Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Some cause happiness It was a multi-racial coalition victory, Dr. Hinds DEAR EDITOR, It is fitting that H.E. President David Arthur Granger should inaugurate this new era of “national unity” with a reminder from the Holy Bible to all the people of Guyana: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” That reference marks the breaching of the God-less years that have shrouded the nation. The accompanying euphoria, at home and in the diaspora, is not distant from that of another cataclysmic age that prompted Wordsworth to write in his
enthusiastic poem; “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, /But to be young was very heaven.” With malice towards none, with charity for all, to borrow from Abraham Lincoln, we are encouraged together to commence again in deep humility the arduous task of healing, reconciling, enforcing the rule of law and upholding our humanity and dignity as a nation. Facing this summon, I am not unmindful of that trenchant observation from Oscar Wilde: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” Cedric L. Joseph
National mood and... From page 4 perceived to be corrupt by the Guyanese populace as was indicated by the Corruption Perception Index Report and in social psychology of public policy, perception by the populace, matters more in determining the success of a policy and the outcome than the reality of the actions of public officials. What the Granger Administration must do is everything in its power to fight that perception of corruption and the implementation of the Commission in the 100 days plan should be of utmost priority so as to harness a better national mood. 3) Fairness Probably most critical to the Granger administration is the notion of fairness in society. It is common knowledge through both historic trends and observation that the PPP/C support base still lies in that of Indo-Guyanese. Compounding that, demonstrative from the voting pattern, much of the support comes from regions outside of Georgetown (rural Guyana). What is critical to ensuring that this economic development is catapulted to a stage which sees confidence and participation from every cross section of the demographic is fairness and equity opportunity in the economy. As such, Indo-Guyanese who reside in rural Guyana must feel just as fairly treated as other demographic cross-sections in different spheres of the society. The Granger administration in addition must ensure that there is a notion of meritocracy in their decision-making whereby nepotism, cronyism and the interests of special interest/oligarchic groups are not being catered for in the deliverance or formation of policy. As such, the populace must feel a sense of security that once they work hard in Guyana, there is a likely chance for upward social mobility because the economic system is so devised, constructed and facilitated by the government. It is my hope, like many other Guyanese, that development occurs and, on a personal basis, faster than seen under the previous administration, with an aim for the Golden Rule of Growth at 8%. With a renewed sense of nationalistic pride, I wish this administration the best as we seek to move forward as a country, under our motto of One People in One Nation with One Destiny. Richard N. Rambarran
DEAR EDITOR, There is nothing inherently racist about Dr. David Hinds expressing pride in his identity or saluting his ethnic group for uniting to vote out the PPP. I applaud Prof. Hinds for his missive “I salute the African Guyanese Sisterin and Brethren” (KN May 19) in which he rightly recognized and glorified the work of his “African brothers and sisters” for their gallant campaign in unison for the APNU+AFC coalition enabling it “to win” the elections. It is a fact as Dr. Hinds noted, without the unswerving loyalty and fealty of the “African sisterin and brethren”, it would have been almost impossible to defeat to the PPP. Without the commitment, religious dedication, unity, and hard work of the sisterin and brethren, getting out every African vote, in what was perhaps the highest turnout of Africans since 1964, the coalition may have able to oust the PPP. However, the African votes alone did not bring about the victory, as it would not have been possible without the votes of the bulk of the mixed races and a fair inclusion of Amerindians and Indians. The opposition victory was owed in large measure to the multi-racial coalition (put together by two statesmen David Granger and
Moses Nagamootoo) albeit largely comprising Africans (not dissimilar to the PPP’s support comprising primarily of Indians). The coming together of the two former political adversaries helped to bring disparate people together attracted to a vision of racial unity. Also, many Indian volunteers worked the ground for the coalition in the Indian villages that bore fruits giving APNU (PNC) the needed votes to take it over the 50% mark. Hinds came across as racially triumphalist, though I do not think that was his intention. Without the Indian votes, the coalition could not have won. Thus, while commending his sisterin and brethren for uniting to vote out the PPP, Prof. Hinds should also have saluted the many Indians who forsook racial loyalty to campaign for the coalition. And he should have also acknowledged the courage of those Indians who broke ranks from their race and voted against the PPP; those who voted against the PPP were seen as disloyal to the race and are referred to as snakes and traitors. Thus, their acts should also be considered as equally heroic if not greater than Hinds’ sisterin and brethren. The volunteers from the diaspora worked the ground convincing Indians to vote the coalition. On
Obviously, Dr. Hinds didn’t get Ms Musa’s memo DEAR EDITOR, I read Dr David Hinds’ gushing letter in SN of May 18, 2015, and could not help but be enthused by his enthusiasm of the coalition’s victory. I expect UN Coordinator Khadija Musa to castigate him for his references to African Guyanese and African Guyanese Sisterin and Brethren, since Ms Musa has decided that we must all only be Guyanese without “divisive” racial identities. Obviously, Dr Hinds did not get Ms Musa’s memo. Ryhaan Shah
volunteerism, many Indians from the Guyanese diaspora flew down (on their own expense) to campaign for the alliance. They were attracted to Nagamootoo and the idea of multi-racial governance, turned off by the hubris of the PPP and its poor governance. Among those who went down were gentlemen I worked with during the democratic revolution such as Joe Ragnauth and Leyland Roopnarine. They should also be saluted for their contributions to the democratic revolution and for helping to usher in a coalition victory. Some others from the diaspora included Joe Persaud and his wife, Derek Basdeo, and Trevor Roopnarain. I was approached to join them on the campaign as I was also asked by friends from APNU, AFC and URP. In fact, two weeks before the election, a leading member of the AFC (a man of integrity) asked me to come on board and endorse the coalition, assuring me of an opposition victory. My response was the same I gave to my friends in APNU, AFC, PPP and URP and those in the diaspora – As a pollster, reporter, and political analyst, I could not join any of the campaigns. I have preferred to remain an objective commentator. Of those who fought the PNC dictatorship within Guyana and abroad, hardly anyone was ever recognized by the PPP government for their heroism. Neither Dr. Hinds nor the coalition should repeat that blunder of the PPP. Thus, I wish to salute Ragnauth (head of the defunct DLM Support Group)
and Leyland and others who played key roles in our struggle against the dictatorship during the 1970s thru the 1990s, as well as those who contributed to the coalition victory during the campaign. Ragnauth and Leyland bravely fought against the oppression of the PNC. I walked many a picket line with Ragnauth in NY and at times we reminisce about the struggle during rare occasions when we meet. Leyland, a stalwart for the URP, was brutalized by thugs and arrested several times for his democratic activism. I joined him on the picket lines a few times in Guyana when I visited during my teaching holidays. Leyland was among the most courageous and militant individuals I met in Guyana fighting for free and fair elections; he earned the wrath of House of Israel thugs. And the PPP and Indians aren’t pleased that he campaigned for the coalition. Singling out the campaign contributions of only the sisterin and brethren is bound to create ethnic fears. Last week’s was a people victory, not an ethnic victory, to celebrate. No one group should get the credit for unseating the PPP. All of those who worked tirelessly to defeat the PPP deserve special praises and recognition. It is a victory for and of the nation. Vishnu Bisram
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Kaieteur News
President orders Police Commissioner to stay high level transfers Some of the recent reshuffled postings within the Guyana Police Force have been put on hold, to allow for consultation with representatives of the newly elected government. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud was advised by senior officials of the coalition administration to halt the replacement of Crime Chief Leslie James with his current deputy Wendell Blanhum. A few other reshuffling moves were also put on hold based on the advice given to Commissioner Persaud. These include the movements of Divisional Commanders in three police divisions. Only the appointments of Assistant Commissioner of Police Brian Joseph and Senior Superintendent Lyndon Alves as Head and Second-in-Command of the Presidential Guard respectively, remain intact. The order to halt the reshuffling is being seen in many quarters within the Force as embarrassing. “These are not simple movements, we’re talking about the Crime Chief here, along with three other important movements,” a police official pointed out. Kaieteur News understands that the decision to put a hold on the appointments might have to do with the absence of a political figurehead to give blessings to adjustments at such senior level. Recently named Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Joseph Harmon confirmed that the administration did advise that a hold be put on the recent transfers. “We were not informed about it, we had no prior information about it, and
- Leslie James is still Crime Chief
Crime Chief Leslie James
Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud
coming so soon after the change of administration, we believe that the incoming Minister should have been given the opportunity to comment on these changes at this senior level and therefore the President has asked Mr. Seelall Persaud, the Commissioner of Police, to put all of these changes on hold until such time that the Minister is appointed,” Harmon explained. While there might be no inclination for the new minister to micro-manage the Force like his predecessor, Commissioner Persaud will definitely have to give reasons for his decision to make certain transfers. The most contentious move by the Commissioner is in relation to the Crime Chief position. Leslie James had taken over the CID when Seelall Persaud assented to the office of Commissioner of Police last year from Leroy Brumell. “The President has said clearly to the Commissioner of Police that he does not want these high level changes to take place unless the incoming Minister has an opportunity to be briefed on them as to the reasons for it,”
Harmon stated. As to whom the new Minister of Home Affairs will be, Harmon was noncommittal, only venturing to say that “it will be an AFC person.” The David Granger administration has not yet appointed a Minister of Home Affairs, following their victory at the recently concluded General Elections. It is being rumoured that it will be attorney at law Khemraj Ramjattan, who heads the Alliance for Change, the other major party in the coalition movement that will govern Guyana for the next five years. According to some senior police officials, there is no doubt that James is facing unique challenge related to his own personality. In the case of Blanhum, a top police official stated that while he might have quite a long list of qualifications, a lack of experience might work against him at this time. “Academic qualifications are all well and good but they are not the panacea for what is required to deal with law enforcement, particularly when you don’t have a solid i n v e s t i g a t i v e background….the funny thing is that there seems to be persons who are privileged to attend university most of the time rather than do actual police work,” an ex-officer expressed.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Lethem contractor escapes from Brazilian maximum security prison - narrowly avoids being sent back
Clyde King leaves the Lethem Police Station yesterday with his wife Amoline. A Guyanese man, who escaped from prison in Brazil, managed to avoid being sent back to the Portuguesespeaking country by local police at Lethem yesterday. Clyde King called “Bora” was released by Guyanese police just before he was to be handed over to Brazilian lawmen, who had come across the border in search of him and another Brazilian, who had also escaped from a maximum security prison last Friday. King, a contractor of Tabatinga, Central Rupununi was arrested in Brazil back in February following a drug bust there. He explained that he has been travelling to the neighbouring country for a number of years, sometimes twice a week to purchase building material. His mother and his son live in Brazil. King claimed that the Brazilian police had busted some Guyanese in a car that contained marijuana. He said that although he had no connection to the narcotics he was still arrested since he was in the vicinity where the bust was made. “They say we are all Guyanese and they arrested everybody,” King related. He was taken to prison in Boa Vista where he remained
for three months without being charged. According to King, while in prison he befriended several Brazilian prisoners who advised him to escape. “I took the chance and succeeded. It was three of us; two other Brazilians and me. I made it back to Guyana on Friday,” he said. He had no problems until yesterday when a party of heavily armed policemen turned up at his house and took him to the Lethem Police Station. He was terrified when he arrived at the station and heard the local police contacting their Brazilian counterparts, who subsequently turned up. King immediately became worried that he would be sent back to Brazil to be incarcerated again. Word of his arrest and possible “extradition” to Brazil was relayed to this newspaper and contact was made with a senior police official. The senior Guyana police official did indicate that it was possible that King could be sent back to Brazil. But, residents at Lethem were arguing that King’s arrest by the local police was unlawful since he had committed no crime here. They also argued that since he was not charged with any crime in Brazil he cannot be handed over to police authorities from Brazil, a country with which Guyana has no extradition treaty.
By this time King’s wife Amoline and others had arrived at the station. “I begged them not to send me back to Brazil. At the time I didn’t know what they were going to do to me because I did not understand what the Brazilian police were saying,” King told Kaieteur News. King was eventually released after local police received instructions from their superiors in Georgetown. However, one of the Brazilians who had escaped with him to Guyana was captured and subsequently handed over to his countrymen. King said that he will not go back to Brazil because, “if I only cross the border, they will hold on to me.” He informed that during his incarceration in Brazil he was not afforded a telephone call to contact his family or an attorney. King said that there are many other Guyanese who are languishing in prison in Brazil for months without charge. “They are being held for nothing. Some of them are in there for eleven months and never see court. The Guyana Consulate don’t do anything to help you, they never go to the prison to look after the welfare of Guyanese. Some people have even overspent their time in Brazilian jail and there is nothing our people are doing about it,” King said.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Colombia rescuers search for landslide victims, over 60 dead
Residents remove mud and debris as they search for bodies after a landslide in the municipality of Salgar, in Antioquia department Monday. REUTERS/Stringer SALGAR, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombian rescuers yesterday continued searching for victims of a landslide that sent torrents of water and mud crashing onto a neighborhood in the town of Salgar, killing more than 60 people and injuring dozens in the worst disaster of its kind for a decade. Rescue efforts using search dogs resumed at dawn after being suspended overnight to find a still unknown number of people missing since the landslide in the early hours of Monday morning. The national disaster unit said in a statement that 64 were killed and at least 40 others had been treated for injuries. The homes of more than 500 people were destroyed or damaged. Heavy rains caused a landslide into the La Liboriana ravine, blocking it off and causing an overflow which destroyed the neighb o r h o o d b e l o w, t h e
country’s worst landslide since 2005. “It took my sister and my nephews and we haven’t been able to find them,” said Blanca Moreno, 50, standing near an improvised morgue set up in the local cemetery for the identification of victims. “That’s why we’re here, to see what information we can get, to see if they’ve been found.” Authorities in Salgar, nestled inside steep Andean
slopes in a coffee-growing region in Antioquia department, northwest of the capital, Bogota, have partially restored electricity and water services. Some 18,000 people had been without drinking water, the United Nations said. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visited the affected area on Monday and declared a public emergency, freeing up relief funds for victims.
Earthquake hits south of Trinidad and Tobago capital PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Residents reported feeling slight tremors Monday afternoon as a 3.1 magnitude earthquake occurred just south of the capital. The University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Centre said the quake hit around 3:59 p.m at a depth of 38 kilometres
in the Gulf of Paria. Its location put it 11 kilometres south of Port of Spain, 26 kilometres southwest of Arima, and 34 kilometres north of San Fernando. The Seismic Centre said the earthquake was reportedly felt in Maraval, Petit Valley and St. Augustine.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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REDUCING SUSPICION IS THE BEST ANTIDOTE FOR ELECTORAL SLOTH The last time local government elections were held in Guyana, the results for those elections were known on the very night of the elections. At that time the systems at GECOM were far more archaic than they are today, yet the Commission was able to release the results on the very night of the elections. The electoral system for local government elections allowed this to happen. This however could not happen in general elections, where all the votes in the country have to be counted before it is known who has won and how seats are to be apportioned. This example is used to illustrate the fact that it is the system that breeds delays and not necessarily the absence of technology. The
use of technologies would not necessarily guarantee a faster declaration, because the reason for the sloth in the system has to do with the multiple layers of checks and balances in place. These checks and balances are in turn required because of the suspicion that hangs over the elections. The key, therefore, to ensuring a faster declaration of the results, rests less with technology than it does with reforming the electoral system, so as to reduce suspicion. Reaching agreement on changes in the country’s electoral system is not easily achieved. It took close to seven years for the PPPC and the PNCR to reach agreement on local government reforms. The Constitutional Reform
Process that led to the 2003 amendments to the Constitution of Guyana was five years in the making. Against this background, it is difficult to envisage electoral reform that will lead to improved efficiency of the electoral machinery. As such, the Commission may have to consider the lesser option of introducing improved technology in the electoral process. But this is easier said than done. Many persons have complained at how long it took the Commission to tally up the results of 2,299 polling stations. However, no one else did better than the Commission. APNU+AFC on the afternoon after the elections announced that it had an unassailable lead. Well, it turned out that the
Dem boys seh...
After one time is another A man wid he ordinary Toyota Carina pass by de Waterfalls paper laughing. He mek a circle and he stop. When dem boys ask him why he suh happy he seh that he now love he li’l car. When he go home in de night this car does park in he yard. But dem big boys who use to slant dem shoulder when dem driving dem Prada, Haada and Whoda, suddenly got to send dem cars back to de various Ministry and government institution. Dem use to park dem same Prada, Haada and Whoda any way and anyhow. Dem never use to worry bout de vehicle suh dem use to park dem pun de road in front dem house.
Now dem using dem private vehicle dem parking in de yard wheh a dawg can’t even bark at it. Ashni and Ten Edghill use to bark pun de nation when dem open dem mouth. Dem use to talk to people anyhow and dem tell de nation anything when dem was sitting in de chair. De table tun and dem ain’t got no more chair to sit in. De chair belong to de new man called Jordanite. Dem been kick dis same Jordanite after dem use him for several years to prepare de budget. Dem boys hear that when he move in de chair Monday,
he summon dem Ten Edghill and Ashni before him. De two of dem come wid dem two lang hand and stand up before de Jordanite. Dem boys hear that de Jordanite tell dem after he question dem, “You-all come wid y-all two long hand. Get out and come back wid fact and figures to support wha you telling me.” De staff see when de two of dem go in looking like two fowl cock and dem lef wid dem mouth open when dem see de two of dem come out looking like two wet Senseh hen. Talk half and watch when dem going in back.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.
lead was not as unassailable as the party presumed. The PPP also said that it had a comfortable lead and was confident of victory. It late screamed that it was cheated. The Stabroek News launched an initiative of reporting on the results of the elections. It was not able to obtain more than 15% of the results of the total number of polling stations. Perhaps even if the entire media had come together in this initiative it would not have done better. We are yet to hear from the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB). I will have more to say about this body at a later date, but from all accounts it was unable to field volunteers at more than 40% of the polling stations, a most disgraceful effort. This column had urged organizations such as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to come together with the EAB to ensure that every polling station was covered. The PSC did not participate in the observing the elections. If it did, perhaps much of the suspicion would have been avoided. As much, therefore, as
people have beat up on GECOM for the long time it takes to tally the results of the elections, no one has been able to do better. In fact, the EAB usually has to go around begging parties for the results at the polling stations where they did not have a presence. As a result, their verdict on the count is usually not known until months after the elections. Yet people continue to be harsh on GECOM. They continue to be critical, even going as far as calling for the resignation of the Chairman. No system, however, is foolproof. If you ask anyone to tally 2,299 numbers, there will be
mistakes due to human error. Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue. There are systems in place which can be used to guarantee the quick and accurate tallying of votes. These systems can be part of a technological package which can aid in ensuring greater accuracy and speed in the electoral process. The downside of course is that it requires a greater deal of competence from polling officials; it also increases rather than decreases that old bogey: suspicion. In a subsequent column, I will discuss some possible solutions.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
A change gonna come. It came for me “Here are the lyrics of one of Rhythm and Blues’ most famous songs by one of Rhythm and Blues’ most famous names, Sam Cooke I was born by the river in a little tent Oh and just like the river I’ve been running ev’r since It’s been a long time, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die ‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there, beyond the sky It’s been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will I go to the movie and I go downtown Somebody keep tellin’ me don’t hang around It’s been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will Then I go to my brother And I say brother help me please But he winds up knockin’ me Back down on my knees, oh There have been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long But now I think I’m able to carry on It’s been a long, a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will”
I guess May 11, 2015 has now taken its place in the calendar of historical dates of this country. Will we make it a holiday? I doubt it. This country already has too many holidays but I would suggest we replace Caricom Day with Democracy Day, May 11. What purpose does Caricom Day serve? How important has been Caricom to Guyana? When we needed Caricom after Parliament was prorogued the Caricom Council of Ministers endorsed the prorogation. I hate living next to that Secretariat. If I am given a house-lot, I may build another house and move out. The change came on May 11. I was never in doubt that the change was not going to come. There is a line in the
song that says; “There have been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long.” I never felt that way during the sadistic moments of PPP dictatorship. I would be lying if I said that there were not mornings and nights, I felt the overpowering pangs of angst. It happens to all of us who struggle against dictatorship. Let no one fool you; there are episodes of pain and chagrin. They may pierce your psyche with questions of time and purpose. I remember moments in the Brickdam lock-up when Mark Benschop asked me if I was sleeping and I didn’t answer.He became silent because he thought I had dosed off. But I was going through some personal reflections. Why was I in a dirty, stink cell for a mere traffic offence? Is this what my life will be? Will I ever see a new horizon and enjoy a new Guyana with
my wife and daughter? In the afternoon Nigel Hughes, Khemraj Ramjattan and Gino Persaud turned up at the station. That night, Lincoln Lewis and Dale Andrews stood on Brickdam, outside the police station and yelled out for us. That is when you know that you are not alone and there are others out there who will stand by you. I remember when I came home from the hospital after I was attacked and my car stolen at my home in Wortmanville, my wife knew it was not robbery and her looks were of mental burden. Then her boss at GOINVEST, Geoff Da Silva walked into our yard. Mr. Da Silva jeopardized his job with the Government to do that and it transformed the mood of my wife. I will never forget that courageous gesture by this man. Then Raphael Trotman walked in minutes after Da Silva and it lifted my spirits too. These are the tiny
Frederick Kissoon moments that have large meanings in the life of a human rights activist. And they give you the strength to go on. You know you are not alone. As the years pass, the angst remains but the passion and the purpose compete with it for space in your mind and the passion and the purpose win out and guide you to higher levels of soulfulness. I know a change was going to come. I never despaired that the world would forever leave Guyana out of its embrace. In Guyana, dictatorship had occupied frightening levels of evil under the PPP. Broken bodies and lacerated spirits filled the jar of hope. But hope is a flame that burns incandescently. It illuminates the heart, mind and soul. And it convinces you that a change will come. On May 11, 2015, it came for me.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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2011 versus 2015 Regional and General Elections results The recently concluded Regional and General Elections as well as that which was conducted three years ago, was perhaps the most interesting yet in Guyana’s history. For one, the 2011 elections was one in which the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was the first ever to form a minority government. As the combined opposition of the then separated A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) held one seat more than the PPP/ C, the common feature of Parliamentary sittings had been the constant tit-for-tat over the nation’s administration. The country’s tenth Parliament did not last its five-year life as the threat of a NoConfidence Motion against the PPP/C government led former President Donald Ramotar to prorogue it. Later, the Opposition forces, APNU and AFC, joined together to form a coalition and successfully challenged the 23-year rule of the PPP/C in the last elections. With both parties busy promoting their ideas of development, the campaign trail of the 2015 elections was one which saw politicians repeatedly emphasizing “every vote counts” and with the results of these elections, it was clear why that would have been. On May 11, last, Guyanese turned out in their numbers and the recent results saw both parties gaining more votes than the last. See results of the 2011 and 2015 elections:
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Telecoms, AML bills high on agenda of 11th Parliament - Harmon
Head (ag) of the Presidential Secretariat, Joseph Harmon The liberalisation of the telecommunications sector is set to become a reality with the new administration. Head (ag) of the Presidential Secretariat, Joseph Harmon, in an interview with the National Communications Network Inc., on Monday indicated that the new APNU+AFC administration intends to put on the front-burner the passage of the Telecommunications Bill in the 11th Parliament. Harmon, in a Government statement, explained that the Bill was on the verge of conclusion, prior to the prorogation of the last Parliament. The Bill, which was first introduced in 2011, and revised in 2013, was at the level of Select Committee in
the 10th Parliament. It is set to address concerns, including those of the industry’s stakeholders. “When the Parliament was prorogued, we were on the verge of completing the works in the Special Select Committee for the entire package of legislation… since the bulk of the work was already done, I think we can have consent on the way forward, to ensure that that happens (the Bill is passed),” Harmon explained. “We have to really move this sector forward. It is important not only to businesses, but to the school children, the people in the education system, so we can have better bandwidth, faster communication with the rest of the world,” he said. He noted that, “it is something that is so unusual, when foreigners come and they want to access the internet and it is so slow, it can hinder them from doing business in the way they want to do it.” The Bill seeks to create a competitive regime in the telecommunications sector. It provides for an open, liberalised and competitive sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors, while preserving the activities of the current participants. By creating this competitive environment for telecommunications, the Bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of
Telecoms liberalization laws will be one of the top priorities of the new government.
service and lower prices for consumers. The Bill also specifically addresses the expansion of telecommunication networks and services into un-served and under-served areas, through the institution of a new universal access/ universal service programme, in an effort to further national, regional, social and economic development. The passage had been delayed after the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, met resistance from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), which has the monopoly on landline and international calls. GT&T wanted to negotiate. Meanwhile, Harmon who
is to be Minister in charge of the Ministry of the Presidency-currently known as the Office of the President, said that the country will, within the 11th Parliament, join the rest of the countries that have passed and implemented their AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill. This Bill too was at the level of a Special Select Committee, ready to facilitate amendments put forward by the new administration, when it was in the opposition. These amendments had to do with strengthening the enforcement of the Bill, so as to make it more relevant. Its passage had been delayed because of the standoff between the
Opposition and the former administration during the 10th Parliament. ”I can say that (the passage of the AML Bill) is a priority for us,” Harmon said. He said that this is one matter in which the new administration will test the truthfulness and the positions of the Opposition, to see if they really want the Bill to pass. “We will put it back on the front burner, and we will let the Guyanese people see that we are going to push aggressively for it,” Harmon said. “We have always said that we wanted Anti Money Laundering Legislation that was wholesome, that dealt with the mechanisms for enforcement, and we have
those things already in the draft before the Special Select Committee. So it is just a matter of getting back there, getting the arguments finished very quickly and getting it (the Bill) before the floor,” he explained. Passage of the internationally-required legislation, emanating out of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), a body that is responsible for monitoring the operations of legislation of this type throughout the Caribbean, is to achieve effective implementation of and compliance with international recommendations on the prevention and control of money laundering and the combating of the financing of terrorism.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
EU launches new disaster preparedness plan for C’bean region The European Union (EU) has allocated 10 million Euros for risk reduction activities in the Caribbean. “Communities highly exposed to floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes will benefit from disaster preparedness projects funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), through its DIPECHO Programme (Disaster Preparedness ECHO),” EU said yesterday. A total of 14 projects will be implemented in the region between 2015 and 2016 in order to reduce the vulnerability to natural hazards and to better prepare communities and authorities to respond to emergencies. ”We have been working on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Caribbean for more than a decade. We recognize this topic has become more relevant, but there are still significant needs in terms of resources and capacities,” said Virginie André, ECHO official responsible for the Caribbean. “Through the DIPECHO programme, we support local and national efforts in order for institutions and communities to better anticipate the potential impact of any natural adverse event, and to limit their consequences. The focus is on strengthening capacities and changing attitudes to save lives,” commented André. The 2015-2016 DIPECHO Action Plan aims at reducing the impact of future disasters in the Caribbean by preparing vulnerable populations affected by frequent disasters
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Tripped Kingston transformers caused Demerara shutdown - GPL The Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) says that two tripped transformers at Kingston caused the shutdown of the Demerara system Monday night. “On Monday evening at approximately 22:21 hours, two 35 MVA transformers at the Kingston Wartsila Power Plant tripped, causing a total shutdown of the Demerara Berbice Systems. An assessment of the origin of the initial trip is ongoing in an effort to perform the necessary remedial work and mitigate future occurrences,” GPL said yesterday. Repowering efforts commenced about 20 minutes into the shutdown in Demerara continuing into Berbice with the last affected community being repowered at 01:37hrs yesterday. “GPL extends sincerest apologies for any inconveniences caused and reaffirm our company’s commitment in providing quality and reliable electricity to our valued customers.”
Bail for welder caught with fake $US Guyana is likely to benefit from a 10 million Euros disaster preparedness cash injection from the EU. and strengthening their resilience. Activities funded include simple and inexpensive preparatory measures carried out by the communities themselves, such as risk mapping, emergency plans, early warning systems, education campaigns and small infrastructure projects; all activities are aimed at avoiding the loss of lives, property and livelihood. Actions also focus on urban risks and are aimed at reducing cities’ vulnerability. More than 400,000 people will benefit from this assistance throughout the region. ECHO’s strategy in the Caribbean in the framework of the DIPECHO programme includes the consolidation of successful experiences developed in the region
during the past years, support to national programs for Safe Schools and Hospitals, strengthening of early warning systems, and optimization of information management and communication about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the region. ECHO advocates for the integration of DRR efforts into the Caribbean development policy, that is why it facilitates meetings and dialogue between the actors involved in risk management and promotes the adoption of policies and strategies related to DRR. In that way, all DIPECHO projects will be implemented in close coordination with the national risk management systems of each country and the Caribbean Disaster
Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The Caribbean, one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world, is the scenario in which disaster preparedness projects funded by ECHO have been constantly and successfully tested, as it has been shown in recent emergency responses. Since 1994, ECHO has allocated over 488 million Euros in humanitarian assistance to the Caribbean. Of these, 70 million euros were allocated to disaster risk reduction and preparedness in the region contributing to strengthened resilience of the most vulnerable people in the region. Guyana itself has been facing increasing threats from flooding with erratic weather patterns and rising sea levels.
On Monday a welder made a court appearance after it was alleged that he had forged US currency in his possession. Simeon Christopher, 34, of Lot 39 Houston Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on May 15, he had one US$100 note in his possession knowing that it was forged. He was released on $10,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and will return to court on May 25. His attorney, Dexter Todd in a successful bail application argued that the defendant had no intention of using the money to conduct illegal activities. He contended that Christopher has an unblemished criminal record. The lawyer explained that his client would usually buy US currency from cambios around Georgetown to use whenever he leaves Guyana, while adding that the defendant works on a ship that was heading to Grenada at the time of the discovery. The ship would usually frequent Caribbean islands to deliver sand, stone and other materials. Todd explained too that at the time of the discovery his client had over US$4,000 in his possession and the US$100 note was found between the other notes. Todd pointed out that his client has been co-operating with the police investigation and has informed them of how he came in possession of the fake US note. Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves had no objections to bail but requested that special conditions be applied. The defendant was ordered to report to the Narcotics Branch at Police Head Quarters Eve Leary, every Friday. This matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Courts.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Tackling vector borne diseases effectively requires collaboration – Vector Control Director Reiterating that the Chikungunya virus is still a real public health threat, Director of Vector Control Services within the Ministry Health, Dr Reyaud Rahman, yesterday emphasised the need for sustained collaboration to keep the potential impact at a bare minimum. Dr Rahman’s remarks were forthcoming as he addressed the executive members of the Region Three Health and Wellness Club yesterday. The meeting which was venued at the West Demerara Regional Hospital came as part of the Vector Control Services Director to reach out to various communities across the country in the quest to ensure that people are knowledgeable about the various mosquito borne vectors that the local health sector has had to deal with. His talk with the group comes at a time when yet another mosquito borne virus threat has surfaced. There have been reports of an outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil. Not only does the virus manifest similarly to dengue fever but it is also transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. According to Dr Rahman, there is currently no information to suggest that the virus has reached the Caribbean. He however asserted that the Ministry, as
The meeting in session yesterday.
always, will remain on high alert when it comes to vector borne diseases in any form. Although the Ministry’s response to the emerging virus is one that this publication understands is slated for extensive discussion, it is expected that the tactic that will be employed will mirror those used to tackle other mosquito borne viruses. The Zika transmitting mosquito, the Aedes Aegypti, is also credited with transmitting the Chikungunya virus. Guyana for the first time last year was faced with an outbreak of the Chikungunya virus, which, like most other vector borne viruses, is manifested with
vomiting, nausea, muscle and joint pains, rashes, headaches and could include loss of appetite, among other symptoms. According to Dr Rahman, during the outbreak last year the reported cases of the Chikungunya virus amounted to an average of 20 per week but currently there are reports of about two cases per week. He therefore, in stressing the need for collaboration, asserted that a reduction in the number of cases does not mean that the virus is no longer a threat. He pointed out that while the Ministry has been vigilant in combating the Chikungunya virus and other vector borne diseases and has been seeing
laudable gains, there is still need for certain measures to be consistently taken. Among those the Vector Control Director outlined was the need for potable water sources to be well covered. In fact he insisted that any source that can store relatively clean water that is not covered must not remain stagnant for more than three days. Such stagnant water he told the Club members are suitable breeding grounds for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
And it is the expectation of Dr Rahman that the group will be able to educate those residing in Region Three of the need to keep their environment kempt and by extension help reduce the threat of the virus. “Where we stop short you guys can help,” said Dr Rahman as he encouraged the group to take a more active role in tackling mosquito borne viruses. And he is convinced that the persons residing in a particular Region can play an
even greater education role. “Even though we talk and talk, we don’t always get through to everybody so we need your help to get the message out there,” said Dr Rahman as he assured the Club members of needful support to help safeguard the Region. The offer is however not unique to Region Three as according to Dr Rahman his Department has been rendering similar support to other Regions and is prepared to extend the offer further. The extent of the support, he noted, could include the training of persons within the Region to fog and conduct residual spraying with World Health Organisationapproved chemicals as these are strategic measures that can help to reduce the mosquito population. A number of questions about the Chikungunya virus were asked of Dr Rahman who enlightened the inquiring Club members that aside from the regular insect repellant, persons could opt to use Fendona in the home. Touted as a fast acting insecticide, Fendona when applied to walls in a home Continued on page 15
GWI billboards conflict …Impressions boss maintains job was done as specified
The billboard had previously been commissioned as a GWI ad but instead was changed to be used as a campaign tool for the PPP/C. Growing tensions between the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and a local advertising company continue over the refusal of payment by the utility company for billboards allegedly modified for campaigning. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that GWI and the advertising agency Impressions were at loggerheads over billboards ordered by the former. When contacted yesterday, Neil Sooklall, owner of Impressions, indicated that he was not in the wrong in the ensuing conflict. Instead, he questioned why he would erect billboards if they were not as specified. However, when questioned on whether GWI had indeed specified that the PPP/C logo and slogan was to be a part of the billboards, Sooklall danced around the question and
instead maintained that he would share all of the correspondence between the agencies in due time. Meanwhile, GWI is maintaining that it will not pay the bill worth nearly $7M. According to a GWI source, the billboards, costing about $350,000 each, were indeed ordered with specific designs that had been agreed upon by both parties. However, a subsequent check of the erected billboards showed that they did not conform to the previously agreed upon design but were instead modified to be used by the PPP/C for campaigning, with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) elections slogan, “for a strong, stable and secure Guyana vote PPP/C” added. The invoice indicated that nearly 2 dozen billboards were ordered by the utility company.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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I did not shoot Shaquille Grant City Hall soliciting further revamping support – accused policeman tells court Police Constable, Terrence Wallace told the court yesterday that he did not fire any shots at murdered Agricola youth, Shaquille Grant. Grant, 17, of Lot 110 Caesar Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara was shot and killed after ranks on a mobile police patrol swooped down on a group of youths in the community on September 11, 2012. Subsequent to investigations, Tactical Services Unit (TSU) ranks Terrence Wallace, Warren Blue and Jamal Lewis were charged for the murder. The latter two had reportedly evaded the course of justice. Lance Corporal Blue subsequently met his demise during his involvement in a botched robbery attack last December. Wallace is on trial for Grant’s murder before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury at the Georgetown High Court. The matter is being prosecuted by State Counsel Judith Gildharie-Murslain and Narissa Leander. Attorney Sonia Parag is providing legal representation to the accused. After electing to give the court a sworn statement
MURDERED: Shaquille Grant yesterday, the policeman recounted that he was on mobile duty in Kitty on the day that Grant was shot and killed. He recalled that while at Kitty, he received a telephone call from his cousin Travis David, who lived in Agricola. Wallace said that his cousin informed him that a group of boys had gathered in his (cousin’s) yard. He recalled that his cousin had called a second time to relate that more boys were in the yard. The accused said that as a result, he relayed the information to Corporal Blue, who along with other ranks,
Cuban man fined for overstaying time in Guyana A Cuban national was ordered to pay a fine of $30,000 or spend two weeks at the Camp Street jail, after he pleaded guilty to an immigration charge. Francesco Gonzales admitted to Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, on Monday that between January 6 and May 15, he failed to comply with the conditions of his permit. Gonzales was granted a permit to stay in Guyana from December 5, 2014 to January 6, 2015 but he overstayed his time. He explained through an interpreter that he was employed by a woman in Georgetown, to work on a pig farm and the woman never paid him. Gonsalves told the court that he extended his stay in the country, hoping that he would be remunerated for his work. He promised that once the woman pays him, he will go back home. Gonzales also told the court that he has no pending or previous matters in Guyana or in his homeland. He further alleged that before being taken into custody he had lodged $30,000 with immigration officers but only $25,000 was returned to him. He therefore
Francesco Gozales explained that he did not have all the money to post bail. Upon hearing the allegation the magistrate ordered Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves to launch an investigation into the matter.
were on patrol not too far from the area. The officer said that he also left Kitty and headed to Agricola, where they met the boys in the yard. He said that as they approached the gang, one of the boys, Romell Bollers pulled out a gun and fired a shot in their direction. Wallace said that he immediately returned fire, targeting Bollers. The officer related that he shot the suspect but at the same time, two other gun shots were fired from behind him; he did not know who fired the shots. Wallace told the court that he subsequently told the boys to lie on the ground as he proceeded to pick up the gun Bollers had – it was a .38 revolver with five matching rounds. The officer said that afterwards he noticed Grant had been shot. The accused told the court he did not shoot Grant because he posed no threat to him. He later clarified that he had no cause to shoot him. Prior to his statement, the evidence of Troy Greenidge, another boy who was present at the time of the shooting was admitted into the trial. The evidence was read aloud to the court by police inspector, Stephen Telford. In his evidence Telford related that Greenidge implicated Wallace in the death of Shaquille Grant. He had told investigators that it was Wallace who fired the first shot which hit both Bollers and Grant. According to the information Greenidge provided at the initial stages of the trial, the bullet which injured Bollers also hit Grant to the head. The trial is expected to resume on Thursday for summing up and deliberations by the jury.
With the election of a new Government, the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition, a number of interesting developments have been unfolding. Among these is the noticeable support from the private sector towards efforts at restoring the Capital city. Formerly referred to as the Garden City, Georgetown over the years has been tagged with a less than flattering moniker – the Garbage City – which essentially is self explanatory. But according to information emanating from the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (City Hall) yesterday, this state of affairs seems to be embracing a reversing trend. This has been attributed to the already tremendous level of support that has been forthcoming in less than a week to address the state of the city. And the M&CC has not failed to express its gratitude for the support from entities such as B.K. International, members of the private sector and other stakeholders for using their equipment and other necessary resources to assist with critical drainage works in the city. A statement from M&CC Public Relations Officer, Royston King, noted that “these works are vital to the health and development of the capital.” He went on to point out that citizens are all too familiar with the fact that for more than 15 years the Council was starved of funds and other resources to get on with its work. King recounted too that efforts to raise revenue to enhance the municipality’s coffers were met with stubborn resistance by the
M&CC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Royston King previous administration. The outcome was that the M&CC’s capacity and ability to perform even basic municipal services were retarded. “One critical area in which this is very evident is drainage,” outlined King as he pointed out that a substantial percentage of city drains are clogged with overgrowth and other hindrances, thereby restricting the flow of storm water through these channels. As a result, he added that many sections of the city have consistently experienced overtopping whenever there are heavy rains. Citizens, according to him, continue to complain but the City Council remains
unable to help, in a real and substantial way. This he asserted is due to the magnitude of the problem and the shallowness of the city treasury which have created a gap that requires urgent interventions such as the one undertaken by the aforementioned support. As such he admitted that, “this new era of change has ushered in hope, goodwill and enthusiasm on the part of all Guyanese to restore Georgetown to its former glory. Council welcomes this.” Presently, King highlighted, that the city engineers are reviewing and finalizing arrangements to improve its competencies in this area of its responsibility and to move the city forward by providing efficient and effective municipal services to all local communities. He is therefore optimistic that others (private sector) will come on board and support this effort to restore and beautify Georgetown and to keep it clean and tidy at all times. Restoring the city from all indications is listed prominently on the agenda of the newly elected A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government.
Tackling vector borne... From page 14 could help eliminate disease causing insects. While it is not believed to be harmful, Dr Rahman advised that spraying of the inside walls of the home should be done when it is void of people. After seeking answers to a number of other questions on how to effectively tackle the Chikungunya virus, the Club members yesterday assured Dr Rahman that they would be supportive of the efforts of the Health Ministry’s. The Health and Wellness Club recently celebrated one year of existence and has as its mission to educate, support and empower people within the Region to improve and maintain their overall health and wellbeing through healthy lifestyle choices and behaviours.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Man charged with Health Ministry still struggling to suspected bandit’s murder raise awareness about “Abortion” Act Several months after a suspected bandit was shot and killed, the police have charged a man with his murder. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry yesterday was Lawrence Wayne. He was not required to plead to the capital offence. Particulars of the charge alleged that between August 23 and August 24, 2014, at Alberttown, Wayne murdered Dexter Lindo. The prosecutor informed the court that investigations have been completed. The matter was adjourned until June 5, for reports and fixture. The Preliminary Inquiry is also expected to commence on that day. Lindo, 26, of Shell Road, Kitty, was shot three times about his body around 13:00 hrs, on August 23, last. He succumbed the following
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Murder accused: Lawrence Wayne
Suspected bandit: Dexter Lindo in his hospital bed last year
day while receiving treatment at the Balwant Singh Hospital. According to the police, on the day in question, two men armed with handguns had entered the Wayne Beverage Paradise stall at Merriman’s Mall, Bourda, and upon seeing the duo the female owner ran and raised an alarm. A licensed firearm holder responded. The two armed men then fled in a waiting motor vehicle driven by an accomplice. However, they were followed by the licenced firearm holder in his vehicle, who subsequently caught up with the getaway car at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown.
The licensed firearm holder reportedly confronted a man who had exited the car and entered a shop in the area. That man turned out to be Lindo, who reportedly whipped out a gun and was shot to his abdomen by the licensed firearm holder. Lindo managed to escape on foot, but an unlicensed .32 Beretta Pistol with four rounds that he had in his possession was recovered and handed over to the police. The police said that the injured bandit was later found at a private hospital, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
There are currently just below 20 local doctors across the public and private health sectors, which are licensed to perform medical termination of pregnancy (abortion). At least this was the speculative disclosure of Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in an invited comment to this publication. Dr. Persaud, who has been desperately trying to raise awareness within the health arena about the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, is at a loss that some doctors, to date, seem unaware of its existence. “All the (health) reporters of this country probably know about the Act, so I don’t understand how some doctors don’t know about it,” opined Dr Persaud. The Act is one that came into being in 1995 under the tenure of then Minister of Health, Ms. Gail Teixeira. Although it was the subject of some criticism, there were many who were pleased to see it brought into being. Dr. Persaud’s remarks on the Act were forthcoming even as he commented on the recent death of a young woman at a privately operated medical clinic in Port Mourant, Berbice. The death was linked to a botched abortion. Twenty-two-year-old Kamili Arjune, a mother of four who resided in Suriname, died following the procedure that was conducted last Good Friday at the Dr. Rahaman Medical Clinic. Dr. Persaud has confirmed that the doctor who performed the procedure was not licensed to do so,
neither was his clinic certified. “I am so amazed,” said the CMO of the incident, even as he pointed out that such a case should not have occurred. “Even though we are doing so much publicity this has happened! The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act is a public document and there is no doctor who is registered in Guyana whether Guyanese or otherwise, who can say that they don’t know about these provisions,” said an assertive Dr. Persaud. “I have gone to the length,” said Dr. Persaud as he turned his attention to the importance of doctors reporting on such incidents. Among the several breaches of the case in question, which is currently under investigation, is that the death was not reported to the office of the CMO in a timely manner. In fact, Dr. Persaud had confided that he first learnt of the incident after it was reported in this publication. According to the CMO, the doctor had not reported the woman’s death within the stipulated 24 hours. He told this publication too, that it is required by law that once a pregnancy related death occurs it should be reported to his office. “Any woman who dies during any stage of pregnancy or up to 42 days after delivery, must be reported to the relevant authority (the CMO’s office),” said Dr. Persaud as he related, that it is expected that such deaths within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 must be
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud reported within 24 hours. While those that occur in the hinterland regions, must be reported within 72 hours. As part of the Ministry of Health’s effort to ensure that the medical termination of pregnancy Act is adhered to, Dr. Persaud said that doctors from both the private and public sectors must undergo strategic training. “We have been working with a partner to provide the training and some of the women advocate groups have been helping us too,” related the CMO. The Ministry, this publication understands has been getting support in this regard from the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA). “This is a critical service that we need to provide to women who are unable to do it privately because of the cost...the public health sector is picking up the mandate and we have started to put that Act into action,” asserted Dr. Persaud. The doctor involved in the recent abortion related death, has since been sent off from active duty in the public health sector. He may be able to still practice privately, pending a decision by the Medical Council which is currently investigating the case.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Mayor urges patience as city PPP to face major shakeup ‘restoration’ commences - says int’l observers duped to
Appreciation was showered upon Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green on Monday during a simple ceremony in his office Long-serving Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green has urged the citizenry to remain patient as “monumental” restoration efforts commence in the city. Mayor Green made the call during an appreciation ceremony held in his office yesterday. His comments come a few days after President David Granger gave the directive for cleanup exercises in Georgetown. During the simple ceremony, Green stated that City Hall had “been under the hammer for 23 years” while the then governing PPP/C ruled. He added that personally he and his family had experienced hardships and opined that the new administration was a “victory for all of us and our children and our children’s children.” He continued, “I stayed on because I believe Guyana is strong and worth it; I’ve worked quietly over the years to see the end of this era.” He further said that many persons had been in the struggle and he urged these to remain patient. “I ask you to be patient for the next few months. I just had a meeting with my staff… to restore G eorgetown alone is a monumental effort. All the outfall channels have to cleaned, culverts dealt with, we have to get the pumps working, and this is happening in the May/June rains,” Green said. Furthermore, Green said that his team will be interfacing with the public and the business community and will have the cooperation of the new government. “My hope is that by Christmas this year, we should see a new city and a new people,” Green said to loud applause. ‘IT WILLTAKE TIME’ Outside of issues affecting the city, Mayor
Green also looked at social issues affecting the citizenry, particularly youths and women. According to Green, more emphasis needed to be placed on interacting with young people who have gone astray. “We must know that our work is for the young people and we have to put out the hand of friendship, provided the understanding of the direction we’re going,” he said. He noted that improvement might not happen immediately but he opined that efforts should nonetheless be made. He said too th a t education was pivotal if Guyana was to see the change it needs. “That will mean re-training our teachers, fixing our schools; not have a school with a $40M contract and you get $10M work. When we give a contract for $40M, it will be $40M of work and value,” Green emphasised. He went on, “That will take time; it will also take time to produce our
scholars, our engineers, our doctors, and our technicians…if an oil company comes here, we’re going to need secretaries, technicians, accountants so if our people are not qualified, we’re back to the vicious circle where the only jobs we can get is that of a security guard, a cleaner and to push a wheelbarrow. I don’t want that to happen so we’ve got a big job on our hands.” He also said that for too long women have suffered under the previous administration. “Women have to hustle to make ends meet…but this is a new opportunity for us to save our country. We have a lot of work to do but thank God that we now have a government that will support our efforts. “As we stretch our hands out to people, if they come in line, we welcome them; if they can’t come in line, it’s out the door, the window, anywhere. Because we can’t tolerate stupidness,” Green emphasised.
Guyana Coalition for... (From page 18) days later in America Street, and on December 1, 1994, he led detectives and villagers to La Bonne Intention, backdam, where they found the eight-year-old boy’s bound, gagged and battered body. He had initially claimed that an individual named ‘Kresho’ of Mahaicony, had assisted in the kidnapping. Police searched the Mahaicony area for ‘Kresho’ but never found him.
Just a few days after accusing International observers of collaborating with the coalition to rig last week’s General elections, the People’s Progressive Party yesterday switched its stance. The party, which is now in Opposition, said that it now believes that the observers were duped into believing that elections were free and fair. On Sunday, former Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, backing the PPP contention that last week Monday’s elections were rigged, wrote that its appears that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the International observers had an agenda. “It could be that they simply wanted an early result, but in their vulgar haste to produce an early result they may have gifted Guyana with another government born out of fraud and rigging.” He said that it is the believed that there was an unholy alliance to ensure
believe polls were free and fair Guyana gifted certain stakeholders with a government, not of, by and for the people, but for International stakeholders. “We believe this to be the case because one or more of these International stakeholders is interested in Guyana’s oil deposits. “ Yesterday, the PPP Central Committee, one of its highest decision making forums, toned down the accusations. “The main aspect of the electoral process which was to observe the counting of ballots and the verification of statements of poll was left entirely in the hands of the GECOM officials many of whom are activists and supporters of the APNUAFC,” PPP said. The party, whose stranglehold of Government for 23 years was broken as a result of the May 11 General and Regional Elections, disclosed that it
held its first Central Committee meeting yesterday since the May 11 General and Regional Elections. “The meeting reviewed developments since the elections and took the opportunity to thank the Guyanese people for the overwhelming support it received at the polls. The Central Committee remains convinced that based on feedback received from its Polling Agents and Statements of Poll received, it won the majority of the votes in both National and Regional elections.” The committee repeated the party’s call for the resignation of GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally and said it is considering ways of improving its future representation at GECOM. “Protest actions are also (Continued on page 27)
Freedom House
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Kaieteur News
Sophia men on bail after attempted break-in
Romario Archer
Clive Lewis
Two men who are accused of trying to break into a bar in Kitty, were yesterday released on $100,000 bail each. Clive Lewis, 24, a construction worker, along with his alleged accomplice Romario Archer, a cell phone technician had a joint charge read to them. The charge stated that between May 16 and 17 at Public Road Kitty, they tried to break into the bar of Diana Bowen, with intent to commit a felony. The defendants who both reside at ‘C’ field Sophia,
pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The Prosecutor told the court that Archer works at the said bar, and on the day in question at around 23:00hrs, he left and Bowen secured her business. Later that night Lewis was seen at the grill of the bar trying to gain entry. The security raised an alarm and he was seen trying to throw away a spanner, which was allegedly used to remove the grill. The prosecutor had no objections to bail and the defendants were granted their pre trial liberty by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry. They will return to court on June 30.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
International Museum Day observances postponed The local observances for International Museum Day have been postponed due to the recently held Regional and General Elections. International Museum Day (IMD) is observed every year on or around 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). This year the theme: “Museums for a sustainable society” was chosen because of the importance museums play in society. The occasion provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face. According to the Museum of African Heritage and the Walter Rodney Museum of Anthropology, it is likely that the observances will take place sometime in June. Yesterday the local museum doors were opened to the public as usual even though it was a special day in the land of knowledge and history. This year ’s theme recognizes the role of museums in raising public awareness about the need for a society that is less wasteful, more cooperative and uses resources in a way that respects living systems. Each year’s International Museum Day theme is proposed by ICOM’s network and aims to promote museum issues within society. Each year, all museums around the world are invited to participate in IMD to promote the role of museums universally, creating unique, enjoyable and free activities around a theme discussed within the ICOM community for this special day. Since its creation in 1977, International
The Guyana National Museum
Museum Day has gained increasing attention. In 2009, International Museum Day attracted the participation of 20,000 museums hosting events in more than 90 countries. In 2010, 98 countries participated in the celebration, with 100 in 2011, and 30,000 museums in 129 countries in 2012. In 2011, the official IMD poster was translated into 37 languages. In 2012, this number jumped by one to 38. In observing the occasion this year ICOM President, Prof. Dr. Hans Martin Hinz, said “Museums, as educators and cultural mediators, are adopting an increasingly vital role in contributing to the definition and implementation of sustainable development and practices. Museums must be able to
guarantee their role in safeguarding cultural heritage, given the increasing precariousness of ecosystems, situations of political instability, and the associated natural and man made challenges that may arise. Museum work, through education and exhibitions for example, should strive to create a sustainable society. Guyana National Museum was established on 13 February 1868. The idea of starting a museum was conceived by members of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society (RACS) of British Guiana. When RACS was established in 1844, one of its aims was to construct a Museum to house local minerals, soils, timbers, fruits, seeds, gums, resins, dyes and drugs, as well as the flora and fauna of
the country. British explorer Robert Schomburgk, the German botanist Carl Ferdinand Appun, Mr. Bratt, and W.H. Campbell presented gifts (including 55 indigenous woods, minerals from England, and specimens of botany and geology) to the RACS in order to start a Museum Collection. A fire in 1864 destroyed the donated collections. A British Guiana Museum Company was established in 1867 for the construction of a building “which should be the permanent home of science, art, and industry.” This project received great financial support from the public and the new museum on Company Path was opened on 13 February 1868. The Colonist newspaper of that date described it as a “magnificent structure.”
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Operator’s breach of mining regulations caused tragedy - GGMC Mining pit tragedy...
From left: Patrick Harding of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA); one of the rescuers; Simona Broomes of the Guyana Women’s Miners Association (GWMA); Dr. Rupert Roopnarine; with mining operator Imran Khan The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), having completed its investigation into the ill-fated Mowasi mining pit that collapsed, killing ten workers on Sunday, has ruled that several unsafe mining practices led to the tragedy. According to GGMC, Imran Khan, owner of the mining operation, had been following dangerously unsafe mining practices as far back as 2013. Tragedy struck the Mowasi, Potaro mining camp on Sunday when the pit collapsed on some 18 workers who were in it at the time. While some escaped with injuries, others were not so lucky.
Dead are Leyland Jones, 38, called ‘Foots’ of Grove, East Bank Demerara, who was the gold operations General Manager; his nephew Jason Trotman, 21; of Samatta Point, Grove Housing Scheme; Raymond August of 229 Bent Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo; Bobby Brittlebank of 98 Wisrock Housing Scheme, Linden; Michael Gardner of Better Hope, ECD; Sheldon and Orlando Clario; Desmond Martins; Trevon Phillips and Nanmore Kurt. The injured have been identified as Alex Green, 28, of Lima Essequibo Coast; Regan Green, 21, of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast; Collymore Lewis, 34, of
Moraikobai Mission, Mahaicony; Sheldon Adams, 32, of Beehive, East Coast Demerara; Lazarus Andrews, 49, of Nappi, Central Rupununi and Henry Xavier, 37, of Paramakatoi, North Pakaraima. Seven bodies have since been recovered. Five have been transported to the city, but only three have been positively identified by relatives. They are Brittlebank, August and Gardner. The bodies are currently at Lyken Funeral home. KHAN’S CONFLICT WITH GGMC According to a release from GGMC, Hopkinson had made a complaint on August
8, 2013, that Khan had been mining on his concession without approval. An investigation by GGMC revealed several mining breaches. These caused the body to secure two injunctions, a cease work order and an order for Khan to remove within 48 hours. In a counter move, however, Khan secured an injunction against Hopkinson and GGMC on August 21, 2013, restraining them from interfering in his operation until a hearing on September 10 that same year to continue the injunction. When nothing came out of the hearing, the injunction remained against Hopkinson and the regulatory body, allowing Khan to continue his enterprise. According to the release, as recent as April 1, 2015 officers from the commission inspecting operations in Pepper Creek found that Khan was still operating in an unsafe and dangerous manner, but when GGMC’s technical officers made attempts to advise and sanction the personnel, they were shown the injunction barring them from acting. GGMC, following their investigations into the tragedy, have ruled that the operator failed to adhere to standard safety practices when mining beyond 50 feet. Further, the GGMC ruled that the pit limits were too narrow to allow for safe operation, especially with the current mining method being used.
GGMC went on to state that the commission was effectively barred from acting against similar operators when faced with such injunctions and that there are several other injunctions outstanding against the GGMC. ‘OVERBURDEN’ According to a closely placed mining expert, the ‘overburden’ or dirt that was dug out of the pit was placed dangerously close to the edge of the opening. According to the source, with the rainfall, the water seeped underneath the dirt and boulders, eventually dislodging the mass, sending it cascading into the pit. The workers within the pit would have had little warning before being buried alive. Randy, brother of one of the victims, Michael Gardner, spoke to the media at Lyken Funeral parlour after relatives identified the body. “We heard he was in a 90foot pit. That is very dangerous and the stuff they took out of the pit they didn’t really move it; it was right there. So it was very careless. My brother-in-law went in and saw it and he said it was suicide.” According to the man’s
DEAD: Jason Trotman brother, his death was hitting them very hard since he was very close to them. “We all lived as one with real love. We don’t know how we will deal with this. I hope as the government change, things would be different.” Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who accompanied the team of mining officials into Mowasi, was also of the firm view that steps had to be taken to ensure a mishap such as this never happened again. He recommended that mining organizations undertake a massive training exercise to bring miners and operators up to scratch with proper mining practices, since the safety regulations were not followed in this case.
Rescuers jetting away the slush covering the pit.
DEAD: The General Manager of the camp, Leyland Jones with his girlfriend
PPP to face major... (From page 25) planned at all GECOM offices throughout the country to demand a total recount of all votes cast and the resignation of GECOM chairman. “The PPP is currently compiling evidence to file an election petition with representation from local and international lawyers.” The PPP Central Committee said that it also recognized the need to strengthen the party both organizationally and ideologically and also to introduce some changes at the Parliamentary and GECOM levels.
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Kaieteur News
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Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Independence Day celebration to begin restoration of national pride As the country prepares for the May 26, inauguration ceremony of President Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger and his Cabinet, the Ministry of Culture, yesterday unveiled the plans for the 49th Independence Day celebrations. During a conference with the media fraternity, Bobby Vieira, of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) revealed that this year’s Independence celebration will be geared at restoring citizens’ national pride. Also present at the event was Permanent Secretary of the Culture Ministry, Alfred King.
Those traversing around the Capital city may have noticed that the Independence Arch, on Upper Brickdam, and its environs are going through some renovations. Vieira explained that this is all part of commemorating the country’s independence as the arch will be the site for the traditional flag raising ceremony, scheduled for 8:00hrs. Moreover, as was announced by the President, Vieira confirmed that the Inauguration Ceremony will be held at the Guyana National Stadium, with performances starting from
15:00hrs. He said that these will include military parachuting and cultural displays. The APNU+AFC official said that the armed forces will be playing a major role in the day’s celebration, with a 21 gun salute to commemorate the day. Various Caribbean Heads of State are also slated to be present at the ceremony. According to Vieira, the President and his Cabinet will arrive at the stadium at 17:00hrs which will mark the official start of the Inauguration ceremony. For this particular event, Vieira urged Guyanese to arrive at the National Stadium
Entities seek consultancies for structure realignment
early so as to ensure that they find seating at the venue which can hold approximately 16,000 persons. However, while the ceremony will be staged on the stadium field, Vieira said that organisers have made accommodation for those persons unable to access seating. “We are planning to put on the tarmac of the stadium a visual screen to accommodate those persons unable to make it into the stadium,” said Vieira. He added that the event will also be televised on the National Communications Network (NCN). In order to make this year ’s Independence celebration a memorable one, Vieira related that the
President is making every effort to ensure that Georgetown is restored to its former “Garden City” status. It is for this reason Vieira said that citizens are seeing companies like BK International, conducting clean-up activities around the city. “This whole aspect of cleaning up the city, we don’t expect companies like BK to be the only ones to continue this service. We are hoping that other enterprises and citizens will have this sense of revived pride,” explained the APNU+AFC member. Additionally, Vieira explained that the city cleanup projects are all voluntary, not at the expense of taxpayers and will be a continuous effort by the new
administration to have the city “restored to its glory”. “This is a new dispensation that the president wants to have within every Guyanese. He spoke at the swearing-in ceremony saying that it is not about President Brigadier Granger, it is about Guyana,” Vieira related. Furthermore, the commencement of the various cleaning projects around Georgetown, according to Vieira, is all part of preparations for next year’s 50th Independence. The new administration is hoping to attract 50,000 Guyanese to the milestone event. It was revealed that a secretariat to cater for the planning of the half century festivities will be established.
Three bids were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) Ministry of Finance, Main Street, for the provision of hardware and software for the Ministry of Education’s Education Management Information System (EMIS).
Bids were also invited for by the Ministry of Home Affairs for consultancy to have the structure of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) realigned.
Three further overseas consultancy bids were submitted for the realignment of the structure at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The National Drainage and Irrigation Agency (NDIA) also attracted three bids for the execution of works on the Joppa Outfall in Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. The engineer’s estimate was $14.2M.
Culture Ministry PS, Alfred King (left) and Bobby Vieira, at yesterday’s press conference.
PS denies removal, destruction of records from Culture Ministry The Excavation of the Joppa Outfall also attracted bids.
Bids were also submitted for the excavation of Eversham Outfall, Region #6. The engineers estimate is $14.4M.
And bids were submitted for the excavation of Adventure Outfall, Corentyne, Berbice, Region # 6. The engineers estimate was $9.3M
Permanent Secretary (PS), of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King, has condemned allegations that his ministry was part of the destruction or removal of records, following the results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections. Last week, reports surfaced that boxes of documents and public records were removed from a number of government agencies. During a meeting with the media, King related his disapproval of such action occurring within the Ministry. He said that security has been set up to prevent any such criminality from happening. “Public records and state records are just what they are and any movements or destroying of those records is criminal in nature,” responded King, when asked
about specific allegations surrounding the National Sports Commission. King said that upon hearing those allegations the ministry promptly implemented security measures to guard against the removal or destruction of public records. “The Ministry has put a number of security measures in place,” related King, “we have stepped up security on monitoring and they have received strict instruction that we don’t want anyone to be moving anything that is of public access or record (out the Ministry),”he added. According to King, instructions were immediately given to security personnel, on his order, to place locks on the government buildings and ensure that persons were checked when they visited the ministry.
PS of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King Moreover, the PS stated that ministry staff members have clear instructions to act professionally by President David Granger, especially as it relates to the transition period of the new administration.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
THE OTHER SIDE OF If you can’t add, don’t subtract from Guyana’s forests THE CELEBRATIONS Last week was a historic one for the country as many persons were for the first time in their lives exposed to the formation of a government by a new party. After 23 years, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) lost its rein on power and while most of Guyana jumped head first into celebration mode – loud music, cheering, dancing and waving party flags around – there were those who were far from happy. The recently concluded Regional and General Elections were so closely contested, that there were almost as many happy people as those who were disappointed. Resultantly “walking on egg shells” occurred in places like Berbice which voted predominantly for the losing party, according to reports. Last week dragged by as persons spent a large portion of their time either glued to their television sets waiting for word from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) or staying away from work and school, anticipating the unknown. The final announcement of results did little to ease the
tension, however, as areas like Berbice were still grappling from the fact that the party that electors predominantly wanted in power, did not succeed. Berbicians report that the tension and fears were mounting. Some even say they hadn’t seen their neighbours in days, despite knowing they were home. There are reports that an eerie quiet overtakes Berbice each night. By 18:00 hours every day, the streets of certain communities were nothing short of empty. Those communities were found largely along the Canje and Corentyne areas. In areas like New Amsterdam, supporters of the coalition, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) flooded the streets, celebrating victory for the party which “dethroned” the PPP/C following the elections. One Berbician employed with a government agency, told Kaieteur News that tension is high in her office as the fear of losing their jobs looms. The head of her agency, she said, is the one questioning whether she would lose her job.
By Monday the town generally returned to normal activity but certain areas remained tense. Palmyra, she explained, is one village which still goes “dead” by 18:00 hours. “According to one official, the situation is further compounded by persons who often confront those walking the streets on issues of race and voting. “Persons are walking around Berbice shouting and making all kinds of remarks at these people. In a lot of the cases they can’t know who they would have supported in the elections,” the official said alluding to the longstanding perception of persons voting along racial lines. He said that many were subjected to threatening text messages and anonymous phone calls while on the streets, distasteful slurs are thrown at them. He said in some instances supporters of the other party tramp through predominantly East Indian villages and that itself causes fear. The official feels it is imperative for the new President to appeal to his party supporters to be calm. “People are very fearful,” he said.
Linden holds thanksgiving for Coalition victory Hundreds of Linden residents on Monday evening flocked the Wismar Market Park, to give praise and thanks to the Almighty. They also went there to hear the community leaders congratulate them for voting overwhelmingly for the APNU/AFC coalition at the recently held elections. Among the speakers were RDC’s AFC councillor Audwin Rutherford and Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon. Solomon told the hyped audience that Region Ten was the only region where the PPP/C lost votes. In his Thanksgiving message, Solomon quoted Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King, “If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious valuesthat all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control.” He added, “We are gathered here to give thanks to Almighty God, though he is called by different names based on our religion, we all acknowledged his presence in guiding our path. As we, the people of this blessed region embark on a political campaign a few months ago to change the course of history, to change the course of our lives, we leaped out on faith that greater is he that is within us. With Him all things are possible. “We fought a hard campaign on the moral conviction that as children of Guyana, we too deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and benefit from the national’s resources. For many it has been a hard road to travel and a rough, rough way to go. “Guided by faith we knew we could not hesitate to be the change we wanted to see and the only path desired is the path that goes forward. Thus with grit and determination, undeterred by challenges or setbacks, we worked our hardest to make May 11, the date
to affirm. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.” Rutherford in reflection on the coalition’s victory declared, “We are at the end of a historic phase and the beginning of an equally historic one. Historic in the sense that it took a coalition of two parties which themselves are a combination of parties to remove the PPP/C from of office. It should be noted that the signing of the historic Cummingsburg Accord afforded the APNU which consists of five parties to merge with the Alliance for Change which had Guyanese from the PNC, PPP, TUF and from all walks of life. “The 2015 results revealed that we have won a free and fair election and we have formed the Government. Victory won at the 2015 elections was a result of each and every one of you. We give thanks since this victory is of divine intervention. We must work together and most importantly we must live in one love and unity for we are one people, one nation one destiny, a destiny of prosperity and progress under this APNU-AFC Government.” The addresses were followed by further thanksgiving and prayers from various religious leaders, among them Apostle Rollingston Mitchell, Brother Winston Muhammed of the Muslim Faith and Pastor Morris McKinnon who declared, “This is the day that the Lord has made.” Providing musical entertainment were the Seventh Day Adventist Choir, SASCA Heraldiers, the popular Ralo of First Born and Pastor Richard MacDonald. The Flame of the Heart group kept the audience enthralled with hypnotic African drumming.
– Dr. Roopnaraine By Kiana Wilburg Based on its observations and in some cases, concrete evidence which it accumulated over the years, the A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has been unrelenting in its criticisms of the mismanagement of the Natural Resources sector. Tipped to head this very Ministry, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine in an interview yesterday told Kaieteur News that should he be confirmed to handle this division, there would be a serious “cleansing process.” Speaking particularly on the affairs of the Forestry Sector, Dr. Roopnaraine said that his plans for this industry which he is most passionate about would not be too different from what he has outlined for mining. The politician asserted that one of the very first things he would seek to look at is the contracts granted under the forestry division. He said that it is important to note that the APNU+AFC government understands the importance of continuity in relation to some of those contracts with foreign investors, for “you can’t just go in there like wild people believing in scrapping everything in which the former government entered into.”
The politician emphasized however that the new administration has on the other hand, a responsibility to ensure all contracts were entered into in accordance with the law and should any irregularity in any set of contracts be detected, the appropriate action will be taken. “But my hope is we can really bring these operations, the forestry sector and that of the mineral sector into a very orderly state and right now there is a lot of disorder in the forestry sector... I had a meeting with some people who are active in there and they have a lot of concerns… “We have to get the full picture of what is happening in the sector and from where we were in the opposition there was never really enough information. We now have control of the state and we will use all the means at our disposal to get an accurate picture of everything that is happening within the Natural Resources Ministry,” Dr. Roopnaraine expressed. The APNU Executive Member who has been shadowing this sector over the years said, too that he is alarmed by the shipment of logs out of the country and the lack of value added activity by those individuals. Bai Shan Lin is one of the largest logging companies in Guyana for over ten years and
APNU+AFC designate Minister of Natural Resources, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine is still unable to fulfill its promise of ensuring value added products in Guyana. “We want to ensure that people who cut the forest will have value added first and not be shipping out or is just here to cut the logs. We will ensure that this is stamped out. It has to come to an end... It has to. We are not going to be tolerant at all of this.” Dr. Roopnaraine said that Guyana is “getting nothing” and for him, it is unacceptable. He said that while the government has not moved collectively towards this position, for him it is “if you can’t add value then you can’t be allowed to subtract from the forests.” The politician said that the APNU+AFC government will be making moves to regularize this very soon.
Bandits rob members of returning female hockey team Armed bandits resumed their activities on Monday committing two robberies in separate parts of the city, as if to challenge the new administration which had campaigned on a promise to crackdown on criminal activity. In the first robbery, bandits targeted three members of the national female hockey team who had just returned from their tour of Trinidad and Tobago. According to reports, the females were travelling in a car driven by the husband of one of them when they stopped on Croal Street to make a drop off. This newspaper was told that the female who was being dropped off was about to open the padlock on her gate when three men came up to the car. One of the bandits opened the driver’s door and put a gun to his head while demanding cash.
Another bandit went around the car and confronted the female who was just locking back her gate and demanded that she open it, but she ran inside. The bandit then turned to the other females in the car and told them to hand over their phones and purses, among other things. The terrified victims complied but requested that the bandits let them keep their passports, which the men did. The bandits then opened the car trunk and took the luggage and ran back across to their parked car. The luggage was so much that their trunk couldn’t even close because one of the pieces was a bag with goalkeeping equipment.
On hindsight the victims believe that they were followed from the airport, since they recall seeing a car tracing them. And at about 12:30 hours on Monday an armed security guard and two salesmen attached to Edward B. Beharry Company Ltd. were in Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara conducting business at a shop when they were held up by two men armed with handguns. The perpetrators took away the security guard’s .32 pistol with 10 rounds along with an undisclosed sum of cash and escaped on a motorcycle. Both matters were reported and investigations are in progress.
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Consolidated Fund in heavy overdraft –Finance Minister designate -parallel treasuries will come to an end By Kiana Wilburg Finance Minister designate, Winston Jordon, is already moving to get an understanding of the current state of the economy. Among many of his discoveries is the fact that the Consolidated Fund is in heavy overdraft. This Fund is Government’s main bank account into which revenues are deposited and out of which expenditure is made. The economist who is currently conducting several meetings with senior Finance Ministry Staff and other personnel for interlinked agencies said that an explanation was provided for this. Jordon explained that the Consolidated Funds being in overdraft is due to the behaviour of the Guyana Gold Board and its failure to reimburse the account. The economist said that there is an arrangement in place to assist the Gold Board. “The government doesn’t have the kind of money it needs to pay miners so it draws from the Consolidated Fund and reimburses it when it sells the gold. But there is the practice of “hedging” (A strategy used in limiting the probability of loss from fluctuations in the prices of commodities) after they collect the gold and there are risks involved in that. “And if you aren’t good at it you can lose in the sense that you are forced to sell for a price far lower than what you bought at, I think it is public knowledge that the board got caught in the fall of the gold prices. “So they might have bought at high prices and may have been hedging but then the prices collapsed…” Jordon said that while he believes that the gold board has been drawing heavily from the Consolidated Fund hence the state it is in, he will provide a more concrete position when he is informed of the state of affairs of the Gold Board. “This is what I was told and I have asked the Chief Statistician to provide me with some figures. I haven’t been around a bit and I haven’t seen their accounts so I wouldn’t be able to say if they sold enough or whether they are still holding lots of gold…” “What I do know is that I have been told that the overdraft is due to the fact that gold has not been able to reimburse the Fund as yet which means that they are probably hedging and that’s my only explanation without
APNU+AFC designate Finance Minister, Winston Jordon seeing the accounts as yet. “But as an economist I can only presume that this is perhaps the case…,” Jordon said. The Finance Minister designate said that another reason why the Consolidated Fund is in heavy overdraft is that there are a lot of funds belonging to the government but are being held outside of the fund like a “parallel treasury”. He reminded that his government had spoken on this matter on several occasions when it was in the opposition and it is something that will be rectified at the earliest. Jordon emphasized that this needs to come to an end. He believes that it is a significant contributor to the state of the Consolidated Fund. “I don’t like to speak offthe-cuff but I will be dealing with this ... I will make this one of my priorities because it is a burning issue with the government and it would be remiss of me, not to look at all these parallel treasuries and correct this irregularity.” The Finance Minister designate also stated that the
heavy overdraft reflects poor accountability. He said that an audit will be done into several government funds; including one into the Consolidated Funds. Jordon graduated with a Degree in Economics from the University of Guyana in 1981. In that period, he received the Vice Chancellor’s Special Award for Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Social Sciences. In 1983, the economist received a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in Economics at the University of Warwick, UK and later graduated in 1985. He has a certificate in Public Sector Budgeting from Harvard University and another in Budgeting and Structural Adjustment Management from Penn State University, USA. In March, 1993 he worked with the International Monetary Fund as an intern. Jordon would be bringing over 30 years of working experience in a number of areas including macroeconomic management; economic policy reform, programming and governance; resource mobilization; public finance; public sector budgeting; policy design and analysis; and design of poverty programmes and safety nets. He also served on several technical committees and state boards, including: Presidential Committee on Economic Matters (1990-91); Presidential Committee on Public Service Wages and Salaries (1997); Presidential Committee on the Privatization of Guyana Electricity Corporation (1997) and Linden Mining Enterprise (2003); Arbitration between the Government and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (1999).
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Squatters removed from Ogle Airport land The Ogle airport has issued a warning against persons attempting to squat on airport land. The warning comes in the wake of mass land grabbing along the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara within the past few days. In a statement issued yesterday, the airport said that a large number of persons have made attempts to squat on Ogle Airport land within
the boundaries of the Airport. The airport warned that unlawful entry into or interference with a Civil Av i a t i o n f a c i l i t y i s a violation of the National Av i a t i o n Security Programme and Civil Aviation Regulations. Ogle Airport has notified the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Civil Aviation Authority. “Ogle Airport Security,
with the support of the Guyana Police Force, has apprehended and removed these persons and has destroyed the pickets they had placed on the Airport’s land,” the airport stated. It is warning the public that Ogle Airport Security will apprehend and hand over to the Guyana Police Force; any person found unlawfully entering the Airport.
U.S. charges six Chinese nationals with economic espionage The U.S government charged six Chinese nationals with economic espionage, saying they stole secrets from two companies that develop technology often used in military systems, the Department of Justice said yesterday. It was the third time in as many years that U.S. authorities have made accusations of economic espionage conducted on behalf of China, a sign that the United States is increasingly focused on what it has termed a top national security concern.
One of the suspects, Professor Hao Zhang, 36, was arrested on Saturday in Los Angeles after he arrived on a flight from China, the Justice Department said in a statement. The other five suspects are believed to be in China. Zhang and two other professors from Tianjin University were charged with stealing source code and other proprietary information from chipmakers Avago Technologies Ltd
and Skyworks Solutions Inc, where two of them worked. Avago has headquarters in San Jose, California and Singapore, and Skyworks is based in Woburn, Massachusetts. Zhang, a former Skyworks employee, and others established a company, ROFS Microsystems, at Tianjin with secrets stolen from the U.S. firms, prosecutors said. Tianjin, one of China’s oldest universities, is located nearly 100 miles (150 km) southeast of Beijing.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
PM’s lawyers: Deputy DPP Chinese PM starts South should recuse self from emailgate American investment tour Trinidad Express - Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar claimed Monday night that deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Joan Honore-Paul showed bias in the release she issued last week and her lawyers intend to file a complaint against her with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JSLC). In a brief interview with the Express at the St Augustine Freeman Road Community Centre, Persad-Bissessar said her lawyers have indicated to her that Honore-Paul should step aside as it pertains to the Emailgate investigations. “My lawyers have told me that the deputy DPP in her media release trespassed against the constitutional remit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Integrity Commission,” said Persad-Bissessar. “Secondly my lawyers have told me that she has demonstrated bias and thirdly they have advised that we
Joan Honore-Paul would call upon her to recuse herself from these investigations. My lawyers have also told me that they intend to write to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission to make a complaint,” added the Prime Minister. Last week PersadBissessar had said that she felt happy and vindicated as Honore-Paul’s release had
authenticated a letter from the United States Justice Department which stated that anan@gmail.com does not exist and therefore the emails were fake. Reminded of this, PersadBissessar said: “She (Honore-Paul) authenticated the letter that’s one part but then all these other comments that she made.” DPP Roger Gaspard has already recused himself from the Emailgate probe as he was named in the alleged emails. As for the legal action taken by People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Faris Al-Rawi with respect to her Facebook posts, the Prime Minister said it is in the hands of her lawyers. The Prime Minister conducted a number of “whistlestops” throughout the country Monday as activists in 39 constituencies held meetings to mobilise for the People’s Partnership grand fifth anniversary celebrations at Constantine Park, Macoya this Sunday.
Cuba says conditions ‘favorable’ for restoring ties with U.S. HAVANA (Reuters) Conditions are favorable for restoring diplomatic relations with the United States, Cuba said on Monday ahead of upcoming talks in Washington. The two longtime adversaries are scheduled to meet tomorrow for their fourth negotiating session on re-establishing diplomatic ties, which were severed in 1961 amid Cold War tensions. The so-called interests sections in Washington and Havana would be upgraded to embassies if diplomatic ties were restored. Even though progress had been made, the two sides still need to reach agreement on the conduct of diplomats, said Gustavo Machin, the deputy director for U.S. affairs in the Cuban foreign ministry.
Cuba wants the Americans to halt training courses in journalism and the Internet that it considers subversive and a violation of the Vienna convention on diplomacy. “We don’t see obstacles but rather issues to resolve and discuss,” Machin told reporters. Cuba, which tightly controls its media and blocks websites run by independent journalists, views the courses at the U.S. mission in Havana as subversive and remnants of the U.S. policy of regime change in Cuba. “We should reach a common interpretation on what the rules of the Vienna convention establish,” Machin said. The United States sees the courses as normal diplomatic functions similar to
China’s Premier Li Keqiang, left, and Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff, attend a signing ceremony at the Planalto presidential palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday. (AP Photo/Cadu Gomes) BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — China’s Premier Li Keqiang and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff agreed yesterday to embark on studies for an ambitious railway linking Brazil’s Atlantic coast with a Pacific port in Peru, and announced billions in other investments and trade deals. Rousseff emphasized the importance of the project to cut down the time and cost to move commodities to the Asian market. “A new path to Asia will open for Brazil,” said Rousseff. “It will cross our country from east to west, and the South American continent.” The memorandum of agreement to begin feasibility studies on the transAndean railway will also involve the Peruvian government. Rousseff invited Chinese companies to participate. The stop in Brasilia is the premier’s first on a four-na-
tion South American tour that includes Chile, Peru and Colombia. It comes as the continent feels the pinch of lessening Chinese demand for its commodities. “We’re moving into a different era, because China’s economy is transforming to being consumer based and it’s slowing down, so commodity prices are going down,” said Kevin Gallagher, professor of international relations at Boston University with expertise in China’s ties to Latin America. “Chinese trade and investment was Latin America’s best friend for a decade, and now everybody is in a panic.” China remains the top trading partner for Latin America and the Caribbean, with $112 billion of the region’s exports heading to China in 2013, according to Gallagher. Li’s trip began in Brazil with the signature of 35 agreements that total a $53 bil-
lion investment in infrastructure, energy and mining among other areas over the next six years. Chinese banks will back projects of state-run oil company Petrobras for $7 billion, a relief for the firm embroiled in a corruption scandal that has blocked access from credit markets. The kickback investigation has implicated Brazil’s biggest construction and engineering firms, delaying existing petrochemical complexes and key equipment needed to tap offshore fields works. The Chinese government also agreed to buy 40 planes from the Brazilian company Embraer and to build an industrial park for car manufacturing in the state of Sao Paulo. Despite the big investments in infrastructure projects, analysts caution such announcements don’t always result in action.
Dominica Petrocaribe plant to be named after Hugo Chávez Gustavo Machin what embassies of other countries do in Havana and on par with what Cuban embassies do around the world. Cuban President Raul Castro last week complained that dissidents were receiving “illegal” training at the U.S. interests section. The United States in turn wants freedom of movement for its diplomats, who currently need permission to leave Havana. Since Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama announced in December plans to reset hostile relations, negotiators have met twice in Havana and once in Washington. The two presidents also met in April at a summit in Panama, where Obama said, “On Cuba, we are not in the business of regime change.”
ROSEAU, Dominica – The Petrocaribe plant here is to be renamed in honour of late Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez next month, exactly a decade after he signed the fuel deal with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The announcement was made Monday by Minster of Lands, Housing, Settlements and Water Resource Management Reginald Austrie, who has responsibility for Petrocaribe, at the media launch of celebrations for the 10th Anniversary of the Petrocaribe Energy Cooperation Agreement under which Venezuela sells gasoline, diesel and liquid petroleum gas to Dominica at preferential rates. He said the June 29 renaming of the plant from Waitikubuli Storage Facility to the Hugo Chávez Storage Facility would be done “in recognition of the effort and the hard work that President
Chavez has put into the programme”. The Petrocaribe agreement, conceived by Chávez who died on March 5, 2013, at the age of 58, benefits several other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America as well. Austrie said while there
were many detractors when the deal was signed in 2005, Petrocaribe is now being hailed as “one of the most serious economic programmes in the region over the last 25 years”. Dominica will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the signing with five week of activities.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (left) with his late friend Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. (Photo: maximini.com)
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Mosquito-borne virus Zika threatens C’bean
Dr Kevin Harvey KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Health has warned Jamaicans to take necessary precautions in light of the mosquito-borne Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, that could spread to the island. The warning comes after meetings at the World Health Assembly now taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, and subsequent to a warning issued by the Pan American Health Organization, the ministry said in a release yesterday. Permanent Secretary Dr Kevin Harvey is urging persons to take the necessary precautions to rid their surroundings of places mosquitoes could breed. Dr Harvey is currently attending the WHA along with
Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson, Acting Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr Melody Ennis, and Senior Medical Officer at the May Pen Hospital, Dr Bradley Edwards. “The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads the Zika virus is generally found in and around places where people inhabit. Persons are urged to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites by getting rid of old tyres and containers in which water can settle, punching holes in tins before disposing, and covering large drums, barrels and tanks holding water, “ he explained. The Zika virus is from the
same family as and is similar to dengue with symptoms which include fever, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, headache, weakness, rash, and swelling of the lower limbs. After the bite of an infected mosquito, symptoms usually appear following the incubation period of three to 12 days. The symptoms last for four to seven days. No deaths due to the Zika virus have been recorded worldwide to date. The Zika virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito – the same mosquito that transmits chikungunya and dengue. Brazil confirmed its first cases of the Zika virus in May this year. “The Ministry of Health is taking this potential threat very seriously. I urge Jamaicans to do their part to prevent mosquito breeding and so help to reduce any possibility of the introduction of the Zika virus into the island. There is no specific vaccine or treatment for the virus and so personal responsibility is key,” he said. The Zika Virus was first isolated in 1947 in a Rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest, Uganda. It was first isolated in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. Outbreaks have been seen since then in countries including the island of Yap (2007), French Polynesia (2013) and Brazil (2015).
‘There’s no chance’ we will change our position on CCJ – Opposition The Gleaner - The Opposition says there’s no chance it will change its position on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) by the time the Senate votes on three bills to accede to the court’s appellate jurisdiction. Last week, the Government used its majority in the Lower House to voted in favour of bills to replace the UK-based Privy Council with the CCJ as Jamaica’s final appellate court. However, the Government will need to sway at least one Opposition Senator to ensure successful passage in the Upper House. Leader of Government Business in the Lower House Derrick Smith says noone should expect a change in the Opposition’s stance by the time the Senate votes. Smith is also dismissing concerns raised by public commentator Dr Paul Ashley
Derrick Smith who has questioned the Opposition’s call for a referendum. According to Ashley, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which was the biggest change to the Constitution, was never put to a referendum.
He argued that political expediency was driving the Opposition’s suggestion that Jamaicans vote to decide on the CCJ. Smith says it does not matter what Ashley says, the Opposition is sticking by its position.
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Kaieteur News
U.S. willing to change prodemocracy programs in Cuba The United States yesterday indicated its willingness to change pro-democracy programs which it organizes in Cuba and which are condemned by Havana, removing one of the biggest impediments to restoring diplomatic ties. A senior State Department official, speaking to reporters before talks with Cuban representatives tomorrow, said the sides had narrowed differences over reopening embassies since an agreement was reached in December to renew diplomatic relations. The official said another obstacle had been removed after Cuba found a U.S. bank that would handle the accounts of a restored Cuban embassy in Washington. The official declined to name the bank. M&T Bank Corp canceled its services with Cuba’s Interests Section in Washington in 2013 and Havana blamed the move on U.S. sanctions. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the democracy programs “have changed over time, and they will continue to change over time to reflect a reality, whether that reality is on the ground in Cuba or in the United States.” The programs include courses in journalism and information technology at the U.S. mission in Havana. The United States sees them as normal diplomatic functions, but Cuban President Raul Castro said last week that they were “illegal” training for
Battle erupts in eastern Ukraine, four Ukrainian soldiers killed: regional chief Fighting erupted between Ukrai n i a n g o v e r n m e n t forces and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine yesterday and four U k r a i n ian servicemen have been killed, the regional administration chief said. Gennady Moskal, governor of Luhansk region on the border with Russia, said on his website that separatists opened fire on government positions with mortar and artillery near the village of
Cuba’s president Raul Castro talks to the media next to Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez (L) (REUTERS/ENRIQUE DE LA OSA) government opponents. The official said the programs have already been adapted but the United States would not halt them because they were the most direct way of supporting ordinary Cubans. The talks in Washington on Thursday are the fourth round since U.S. President Barack Obama and Castro agreed on Dec. 17 to restore diplomatic relations, which were severed in 1961 during the Cold War. They will focus on upgrading the “interests sections” in Washington and Havana to embassies. Washington also wants an end to restrictions on the movement of its diplomats in Havana and the removal of Cuban security police around its premises.
Cuba signaled on Monday that it was ready to move ahead, saying it did not see any obstacles. In the U.S. Congress lawmakers who oppose and support close ties with Havana introduced Cuba-related legislation. Two Republican senators who oppose normalizing ties, Marco Rubio of Florida and Louisiana’s David Vitter, introduced a bill that would make ending restrictions on travel and trade conditional on Cuba resolving billions of dollars in claims over property seized during the island’s communist revolution. Another group of senators introduced a bill that would open the way for U.S. telecommunications and Internet companies to provide services and devices in Cuba.
Venezuela’s parliament boss blasts report of drug trafficking Venezuela’s powerful parliamentary chief, Diosdado Cabello, on Tuesday slammed a Wall Street Journal report that U.S. authorities are investigating him and other senior officials for possible cocaine trafficking and money laundering. “It would never occur to us to get involved in something that would hurt young people,” he said in a speech to the Socialist-controlled National Assembly. “Those who today accuse me today of drug trafficking should present one piece of evidence, just one,” he told the assembly, which chanted “We’re all Diosdado” and pushed a motion to support Cabello, lauding him as a “hero of the fatherland.” Citing more than 12 people familiar with the probes, the newspaper on Monday said federal prosecu-
Wednesday May 20, 2015
tors in New York and Miami and a Drug Enforcement Administration unit were gathering evidence from former cocaine traffickers, Venezuelan mi l i t a r y d e f e c t o r s a n d people once close to top Venezuelan government officials. Venezuelan opposition leaders and U.S. officials have made accusations for years of money laundering and drug trafficking against the governments of President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez. The country’s leading opposition figures on Tuesday pushed for an investigation following the report. “These are grave accusations which suggest that our country has become a bridge for drug trafficking,” said opposition leader Henrique Capriles.
Officials from the South American nation frame the accusations as part of a wider campaign led by the United States to end the OPEC country’s 16 years of socialism. “This is not a campaign against me, it’s a campaign against the entire fatherland,” stressed Cabello, the secondhighest ranking official in the ruling Socialist Party. Spanish newspaper ABC reported in January that a former member of Cabello’s security detail had fled Venezuela and had told U.S. authorities that he was involved in a drug ring. Cabello filed a defamation suit last month against 22 people linked to three media outlets for having republished information from that story and hinted on Tuesday more lawsuits will follow.
Katerinovka. “According to preliminary data, four Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and two others have been wounded, one of them seriously,” Moskal said. The fatalities could not immediately be confirmed by the military in Kiev. Though a ceasefire was declared after peace talks in Minsk, Belarus, in February, skirmishes and violations have continued with a daily mounting casualty toll from
fighting mostly north-west of the city of Donetsk and near the coastal town of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said last week that 83 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed since the ceasefire theoretically came into force in February. Since then, five Ukrainian servicemen were killed over the weekend alone. The separatists have not given any casualty figures.
Iraq deploys tanks as Islamic State tightens grip on Ramadi Iraqi security forces yesterday deployed tanks and artillery around Ramadi to confront Islamic State fighters who have captured the city in a major defeat for the Baghdad government and its Western backers. After Ramadi fell on Sunday, Shi’ite militiamen allied to the Iraqi army had advanced to a nearby base in preparation for a counterattack on the city, which lies in the Sunni Muslim province of Anbar, just 110 km (70 miles) northwest of Baghdad. As pressure mounted for action to retake the city, a local government official urged Ramadi residents to join the police and the army for what the Shi’ite militiamen said would be the “Battle of Anbar”. The White House said a U.S.-led air campaign would back multi-sectarian Iraqi forces in their attempt to regain Ramadi, whose fall exposed the limits of U.S. airpower in its battle against
the radical Sunni Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria. “The United States will be very supportive of multi-sectarian efforts who are taking command-and-control orders from the Iraqi central government,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in Washington. The United States is anxious that the Shi’ite militia are controlled by the Iraqi authorities rather than Iranian advisors. It is likewise worried that the fighting in Iraq will become a polarizing clash between Shi’ites and Sunnis. Islamic State fighters set up defensive positions and laid landmines, witnesses said. The Islamists were also going house to house searching for members of the police and armed forces. The group has promised to set up courts based on Islamic Sharia law, as they had done in other towns and cities they have conquered. They released about 100 prisoners from the counter-terror-
ism detention center in the city. Saed Hammad al-Dulaimi, 37, a school teacher who is still in the city, said: “Islamic State used loudspeakers urging people who have relatives in prison to gather at the main mosque in the city center to pick them up. I saw men rushing to the mosque to receive their prisoners.” The move could prove popular with residents who have complained that people are often subject to arbitrary detention. Sami Abed Saheb, 37, a Ramadi restaurant owner, said Islamic State found 30 women and 71 men in the detention center. They had been shot in the feet to prevent them escaping when their captors fled. Witnesses said the black flag of Islamic State was flying over the main mosque, government offices and other prominent buildings in Ramadi.
A tank of the Iraqi army is seen on the outskirts of the city of Falluja, Iraq (REUTERS/STRINGER)
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Nehemiah seeks answers from IAAF over Gatlin exit Reuters - Justin Gatlin’s manager is “disappointed and perplexed” over the treatment of the American sprinter who claimed he was “kicked out” by organizers of the World Challenge meet in Beijing after telling them of an injury concern. Renaldo Nehemiah told Reuters yesterday he would be seeking answers from the sport’s governing International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) about the events which saw Gatlin storm home on the eve of Wednesday’s meeting. Sprint hurdling great Nehemiah believes Gatlin, a controversial figure after twice failing drug tests, paid the price for his honesty in telling organizers on his arrival in Beijing on Saturday of his injury worry.
Even though he later improved and felt fit to run, Nehemiah said Gatlin was told by organizers that he should go home. By Tuesday night in Beijing there had still been no official response from the meeting’s officials about the circumstances surrounding Gatlin’s departure. Nehemiah said he could only assume it was because they were unconvinced by Gatlin’s fitness after he cramped up following a flight from Doha, where he ran a lifetime best of 9.74 seconds in the 100 meters — the fastest in the world this year. The sprinter’s manager said he felt the organizers may have been influenced by last year’s Beijing meeting when world 110m hurdles champion David Oliver pulled out late with injury.
UNSETTLING TONE Before flying home, Nehemiah said: “This morning I got an email asking when we were leaving and also stating that the organizing committee wasn’t paying for our hotel nor reimbursing us for our flights. The tone of it was very unsettling to me. ”I will have a conversation with the IAAF to get more understanding about this.” Both Nehemiah and Gatlin were bemused, he said, because they assumed organizers would give the sprinter every chance to be fit for the race as its biggest attraction. Gatlin’s picture adorns thousands of posters around Beijing to promote the meeting at the Bird’s Nest stadium in the year the world championships are being staged there.
“I’m disappointed and perplexed,” said Nehemiah. “I’ve never seen anything like this where an athlete gets hurt and all of a sudden, they’re kicked out. ”We believe in transparency. Justin’s been through a
lot so I don’t need any more negativity surrounding him. That’s why I’d said to him, ‘Be a man of your word and let them know about your problem’. ”Maybe in hindsight, we
shouldn’t have said a word.” Would Gatlin ever return to China for an invitation meeting? “He hasn’t taken that position. He’s still trying to wrap his head around this,” said Nehemiah.
Wednesday May 20, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You and a current or potential partner may disagree on whether to spend some time together alone or go out with friends, Aries. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A relaxing evening at home may be just what you need, Taurus, but a colleague might ask you to attend a business-related event. You may have had a stressful few days. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you may try to contact several people, Gemini, none of whom may be available. You might particularly want to reach a female friend or relative who lives far away. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Whether or not you should make a specific expenditure could cause some tension between you and a partner. You may think that it isn't feasible now, while your friend is determined to go for it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you may attain a goal you've been hoping to reach for a long time. Oddly enough, friends, family, and even your significant other may not seem as happy as you expected. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you may be anxious to spend time with your family, but there could be some chores you need to do first. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today it might be more difficult than usual for you to deal with words. Someone might lend you a book on a rather obscure subject that you can't understand. In fact, you might find the book - or anything else you try to read - boring! CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Some news that comes to you from a friend or colleague could shake you up today, Capricorn. You might find that what you learn casts doubts on concepts you've embraced for most of your life.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A friend may be throwing a party and you might be expected to attend. You've probably had a stressful day and really don't feel up to it. Your friend may try to induce you to come by making you feel guilty.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you may see that nearly every couple you know is quarreling, Aquarius. You may have a few differences with a current or potential partner, but this is nothing to worry about.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might receive some uncomfortable intuitive signals from one or more of your friends, Virgo. Perhaps someone doesn't feel well but came out to play anyway.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your entourage is likely to be tense and anxious, and you're no exception. You may need to stay in the environment until you've accomplished your objectives.
Justin Gatlin. Reuters/AK Bijuraj
NSC was a one-man... (From page 42) same for football,” the individual indicated, after stating that money for the Sports Department is budgeted for under the broad annual allocation for Sports. As a result, the informant noted that it would be difficult to trace what was spent in which area if a complete forensic audit is not done. The source could not confirm if, as reports stated, financial records had gone missing from the Homestretch Office. Asked about the way forward, this newspaper was told that the NSC Act needs to be enforced. “We need to have the NSC Act enforced whoever is the Commission, or Director of Sport; it must be followed to the ‘T’,” the internal informant believes. “Importantly in that (NSC Act) is that the Director of Sport is not the boss... the Director of Sport is an employee of the NSC, as clearly specified in the Act. Then, there is the issue of staffing that will include Coaches for all disciplines,” the source added.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Zimbabwe play empathy card as tour officially begins An understanding of the impact isolation from international cricket can have on a country and a desire to improve bilateral relations between the two boards were what motivated Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan, according to Ozias Bvute, the former Zimbabwe Cricket managing director who is heading the visiting delegation. The Zimbabwe squad and its accompanying officials arrived in Lahore early yesterday and they had their first training session at the Gaddafi Stadium later in the day. Zimbabwe will play two T20 internationals and three ODIs against Pakistan between May 19 and 31, the first international matches to be held in the country since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus on March 3, 2009. ”For many years, as you
know, Zimbabwe was isolated,” Bvute said at the Gaddafi Stadium, referring to ZC’s self-imposed isolation from Test cricket between September 2005 and August 2011. “We understand the politics of isolation. We therefore say isolation is not the right way. In order for brothers to relate to one another we must break the barriers that exists between us and we must interact. ”We have come here to strengthen the bilateral relations between our two nations. Cricket is bigger than any one of us and therefore we hope by coming here we have shown that cricket is and will be the winner. We look forward to an exciting two weeks, my team and I are raring to go. We are here to play cricket, we are
here to uphold the spirit of brotherhood, which makes up the cricket fraternity.” Bvute denied reports that said Zimbabwe’s players were hesitant to tour Pakistan, and that they had to sign indemnity forms because the government’s Sports and Recreation Commission had not cleared the trip. “The position was that our players were offered the opportunity to voluntarily come to Pakistan,” he said. “They accepted the position and that’s why we are here with a full-strength team. ”We obviously weighed the pros and the cons of what we wanted to achieve. And what we wanted to achieve is to come and play cricket against our brothers. Therefore we are here to affirm the position that regardless of various opinions that
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are being proffered throughout the world as to why we are here, we are here to play cricket and we will play cricket. No player has signed an indemnity form and they are all here voluntarily. ”The system of sports in Zimbabwe is that the Sports and Recreation Commission governs us. SRC wrote a letter to ZC and indicated that the final decision as to whether the Zimbabwe team tours Pakistan solely rests on ZC. Our chairman Wilson Manase took the decision and we agreed to tour Pakistan. The board and players were supportive of his decision and ultimately we are here and this is the testimony of the fact that cricket is the ultimate winner.” The Zimbabwe delegation comprises 28 people - 16 players - and is being given security befitting a guest of the state. Their motorcade included patrolling vehicles and thousands of policemen have been deployed across the city. The route between the hotel and the stadium is seven
A surveillance chopper hovers over the Gaddafi stadium during Zimbabwe training, Lahore, May 19, 2015 ©Associated Press. kilometres long and the team will be escorted through it with no traffic. Bvute said he was pleased with the arrangements. ”No one can ever guarantee your security anywhere in the world. Certainly the risk profile differs from country to country.
Conditions will always not be the same and the principal is that we like to play cricket, we have come as brothers, our intentions are not political and our intentions are that cricket fans and Pakistan people will see good cricket.” (ESPNcricinfo)
Timberwolves win lottery for top draft pick
Messiah is flanked by renowned karatekas, Jeffery Wong (left) and Frank Woon-a-Tai. (From page 37) and fitness development. Maximum Sport, Combat and Strength has hosted quite a few local celebrities including world rated boxer, Clive Atwell, world-renowned karate master Frank Woon-aTai and Mr. Universe bodybuilding champion, Hugh Ross among others. ”The program enabled me to share much valued topics and videos that are qualitative
and edutaining,” said Massiah. Those supporting businesses are Fitness Express, Jermin’s Enterprise, Terminex Pest Control, West Indian Sports Complex, Guyana Karate College, Ganesh Parts & General Store, Evil Eyes Electronics & General Merchandise, Demerara Bank Ltd, Sterling Products Ltd, Mines Services Ltd and A. Ally & Sons. The Guyana Olympic As-
sociation has also pitched in with adequate support as has Fly Jamaica Airline and the Pegasus Hotel which have donated a free airline ticket and hotel accommodation respectively. Consequently, the producer is appealing to the public to support the sponsors of the program. Further information can be had from Mr. Massiah on 609-8132 or 6728569.
The Minnesota Timberwolves won the National Basketball Association’s draft lottery yesterday giving them the first selection in the NBA draft for the first time. The Timberwolves had a 25 percent chance — the best odds among the 14 non-playoff teams in the draw — at winning the weighted lottery after finishing with the worst record in the 2014-15 regular season. For the first time since 2004, the team in best position actually claimed the top pick, giving Minnesota reason to rejoice after their lowly 16-66 mark in the regular season. ”We just want a young man with a great heart and a great mind,” said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who attended the lottery at a midtown Manhattan hotel ballroom. Centers Karl-Anthony Towns from the University of Kentucky and Jahlil Okafor from Duke are widely considered the prizes of the draft to be held on June 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Other highly touted candidates include point guards D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State) and Emmanuel Mudiay, who played professionally
this year in China, and Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis, who played in Spain’s professional league. One surprise shook up the selection order as the Los Angeles Lakers leapfrogged from the presumed fourth pick to the second spot, changing places with the New York Knicks. ”I just know right now there’s a lot of happy people in Los Angeles,” said Lakers coach Byron Scott. “This is a big step for us in the process of rebuilding our team and getting back to ... playoff championship basketball.” The Philadelphia 76ers will select third and the Orlando Magic fifth. The Timberwolves’ draft choice will join last year’s top pick
Andrew Wiggins on Minnesota’s roster as he was obtained from the Cavaliers before the 2014-15 season as part of a deal that sent Kevin Love to Cleveland. Wolves President Flip Saunders was thrilled. “This is a great day for our franchise and our fans,” said Saunders in a statement. “The No. 1 pick is a fantastic asset to have as we look to add more talent to our team.” A loud groan resounded in the ballroom when the Knicks were announced in the fourth slot. “There’s a little disappointment. We would have liked to get a higher pick,” Knicks General Manager Steve Mills said. “But we know that any one of the top five picks will give us a very good player.”
Zach LaVine (8) celebrates with point guard Lorenzo Brown (7) and small forward Andrew Wiggins (22) USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 37
St. Vincent & the Grenadines wins WIFA title Vieux Fort, St. Lucia - St Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) completed a perfect run to the 2015 Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) Men’s Championship title with a 1-0 win over Dominica on Saturday at the Philip Marcellin Grounds. The Vincy Heat finished atop the four-team table with a 3W0D-0L record, which included victories over Grenada (3-2) and host St. Lucia (2-1). Myron Samuel netted the game-winner in the 22nd minute after strong run down the left by tournament MVP Emerald George. There were jubilant scenes following the whistle as the Vincentians had finished in last place, when they hosted the first edition of the revived competition just two years ago. Some 24 months later, they sang and danced their way through the presentation ceremony, linking hands and bowing to the 1000-strong capacity crowd. ”Since early this year we have been working really hard, and we have been getting a lot of training days in,” said SVG assistant coach Westley Charles. “But a couple of weeks ago we got a week and a half training camp, so the boys have been getting some quality work in. And every plan we put in, they executed it.” In the day’s earlier match between a pair of teams previously eliminated from contention, Grenada got
Players from St. Vincent & the Grenadines celebrate after winning the 2015 Windward Islands FA Men’s Championship title. (Photo: Anthony Debeauville) goals in either half from Jamal Charles to earn a 2-0 win over St. Lucia. The 20-year-old striker, making his first start of the tournament, struck in second and 78th minutes. All four WIFA Men’s Championship participants are slated for action in the second round of World Cup Qualifying next month as Dominica will take on Canada, Grenada will square off
against Puerto Rico, St. Vincent & the Grenadines will meet Guyana and St. Lucia will be tested by Antigua & Barbuda. St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ Myron Samuel finished as the tournament’s scorer with four goals, finding the back of the net in each of the three games. (CONCACAF)
Fight of century is now battle in court as fans sue Pacquiao Las Vegas (AP) - Boxing fans across the country and their lawyers are calling the hyped-up fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. a fraud and want their money back, and then some. At least 32 U.S. lawsuits seeking class-action status allege Pacquiao should have disclosed a shoulder injury to fans before the fight, which Mayweather won in a unanimous decision after 12 rounds that most fans thought didn’t live up to the hype. Fight of the century? More like fraud of the century, the lawsuits contend. “The fight was not great, not entertaining, not electrifying. It was boring, slow and lackluster,” according to a lawsuit filed in Texas alleging racketeering, a claim usually reserved for organized crime. A lawsuit filed on behalf of Flights Beer Bar near Los Angeles International Airport in California said Pacquiao and his promoter’s actions were “nothing but a cash-
grab.” The bar paid $2,600 to broadcast the fight. The fighters are expected to earn more than $100 million each — Mayweather more than Pacquiao. HBO and Showtime broke records, raking in more than $400 million from 4.4 million people who paid to watch the pay-perview broadcast. Those viewers paid up to $100 each, and the lawsuits want that money back. It isn’t as easy as showing a receipt and demanding a refund. A federal panel of judges will likely first need to decide if the lawsuits from multiple states and Puerto Rico should be consolidated into one case. From there, a judge would have to decide whether to certify them as class action or not. What’s sought in each is the same: a jury trial and at least $5 million in damages, the threshold for federal class-action lawsuits. But the defendants differ. All include Pacquiao and his promotions team but some add
Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, hits Manny Pacquiao, during their welterweight title fight. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken, File) Mayweather and his representatives, along with HBO, Showtime and cable companies. Representatives for Pacquiao and Top Rank Promotions, HBO and Showtime had no comment on the lawsuits. Mayweather Promotions did not return multiple phone messages. Exhibit A for most of the lawsuits is a Nevada Athletic Commission medical questionnaire that Pacquiao signed days before the fight.
When asked if he had any injuries, including to his shoulder, he replied, “no.” In fact, his shoulder was injured enough to warrant surgery shortly after the fight. In a twist, Pacquiao revealed for the first time in a postfight press conference that he had torn his rotator cuff weeks before. The Nevada Athletic Commission denied him a pain reliever mere hours before the fight, when regulators first
learned of the injury. Conspiracy theories abound as to how many people knew about the injury and when, including claims in a few of the lawsuits that Mayweather had a spy in Pacquiao’s camp and the boxer targeted Pacquiao’s right shoulder during the fight. Experts in resolving legal disputes doubt disgruntled boxing fans will be able to claim victory. ”They’d have more lawsuits if they didn’t hold the fight,” said Maureen Weston, director of Pepperdine University’s entertainment, media and sports disputeresolution project. If a fight is what fans were paying for, the boxers unquestionably delivered, she said. Just because people didn’t like the show doesn’t mean they get their money back, Weston said. Ultimately the question is: Who did Pacquiao have a legal duty to explain his injury to? Short answer: He didn’t have to tell viewers, she said.
The only contract viewers had was with their cable companies, which had contracts with HBO and Showtime. It’s not the first time customers have gone to court when things didn’t go quite the way they expected in the field of entertainment. Remember Milli Vanilli? Music fans in the 1990s argued the lip-synching pop duo owed them a refund once it was revealed they weren’t actually singing. Or the bite-fight with Mike Tyson? Sports fans may have gotten an earful, but they contended they didn’t pay to see a boxing match only for it to be disqualified. Neither resulted in judgments for refund-seeking customers. Milli Vanilli fans got a buck or two back in a settlement. So if viewers were promised a fight, and they got a 12-round fight, isn’t that enough? Lawyer Caleb Marker, who represents clients in two separate classaction suits against Pacquiao, says that’s arguable.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Stoby and Crumpler finish Blenheim Trust 5K Series unbeaten
National All Comers champ, Reuben Stoby. Road Town, Tortola, VI Already assured the series title, Reuben J. A. Stoby and Katrina Crumpler ensured they ended the Blenheim Trust 5K series unbeaten when the final race was held in conjunction with the National 5K Championship in Road Town on Saturday last. Stoby, whose only defeat this year was in the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon, again ran unchallenged to victory.
He clocked 17:52, several seconds slower than his Personal Best time of 17:41 recorded on the Carrot Bay course in March. The Nagico Insurancessponsored athlete was named the BVI All Comers champion and his time was also officially recognised as the BVI Men’s All Comers 5k course record. 800m specialist and two-mile champion Tarique Moses took second in 18:17 and was named the Na-
tional 5K champion. Moses also ended the Blenheim Trust 5K series in second place. Julius Farley finished third in the final 5k race of the series in a time of 18:53. He ended the series in third also. Khirey Creque finished fourth in 19:44 and Zebalon A. McLean fifth. Crumpler recorded 20:55.58 to finish the Blenheim Trust 5K series with a fast time that will also be officially recognised
as the BVI Women’s All Comers 5K course record. Rosmond Johnson was second in 22:07 while Kay Reddy beat the likes of Julianne Potgeiter and Anna Kinkead to take third in 24:22. Johnson finished the series in second place while Kinkead was third. Prizes were awarded to the various top three finishers of the final 5K race as well as the overall champions of
the Blenheim Trust 5K series. Mrs. Robinson’s famous banana bread was also there for athletes to enjoy after the race. BLENHEIM TRUST 5K RACE 5 – NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 5K NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 5K Men All Comers: Reuben Stoby BVI National 5k Champ: Tarique Moses Women All Comers:
Katrina Crumpler BVI National 5k Champ: Anna Kinkead Youth National 5k Champ: Derek Pettigrew BLENHEIM TRUST 5K – OVERALL Men 1st Reuben Stoby 2nd Tarique Moses 3rd Julius Farley Women 1st Katrina Crumpler 2nd Rosmond Johnson 3rd Anna Kinkead
Pollard, Harbhajan put Mumbai in third final
Kieron Pollard muscled fives sixes in 17 deliveries ©BCCI
Mumbai Indians dished out the perfect formulaic fare - win toss, score enough runs and throttle the opponent in th e f i e l d - t o s u b d u e Chennai Super Kings by 25 runs and march into the final. After Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard took Mumbai’s score to 187, they shadowed Super Kings throughout their
chase, never allowing them to get on top. Harbhajan Singh’s dismissals of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni off consecutive deliveries in the 11th over helped Mumbai make the decisive surge. Apart from Faf du Plessis, who consolidated after an early wicket, and R Ashwin, who dealt a few powerful blows towards the end,
Super Kings’ batting, as Dhoni later put it, was soft. It was only a matter of time before Mumbai clinched their eighth win in nine games. After a decent start, Super Kings found themselves in the rather unfamiliar territory of a middle-order collapse, and more disturbingly for them they didn’t have the right response. The very next ball after Raina pushed one straight back at Harbhajan, Dhoni , attempting a sweep, was caught plumb in front. But the lbw that caused much angst to Super Kings was that of Dwayne Smith, ruled out by Richard Illingworth when a Lasith Malinga low full toss in the first over struck him well outside leg stump. But du Plessis, who was later dropped on 14 by Malinga, remained Super Kings’ banker. However, his dismissal in the 14th over, which was followed by Parthiv Patel’s sharp run-out of Dwayne Bravo, quelled any late uprising. Ashwin belted out some elegant hits, but with no recognised batsman at the other end there was too much for him to do. Super Kings folded up two balls after his dismissal in the 19th over. Even though Mumbai didn’t go berserk from the be-
ginning, openers Simmons and Parthiv Patel didn’t panic after a slow start. After negotiating tidy opening spells from Ashwin, who opened the bowling for the second time this year, and Ashish Nehra, Simmons blasted a brace of sixes off Ashwin to shrug off the inertia. While he played out 25 dot balls, he compensated with five sixes and three fours during the course of his 51ball 65. Simmons looked to be hurling everything he had at the ball, and besides hacking the ball down the ground, his fast hands came in handy while guiding the ball late. Parthiv joined in with his clear-the-front-leg-andswipe approach soon after, and together they completed their fourth 50-plus partnership of the tournament. After Bravo sent back Parthiv, the incidence of wickets appeared to be a little more frequent, but it didn’t have a palpable impact on the scoring-rate: they scored 49 runs from the 10th to 15th overs, and managed 52 in their last five. Pollard played an influential role in this respect, slamming a 17-ball 41 with five sixes and a four. He largely favoured the leg side, besides going straight every once in a while.
Harbhajan Singh is charged up after dismissing MS Dhoni first ball ©BCCI That he kept going despite wickets falling at the other end hurt Super Kings, whose fielding was uncharacteristically patchy. It rubbed on to their bowling towards the end: Bravo bowled three wides in the last over, which cost him 16 runs.
Super Kings were on exactly the same score - 86 - as their opponents at the halfway mark, having lost two wickets to Mumbai’s none. But the loss of four wickets in the next five overs saw them slide irreversibly. (ESPNcricinfo)
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Hockey takes huge step forward with FIH, PAHF Presidents visit
The three Presidents (from left) PAHF’s Alberto ‘Coco’ Budeisky, FIH’s Leandro Negre and ghb President Philip Fernandes engage the media at the GCC Pavilion yesterday. The sport of hockey received a huge fillip with the visit of International Hockey Federation (FIH) Leandro Negre and Pan American Hockey Federation President (PAHF)Alberto ‘Coco’Budeisky who arrived on Monday evening for a one-day visit as guests of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB). The duo who is expected to depart today, met with President of the GHB Philip Fernandes, Guyana Olympic Association President K.A Juman Yasin and other high ranking officials from the entity and Permanent Secretary attached to the Ministry of Sport Alfred King yesterday and held discussions on how the sport can continue to development here, before making an onsite visit to the Georgetown Cricket Club ground. According to Negre, one of the main purpose of the visit is to meet with the relevant officials to discuss the possibility of the GHB obtain-
ing a piece of land to lay an artificial turf which the FIH in collaboration with the PAHF and other related agencies are willing to offer Guyana to further enhance the sport’s current positive movement. The FIH President, who is a native of Spain, told the gathering that also included a number of juniors who’re now learning the art of the sport of the sacrifice that is required to reach the highest level, informing that he played for his country at every level even the Olympics. He added that should the GHB be able to secure the plot of land he is optimistic that the game could reach new heights otherwise it will be very difficult to make similar strides as other countries that have the synthetic surfaces. Negre spoke of the possibility of setting up Leagues, hosting competitions against foreign teams that could generate revenue that could then be invested in the further de-
velopment of the sport at all levels. Budeisky in his remarks said Guyana deserves an artificial turf, adding that should that become available his Federation is willing to offer much support for the continued development of the sport. ”We are willing to support all national associations that need our support, we have a lot of things to do, we’ve started and Guyana deserves this support,” Budeisky told the media. The Argentine, who took office in September, 2013, like Negre is paying his first visit to these shores and extended thanks to the GHB for hosting the visit, the first by a PAHF President in over two decades. Fernandes told the media that Negre’s presence is the first by a FIH President ever to Guyana and hailed the visit as a huge step forward for the sport here, especially when the influence of the two officials is considered.
WICB starts series of town-hall meetings St. John’s, Antigua – President of the West Indies Cricket Board Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron will host a series of public town-hall meetings around the Caribbean over a period of three months, starting Friday in Barbados. Cameron said it was part of the WICB’s plan to engage directly with the regional public on the issues facing the game in the region. “We believe the public town-hall meeting is a great way to hear what people across the Caribbean have to say about the important issues facing their game,” he said. It presents a great opportunity for our stakeholders to learn more about initiatives which the WICB is working
Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron on at this time.” He added: “We want to restore the pub-
lic confidence in the WICB and we can only do this if we talk to our public – the fans, sponsors and our governments. ”We are looking to engage in open, honest dialogue with the public, so we encourage all to attend and actively participate, as we seek to rebuild West Indies cricket together.” The first town-hall meeting will take place in Lecture Theatre 1 on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies, starting from 7 p.m. Plans are already under foot to stage a second public town-hall meeting just prior to the first Test between West Indies and Australia in Dominica. Further details will be disclosed at a later date. (WICB)
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Young racquet wielders performed creditably at T&T’s Silver Bowl A young group of local racquet wielders recently returned home with a silver and three bronze medals won after participating in the Trinidad and Tobago Table Tennis Association Junior Cadet Silver Bowl Championships. The team which comprised Stefan Corlette, Miguel and Colin Wong, Priscilla Greaves Isaiah Layne and Nickolas Romain arrived in the Republic under the guidance of Coach Dwain Dick. According to Dick, all the players produced commendable performances and singled out eight years old Colin Wong as one for the future. Dick told this newspaper that the young Wong competed above his age category and performed creditably, a testimony to his courage and skill. Miguel Wong, who competed in the Under-15 and 18 divisions where he came away with a bronze medal in the U-15 category, was also
one of the players that the Coach indicated has a bright future as well. Corlette, who is another promising player, returned with a bronze medal won in the U-21 category, while the ever consistent Greaves came back with two medals, a silver and bronze that she claimed in the U-21 and U-18 categories respectively. Romain competed in the U-15 division, while Layne contended in the U-11 and according to Dick both players acquitted themselves very well. Dick, who is the Head Coach of the Titans Table Tennis Club that conduct sessions at the Guyana Red Cross Society Headquarters in Eve Leary lamented the lack of exposure that local players are subjected to, citing the case of Miguel Wong, who performed outstandingly when the Caribbean Junior Cadet Championships was held here, but has since struggled to attend tourna-
ments. In highlighting his observation, Dick pointed to instances where quite a few players Wong would have beaten previously, have been afforded opportunities to play in many high level tournaments, while noting the complete opposite for Wong, who has basically been training alone. ”There is a distinct difference between training and competing, the player that competes more often will in many cases go on to be better because they are being exposed to different styles, while also getting a feel of the atmosphere playing in front of a partisan crowd,” Dick related. Dick thanked the Trinidad and Tobago TTA, Management and Staff of the Guyana Red Cross Society for its continued support, Michael Layne, Evocative Prints and all the other sponsors that aided in the participation of the team.
Ambrose - ‘Mediocre’ jibe motivated us London, England - Curtly Ambrose says the West Indies were desperate to beat England in their recent series because of the words of ECB chairman Colin Graves before the first Test. Graves, who had not yet taken the role when he gave the interview in March, said: “I’d certainly be disappointed if we don’t win the series, because I am pretty sure the West Indies are going to have a mediocre team.” Captain Alastair Cook has since admitted his words were unhelpful after England left the Caribbean with a 1-1 draw from the three-Test series having lost the third match in Barbados. And Ambrose, who retired in 2000 after taking 405 Test wickets and now works as a bowling consultant for his country, said Graves’ accusation gave them great motivation. He told Sky Sports News HQ: “England still have a wonderful team, some good talent, but we wanted to win the series because there was a comment made by the ECB chairman that we are a “mediocre team” and it it whould be a an easy walkover for England, that if England don’t
Curtly Ambrose
win the series, they had to look into English cricket. ”We used that as motivation to show we are better than mediocre. We wanted to win the series, to shut him up a little bit.” After failing to press home their advantage in the first Test in Antigua, England won the second Test in Grenada only to then collapse in Barbados. ”It was a good series, a tough one,” added Ambrose, appearing on Sky Sports to
promote his autobiography Time to Talk. “We played extremely well in Antigua to save that game and I think in Grenada we were doing quite well until one Jimmy Anderson had different ideas. ”He had a good spell for an hour-and-a-half that really took the game away from us. In Barbados, it was a poorlyprepared pitch, but we were quite happy to win the game and draw the series.” (Sky Sports)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Guyana among CONCACAF MAs preparing for Historic Women’s Football Day
Miami - With the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Football Day set to take place Saturday, CONCACAF Member Associations (MAs) are committing their resources to organizing innovative and impactful activities for girls and women around the region. ”It is crucial for CONCACAF to continue the advancement of women’s football while developing grassroots programs and continue achieving major victories,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “My vision was and remains the same — that every man, woman and child passionate about football has the opportunity to access our beautiful game and develop their skills in order to reinforce
CONCACAF’s position in the global arena.” Thirty-seven of 41 MAs have confirmed their participation in this initiative, which is poised to achieve unprecedented success for the awareness and promotion of the women’s game. In addition to local football activities and grassroots festivals, MAs will convey the importance of developing women’s football. Furthermore, in multiple cases MAs will be joined by the local Ministry of Health and non-profit organizations, providing vital information about the importance of nutrition, activeness and a healthy lifestyle. ”CONCACAF is thrilled to see the investment and dedication by our Member Associations for this day of
celebration for women’s football”, said CONCACAF Executive Committee Member Sonia Bien-Aime. “With festivals, tournaments, skills challenges, women’s football forums, and other exciting activities scheduled to take place on May 23, we are certain that Women’s Football Day will bring global attention to the region and highlight the women’s football success stories taking place in CONCACAF.” CONCACAF is the leading Confederation for participation in women’s football with nearly three million registered female players. In 2014, the Confederation conducted the first-ever Under-15 tournament for girls in the Cayman Islands. A d d i t i o n a l l y, CONCACAF also hosted FIFA women’s tournaments for youth players – the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups in Costa Rica and Canada, respectively. There are currently 30 women’s football leagues at the national association level, including three futsal and three beach soccer leagues. In total, there are 25 youth leagues (U13, U15 and U17), which demonstrate the current focus on women’s
youth development, as well as the potential for further growth. ”I warmly congratulate CONCACAF and its member associations for establishing Women’s Football Day and organizing activities on this day,” said Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director at UN Women, United Nations entity for gender equality. “The one thing that I know helps to fight gender stereotypes and reaffirm girls, is success in sports. We need to harness the exceptional capacity that sports has to educate and to change attitudes. Through engaging in sports and living its values, women and girls can develop leadership skills, overcome bias, improve their health and become empowered.” CONCACAF Women’s Football Day will officially kick-off Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time with a video message from President Jeffrey Webb, with activities continuing throughout the day. All participants and women’s football fans are encouraged to use the event’s designated hashtags - #WFD and #CONCACAFWFD - to share photos, videos, comments, stories and more in order to further amplify CONCACAF’s women’s
football movement. A list of participating Member Associations, as well as their selected women’s football activity/activities, are as follows: ANGUILLA - Beach Soccer Tournament ANTIGUA & BARBUDA - 7 v 7 Tournament ARUBA - 5 v 5 Tournament BAHAMAS - 3 v 3 Tournament; Skills Challenge BARBADOS - Grassroots Festival BELIZE - Grassroots Festival BERMUDA - Skills Challenge BONAIRE - Grassroots Festival BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS - 3 v 3 Tournament CANADA - Live Your Goals Festival CAYMAN ISLANDS Beach Soccer Tournament; Women’s Forum COSTA RICA - Grassroots Festival CUBA - Grassroots Festival CURACAO - 5 v 5 Tournament DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Grassroots Festival EL SALVADOR Grassroots Festival FRENCH GUIANA Grassroots Festival; Cup Final GRENADA - 3 v 3
Tournament; Skills Challenge GUADELOUPE - Grassroots Festival GUATEMALA - Grassroots Festival GUYANA - 3 v 3 Tournament HAITI - 5 v 5 Tournament HONDURAS - Regional Tournament JAMAICA - Skills Challenge; 5 v 5 Tournament MARTINIQUE - Grassroots Festival MEXICO - Grassroots Festival MONTSERRAT Grassroots Festival NICARAGUA - Grassroots Festival; Women’s Forum PANAMA - Grassroots Festival; Skills Challenge PUERTO RICO Grassroots Festival ST. KITTS & NEVIS - Skills Challenge ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES - 5 v 5 Tournament; Skills Challenge SURINAME - 5 v 5 Tournament; 7 v 7 Tournament; Skills Challenge TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Grassroots Festival TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS - 5 v 5 Tournament U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - 5 v 5 Tournament USA - World Cup Community Week
East Coast Cricket Board Congratulates APNU+AFC Government GFF hosts successful Referee Instructor/ The President, Executives and the entire membership of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB), wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes His Excellency President David Granger, Hon. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and the coalition APNU + AFC on their victory at the recent polls. The success at the elections is a clear indication by those who have placed their confidence in your leadership skills to lead the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. We believe your victory was neither by sheer magic
nor coincidence, but by your hard work and the confidence of the majority of those who have faith in your management skills and your ability to steer the ship of this great nation. We pray that the Almighty God will continue to shower blessings, wisdom, courage and sustained good health for the onerous task ahead. In this regard, we are looking forward to working diligently with you to bring decency, transparency and democracy at all levels in our cricket administration. Congratulations once again!
Assessor Development Course
Photo saved as Referees Course – Participants of the GFF Referee Instructor/Assessor Development Course
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) last weekend hosted a successful Referee Instructor/Assessor Course for its local Assessors which attracted Referee Assessors and Instructors from Regions 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10. There were a total of sixteen participants which
included for the first time, two female Referee Assessors. This is the first course of its kind which was facilitated by the GFF’s local Instructors/Assessors, Mr. Abdulla Hamid, Mr. Ingram Johnson and Mr. Roy McArthur. Head of the federations Referees Department, Lancaster, said
that the aim course is to have well trained Assessors and Instructors to properly assess match officials during all levels of games and tournaments across Guyana and to also aid in the development of Referees. The GFF will be hosting a series of Recruitment Drives with its first Beginner’s
Course set to commence on May 22 - 25. Interested persons are asked to contact Lancaster on 2278758 or via e m a i l slancaster@gffonline.com. These courses are part of the continued development plans of the federation for the sport and will target Coaches, Referees and Players.