grove Playfield and was a foundation member of the club. “Barton played with us at every junior level up to the senior team and will always be remembered as one whose efforts helped to shape the club into what it has become today, the leading club on the Eats Bank.” Barton will be laid to rest on Sunday at the D i a m o n d / G r o v e cemetery following a funeral service at the Grove Seven Day Adventist Church, Tank Street. The service begins at 13:00hrs.

Friday May 16, 2014

Memorex U-17 cricket – Berbice

Ramnareshwar Samwaru and Vivek Jagjit achieve 10 wicket match hauls

Adim Shoetyal Play in the Memorex Enterprise Under-17 cricket competition in Berbice commenced recently with two outstanding bowling performances. Adim Shoetyal snapped up 6-30 to help Cotton Tree Die Hard restrict Blairmont Community Centre to 169 in their first innings. Blairmont’s Under-15 pacer Ramnareshwar Samwaru took 4-19 from 9 overs to help bowl out Cotton Tree for 51 in their first innings. When Cotton Tree followed on, Samwaru bagged 6-3 from 7 overs to end with match figures of 1022 from 16 overs engineering Cotton Tree’s second innings total of a mere 11 all out. Samwaru was supported by off-spinner Seon Glasgow who took 4-2 from 5 overs. Port Mourant declared their first innings against Sand Reef Twilight at 166-2; Haresh Jaipaul slammed an unbeaten 65 and Daniel Samaroo hit 59*, the two featuring in a 130 run 3rd wicket partnership. When Sand Reef replied, leg-spinner Vivek Jagjit collected 5-17 from 6 overs and 5-30 from 8.1 overs to bowl out Sand Reef for 61 and 62; Jagjit ended the

Seon Glasgow match with figures of 10-47 from 14.1 overs. Guyana Under-17 batsman Brandon Prasad hit 52, Azam Khan 51 and Joshua Gobin 42* to steer Rose Hall Town Bakewell to 233-6 declared against Cheskoy Riders. Gobin, with his off-spin took 5-6 from 4 overs as Cheskoy were bowled out for 52 in their first innings. Second time around, left arm spinner Keith Simpson snapped up 516 from 9.4 overs to send Cheskoy Riders packing for 102. Pacer Raymond Van Keric and left arm spinner Steffon Anderson had 7 wicket match hauls for Police in their victory over Rose Hall Community Centre. Summarized scores At Blairmont - Blairmont Community Centre trounced Cotton Tree Die Hard by an innings and 107 runs. Blairmont Community Centre first innings 169; Zameer Inshan 35, Javed Karim 31, Seon Glasgow Jr. 24, Adim Shoetyal 6-30, David Samuel 2-40. Cotton tree Die Hard first innings 51; Ramnareshwar Samwaru 4-19, Seon Glasgow Jr. 2-2, Chandredat Veerasammy 2-8

Joshua Gobin and second innings 11; Ramnareshwar Samwaru 63, Seon Glasgow Jr. 4-2. At Port Mourant - Port Mourant banged Sand Reef Twilight by an innings and 43 runs. Port Mourant 166-2 declared; Haresh Jaipaul 65*, Daniel Samaroo 59*. Sand Reef Twilight 61; Vivek Jagjit 5-17, Daniel Samaroo 2-7, Joshua Beharry 2-8 and 62 all out; Vivek Jagjit 5-30, Ezekiel Kempedoo 2-4, Daniel Samaroo 2-22. R o s e H a l l To w n Bakewell 233-6 declared; Brandon Prasad 52, Azam Khan 51, Joshua Gobin 42*, Kevin Nandram 3-40, Sanjay Mohabir 2-50. Cheskoy Riders 52 all out; Nazim Ally 21, Joshua Gobin 5-6, Sylus Tyndall 2-13 and 102 all out; Nazim Ally 49, Keith Simpson 5-16, Brandon Prasad 2-31. At the Rose Hall Welfare Ground, Canje - Police brushed aside Rose Hall Community Centre by 10 wickets. Rose Hall Community Centre 33 all out; Raymond van Kenir 410, Steffon Anderson 3-4 and 76 all out; Kristoff Bahadur 37, Steffon Anderson 4-17, Raymond Van Kenic 3-15, Kevin Sinclair 2-22.

Umpires named for this weekend’s GCA fixtures The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) has named the officials for this weekend’s Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) matches. Tomorrow, Shannon Crawford and Yosef Yisrael will take charge of the Carib Beer first-division T20 final between host Police and Georgetown Cricket Club with Zaheer Mohamed as standby. In the Hadi’s World City Mall Inc. first-division 2-

day, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will entertain Everest with Hortence Isaacs and Cyril Garnath in charge. Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) will host Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) under the guidance of Edward Nicholls and Chaitram Persaud. In Noble House Sea Foods second-division 2-day play, Everest will face Transport Sports Club at GYO with Javed Persaud and

Leyland Liverpool doing duties; MSC clash with DCC a t M u s l i m Yo u t h Organisation, Anwar Baksh and Heuvel Cunha officiating. Police will travel to Guyana Defense Force under the watchful eyes of Randolph Rose and Deon Feassal while University of Guyana will be at home to GNIC, Joseph Jeffery and Cyril Goberdhan are the umpires.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 16, 2014

Page 43

GABF allows use of CASH again After being locked out from the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Wednesday, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) was granted permission for its players to use the facility yesterday afternoon to continue preparations for upcoming tournaments including the Inter Guiana Games and the Caribbean Championships. Speaking with the media at the Sports Hall yesterday, President of the GABF, Nigel Hinds stated that the Director of Sport Neil Kumar cancelled their practice sessions after several articles were published in the Kaieteur and Stabroek Newspapers thus hampering the players’ preparations. Hinds explained that he was invited to Parliament yesterday to speak with

s e v e r a l s e n i o r parliamentarians after which he was told to let the players turn up at the venue. “We had to wait for 40 minutes outside because the security guard said he does not have the keys which he eventually released after Vice President Michael Singh telephoned Kumar”, he added. Hinds indicated that the issue has not yet been resolved because they have requested from the National Sports Commission the use of the facility on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and are still waiting on a response. The Georgetown Presidential Under-19 team practiced at the venue last evening and Hinds stated that players will be added to the squad after the Inter Association senior and (Continued on page 36)

Members of the Georgetown Presidential Under-19 team going through their paces

Digicel hosts another Coaches Workshop in West Berbice Now into its fourth year, Organisers of the Digicel Schools Football Tournament continue to pull out all the stops to ensure that the all round standard of the competition surpasses that of last year’s. Digicel, the Company that has been investing hugely in the development of the sport in Guyana has once again demonstrated its commitment to raising the general standard of the tournament and has commenced a series of workshops for coaches which is being conducted by personnel from the Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA) all across the country. Y e s t e r d a y , representatives from the GFCA Ivan Persaud and Andrew Hazel travelled all the way to the Seafield Community Centre at #42 Village, West Coast Berbice where they commenced a two-day workshop that will cover both theoretical and practical sessions for teachers attached to a number of schools registered to participate in this year’s tournament. Persaud, who is also a Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Technical Committee of the Guyana Football Federation dealt with the theoretical aspects of coaching and coaches responsibility in guiding the careers of their

Workshop Facilitator Ivan Persaud (backing camera) seen speaking on the subject of ‘The role of a coach’ to participants yesterday. charges, while Hazel spearheaded the practical sessions with assistance from Persaud. Persaud in his presentation to the 20-plus participants spoke about the important role coaches play in the development of

players, adding that their responsibility apart from enhancing and developing the players’ skills, they were also tasked with nurturing and guiding their careers both on and off the field. In addition to the role of the coaches, Persaud also

touched on the subject of Hydration and Nutrition, stressing their importance in ensuring that a player is physically ready to take on the responsibility of playing a game for the entire duration if required. Also present at yesterday’s Workshop was

Tournament Co-ordinator Lavern Fraser-Thomas, who opened by thanking the participants on behalf of Digicel for participating in the sessions, while imploring on them to gather thoroughly what was being taught and return to their

respective institutions with the understanding that they must pass on the information and techniques to the players. The Company hopes to conduct more workshops in other regions before the scheduled start of competition.

t r o Sp

Jonny Pang plays off the wall against Anthony Islam at the GT Club Wednesday night. Shomari Wilshire (foreground) and Dominic Collins in action at the Georgetown Club.

GSA/Woodpecker National Junior Squash C/ships

Griffith upsets Melville in night two action at GT Club P. 39

The Police team taking a water break during their practice session yesterday at Eve Leary, while at left Police Skipper Royan Fredricks & GCC Skipper Robin Bacchus with the Carib Beer Trophy

GCA’s Carib Beer T20 final set for Eve Leary tomorrow

P. 38

Police aiming to upset GCC in first division-one final since 1980s

FIFA World Cup Countdown Tournament starts in:

27 DAYS

Pernel Schultz scores first Pro League goal P. 38

Pernel Schultz

Guyana Cricket Administration bill passed P. 42

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