Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Sooba enjoys governmental support DEAR SIR, It is very strange that, the PPP/C Government is going to the hilt to represent Ms. Carol Sooba at the Georgetown City Council even though she does not have the support of majority of Councillors. I do not know of any other government, in any other part of the world that would stick its neck out for someone who clearly does not have the competencies or administrative ability to manage an organization such as the City Council. More than that, the council is in crisis; it needs excellent management. A well run corporation would never risk allowing someone who does not have the qualifications to be at its helm, let alone the Georgetown municipality, that has the responsibility to provide vital services for citizens. This brings to the fore the question, “Why is the PPP Government rushing full speed ahead to support someone who has not demonstrated any special
qualities that can enhance the fortunes of the party?” Perhaps, Ms. Sooba may have information about the PPP/C, which if revealed, could embarrass party comrades. Or someone from the PPP/C might have a personal or special interest in some aspect of the council business. Perhaps, secret plans among individuals and supporters of PPP/C to spend the $500 million that was approved by the National Assemble for the council is motivating them to fight to keep Ms. Sooba in place. Maybe she has promised to facilitate the spending. Whatever the reason, the real victims are the citizens of Georgetown; they are not treated with respect and their rights to good municipal services are continually denied. What democracy? Worse, the PPP is refusing to call Local Government Elections. Imagine an entire generation has been denied the right and opportunity to vote for a local government authority of their choice. Yet,
the PPP/C continues to talk about democracy. It is embarrassingly evident that they are afraid to call local government elections because they know that they will be decimated beyond recognition. Still, this is no reason for the government to be stubborn and to persist in denying Guyanese the right to participate in governance of their local communities. I call on the international community and members of the diplomatic corps to stop giving aid to this government. Such aid is encouraging the PPP/C to openly dishonour the principles of good governance and democracy. I call on all Guyanese to raise their voices, through the media and at every all fora, to demand local government elections. It is not a favour; it is our right. Let us demand it, now. I call on the Central Government to fully respect the rights of all citizens and announce a date for Local Government Elections. Aubrey James
Guyana needs a national cultural policy DEAR EDITOR, I’d like to thank Albert R. Cumberbatch, PhD for his kind words in relation to my receipt of a Prince Claus Fund grant (“Kudos to author Ruel Johnson” - KN, May 24). Unfortunately, although of late honorary doctorates seem to be given out on the scantest of premises, I regret to inform Dr. Cumberbatch that I am not in possession of a doctorate - I am a humble University of Guyana dropout who writes books and is interested in cultural policy. I am heartened to hear of Dr. Cumberbatch’s views on the need for a national cultural policy, although I am not in the least bit surprised that his overtures to the Minister of Culture have ‘fallen on deaf ears.’ Dr. Anthony’s record on every aspect of his portfolio, but in Culture in particular,
has been one that has been marked by gross incompetence, resistance towards any sort of accountability, and a stubborn refusal to accept honest and intelligent interventions. Dr. Anthony has been sitting on a draft National Cultural Policy document for the past seven years. In the wake of my criticisms, he has been furiously trying to play catch up. However, typical of the PPP governance philosophy, the process had been marked by a tendency towards exclusion of competent people and pandering to sycophants and non-critics; as such it has been patchy and wrought with failure. For example, last November, Dr Anthony hosted a “Business Lab on Cultural Enterprises” - funded
by the Israeli government - in which participants were exclusively selected by persons close to the ministry and government; nothing tangible has come out of that engagement. Two months ago, participants were also Continued on page 29
History must be revealed
DEAR EDITOR, Within the last year I have been followingwith mixed feelings, newspapers accounts of activities/events in my community of East Canje. Those activities have created among the people of East Canje an intangible sense of pride. These events did not only heighten our awareness of the sacrifices made by former residents but demonstrated to us the impact of the actions of those until now, forgotten persons. We learnt of some of the significant changes, many of which we are the benefactors today. Those heroes sought improvement in the working conditions of the general population, specifically the East Indian immigrant sugar workers. Among the events written about were the January 2013 commemoration of the seven sugar workers who perished in that tragic clarifier accident of the 1970s. Even though tragic it has taught many lessons of valour, something which today is sadly missing as we interact with each other. The unveiling of the monument in memory of the thirteen martyred in 1913 at the hands of the Colonial Policealso left us with lessons of courage and the harsh reality of what the face of inhumanity looks like. My disappointments emanated from two sources; part being how some letter writers dealt with the planning aspect of the events and the actual finale for both activities. We who were
involved minimally in the preparatory discussions know that if it were not for an eminent son of Canje who first saw the light of day among the logies inhabited by the coolies of Rose Hall Estate, neither of those events would have materialized when they did. We are also aware that he was the initiator of the annual Highbury Arrival Day event, since some of us participated in the initial planning of the first celebration in Highbury to mark Indian Arrival Day, 26 years ago. The person whom we on the ground in Canje acknowledge ,without a doubt, as being the initiator was also the motivating force in getting things in place for propagating the related issues among residents and who worked tirelessly to bring off those events. This he did until some of the same letterwriting debaters and their supporters hijacked the event for whatever ulterior gains they envisaged. A perusal of the man’s works revealed his wider national consciousness. Without a doubt the nation of Guyana owes him (big time) for successfully negotiating the take-over of Bookers-McConnell Lid for the sum of a token Guyana dollar. Yes Bookers holdings were officially transferred for a token Guyana Dollar to Guysuco, thanks to the astute negotiating skills of the erstwhile Economist Dr Fred Sukdeo, DPhil. His brilliance was recognized by the late
President Forbes Burnham, and even though, Dr Sukdeo was reputed to be a Jaganite, President Burnham appealed to his sense of nationalism and he rose to the of occasion. Many may not even be cognizant of how deeply he was involved in the erection of the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument. In academia, his many students here and overseas can attest to his intellectual capacity and his willingness to share. It is that same willingness to share his knowledge that the IAC now palavers successfully with the annual Melas at Highbury and other parts of Guyana to mark Indian Arrival. One wonders why he was not a part of the official proceedings held at Rose Hall Estate on January 2014 to unveil the monument in honour of the 1913 martrys since he made an invaluable contribution for this event to materialize. In my opinion the time is ripe for this septuagenarian to be accorded the recognition in his community and nationally for his contributions in the many areas where he left his indelible marks. History can never be tailored; the nation will be even further enlightened in follow up articles. D. Mahabir
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Body positively identified as ‘Satan Ambassador’ Relatives of the man whose body was found with a bullet wound to the chest on the Eccles Access Road, East Bank Demerara last Saturday night are not too optimistic that the police will do anything to solve his murder. A close relative, who positively identified the body as that of 27-year-old Rawle Newton called ‘Satan Ambassador’, yesterday at the Lyken Funeral Parlour, told this newspaper that since the police had labeled him a criminal, she does not expect them to go after his killer. Three days after the discovery of the body, the police in a press release yesterday said that the man whose body was found with a suspected gunshot wound at Eccles Access Road, EBD, on May 23, 2014, has been identified as Rawle Newton called “Satan Ambassador” of Agricola, EBD, and Princes Street, Georgetown. Newton was one of the main accused in the 2010
“This will be another unsolved murder” - Relative
Rawle Newton called ‘Satan Ambassador’ double murder of two Barticabased gold and diamond dealers Jainarine Raghubar and Ramdeo Deonarine. He and another man were set free by a Bartica Magistrate last January after an almost three-year preliminary inquiry. Minutes after identifying the body, the female relative said that Newton’s death will
be added to the long and growing list of unsolved murders in Guyana. “I can bet my life that the police will never investigate it because it is Rawle Newton, he’s not a prominent person in Guyana,” she said. The woman told Kaieteur News that fearing for his life, Newton fled to neighbouring Venezuela almost immediately after his matter was discharged. A wanted bulletin was subsequently issued for his arrest in connection with another robbery a few weeks later. The relative said that she last heard from Newton sometime last week when he telephoned her from Venezuela, enquiring about his relatives. “He would normally call and ask how everybody was doing and so on,” the woman explained. According to the woman, she was unaware that he had returned to Guyana and it was only after she received a call from another relative who asked her to look at the Kaieteur News on Sunday morning that some anxiety began to set in. That day, this newspaper carried a front page photograph of an unidentified man lying dead on the road. The relative said that
when she first looked at the newspaper, she did not recognize Newton, and this especially so since she still believed he was in Venezuela. “But then relatives and friends called in to say that it appeared to be him, the body had the resemblance of him.” This caused her to examine the photograph more keenly and she managed to identify a piece of the clothing that covered a part of the body. “We identified the jacket, the Rocawear jacket, but still I was not too sure,” the woman said. On Monday they went to the funeral parlour with the intention of positively identifying the body but since they were not accompanied by a police rank, they were not allowed to. It was only yesterday that they managed to do so by way of the tattoos that covered parts of Newton’s body. The relative was keen to point out that her brother was wrongfully labeled by the police because of the tattoos on his skin. “Rawle has a tattoo on his arms, ‘Satan Ambassador’. Rawle never told anybody that his name was ‘Satan Ambassador’, that is the myth of the Guyana Police Force,” she stated. Newton’s mother, who
Newton’s mother (centre) being consoled outside the Lyken Funeral Parlour yesterday. was also at the funeral parlour yesterday, was too distraught to speak with this publication, while his father who works in the interior was subsequently informed of his demise. “He was forced to leave Guyana because of death threats since he was in prison. He confided in the family and it was useless to inform the Guyana Police Force because they are no help,” the relative said. The woman was not afraid to disclose that she suspected that one of his associates is responsible for his murder. She believes that her brother was set up by the associate immediately after he
returned to Guyana, the day before he was murdered. According to the relative, Newton had mentioned the associate’s name and, “since in prison they always had heated altercation over the phone over some money that he owed Rawle.” She is also basing her belief on the fact that the associate lives somewhere in the area where her brother’s body was found. Rawle Newton had also received threats from persons who were connected to the two men he was accused of murdering. A post mortem examination will be performed today.
DIGICEL’S TOP BRASS MEETS WITH PRESIDENT RAMOTAR
Top executives of mobile giant, Digicel, yesterday called on President Donald Ramotar. At the top of the agenda would have been the ongoing talks to liberalise the telecommunications industry in Guyana with critical legislation currently before the National Assembly. Government wants to open the doors to new players.
In this Government Information Agency photo are from left: Chief Executive Officer, Digicel Guyana, Gregory Dean, CEO Caribbean and Central America, Regis Romerio, President Donald Ramotar, Digicel Chairman/ Owner, Denis O’Brien, and non-Executive Director, Clifford Reis after a meeting yesterday at the Office of the President.
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Ansa Mc Al intensifies awareness campaign to tackle sale of counterfeit goods While the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, (GA-FDD) continues efforts to counteract the incidence of bogus products on the local market, authorized distributor Ansa McAl Trading Limited, is upping the ante to raise awareness about the dangers which accompany using counterfeit commodities. Earlier this month, GAFDD issued an alert to warn consumers about a line of counterfeit beauty products, which included Head and Shoulders Shampoo and Conditioner; Pantene Pro V Shampoo and Conditioner, and Oil of Olay aging creams. Ansa McAl is an authorized distributor for the overseas-based company, Procter and Gamble, of which the products are manufactured. Following a complaint by the distribution giant, officials of GA-FDD seized and destroyed a number of the counterfeit beauty products, which were found on the shelves of city retailers. GA-FDD also warned that legal action will be taken against vendors of counterfeit products. During a press conference at the company’s Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara Headquarters yesterday, Ansa McAl officials disclosed that further tests conducted on samples of each of the products proved that the items lacked the requisite active ingredients for which the
brands we represent…We are asking the public to take charge and report instances of counterfeit items. We have to work together to address the problem and threat of counterfeit products,” she stressed. Meanwhile, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Food and Drug
There was a demonstration showing that the counterfeit products are diluted in comparison to the originals. Procter and Gamble merchandise are known. As such, Ansa McAl’s Managing Director, Beverly Harper, noted that the company is determined to raise awareness by educating consumers about the dangers of using counterfeit merchandise. “Ansa McAl would like to express its concerns about the increasing presence of counterfeit goods in the Guyana market; this we feel not only has serious consequences for our company but for our customers who could be adversely affected by using these products. “What is most distributing is that there are those who manufacture and distribute counterfeit goods/ drugs without reservation; this shows that apart from
ignoring the health risk they are defrauding consumers as well as preventing consumers from receiving safe, effective products that were supposed to help them, whether it be pharmaceuticals to improve their health or shampoo to keep their hair clean,” Ms. Harper added as she noted that the company will be teaming up with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Government Analyst Food and Drug Department to assist in curtailing the sale of such items. “We are asking the public to take charge and report counterfeit products to the relevant authorities such as GRA and GA-FDD and to us, if you buy any imitation of our brands.” According to Harper,
Ansa McAl Trading Limited is the authorized distributor, for Procter & Gamble, Heineken, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Alcon, and Grace Kennedy amongst many others, with brands such as Olay, Head & Shoulders, Pringles, Monster Energy Drink, Ariel soap powder, Tropical Rhythms, Bumble Bee, Sqezy, Panadol, and Andrews. Harper also stated that it is important to note that counterfeit products often remain with these ‘importers’ longer than is recommended and when the products become aged and expire, these products with questionable ingredients are sold to unsuspecting consumers at a heavily discounted price. “We can only guarantee quality, freshness and the integrity of the products and
More than 50 rebels killed as new Ukraine leader unleashes assault DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukrainian aircraft and paratroopers killed more than 50 pro-Russian rebels in an assault that raged into a second day yesterday after a newly elected president vowed to crush the revolt in the east once and for all. The unprecedented offensive throws a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has said he reserves the right to defend Russian speakers under threat, but whose past assertions that Kiev is led by an illegitimate “junta” were undermined by the landslide election victory of billionaire Petro Poroshenko. Reuters journalists counted 20 bodies in combat fatigues in one room of a city morgue in Donetsk. Some of the bodies were missing limbs, a sign that the government had brought to bear heavy firepower against the rebels for the first time.
“From our side, there are more than 50 (dead),” the prime minister of the rebels’ self-styled Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Borodai, told Reuters at the hospital. The government said it suffered no losses in the assault, which began with air strikes hours after Ukrainians overwhelmingly voted to elect 48-year-old confectionery magnate Poroshenko as their new president. Putin demanded an immediate halt to the offensive. Moscow said a visit by Poroshenko was not under consideration, though it has said it is prepared to work with him. Until now, Ukrainian forces have largely avoided direct assaults on the separatists, partly because they fear tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the border could invade. But Poroshenko and his government appear to have interpreted his victory as a
clear mandate for decisive action. He won more than 54 percent of the vote in a field of 21 candidates, against 13 percent for his closest challenger. Poroshenko and other leaders in Kiev may have calculated that the election, by bestowing legitimacy on the authorities, makes it harder for Putin to justify intervention. Putin said in recent weeks he would withdraw troops from the border. A NATO military officer said most of them were still there, although some showed signs of packing to leave. The new Ukrainian government assault began even as Poroshenko was holding his victory news conference in Kiev. After rebels seized the Donetsk airport on Monday, Ukrainian warplanes and helicopters strafed them from the air, and paratroopers were flown in to root them out.
Shooting carried on through the night, and yesterday the road to the airport bore signs of fighting. Heavy machinegun fire could be heard in the distance in mid-morning. On the airport highway, a truck - the kind that rebels have used to ferry dozens of fighters across the region had been torn apart by machinegun fire. Blood was sprayed across the road and splattered on a billboard seven meters above. “The airport is completely under control,” Interior Minister Arsen Avakov told journalists in the capital Kiev. “The adversary suffered heavy losses. We have no losses,” he added. “We’ll continue the antiterrorist operation until not a single terrorist remains on the territory of Ukraine,” First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema said on the margins of a government meeting.
Analyst Department joined 111 countries in an international week of action titled ‘Operation PANGEA’, targeting the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines. During the first phase of Operation PANGEA’, 9,482,646 units of potentially dangerous medication were seized.
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Wednesday May 28, 2014
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SWEET MAN DEAL Imagine you have an idea which you think will be successful. This idea is to establish your own business. You have good reason to believe that if you go ahead and establish this business,
it will be highly profitable for you. So make the decision to go ahead. There is however one obstacle. You have no money. However, all is not lost. There is now hope, newly
discovered hope. You see the government has come up with a new model. In this model, they put up over two-thirds of the money for any enterprise. All you have to find is one-third and then you
Dem boys seh
Rohee ain’t even good fuh a clerk Dem boys always warn that nobody should tek on a wuk wha dem can’t do. That is why dem white people never use to promote black people past de rank of sergeant in de police force. Dem believe that black people couldn’t be good past sergeant and dem boys seh that it was eye-pass. These days is usual to see people getting promote to job that dem can’t do. Ash Knee and Brazzy promote Fip Motilall to de rank of road contractor although he never even build a footpath. De result is that de road never build and Donald had to knock off Fip. Dem expert does call it promoting people beyond their level of competence. Well Donald do de same thing. He promote Rohee beyond he level of competence. Dem boys seh that after Donald become president he couldn’t do de party wuk and de country wuk at de same time.
Papa Cheddi use to do it but Donald was no Papa Cheddi and in any case thiefing wasn’t suh rampant like today. Anyhow, Donald mek he General Secretary. Donald shouldn’t even mek he a clerk in de Pee Pee Pee. From de time Rohee mix up Dominica wid Dominica Republic, Donald shoulda learn. This is a man who can’t really represent heself; is a man who dumb, dotish and stupid. Imagine he could explain all de things that happen wid de Marriott. He could even explain how dem two Hong Kong people get 67 per cent of de place fuh US$8 million while de government who put in US$20 million ain’t get nutten. He is de man who trying to defend dem crook. When dem boys ask how he friends get rich only after dem save money all dem life. Dem never had to buy nutten. Fuh that bit of stupidness Donald did
want to send he to jail. He realize that if he send Rohee to jail he would have to send nuff others. But then he sit down and he decide to attack dem boys. He seh that dem attacking Jagdeo and he getting ketch in de middle. He plan to counter-attack. Dem boys know that dem got de Creatah pun dem side and he gun give dem strength to withstand anything that Rohee and Brazzy and Ash Knee and all of dem Bees throw at dem boys. One man seh that de crooks trying everything to bring dem boys to dem knees. Dem get Bobby to try fuh do it in de court and he really try fuh beat dem boys into submission. Is a good thing dem boys had de wisdom and de courage to push everything out of de way wid a smile. Talk half and watch how Donald struggling wid Rohee.
end up owning the enterprise. It is simple as that. Take for example the business idea that you have. You estimate that it will cost some four million dollars. All you have to do is find half a million dollars. The government will put in two million seven hundred thousand dollars and the remaining three hundred thousand will be invested directly by the government as shares in your business. Thus the total equity is one million three hundred thousand dollars and you hold one million of these. Even though the total cost of the enterprise is four million and the government is putting up in total two million seven hundred thousand, it still end s u p b e i n g a minority shareholder because of the financial model in which only one million three hundred t h o u s a n d o f the total investment is equity and thus subject to the ownership of shares, the remainder is being given to you by the government as a loan. Now, which investor is going to refuse a deal like this, especially when one
considers that the rate of return on your investment is very good and the interest rate for the repayment of the loan given by the government is very low. This is the model that the government is using for the Marriott Hotel. The government is putting close to four billion dollars into the venture. The two private investors are placing a mere 1.6 billion but this 1.6 billion is translated to a 67 per cent ownership, a controlling ownership in the hotel. And the reason for this is simple, the government is investing only 800 million in equity. It is lending the hotel the rest of the money, in excess of three billion dollars. When the hotel as anticipated goes bust, all this money will go down the drain and the people of Guyana will be the losers. The private investors will smile all the way to the bank because if the company forecloses and many expect it to, they will have the first claim on the liquidated funds. This is the same model that was used in the Berbice River Bridge. The government
put the most money in but has ceded control of the Board of the Bridge Company. It therefore has little influence over the company because of the model it has pursued. What this model does is allow for private investors to profit through the use of public funds and this is clearly an untenable situation. The problem is that these deals have been firmly cemented in contracts between the various investors and therefore have the protection of the law. They are legal deals which cannot be overturned. During the era of the PNC, the then PPP opposition spoke about sweetheart deals. These deals being made by the PPP are not sweetheart deals. They are better described as sweet man deals because it is just like having a lover on the side. In order to support this lover you take money from the home, in this instance the people, and you use it to support the lover on the side.
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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Thoughts that are going through my mind as I watch the IPL The morning hours are the best time of the day to catch me at home. I drop off my wife to work, go in the National Park to exercise, then off to home to type my contribution for page 10 (except Sunday when it appears on page 23) of this newspaper. I take my breakfast, sit in front of the television and look at the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket that is shown every morning from Monday to Sunday. I don’t really care for the teams except the ones that have West Indian players. Some teams have none so I don’t want them to win. For more than a month now, I go home in the morning and look at cricket. And so many things fly through my mind, most of all about how the world has changed since my boyhood days and the
world of cricket as I knew it back then is gone, maybe forever. Watching the IPL is an exercise in philosophical reflections. First, the local sponsors tell a daring tale of what Guyana is. When you look at the sponsors of the matches every day, you see where the business class of this country comes from. But no one is screaming for ethnic balance in the world of business in Guyana. It lacerates my psyche, makes me want to run across the road where I live, and skip across the highway to the Atlantic Ocean and scream to the skies. Often you can read in the print media and see on television the constant calls for ethnic balancing in the police force and army. Look at IPL cricket and see if there isn’t the need for ethnic
balancing in entrepreneurship in this country. But the guns fall silent once IPL cricket is playing. No one shouts about ethnic balancing in the private sector. But those who are bent on having ethnic balance in the security forces will not be deterred by what they see playing out on the television screen during IPL. There is a most fascinating thing taking place during those cricket matches. Only one advertisement features dark-skinned actors. It is a white rum named “Wray and Nephew.” In fact, the bottlers of this liquid are among the sponsors of the entire season. All the actors in the commercial are darkskinned, with one pretty young lady that is sapodilla brown. All the other commercials for the entire
day’s play have actors who are white, lily white or snow white. Guyana has certainly changed beyond recognition when I was a boy growing up in Wortmanville in Georgetown. A changing world has caught up with Test cricket. It was the only type of cricket I knew as a boy. But after more than a hundred years the world has changed so fundamentally that test cricket’s future is in doubt. For many observers all around the world, it is dying or should die. Surely the transformation of the world is so dynamic that the zeitgeist that prevailed a hundred years ago may never return. Fifty years ago while Test cricket was in its prime, the world would have raised up in anger at the thought of homosexual marriage. Some of
the great minds of this world perished because of legal prosecution of homosexuals. Oscar Wilde will always remain one of my favourite authors. He died a broken man after he came out of jail. Even sadder was the case of a virtual genius, Alan Turing, the father of computer science who broke the Enigma code for the British during World War 2. Because of his homosexuality, he was legally castrated. He committed suicide. Today, some of the most powerful countries in the world have legalized homosexual marriage. Fifty years ago, the people of the world would have called you a madman if you had said to them that at the turn of the 21st century, an AfricanAmerican would be the US President. The US was involved in two world wars
Frederick Kissoon against Germany and became an ally of Russia in World War 2. That was about sixty-five years ago. Today, the US and Germany are extremely close allies, while the US and Russia look destined to be forever suspicious of each other. These are just tiny examples of the way the world has changed and Test cricket may have become a victim of changing times. Can people accept the nature of Test cricket as it was fifty years ago? Can a person in the 21st century enjoy a game that is played for five days? Can you sit down in the 21st century and watch a batsman make ten runs accumulated after six overs?
Prison warder took cutlasses, acid into lockups - injured inmates While the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Prison authorities have remained tight-lipped on last Friday’s fracas which left four inmates nursing several chop and burn wounds to their body, the injured men yesterday accused a prison warder of taking the prohibited materials into the prison. The inmates, who were all placed in one room at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for the wounds they sustained after five prisoners got into their cell at the New Amsterdam Prison and attacked them with cutlasses and acid, said the assault was well planned. Those injured were identified as Davendra Harricharran, called ‘Bara’, 27, of Nigg Squatting Area, Corentyne, Berbice; Quammy Bhagwandin, 32, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam; Clarence Williams called ‘Wild Hog’, 41, of Angoy’s Avenue, and Adbussulum Azimullah called ‘Sato’, 31, of Hampshire Corentyne, Berbice. At the GPHC yesterday, relatives of the injured men threw themselves on the hospital’s floor when they were told by prison warders that they were not allowed to meet their loved ones. These actions and constant screams for justice forced prison personnel to allow relatives to meet with the remand prisoners. Media
personnel, however, were not allowed to meet with the prisoners. The men who were all handcuffed to their beds shouted from their room, “the prison warders know about this. That one (name given) bring in a bucket of acid into the prison and all six cutlasses… I saw him and I reported it,” the man said. According to Quammy Bhagwandin, two weeks before the incident happened, he met with the officer in charge at the prison and informed him that his life was in danger. Apart from the oral report, Bhagwandin said he wrote a letter to the head of the prison. In that letter, he said he wrote about prison warders working together with high profile criminals to make “side
wrestled a prison warder and took away the keys after which he armed himself with a cutlass and opened the cell
“Two weeks before we were attacked, we tell the OC about the acid that the prison warder brought into the prison” cash.” He also claimed that he complained about seeing cutlasses and acid being smuggled into the prison by the authorities. The men were allegedly attacked by Randolph Rodriques, called ‘Shoulders,’ who is serving a 20-year sentence for murder. Kaieteur News was informed that the perpetrator
Davendra Harricharran
Quammy Bhagwandin
where his victims had been placed , and invited his “crew.” According to the hospitalised men, Rodriques is the “king” at the prison. “If you have a phone and he wants it, the prison warders will come, search and beat you and then give it to him.” Bhagwandin and Harricharran said they are
scared for their lives and cannot rely on those in charge at the prison for protection. “All of them (prison warders) are criminals. They selling weed inside the prison and collecting money. They know exactly who has what in there,” the men claimed. Harricharran’s wife, Patricia, questioned why the authorities held only one person accountable when it was reportedly carried out by five individuals. “Dem boys say that they had to play dead before their attackers left them. They say when one of them done chopping, another one take his cutlass and was chopping more then they threw acid on
them,” Patricia said. Harricharran is on remand for the $10M armed robbery committed on April 9, last, at Rose Hall Town, on businessman Mangalie Ramlingum . Investigators had received information that
Harricharran was the owner of the getaway motorcycle. He was also a member of the notorious ‘Pop Corn’ gang and was recently freed on a murder charge. He was charged along (Continued on page 25)
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Bids for Education Ministry projects dominate Several bids were tendered for supply and delivery of services for the Ministry of Education yesterday. The bids were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Streets. Bids were opened for the supply, delivery and installation of tools and equipment for the Government Technical Institute (GTI), Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) and New Amsterdam Technical Institute.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance received bids for the rehabilitation of the Southern Fence - Generator compound, Urquhart Street.
Three bids were opened for the supply, delivery and installation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment for nine technical institutes.
Six tenders were submitted for the supply and delivery of tools and equipment for the GITC.
The Finance Ministry also received bids for the supply and installation of metal windows, Main Building (Middle and Ground Floors) Ministry of Finance.
Another six tenders were submitted for the supply and delivery of tools and equipment for the Government Technical Institute (GTI). Four bids were opened for the painting of the Annex (Filing and Lunch Rooms) Building, Ministry of Finance.
Five bids were opened for the supply and delivery of photocopy machines, office of the Minister, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), Inspector Unit, University of GuyanaTurkeyen/Berbice and Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).
Finally in the Education sector, five bids were opened for the supply and delivery of computer accessories and network of labs national distribution.
The Finance Ministry received bids for the supply and delivery of metal frame windows, Valuation Division building (Camp Street).
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
LEGISLATION NEEDED TO PROTECT AUDITORS FROM VICTIMISATION Considering the fact that a field auditor was sent on leave because he sent a report to President Donald Ramotar which reportedly exposed corruption in the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), financial analysts are saying that it is only logical that one considers what this means for the internal auditors under the wings of the Ministry of Finance who are now tasked with cleaning up the seemingly weak systems of some ministries. The Internal Audit Division, which was established last year, is a 14member “system-corrector” which monitors and ensures compliance with procedures and laws. When there is room for improvement, the Division makes recommendations for enhancing processes, policies and procedures. But the location of the Division has caused many members of the political opposition to question how independently the entity can act and unearth corruption without fear of victimisation when it falls under the directive of the Finance Ministry. Analysts are calling for there to be the drafting of new legislation to protect the internal auditors from the
- Financial Analysts
Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran “powers that be” so that they can be able to carry out their work without fear of being sent home for simply doing their job. However, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Shadow Minster of Finance, Carl Greenidge, says that he does not believe that the introduction of a new law is enough to protect or insulate the internal auditors from any abuse they may suffer due to exposing corrupt practices or frauds. “The truth is, the implementation of another law may not be enough to stymie the abuse of powers of Ministers to appoint and fire. We need to curtail the abuse of power. It will take the
political will to stop this.” Also, Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, in one of his reports, pointed to the importance of an internal audit division for government operations. He had reportedly stated in an article that, “Internal audit is an integral part of the internal control system of an organization. Its primary role is to police the system to ensure that the controls in place are adequate and effective, and are working as intended. Unlike external auditors, internal auditors are full-time employees of an organization who continuously review systems and procedures, identify deficiencies, and make recommendations for improvement. Where “red flags” are uncovered, the internal auditor’s role is to probe further to ascertain whether any irregularities have occurred. In this way, internal auditors provide an essential and necessary service to management. “It would be unfortunate to ignore the role internal auditors can play in bringing about some degree of respectability in relation of our public finances. The Ministry of Finance’s
initiative is therefore encouraging, and one hopes that the effort is not a cosmetic one to appease the international funding agencies that something is being done in relation to this oversight mechanism. The larger Ministries, however, need to get their act going to ensure compliance with the Law.” Nonetheless, it is also feared by some members of the political opposition that the Internal Auditing Division may only serve to protect weak systems that encourage corruption. On the question as to whether this “internal watchdog” will make a difference when it comes to the Auditor General’s Report for 2013, which is expected to
APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge be out in a matter of months, Leader of the Alliance for Change Khemraj Ramjattan said, “I am against any other parallel system that will be largely governed by the Ministry of Finance. It must be independent. The Constitution does not
mandate parallel intermediate audit interventions.” The Member of Parliament said, “If there is found to be a problem then all the necessary resources should be provided to the Auditor General so that he can carry out the functions as the guard of the national purse. “To now go and give a parallel audit mechanism to these budget agencies might not be in the best interest, because I rather suspect that government is going to treat these auditors like they did in other instances where auditors were sacked for exposing corruption…We must have one audit department which is going to be professionally strong enough to give very independent and professional opinions and strong enough to ensure its recommendations are complied with.”
CAL blames CJIA workers for drug find Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) says cocaine found aboard a flight which landed in Guyana over the weekend was stashed there by employees working on the ground at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. In a telephone interview Monday, CAL’s corporate communications manager Clint Williams said, “CAL applauds the initiative by the security forces on the ground in Guyana who were able to detect the men—not CAL employees—attempting to place the drugs in the hold
after the aircraft had arrived.” Saying Guyanese security officials were leading the investigation, Williams stressed, “We need to clarify that the drugs were not on the aircraft when it first arrived from Port-of -Spain.” Unwilling to disclose any further information, Williams said the matter was currently under investigation. Shortly after midday on Sunday, flight BW 606, which was en route to Toronto, landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. After an initial security sweep of the
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
aircraft, the illegal substance was found during a second security check shortly after 1 pm. During this check, said to be standard operating procedure, officials discovered 2.2 kilogrammes of cocaine in the hold. Reports suggested four men were detained in connection with the discovery. But a security official at the Cheddi Jagan Airport was unable to confirm yesterday how many people had been arrested or if any charges had been laid. When contacted, a duty manager at the airport, who did not want to be identified, said, “I am not at liberty to comment.” However, he said this was not the first time that drugs had been discovered on flights after they arrived from Trinidad. (Trinidad Guardian)
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 13
Fallout from Marriott “giveaway”…
MPs aim to close loopholes for future ventures The Marriott-branded hotel under construction at Kingston.
Opposition lawmakers are scrambling to correct what they see as glaring loopholes, as questions continue to swirl over the multi-million-dollar Marriott-branded hotel deal. Over the weekend, Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), the company that owns and is constructing the controversial Kingston hotel, broke its silence on the secret investor, disclosing that two Hong Kong-based businessmen - Victor How Chung Chan and Xu Han - will be investing. Startling enough, the British Virgin Islandsregistered company, ACE Square Investments Ltd, owned by the businessmen, will acquire a staggering 67 per cent of the equity of AHI for US$8M. The total cost of the project is tagged at US$58M. How Government allowed that to happen, despite widespread criticisms and warnings, is what has earned the ire of the Alliance for Change (AFC). According to Member of Parliament and party ViceChairman Moses Nagamootoo, the financial arrangements of the hotel are being incorrectly described as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model - mixing taxpayers’ dollars and those of private investors. “What we see happening here is definitely something other than a PPP. We are considering tabling a policy paper to be considered, as soon as possible, in the National Assembly on how we proceed on these types of investments in the future.” Nagamootoo, a lawyer by profession, made it clear that it is not a case of AFC being anti-Chinese. “China is a major player in the world; it cannot be ignored as an investor and as a strategic partner. We are
saying that our investments using taxpayers’ monies must benefit Guyana, and all involved must sign on to accepted rules of engagement.” The Public-Private Partnership model has been seen as a critical one in Asian countries, especially in India, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia. “It is important to draw the line and for us to understand clearly who is an investor; who is the owner and the relationship between an investor and management. What played out with Marriott is definitely strange. This should never ever happen in Guyana again.” Nagamootoo also insisted that Government, through its investment arm, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), has been operating in a manner that could be deemed highly questionable. STATE MONEY “You can’t take state money, put it into NICIL and then transfer it out to another company just like that. It is like a grandfather transferring monies to his son, who in turn put it into the account of the grandson. It is the grandfather’s money at the end of the day.” The MP pointed out that it is a fact that Guyana is not attracting enough foreign direct investments, hence the need for partnerships. “We are standing by our position that investments cannot be done in an eclectic manner…in a fly-by-night manner. Any investment of this magnitude must be done taking into consideration the National Development Strategy and in national accord. These relationships should be strategic in nature, not opportunistic.” Nagamootoo made
reference to the Berbice River Bridge in which high tolls have brought to the fore the issue of Public-Private Partnerships. “This model of investment, which is quite distinct from being outright direct foreign- or wholly stateowned, was first mooted in the mid-‘90s, when Guyana badly wanted to divest the electricity sector. “But we have never been able to get it right. We were unable to attract a buyer for GPL, mainly due to our political troubles when a strategic buyer was warned to “fade” away. So we settled for co-management and co-generation, fuelled by heavy doses of state subsidies.” Though a Berbice River Bridge law was approved in 2006, the Administration did not put in place a comprehensive policy paper on and legislative framework for BOT (Build- OperateTransfer) or private-public infrastructure joint ventures. NEEDED CONSULTATIONS “There was, and still remains, a need for tri-partite compromise on an acrossthe-board concession package and cost recovery, and returns mechanisms on this type of investment, instead of the hide-and-seek and secret dealings as is the case with the Berbice Bridge.” The Parliamentarian noted that in the Philippines, a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law was passed since 1990. “Under the PPP law, the private contractor is expected to finance, build, operate and maintain specified infrastructural projects such as river bridges, deep-water ports, airports, etc. The law provides for vital concessions such as dutyfree, tax holidays and return
on capital, usually not exceeding 12%.” The law would also set the parameters for recovery of investment through tolls, fees and other charges. “There are various models of this type of partnership, such as the investor building, owning and operating the project (BOO), or Rehabilitate, Own and Operate (ROO) and Rehabilitate, Own and Transfer (ROT), the last two for old or decrepit existing projects.” For future projects, Guyana needs to pursue BOT legislation for a new Demerara River Bridge, a new Essequibo river crossing, a strategic deep-water port and, perhaps a major railway linking us to Brazil. “It is also an option for a technically feasible hydro project. Only when done under provisions of law, would any of these mega projects be truly transformational. Otherwise, they would be mere deals, done at the whims, fancies, caprice and, of course, the benefit of the ruling class and their managerial bureaucrats.” Nagamootoo explained that under law, PPP projects ought to have a special board established, not an outfit such as NICIL which in turn creates its own “baby companies”, to invest public monies without any deliberation on or approval by the National Assembly. Much of what went wrong with the Berbice River Bridge project was due to the arbitrariness with which NICIL went about investing public monies, placed at some 950 million in preferential shares in the name of ‘John Doe’, into what was supposed to be a private investment project. SECRET “It seems that the keepers
of our money had forgotten that the PPP model was intended to get the private investors to put in all the money, instead of the state doing so by subterfuge. This has turned private-public partnership on its head.” Nagamootoo argued that there is no justification also, in NICIL and NIS investing together 76% of the capital in a project such as Berbice Bridge and calling the project a private sector entity. “It is madness to “own” 76% and give the 24% owners 100% over decisionmaking, and worse, give them 100% of the profits.” In essence, the NICIL bureaucrats have stripped the Government of voting rights in the Berbice Bridge Company, and have waived dividends to which the Government is entitled on preference shares. Those dividends since 2008 were worth $104.5 million annually. During the life of the Bridge concession, the waiver would be worth more than $2B. Berbicians, who are the nearest commuters, would expect that for this massive use of people’s money, the bridge company would charge an affordable toll, and one that would compare with that charged by the Demerara Harbour Bridge. But that was never to be, as the statecontrolled Demerara Harbour Bridge charges a nominal toll of $100 per crossing. By contrast, a car crossing the Berbice River Bridge pays $2,200, or 22 times more. “During the 2013 budget debate I had called for at least $150M in subsidy for Berbice Bridge tolls, which was ignored by this government.
AFC MP, Moses Nagamootoo
Winston Brassington Government also voted against a motion in the House to lower the toll and, worse, government would not use its considerable voting strength to persuade the Berbice Bridge Company to reduce the tolls.” The Marriott project was announced by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. It is being handled through AHI by Winston Brassington, who has come under scathing criticisms for his handling of state investments and privatisation of assets.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Former tourism official named Opposition concerned but as Copa Airlines sales manager International Blacklisting...
Govt. is ambling - Granger …APNU writes to CFATF, CARICOM Chair The Opposition is concerned about Guyana being blacklisted internationally by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) but it is the government that is ambling on the matter. This is according to Leader of the Political Opposition Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, who in a brief telephone interview with this publication last evening, said that in the past two weeks he has penned a number of letters to several key stakeholders outlining the opposition’s concerns. According to Granger, he has written to the Chairman of CARICOM, Ralph Gonsalves, who is the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Chairperson of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Allison Maynard-Gibson, Executive Director at CFATF, Calvin Wilson and President Donald Ramotar. Granger said that he
believes that opposition and CFATF have done all that can be done on their part, but it is the government which has to act. According to Granger, the opposition is standing firm on its demands, namely, that he assents to the four Bills that were passed and which the President has refused to sign. He pointed, too, to the concerns of the Alliance for Change (AFC) which has been agitating for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. According to Granger, the matter involving the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill can be resolved in one day if the government is willing to concede to the demands of the opposition. Granger said that what the opposition is pursuing with regards to the amendments it has made to the AML/CFT Bill is in pursuit of an
Domestic abuse accused drinks poison outside courtroom A father of one, implicated in a domestic abuse hearing before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, yesterday attempted suicide, by ingesting a poisonous substance, moments before he was scheduled to appear before a City Magistrate. The man who was identified as Shannon Hooper, 33, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Relatives have since confirmed that the man was engaged in an ongoing court battle with the mother of his eighteen-month-old child. “He and he child mother had an issue and he went in de lock ups, we ain’t know what really happen but we just hear that he drink poison,” a relative stated yesterday. However, Kaieteur News understands that Hooper was accused of abusing and
threatening his reputed wife. He was standing outside of Court 3 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, awaiting the hearing when he reportedly ingested the substance. Eyewitnesses recounted that moments before, Hooper tried to speak with his reputed wife but she ignored him. “We just see like he staggering when he matter call up and he start to froth, then he start vomit and eventually he collapse outside the courtroom… Dem Police officers assist he ‘cause he couldn’t walk” an eyewitness recounted. The man was transported to GPHC in a van that transports prisoners to and from the lock ups. Hospital sources have since confirmed that Hooper is in a critical but stable condition. He is suspected to have consumed a combination of toxic chemicals used for treating plants.
Say no to corruption it, it hurts us all.
Opposition Leader David Granger enforceable legislation. He pointed to the fact that the law has been in place 14 years and there has not been a single charge laid against anyone. He noted that it must not be a case where you have a law that cannot be enforced. “We are committed to a strong Bill,” said Granger. Attorney General Anil Nandlall is currently heading a delegation to the CFATF Plenary Meeting that is being held in Florida, USA, and concludes tomorrow. Nandlall is reported in the media yesterday as saying that Guyana is most likely to be referred to the international body, FATF. “From all indications, it does not look optimistic, and Guyana’s referral to FATF by CFATF appears to be a virtual certainty,” Nandlall is quoted as saying. Last November, CFATF issued a public statement and was adamant that Guyana must pass the relevant legislation and implement all the outstanding issues within its Action Plan, including fully criminalizing money laundering and terrorist financing offences; addressing all the requirements on beneficial ownership; strengthening the requirements for suspicious transaction reporting, international co-operation, and the freezing and confiscation of terrorist assets, and fully implementing the UN conventions. Guyana is yet to meet the legislative obligation, namely the passage of the AML/CFT Bill. The three political parties have been haggling for months on end over the Bill which is in a special select committee of Parliament. The three amendments submitted by A Partnership for National Unity have been completed and are currently with the Chief Parliamentary Counsel who will finalize the draft Bill to be taken back to the House for a vote.
A former senior official of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has been named as the local sales manager for the Panamabased Copa Airlines. Nadine Oudkerk’s appointment became effective on May 19, Copa announced yesterday. “Ms. Oudkerk is a Guyanese national who brings a wealth of marketing experience to the job. She has been in the marketing and tourism field for more than 10 years and has made significant strides in producing results,” Copa Airlines said in a statement yesterday. Prior to joining Copa Airlines, she was the Senior Marketing Officer with GTA. According to Oudkerk, “Copa offers an incredible opportunity for the people of Guyana to experience a higher and distinctive level of travel and service. With 69 destinations in 30 countries, Copa’s offers to the market will connect us in ways that were never before possible and at very competitive prices. I am looking forward
Nadine Oudkerk to working with this dynamic airline and the passionate team to ensure the success of Copa Airlines in Guyana.” Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, subsidiaries of Copa Holdings, are leading Latin American providers of passengers and cargo services. The airlines currently offer service to 69 destinations in 30 countries in North, Central and South
America and the Caribbean. During Copa Airlines’ more than 65 years of uninterrupted operations, it claims to have transformed the Hub of the Americas in Panama into the leading one on the continent. “Copa operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 91 aircraft: 65 Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft and 26 Embraer-190s, and has an on-time performance of almost 90 percent, on par with the major airlines worldwide.” Copa is a member of the Star Alliance, the leading global airline network, offering passengers 1,269 destinations in 193 countries with more than 18,000 daily flights and 1,000 VIP lounges. Guyana has been on a campaign to attract new carriers after a number of airlines spectacularly folded or pulled out. The country has managed to attract the national airline from Venezuela, Air Jamaica and TravelSpan. The latter two are serving the North America market, a highly lucrative one.
EU-funded programme boosting agri producers to kick off next month The European Union (EU)-funded Agricultural Policy Programme (APP) from which Guyana and 14 other Caribbean Forum of African Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) countries will benefit, was officially launched in Trinidad last week. The APP aims at boosting agriculture in CARIFORUM countries through the development of small holder agricultural producers and entrepreneurs. The APP is being funded by the EU with a grant of 8.6M Euros. The EU grant is expected to contribute to improved policies and incentive regimes and strengthened institutional and development capacity to support productivity and profitability of the region’s small, agribased producers/ entrepreneurs. This in turn is expected to also contribute to the wider development goal of household food security in the CARIFORUM countries and the eradication of poverty The countries which will benefit include Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas; Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Dr. Arlington Chesney, Executive Director, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) signs the “Partnership Agreements” between IICA and the implementing partners. The end beneficiaries are, among others, small farmers, fisher-folk, small-scale processors and traders, including organised associations and networks and women and youth. The launch followed the signing of partnership agreements between the executing agency, the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) and its partners the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the CARICOM Secretariat. Project Manager of the Intra-ACP APP project, Robert Best, disclosed that the signing of the partnership
agreements will allow the transfer of funds to the CARICOM Secretariat and CARDI so that they can begin their technical activities for the APP project. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis, is Guyana’s representative on the steering committee which will provide oversight and governance for the project. The projects to be rolled out over the next four years are expected to begin next month. The contract between the EU and the IICA for the execution of the APP project was signed in Georgetown in March last year.
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 15
Walter Rodney CoI…
Govt. set the stage for killing - Eusi Kwayana By Abena Rockcliffe The political party which governed Guyana at the time of the death of Dr. Walter Rodney had created the political atmosphere and set the scene, both literally and figuratively, for his assassination. This is the view of Co-founder of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Eusi Kwayana. The 89-year-old Kwayana appeared as a witness yesterday at the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the bomb-blast killing of Dr. Rodney. As the CoI reconvened yesterday morning, Rodney’s younger brother, Edward Rodney, completed his testimony. He was asked by Commissioner Seenath Jairam whether his brother had, at anytime, articulated violent means to get the then government out, to which he replied that his brother may have said that on more than one occasion. He explained that 1979 was dubbed the year of the overturn. He said this was because African dictators were overturned in that year and it was the deceased Rodney’s hope that the then Guyanese Leader, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham would have been too. Rodney told the commission that 1979 was supposed to be the year of change and good transformation. He said his
brother had explained what violence meant in relation to change but advocated more the use of labour strikes than violence to topple the Burnham administration. After Edward Rodney summed up, Kwayana took the stand. Kwayana, a close friend of the late Dr. Rodney and one of the founders of the WPA, was led through his evidence by Attorney at Law Glenn Hanoman. Kwayana was first asked to describe the political atmosphere at the time of Rodney’s assassination. The US-based Guyanese had a unique way of testifying. Ninety per cent of the time he did not give a straight answer. Instead the veteran political activist gave what some would refer to as “history lessons” and left the commissioners to make their own assessments. To the question of the political atmosphere, Kwayana answered that the population was under severe restraint to the extent that one had to apply to the government for a quota of newsprint. He said that those who wanted to print newsletters couldn’t, “…and it was into that atmosphere that Rodney returned.” According to Kwayana, Dr. Rodney returned at a time when a great percentage of the country’s population was looking forward to him doing
WPA co-founder Eusi Kwayana as he took the stand yesterday. so. The political activist said that upon his return to Guyana, Dr. Rodney was appointed by the academic board to “a position” in the history department of the University of Guyana. But the University’s Council “which was, and I believe still is, political, overturned that appointment.” He said that as a result, the WPA began to mobilize all who had children, political parties, and other groups because, “we felt that it was everybody’s business that this scholar couldn’t be of an asset to the university.”
Labourer who raped mother in front of baby jailed for 12 years Beesham Gopaul called ‘Thakoor’, the 27-year-old labourer who on May 13 last was found guilty of rape but not guilty of robbery, was yesterday jailed for 12 years. This was following the presentation of a probation report which was ordered by the judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds, and a plea of mitigation by his attorney Charlyn Artiga. ‘Thakoor’ of No 74 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was on trial in the Berbice High Court. He committed the offence on June 24, 2008, at No73 Village Corentyne, Berbice on a married mother of two. The probation was presented by Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Voonashwrie Gopaul. It stated that the man lost both of his parents when he was three years old. He was the only child for his mother, but his father who owned and managed a rice mill had eight other children. Gopaul subsequently went and lived
JAILED: Beesham Gopaul with an elder stepsister and her extended family. He dropped out of school at the age of eight and began working as a labourer with relatives in the rice industry. He was peeved that he did not get much help during his young age and much interest was not given to his welfare and upbringing. He has been before the
court on a number of occasions - in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013 - for offences of break and enter and simple larceny. In a plea of mitigation, his lawyer stated that the probation report gave a valuable insight into the upbringing, education and family background of a hapless Gopaul. She mentioned that he lost his parents when he was only three and was not taken care of after that having to leave school at age eight. She begged the court to temper justice with mercy and taken into consideration his unfortunate upbringing without parental or any proper guidance. She said that at age 27 Gopaul was still young, and she asked that he be given a chance to be rehabilitated so that he could possibly contribute positively to society. Before passing sentence Justice Reynolds told the Continued on page 30
Kwayana recalled that the WPA hosted protest demonstrations and public meetings which were subjected to attacks and people were assaulted. A public meeting held at Cummings and Middle Streets was victim of such an attack, said Kwayana. He noted that at the very beginning of an address by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan the meeting was disturbed. Kwayana explained that there was a “legitimacy war” between the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) about who was the “rightful ruler of Guyana…So they (the PNC) felt like it was a challenge and that “we had no right to give the microphone to the their rival.” He said that “freedom was closing down” and hostility prevailed. SCENE BEING SET Kwayana said that there was “no way under the sun” that a state newspaper would
have requested an interview from Dr. Rodney unless there was a political purpose. He said it was strange when an interview with Dr. Rodney was requested by the Chronicle. But not surprisingly, the first question posed to Dr. Rodney during the interview was, “you do know that it was because you were a trouble maker in Tanzania and Jamaica you didn’t get the job (the University appointment)?” Kwayana said that this interview was in February 1980 and Dr. Rodney was assassinated in June of the same year. “The scene was being set; here is a troublemaker, if anything happens to him it’s no one’s fault.” At this point Kwayana diverted to say “There is no particular recognition of the right to life…There has been a change of government not a change of culture…from Vincent Teekah to Ronald Waddell”. Kwayana, going back on track, recounted that he last saw Rodney on the day of his death as he was about to go to his daughter’s school. He said the next he heard of Rodney was when Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine woke him up with the “terrible news.” Kwayana said that quite some time before Rodney was assassinated, “I don’t know why, but four armed guards were placed at the four corners of the (Camp Street) prison block”. He said however that after Rodney’s death, he and a few others spoke to people in the area who revealed that the guards had been removed a day or two before the fatal incident. Kwayana opined that the guards were removed to encourage “this proposed bombing… the state was
instructed to make the scene more inviting.” Kwayana said that this tied the state into the crime. WPA NOT LINKED TO BLOODSHED It was alleged that Rodney was at the time of his death collecting arms and ammunition to aid in his quest to oust the then PNC government. Kwayana, who wrote a book which reflects his close working relationship with Rodney, admitted that Rodney said the PNC must go and “by any means necessary.” He said, however, that while Rodney threatened violence, it was political rhetoric. “No one from the WPA has ever been accused of bloodshed or wounding, we weren’t violent, and we don’t have such a record or have ever been accused of that,” he added. Kwayana said that Rodney told the gathering at a public meeting that violence is always regrettable, even as he explained the role of violence during a fight for change. Kwayana told the commission that “Rodney endured a mysterious kind of hostility from the State even before he called the country’s leader King Kong.” Kwayana is slated to continue his testimony today. Dr. Walter Rodney was a politician/historian who was killed on June 13, 1980, near the Camp Street prison. He was 38 years old at the time. After his assassination, he received several honours posthumously, among them, in 1993, the Government of Dr. Cheddi Jagan conferred on him the country’s highest National Award, the Order of Excellence, and the Walter Rodney Chair in History was created at the University of Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
City Hall statutory meeting ends abruptly The City Hall’s statutory meeting which was scheduled to be held yesterday was cancelled because Mayor Hamilton Green had deemed the semi-locked room where the meeting was to be held, unfit. Additionally, there seemed to be more bad blood between the Mayor and the de facto Town Clerk Carol Sooba, whom the Mayor had addressed as an interloper when she was present before the statutory meeting was cancelled. After Sooba left, the Mayor decided to hold a press conference to air the concerns of the council. Green spoke at the press briefing among other things about the payment of staff salaries when he mentioned that “you have a person who can subtract from our fund half a million dollars for what is clearly personal use not authorized by the finance committee and certainly not this body the municipality.” According to Green, the City Council has been stifled of funds to such an extent that “when you look at the condition of Le Repentir Cemetery; when you go around the city as I have done over the past few days and in every community there are
- rift continues between Mayor, Sooba
Carol Sooba
Mayor Hamilton Green
complaints about the drainage system and the insanitary conditions facing citizens and which affect the wellbeing and health of our young people, those statements are nonsensical.” “When garbage is piled up around the city it is because we have an obtuse, obstinate administration that we don’t recognize now, that has refused to carry out instructions of the duly elected council. “Let the public know that we ask them to be patient because we hope that some justice would prevail so that
the council and the citizens of this country can have as its Chief Administrator some person or persons who are rationale willing to observe protocol, respectful and most of all qualified,” said Green. As the Mayor continued with the meeting, the public address system was abruptly cut off during his speech leaving him to continue without the use of microphones. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green speaking on the cancellation of the statutory meeting outlined “what is needed to be brought to the media’s attention is that even though the request for the doors to be opened so you would have easy access in and out of these chambers, that request was not granted, and we heard the excuse that after three weeks the key
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it!
The Chamber doors that were locked
could not be found so there is no other effort made while at a previous press conference we were told that those locks will be replaced.” She said that at the last Statutory meeting there was a bomb scare and “as I came in the statutory meeting today there were shady characters both outside and inside of the building, which has over the period of time caused our councillors and staff members to be fearful of their lives. We will not be intimidated by those members, all we want is to ensure that in case of an emergency that all doors were open and you can witness that the doors are closed.” According to the deputy Mayor “this building is a public building, statutory meetings are public and we ought to have access to and
from the meeting as we so desire.” She said that Sooba refused to bring the register forward so that the list of councillors present could be recorded to ensure that a statutory meeting will be held, and it was not there even though seventeen councillors were present. Meanwhile, de facto Town Clerk Sooba speaking to Kaieteur News said that “the statutory meeting was cancelled because Mayor Green said that I was an interloper, he said due to the Chief Justice’s ruling and based on the configuration around the table there is an interloper, which means he was referring to me and also the doors were locked.” With respect to the doors being closed, she said that “Councillor Jordan and
[acting Town Clerk Royston] King went over in the constabulary office and stole the keys so this door that could not be opened and we didn’t get to change the lock, he (Mayor) said that this must be opened for the members of the public and because the conditions weren’t good enough for the statutory meeting it was adjourned.” According to Sooba, “the Mayor didn’t allow me to say prayers. He was calling for the time book but he did not recognize me as Town Clerk. He didn’t acknowledge me, and as a result he called off the meeting. But as we walked out it is conducive for him to have a press conference, so it is conducive enough for press conference but not for meeting.”
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
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UGSS President says tuition Paramakatoi Well to be repaired fee should be incremental within two weeks - GWI - insists students should not be ostracised Anything outside of an incremental increase of tuition fee at the University of Guyana (UG) is “unfair” and “unreasonable”, according to President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), Richard Rambarran. In an invited comment, Rambarran told this publication that he will “vehemently reject any ‘adjustment’ to the fee that would see us (students) paying the full amount.” Two years ago, the University’s Council took a decision to have the tuition fee adjusted to correspond with the rate of the United States dollar. In 1994 the fee was pegged at US$1,000 which at the time converted to G$127,000. The implementation of an adjustment to the fee now could see it being hiked to as much as G$210,000. But according to Rambarran, it is the view of the UGSS that “it would be overwhelmingly unfair for the current crop of students to have to face the brunt of this increase.” Furthermore, he insisted that “no student should be ostracised from the completion of their University of Guyana education at this point, due to the historic inability of the governing group to facilitate an arrangement and broker a deal, for which they will now have to face.” Moreover, Rambarran disclosed that the UGSS is proposing that a method of gradualism be implemented to allow for an easy transitioning to the hiked fee. Added to this, he said that consideration should be given by the University’s administration for current students who are faced with financial difficulties. “They (the administration) have expressed to me that an open mind is being kept with regards to this and student consultation will be held so as to determine the modality that will be employed,” Rambarran intimated. He disclosed that the UGSS since 2009 has kept an open mind with regards to the increase in the tuition fee. He also pointed out that currently the University is in such a dire position that the financial constraints which it faces oftentimes filter down to students in many forms; the most eminent being the quality of service received and the state of some available facilities.
According to him, it has been no secret that the UG staff has been calling for an improvement in their salaries for quite some time, and the UGSS is even aware that what is currently being paid by students at the University is well below the market price for what is received. However, the real concern of the UGSS, he said, is the methodology employed, in which this increase will happen. “The failure of the University’s governing body (Council and Administration) over the years to broker an arrangement of a method of small incremental increases in the tuition has now, at this juncture, left us in a predicament whereby we have to play ‘catch up’ to what should have been done years ago.” Rambarran, in his capacity as UGSS President, said that he has been able to discuss with the outgoing ProChancellor, Dr Prem Misir, and Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, that the current crop of students must not now be forced to pay for something that should have happened many years ago. “If it had been done correctly, it would have alleviated the impact of a sudden hike we are now purported to be faced with,” said Rambarran, who has also shared his concerns with the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) a n d t h e U n i v e r sity of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU). Although information coming out of the University is that extensive consultations with stakeholders will be held before any adjustment of the fee is done, UGSSA President, Dr Pat Francis, said that “what I am fearful of is that these consultations are going on...but the real consultation, that one hasn’t happened. When will that happen?” She is concerned that the process of consultations may very well target selected students who are likely to readily agree to whatever is proposed. “I am very wary of this consultation. Let us get away from this pussy-footing of this consultation; let us get to the meat of the matter and the meat of the matter is that the University cannot function with the current arrangements.” Dr Francis has therefore recommended that arrangements be put in place that are reasonable for the
UGSS President, Richard Rambarran University that have a social conscience and “no one will be able to say nay to that.” Since the members of the UGWU and UGSSA are not opposed to the adjustment of the fee, UGSSA Vice President, Dr Mellissa Ifill, is convinced that moves should be made to embrace a principle whereby students are required to pay a part of the fee and the State subsidizes the remainder. This, according to Dr Ifill, is what obtains at some universities, including the University of the West Indies. Her disclosure, in this regard, comes even as concerns heighten at the recent move by the parliamentary opposition to disapprove the $450 million allocated to the Ministry of Finance-controlled Loan Agency. The Loan Agency has been the primary means of financial support to students who are unable to immediately pay their tuition fee. It has been vocalized by Vice Chancellor of the University that a number of students could be faced with a crisis come next academic year if the loans are unavailable. Moreover, Dr Ifill stressed the need for mechanisms to be put in place to assist students, who can ill-afford to pay their fees. This, she noted, could be done through soft loans, grants or even bursaries. “We recognize there are students who cannot afford to come to the University who have a right to education, and so we need to put in place mechanisms to ensure that every one can afford an education at the University,” Dr Ifill asserted.
After complaints raised about Paramakatoi not having an operable Well, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has announced that the water supply system which serves the community is under the purview of the local administration. As such, GWI does not have a presence in this Region and the responsibility for operation and management of the water infrastructure lies with the local authorities. After being contacted about the water disruptions affecting the community approximately one month ago, the company dispatched a team, headed by Capital Investment and Planning (CIP) Director Ramchand Jailal, to assess the situation and provide any technical assistance to the local administration. It was observed that the original system that was constructed was modified by the residents of Paramakatoi, because of the dry season being experienced. According to the utility company, during the GWI visit it was observed that the system consisting of a storage reservoir which receives water from a spring was operable at the time, and the reservoir was 75% filled
and supplying water to the community via a photovoltaic pumping system. “However, it was observed that the tank was leaking a small amount of water and a sealant was required to repair the leak. It must be noted that despite the leak on the storage reservoir, the system was fully operational and water was being supplied to the dormitory and other nearby locations. The company is in possession of images which depict water being accessible at the dormitory and other locations within the community.” GWI Public Relations Officer Timothy Austin underscored. According to Jailal, it was observed that the spring, which is one of the sources of water supply for the community, had a significantly reduced flow, and this was attributed to the dry season that was being experienced in the Region. He said the GWI team shared these observations with the local administration and offered to provide any further assistance. Before departure, GWI representatives urged the local administration to contact the utility company
with any further issues which may require the company’s assistance. Subsequently, a meeting was held with the Toshao of the community in Georgetown and he was advised that a sealant to assist with the repair of the tank is being imported and repair works will be undertaken shortly. Austin explained that GWI commenced acquisition of the sealant required to repair the reservoir, which could not be sourced locally, and the company will be in a position to dispatch a team to execute the repair works within two weeks. GWI received no further information from the local administration after the initial visit about the system being non-functional or that residents were being affected. In addition, it was noted that the system involves the use of standpipes placed throughout the community and it is customary that some residents have to walk short distances from their homes to access water. “The company will continue to provide all assistance necessary to the local administration in an effort to provide improvement to residents of Paramakatoi.”
Prison warder took cutlasses, acid... (From page 10) with Gansham Jagassar called ‘Suresh’ and Abdulssalam Azimullah for the 2004 murder of Gary Simon which occurred at Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice. Azimullah is on remand on the murder charge which occurred since 2004. He is also charged with two counts of robbery under arms. While in company with others and armed with an AK 47 rifle on Saturday 2nd June 2012 at Cumberland, East Canje, he robbed a business of couple millions of dollars in cash and jewellery, including foreign currency. Azimullah was on the run for more than eight years after the murder. He was subsequently charged with the capital offence and remanded to jail. Quammy Bhagwandin, was wanted by the police for a series of break and enter and robbery offences and was captured when he turned up at the Sisters Magistrate
Court for an impending matter. Bhagwandin was remanded on two charges of discharging a loaded firearm on February 13, last, at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, and attempted robbery on the businessman and his son. That incident led to a high speed chase over the Berbice River Bridge. Two men were subsequently captured and identified Bhagwandin as the mastermind. He was also wanted in connection with a break and enter that occurred at C and K Pharmacy and Drug Store. Police had recovered a number of items from a dilapidated house at Angoy’s Avenue which was reported to have been frequented by Bhagwandin. He was also wanted for break and entry and robbery of the Furniture World business establishment at Main and King Streets, New Amsterdam. He is also still being investigated for a
number of other robberies that occurred recently. Clarence had written to the Chancellor of the Judiciary citing victimisation and undue delay and a number of other issues. Williams’ matters include sacrilege, robbery, possession of housebreaking implements and break and enter and larceny which were committed in the months of April and May 2009. Williams, who was in custody for the four matters, is also charged with escaping from lawful custody while being a prisoner at the New Amsterdam Prison between June 1st and 2nd 2009.He had dug himself out of his cell and scaled the fence before making good his escape. He had fled to neighbouring Suriname where he was recaptured and brought back to Guyana. While on remand Williams had also assaulted a police officer.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Exhibition launched to highlight female writers as part of Independence celebration
Ms. Yvonne Stephenson points to a photographic display of some of the distinguished women whose works are being exhibited. Aimed at promoting the creative writings of local women, the Ministry of Human Services is currently collaborating with the National Library to host an
exhibition as part of the continued celebration of Guyana’s 48th Independence anniversary which was observed on Monday. According to Ms Yvonne
Stephenson, Manager of the Resource and Documentation Centre of the Ministry of Human Services, the exhibition, which is being held in the foyer outside the
No “yanking” took place on Hope Canal project - Agri Ministry
Spectators viewing a section of the exhibition. National Library’s conference room, is perhaps the first such undertaking to be employed. “This is a collection of Guyanese women who have written...not merely as prize winners but who have written,” Stephenson said. The work of just about 50 female authors, ranging from the now departed Beryl Gilroy, who has the distinction of being appointed the first black head teacher in London, England, to young Cassia Alphonso who copped the 2012 Guyana Prize for Literature Award in the best book of poetry category, are currently on display. The exhibition however,
does not encapsulate the work of all Guyanese female writers since according to Stephenson “we have not gone retrospectively...we will do that at sometime though.” She acknowledged that there are some female writers who have committed themselves to recording events of society and life, but have not yet come forward as writers. “We want people to known about these women who are writing,” said Stephenson as she alluded to the writings of Pauline Melville, the first Guyanese to have her work awarded a Commonwealth prize. While the Human
Services Resource and Documentation Centre brought along a sizeable proportion of the publications on display, the National Library staffers also played their role in putting on display several creative publications as well. “We thought this was an appropriate time to bring this exhibition out,” said Stephenson who noted that there will be continued moves to network with the National Library and the University of Guyana to host such displays. The exhibition, which was officially opened before a gathering of Human Services Continued on page 30
Rafieya Husain crowned Miss World...
The sluice being constructed at the northern end of the Hope Canal. (GINA photo) Government has denied it “yanked” a multi-million dollar sluice gate contract it issued to Courtney Benn Contracting Services. Rather, the firm in the first place was not even awarded that contract. The Ministry of Agriculture was yesterday responding to a report on Monday by Stabroek News headlined “Hope Canal sluice gates contract yanked from Courtney Benn”. According to the Ministry, the construction of the sluice gates does not comprise an item of the Bill of Quantities of the contract with Courtney Benn. “The contract awarded to and signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Courtney Benn does not include the construction of steel gates; rather it is for the
installation of steel gates. The installation of the gates is still part of Mr. Benn’s Contract.” The Ministry said that from the outset, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was responsible for procurement of the requisite stainless steel materials for the fabrication of the gates. “Thereafter, there would have been a handover to the contractor for installation. We deliberately not include it in the contract so that the work could be fast-tracked. As the Project developed, the NDIA went to a public bidding procedure to engage a contractor for the fabrication of the gates. This process has been completed and a contract was awarded to GNIC.” The $3B-plus Hope Canal project was launched by
former President Bharrat Jagdeo in his last term to help create an alternative outlet from the backlands of East Coast Demerara to the Atlantic Ocean. In April 2011, Cabinet granted its ‘No objection’ to four major contracts to the tune of $1.49B. It included the building of a $350M, 300-foot long bridge along the Hope Public Road, $420M for a head regulator at the East Demerara Wa t e r Conservancy, and a $605M contract for a high level sluice outfall at the Atlantic Ocean to drain the channel. Another contract for $120.4M was approved for the supervising of the works. The project has faced a number of delays and has been pushed back yet again to later this year.
(From page 18) show continued. The audience was treated to another dance and a humourous one at that. For this round, members of the audience had their eyes fixed on a young man who was about to attempt a song by one of America’s famous R&B singers Fantasia, to which a group of young men and women would perform an interpretative routine. But the young man was lipsynching. His passion, gesticulation and bulging veins on his face as though he were really singing the song, caused the audience to laugh heartily. Immediately members of the audience shouted, “Owh Man-tasia, you go baby…” After several minutes of laughter, it was time to see the contestants in their evening wear. This was a most exciting and glamorous round. Williams, Gaskill, Francis and London all had pretty gowns, but it was Whitehead who ruled this round for the audience. Whitehead’s piece was an extravagant blue silk taffeta gown with a sequined lace
top. Though it had a plunging V-neck line, the dress she wore exuded elegance and a sense of royalty. It also exemplified the daring nature of the delegate with a waist high slit which showcased her curvy thigh. After another lengthy delay, the contestants who made the top five were finally selected. They were, James, Gaskill, Williams, Whitehead, and Husain. There were several awards handed out. The ‘Beach Beauty’ and the ‘Fitness and Sports’ Awards were awarded to Gaskill. The ‘Best Interview ‘Award was won by Tiffany Megnath. Francis copped the ‘Multimedia’Award and the “Missosology’ and ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ awards were copped by Husain. After Boyer took her final walk it was finally time for the final question segment. The lengthy questions by the judges aggravated many members of the audience, but the young ladies managed to give each question their best shot. At the completion of this crucial segment, the results were in. As soon as it was re-
vealed that Whitehead had placed third, various sections of the audience voiced their displeasure; “What ? This is utter madness! This is the same reason why we don’t come competitions. This is utter nonsense! This is wrong man . Y’all cheating.” The audience then waited with bated breath to see who would secured the title in light of that “injustice” and immediately when they heard that Rafieya Husain had copped the crown more insults were hurled. While making “expletivefilled” comments, large sections of the crowd got up and headed for the nearest exit to further register their disappointment and anger. Whitehead did not stay for the photo opportunity with the other ‘princesses’ who were crowned. She headed backstage and some of her fans headed in the same direction. There was a minibrawl between fans, and some of the committee members and producers of the show. (More details to come in this Friday’s Edition of Kaieteur Entertainment)
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Tuschen gets $99M Drastic decline in business forces Hotel Tower shutdown nursery school Residents of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and surrounding communities yesterday welcomed the commissioning of a new nursery school built at a cost of $98.8M. Architecturally, the building is the first of its kind in the country, built specifically with all the necessary amenities to accommodate nursery-age children. Funding for the school was made possible through the Caribbean Development Bank’s, Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). Prior to the construction of this school, nursery-age children were housed at the Tuschen Primary school. The school currently has an enrolment of 180 students. Also present at the commissioning ceremony were Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, and President of the CDB De William Warren Smith, and members of the bank’s board of governors. Delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said that education and training is the way to greater production and productivity and will no doubt result in people becoming better citizens. He said that from very early on, the PPP/C Administration recognised this and has committed to
ensuring that education and training remain the most important goal that could be pursued. “Today, the quality of our school buildings is altogether much better than when we started off; there has been a steady increase in expenditure…we have made great progress in this area,” the Prime Minister said. He noted that whilst the Government recognises the need to grant assistance to other vulnerable groups, such as old-age pension and other social payments, the way to overcome poverty is to make people more productive. This he said, can only be done through education and training. The Minister also said that very shortly, as a result of a special budgetary allocation made available last year, the University of Guyana will be launching online degree programmes. Guyana is currently hosting the 44th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the CDB, an opportunity Caribbean countries are afforded once every 10 years. Minister Singh described the CDB President, Dr. William Warren-Smith as a staunch friend of Guyana and lauded the tremendous work that the Bank has been doing throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.
“This school is only one example of the partnership between Guyana and the CDB of which we are immensely proud…Guyana looks forward to an even more rapidly growing partnership with the CDB…we see the Bank playing an even greater role in human, social and economic development in Guyana,” the Finance Minister said. Meanwhile, Dr Smith said that, “we at the CDB have made the education of our people a priority for our institution; all of the evidence suggests that in the Caribbean there is no other investment that provides enduring benefits for our people, like education. It is the principal vehicle through which the cycle of generational poverty is most effectively broken.” The facility represents a major improvement over the previous school arrangements where children of nursery school-age shared facilities with older children. It is completed with nine classrooms fully furnished with indoor and outdoor assets; including a staff room, food preparation area, parents’ waiting room, water storage facilities, open multipurpose space with carpet for playing, administration area, sanitary blocks, and storage space. Continued on page 30
The newly commissioned Tuschen Nursery School.
A female employee holds up a placard which reflects her plight. By Abena Rockcliffe While the 197-room Marriott is gearing to open its doors for business, popular City Hotel, Tower has shut theirs. Management yesterday announced that a “dramatic decline” in business has forced the entity to close. A public missive released by the hotel also stated that its assets will be liquidated within the next month so that employees can be paid. On Saturday last, several workers attached to the hotel mounted protests at the Main Street location to register their aggravation at not being paid. Those involved in the demonstration lamented that they had not been paid for quite some time. One senior employee said he has not been paid in seven months. And Kaieteur News understands as many as 50 workers, 45 of whom are unionized, are affected by the hotel’s “flop.” Yesterday, Hotel Tower announced “with regret” that it was forced to close its doors for business as of May 24. Management said that this decision was a last resort, especially given the number of employees likely to be affected. President of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), Sherwood Clarke, had told Kaieteur News that the hotel’s management had recommended that staffers be laid off for six to eight weeks until the hotel is able to raise its head above water. However, Clarke said that the union rejected that proposal. According to him, the union had, instead, recommended a reduction in the work-week from five to three days, a recommendation to which management agreed. He said, however, that workers were told by management that the initial proposal was in place.
It was explained that despite best efforts, the hotel was unable to meet certain financial obligations. It was made known that while the hotel remained asset-rich, there was insufficient liquidity to finance the day-to-day operating expenses of the hotel. Tower Hotel’s electricity supply was cut by the Guyana Power and Light Inc. The hotel said that this was the last straw that forced management to close its doors. Alternative arrangements were made for the guests of the hotel to facilitate the closure on such short notice. Management expressed its gratitude to the employees of the hotel, whom they said have served loyally and with dedication throughout their employment. “Management wishes to express our sincerest and
heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated workers who still showed up for work weeks after Management was unable to pay salaries. Steps are being taken to liquidate assets to cover these outstanding salaries owed to employees within a month,” the statement added. Hotel Tower has been struggling in recent years, but it became worse over the past two years. The hotel has been on the market since March but there are no known offers. Just this past week, the Guyana Power and Light disconnected the electricity as a result of mounting unpaid bills. In 2009, Tower Hotel was sold to Canal Hospitality Inc, a business partnership. Despite such closures, government insists that the Marriott Hotel is what Guyana needs at such a time.
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Kaieteur News
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool tables – Call: 277-0578
Lot 81 Lamaha Street. No Agent! - Call: 673-5882
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 PVC Ceiling Panels, PVC Mouldings, Medallions. American Standard!!! – Call:614-8564, 680-0862 Pure Rottweiler pups, parents are imported pedigree dogs Call: 2642870 or 672-6402 after 6pm 665-9140 or 639-1431 Dell computers with 17" Leds -$59,000, laptops from -$64,000, Blackberry 8310 $9,000 @Futuretech – Call: 231-2206; 644-6760 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Purpleheart etc – Call: 688-6579 American made Werner Aluminum Ladders; 25 feet -$35,000, 17 feet, multipurpose - $28,000 – Call: 609-7257, 602-5794 One business property @ Lot 1 Durban & Smyth Street, One house & Land @ 119 Pike Street Kitty – Phone:231-1966 Modern Doors Automation Systems: Garage Doors in multiple designs & sizes @ Lot 43 Croal &Alexander Street Stabroek, Call: 658-2990 Toyota 4 Runner, great Condition - Call: 223-9719/ 227-1028 One house lot, in Butcher Shop Street, Parika. Contact # 650-0402 Clean garden earth, also Bobcat & Excavator rentals – Tel: 626-7127 Three lots at Blankenburg behind the gas station Contact # 650-0402 House lots in Schoonord Contact # 650-0402 Food Caravan for sale, payment plan available – Call: 675-5448
PROPERTY FOR SALE Prime Business. Established Business, Three storey building 220 South Road Lacytown Georgetown – Tele: 227-1042, 601-3369. Serious callers only! 1-2storey wooden & concrete 5-bedroom house; upper & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M - Tel: 642-7898
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Secured Concrete bond 87’X32’, Public Road Mc Doom, next to Police Outpost suitable for storage/factory etc- Tel: 233-0570 G.T TOOL RENTALS SPECIAL: ALL SAWS CIRCLE, CHOP, TABLE, WET, $20,000 PER WK CALL: 675-0767 OR 627-5098 1 Business bottom flat, bridge to road, approximately 1000 SQFT Call: 628-1342/ 2266071 Fully furnished apartment as low as - $4,000 per day @ Secrete Villa Albouystown, Georgetown branch or call: 223-0994 All prices have been reduced as low as - $4,000 per day @ Secret Villa, Land-Of- Canaan or Call: 266-5243-5 Lower flat apartment at 220 Lamaha Street Kitty, G/town – Call Margret: 231-1187/ 6706849/678-6573 One upper flat @ 6th Street Cummings Lodge, ECD – Call: 622-3580
Prime Business property, huge land space, 200’X50', next to Police Outpost @ Mc Doom 233-0570 1-2storey wooden & Concrete house with 5 bedrooms upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M Tel:642-7898 Kitty - $32M, AA Eccles $55M, Republic Park - $22M, Lamaha Gardens – $55M – Contact Diana: 227-2256; 626-9382 Lot 1064/65 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt Park. – Serious Offers onlyCall: 619-7299 One 2 flat wooden & concrete house, 4 bedrooms, 2 washrooms, Annandale, Sandreef, ECD, Built in 2006 – Call:220-3133 or 615-5538
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 628-2284 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com
Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
MASSAGE
Furnished and unfurnished two bedroom apartments in Eccles, for short or long term – Tel: 643-1131
The Gent’s Spa: Be pampered by our beautiful masseuses, H-Hands, wet bliss. Won’t You Let Me? - Contact: 657-5979
One furnished upper flat 3 bedroom, @ Pike St Kitty, long & short term - Tel: 6448015
One driver and a Cummings Mechanic to work in the interior – Contact: 681-6044
TO LET
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Chef/ Baheir & Kitchen assistant to work & live in Buckhall Essequibo River – Contact: 592-690-4860
Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
2006 Toyota Tacoma fully loaded - $3.5M - Tel:6857659, 622-0445
Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces – Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241
2-1RZ mini bus BLL & BJJ diesel, good working condition – Call: 628-1342 or 226-6071 STAR CARS AUTO SALE: Premio, Spacio, Allion, IST, Feilder, Altezza, new Raum, Axela, Carina 212 – Call: 679-3140, 615-1199
Drivers, visiting & security officers. Apply within NM Security Solutions Inc, Lot “O” Ruimveldt Georgetown – Tel: 225-5773/76 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838 Accounts clerk with 4 Subjects CXC, 2 yrs experienced, knowledge of Peachtree WBD area. E-m a i l : sase_shewnarain@hotmail.com. 1 – Civil engineer, security personnel, skid steer & excavator operators, labourers, mechanic, body works man (spray), office assistant – Call: 603-4098 Real estate clerks, Road foreman, operations manager & cleaners –Call: 603-4098
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734
WANTED Pacific Development Inc – Looking to buy empty lands in all areas. Contact 227-8274, 223-6035
Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045
One Honest counter clerk, 3yrs experienced selling Japanese Spare Parts . Contact Ray’s Motor Spares & Auto Sales: 231-7839 (working hours)
Building and need exceptional quality service at an affordable price – Please contact Rica on 223-2695/ 661-6073
3 female general workers between ages 22-35yrs, 1 male general worker between ages 18-30 – Contact: 225-6337
Luxury building construction, general contractors, general building construction concrete, wood, ceiling, roof, etc – Call: 592-6954062, email:anojaisari@yahoo.com
Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter –Call: 225-0188, 223-7500 (Monday to Saturday) (8:15am-4:15pm) One domestic worker, one domestic cook @ East Coast Demerara - Contact: 6115398, 621-8478 Person to draw cones from machine and sell.Good Rates Tel:227-1830 Live-in experienced caregiver Call: 664-8150
WANTED Experienced Salesgirls, with secondary education @ C h r i s t i n e ’s Va r i e t y Store – Contact: 609-1535/ 227-8529
Model ‘M’ truck with winch, working order GPP series, $2.8 Million or nearest offer – Call: 679-5161
VACANCY
One shop attendant & one handy boy to work in the interior Call: 681-6044
Wings Car Rental- Call: 6431131/ BBM pin: 24E17558
B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield Street Lodge- call: 225-0150, 229-7258, 680-6826
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Driver living in Georgetown with Mini-bus License for contract – Call: 664-2814 Drivers, hire cars & bartenders to work at Flambouyant Taxi Services/ Restaurant – Call: 678-4470 Domestic maid, work available at Diamond Housing Scheme – Contact: 609-1535; 227-8529; 216-0979
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Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Ms Ali should suggest some alternatives DEAR EDITOR, In light of our own struggle to institutionalise democracy while trying to engender respectable economic growth in Guyana, I will confine my response on Ms Saraswati Ali’s comments on the new Indian government only as it relates to those local concerns. (“Corporate agenda backing Modi is designed to consolidate existing inequalities and hierarchies”: Stabroek News, May 23). In both Ms Ali’s Diaspora column and her letter, she emphasises that “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken over 31% of the vote and the clear majority of the seats.” She implies that this circumstance is somehow illegitimate and disreputable if not outrightly immoral: “All that Modi-supporters really can say at the end of the day is that the BJP won the elections – with 21% of the electorate and 31% of the actual voters, and where a 12 percentage point difference in vote share with the Congress translated into a 600 per cent difference in seats.” But this is precisely the intended effect the principle known in political science as “Duverger’s Law” where, as a virtue of the constituency system, an MP is elected by a simple plurality of votes in his/her constituency. It is intended to reduce minority governments by increasing the number of seats in the top two parties. In the constituency system it is quite common for parties with less that 40% of the popular votes to win a majority of seats. For instance, in 2005 in Britain (which, not so coincidentally) bestowed most of the political institutions of both Guyana and India) Labour won a majority of 66 seats in Parliament even though it secured only 35.2% of the popular votes. We didn’t
notice any squeals of outrage about “illegitimacy” from Ms Ali or from Pankaj Misra, whom she quoted approvingly. If Ms Ali and cohorts are dissatisfied with the constituency system for choosing political leaders, I wish she would suggest some alternatives rather than just making snarky comments. In Guyana, the British did change the constituency system to Proportional Representation, so as to deliver an outcome that was more favourable to their interests. Since then Guyana has adopted a hybrid system - with calls for even greater weight to constituencies. At least there are concrete suggestions here. Ms Ali is also very scathing of the present economic dispensation where business is the “engine of growth”. She scorns “business, which is thriving on division, hatred, and exploitation, is being touted as a great development achievement, whereas it is nothing of the sort. It is a rapid conduit of increasing inequality in India to megaproportions.” But once again, rather than offering concrete proposals, she points to some sort of utopia, “which is noncorporate, where religion is not politicised and divisive, which is pro-diversity, which abhors majoritarianism and empty triumphalism, and which is revolted by massacre, inhumanity and the impunity of the financial and political elite.” In her diaspora article, she had pushed for the AAP’s agenda of “people’s struggles...around issues of the environment, nuclear power, the rights of the commons, rights of workers, rights of women, rights of prisoners.” She assured us that improve “the ordinary Indian’s life.”
Objections do... From page 4 opposition which is required by law. As such I think that we do have a right to question the legality of these appointments to act in a position which requires the concurrence of the leader of the opposition, but to which he has declined to give it. Whilst Morgan,if he exists,concedes that they are enjoying all of the powers as if they were occupying these positions substantively, he seems to be suggesting that they have acted well by giving solid opinions and
have been applauded by the CCJ. Whether this is so or not is a matter for the legal community to comment on. My observation is that these two positions are Administrative positions and that brings this matter into my area. I am therefore forced to ask this question, has anyone seen an improvement in the administration of our judicial system since these acting appointments were made? It is that which should occupy our attention, not their decisions as judges. Tony Vieira
This is the sort of vacuous politically correct platitudes that a certain “educated” elite segment of the third world revels in. Couched in a melange of anti-western, read “anti-American”, MarxismLeninism, postmodernism, postc o l o n i a l i s m , environmentalism and feminism and whatever is the current intellectual fad - throw in queer theory right now and you get ( or rather you don’t get) what they mean. The problem with Ms Ali and her fellow travellers is that they appear as poseurs with no praxis. Take their critique of capitalism - it was all emotional. It took a solid Frenchman (rather incongruously) Thomas Picketty, plodding through tax records and such minutiae for years, to demonstrate for instance that capital, does in fact, accumulate faster than income. Now, that critique will generate its own self correcting mechanisms through new policy initiatives, much as John Maynard Keynes work in the 1920’s did for the Great Depression. On a personal note, as a third world student in the US in the seventies, I ran into the detritus of the 60’s generation in New York City. They were also well intentioned - but quite impractical with their leftist critiques and communes etc. However, some of us grew up, worked within a reformed system and could retire at thirty-seven. I hope that people like Ms Ali would grow up, obtain the wherewithal to work in countries like India (I assume that is her homeland) or Guyana, to improve concretely the lot of some of those ordinary people, whom I do believe she genuinely cares about. Ravi Dev
APNU can turn around the crime situation in Guyana
DEAR EDITOR, In Guyana the rapid escalation in crime shows no sign of abating; actually, it is getting worse and Mr. Clement Rohee’s contention that his People’s Progressive Party can turn around our crime situation lacks credibility only because of the PPP continued facilitation of criminal activity; its abysmal record in dealing with crime; its past collusion with criminals, and the fact that neither Mr. Rohee or the PPP regime have presented a plan to reduce crime. The fact that the PPP regime posted Shaun Hinds (whose criminal activities are well known) to guard Carol Sooba clearly conveys its association with criminals as it did in the past with the Roger Khan crew. Between 2000 and 2006 when Mr. Jagdeo was in office, there were over 400 extra-judicial murders—an average of roughly 70 a year, with a peak of 97 in 2005. That is an average of 8 murders every week. Kidnappings during the same period reached its peak, yet Mr. Rohee boasts the PPP administration was able to reduce crime. Is he in denial of his highly visible incompetency? Crime is a PPP problem. What is also significant is that statistics show that when Mr. Rohee assumed the office as the Minister of Home Affairs, crime, especially murders, rose exponentially. Mr. Rohee’s contention that crime continues to be a problem because the major opposition party association with criminals is blatantly false and he should apologized not only to the PNC but to the people for his incompetency to reduce crime. For the past ten years,
Guyana needs... From page 5 hand-picked for remunerated participation in a workshop on cultural industries, one I turned up and took part in without invitation participants were promised a report coming out of their contributions in about two weeks after the event but predictably there has been no such report to this day. My method of engagement is different. Starting in July, over the next year I will be putting in place a programme that brings everyone to the table, inclusive of government. At the end of the process, with or without the Ministry’s input, a core cultural policy draft and white papers on
related issues will be put into the public domain and handed over to the National Assembly so that informed decisions on culture as a critical element of development can be made. I find it abysmal that the Minister of Culture, a public servant on taxpayer dollars, has to be taught how to do his job by a private citizen, but I nevertheless intend to do it. Dr. Cumberbatch and anyone interested in contributing to the process can visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/JanusCultural or e-mail us at janusculturalpi@gmail.com. Ruel Johnson Janus Cultural Policy Initiative
crime has become a PPP problem and Mr. Rohee still cannot articulate a functional and workable crime plan. Only a silly and Waco Minister would compare today’s crime rate to that of the Burnham era 28 years ago. His crime plan consists mainly of criticizing the APNU day-in, day-out while abdicating any responsibility in the matter and offering no solutions whatever. To criticize the opposition for the high crime rate is naive, simplistic, myopic and real backward thinking. Furthermore, he and his minority PPP regime have voted against everything the opposition has taken to Parliament to deal with crime. In spite of the PPP total lack of support, the opposition, especially APNU continues to articulate policies to reduce crime. APNU has called on the PPP government to introduce legislation to increase penalties to the Firearms (Amendment) Act; the Anti-Gang Act; the Trafficking in Persons Act and the Bail (Amendment) Act. In addition, APNU has called for a modern communication system, more vehicles and professional training for the police, an increased presence and visibility of police in the streets, the creation of a RapidResponse Police Unit and a Police Highway Patrol. Despite Mr. Rohee’s ranting and raving, no one in Guyana believes the PPP can solve the crime problem or has any intention of doing so. Further, they have abdicated their duty to fight crime and protect the citizens. What is even worse is their nonaction in fighting crime is clearly an abdication of leadership and responsibility. The APNU has a comprehensive plan to fight and reduce crime. First they
believe that it is their moral obligation to deal with the crime problem and protect the citizens of Guyana. Second, unlike the PPP, APNU would make crime their primary concern and would immediately open dialogue with the people, especially the youths in every village and community to know their problems and frustrations would leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of them. Third, APNU would solicit the support of pastors and recognized leaders in every community to help educate the youths about the negative impact that crime could have on their lives and the country as a whole. Fourth, APNU would embark on strategies such as to have better trained police officers and the establishment of a quick response police team to deal with the problem. The Opposition is considered the alternative government. It is required to provide alternative ideas for solving crime and taking Guyana forward to developed-country status and not backward as is the case with this administration. That is why in the British, Canadian and some other Commonweal countries’ constitution, the Opposition is referred to as Her Majesty’s Alternative Government. The goal of the opposition is to present alternative ideas and to stand ready to implement them once elected. But in the PPP world view, the opposition cannot or is not required by them to come up with innovative ideas. They see this as a threat to take power away from them. We strongly believe that if elected to office, APNU can turn the crime situation around in Guyana and safeguard the security of the people. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh
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Wednesday May 28, 2014
N/A man, 49... UAE OFFICIALS IN TALKS TO BRING AIRLINE TO GUYANA
(From page 3) case for the prosecution as presented by Sergeant Godfrey Playter, was that on the day in question at Caracas, West Canje Berbice, Sandy murdered the woman who had a four-month child for him, following a dispute. The man, who has four grown children - ages 25, 23, 21 and 18 - was reportedly upset that the young lady had told him that they should end the relationship as she wanted to move on with her life and he should do likewise. She had endured what was said to be an abusive relationship. He was also
peeved when he learnt that she was possibly seeing someone else. The man gave a statement that he and Oneka Greaves were together since she was 14 years. A post mortem examination conducted by Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan at the New Amsterdam hospital showed that Greaves died from shock and haemorrhage due to multiple incise wounds and damage to vital organs including her kidney. She also sustained incise wounds to the spine, pancreas, and diaphragm. Robert Sandy will have to return to court on June 26.
Labourer who raped... From page 15 prisoner that the crime that he was found guilty of is a serious one. He said that he has taken the contents of the probation report and the plea of mitigation. He however stated that there is hardly a more demeaning offence than rape. He said that the victims are affected in a lot of ways including losing their integrity, their dignity and are most times affected psychologically for the rest of their life. Taking cognizance of the early tragedies of Gopaul’s life, Justice Reynolds stated that despite all the mitigating circumstances and the fact that no violence was used, he must be firm. He told Gopaul “You defiled the victim’s body…a mere foot away and in the presence of her infant child, and then, used the child’s napkin to tie the victim and then used it to wipe away the semen after you would have finished enjoying yourself.” Justice Reynolds also told the accused that it was a shame to have committed such a dastardly act on someone whom he admitting knowing since she was small and travelled in the same Tapir with to school. “You should have been ashamed and should have treated her like a sister. “The judge said. Justice Reynolds then said that he had 20 years in mind, but would minus five (5) because no violence was used. He would take off another two (2) taking into consideration the early life and unfortunate early upbringing of the accused. Another year was deducted with the mitigating circumstances being considered. He then sentenced Gopaul. Prosecutor attorney at law Renita Singh had given a detailed outline of the sequence of events in her opening address - how the victim was accosted by the accused that she knew for over 10 years as ‘Thakoor’ and how he raped her at knifepoint. During the ordeal her hands were tied behind her back with a baby napkin and she was told to lie on the bed. When the man was finished he left, not before taking her cell phone valued $30,000 and warned her not to holler. He threatened to kill the baby outside if she disobeyed. She informed her mother who along with her husband accompanied her to the Springlands Police Station. She was later accompanied by the police to the Skeldon Hospital where she was examined and a Medical Certificate issued. Later the same day she identified the accused at the Springlands Police Station. During the trial the victim’s mother, a Police detective, Corporal Winston Singh, and Rural Constable Rowena Craig, also testified in the matter.
Tuschen gets... From page 27 “CDB is a firm supporter of projects that uplift our people; we like to associate our brand with projects like this one, which promises recurring benefits to the community for years to come…we are extremely pleased to be part of the regional thrust to set both our boys and our girls on the path to realising their full potential by exposing them to early childhood education,” he said. In addition to the school, several other projects were realised through the BNTF. These include: the Diamond Housing Scheme, Beterverwagting and Ithaca nursery schools (all designed to CARICOM’s early childhood education standards), and works at the Port Mourant Market, the Diamond Housing Scheme water supply and the Lethem Hospital. Construction of the Tuschen Nursery School commenced in September 2012.
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn and UAE officials during the meeting yesterday. The Government of Guyana is in talks with United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards negotiating an air service agreement that will see at least one of UAE’s three major flag carriers operating flights to Guyana, in the very near future. Yesterday, in the conference room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a delegation each from Guyana and the UAE, met for further discussions, a Government Information Agency (GINA) statement indicated yesterday. The local delegation comprised from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Director General Zulficar Mohamed, GCAA Board Chairman Hugh Denbow, GCAA General Counsel Amanza Desir and Air Transport Officer Saheed Sulaman; from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation, the Senior Aerodrome Officer, Alvin Majeed and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senior
Legal Adviser, Trishala Persaud. The team from the UAE comprised from the Federal Government, Director General, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi and Air Transport Agreements Chief Specialist, Valerie Browne and from the Department of TransportAbu Dhabi, Senior AnalystGovernment Affairs, Saeed Al Suwaidi. According to GINA, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, formally opened discussions and expressed the Government of Guyana’s pleasure of having the opportunity for the negotiation and the signing of an air service agreement to foster better linkages between the two countries. Minister Benn further noted that the dialogue comes at a time when Guyana’s aviation sector, both at the domestic, regional and international level is expanding. “There are opportunities, via Guyana, we expect and we intend for foreign countries
and air service operators to use Guyana as a regional and international hub for the development of the aviation sector, and for the development of other economical and tourism and other linkages between the continents and specifically between the countries like Guyana and the United Arab Emirates,” he said. Al Suwaidi in his opening remarks noted that it would have taken the UAE’s delegation days to travel to Guyana, “So the need to connect your country to our region is very important,” he said. He also reaffirmed his government’s openness to engage with the Government of Guyana on any future engagement in the aviation sector. The UAE has close to 30 airlines with the largest three operating being Emirates, Air Arabia and Etihad Airways. Emirates is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating nearly 3,400 flights per week from its hub
at Dubai International Airport, to more than 133 cities in 74 countries across six continents. Air Arabia is a low-cost airline with its head office in the Sharjah Freight Center, Sharjah International Airport, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It operates scheduled services to 51 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Europe to 22 countries from Sharjah, 28 destinations in 9 countries from Casablanca, Fez, Nador, Tangier and Marrakesh and 6 destinations in 4 countries from Alexandria. Its main base is Sharjah International Airport. Etihad Airways, the flag carrier airline of the United Arab Emirates operates more than 1,000 flights per week to 96 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with a fleet of 85 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Exhibition launched to highlight female... From page 26 and National Library officials, will continue until Saturday. And while it is open to the public, Stephenson said that the primary target (for the exhibition) is school children since “we are now looking at Creative Guyanese Literature...In my day we read Robinson Crusoe and those writers. Here you have a set of writers who are writing from a Guyanese cultural perspective as distinct from what we read (in my day)...this focuses on Guyanese society, the way we behave and the way we understand each
other.” According to Deputy Permanent Secretary, Reverend Patrick Findlay, who graced the event to deliver a message on behalf of Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster, “...today we now enjoy the work of these talented, creative and skilful women who have brought us new messages in an environment which is known to us. I hope that our young women could and would emulate their examples and be inspired by their work.” He pointed out too that
creative writing, as produced by the women writers, is important to the true advancement of the society. “What good would our independence be without creative writers?” Reverend Findlay questioned as he urged that the women writers be celebrated and applauded. Also speaking yesterday was Chairman of the National Library, Petamber Persaud, who noted that “women have so much to add to our society,” hence the need to recognise their work which serves to “show us the other
side of life.” He also emphasised the need to “go to our own literary writings to see how the writers approached certain issues and we will be in a better position to handle a number of issues (in society).” The exhibition is one that will help to boost ongoing efforts of the National Library , which according to Acting Librarian, Emiley King, is currently engaged in a campaign to raise awareness about literary writers, including women, both here and further afield.
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Boko Haram attack kills 31 Nigerian security personnel (Reuters) - Boko Haram gunmen attacked a Nigerian military base and adjacent police barracks in the northeastern town of Buni Yadi, killing 31 security personnel, security sources and witnesses said. The attack late on M o n d a y i n Yo b e s t a t e occurred not far from where the Islamist insurgents shot or burned to death 59 pupils at a boarding school in February. The militants, whose violent struggle for an Islamic state in northern Nigeria has killed thousands and made them the biggest threat to security in Africa’s top oilproducing state, are still holding more than 200 girls kidnapped on April 14, an act which provoked international outrage. Yobe police spokesman Nansak Chegwam said he was aware of the attack but c o u l d p r o v i d e n o further details. A resident of Buni Ya d i , w h o i d e n t i f i e d himself only as Mustafa
for fear of retribution, said the militants arrived in an armoured personnel c a r r i e r a n d s i x To y o t a pickup trucks before dismounting and firing into the air. They fired rocket propelled grenades at both bases. A senior security source in Yobe state said 17 soldiers were killed and 14 police officers also died. In what has become rare for a movement that has killed thousands of civilians in the past year, Boko Harm called out to people on the street not to run away as they had o n l y c o me fo r t h e security forces, Mustafa and the security source said. The insurgents also razed the police barracks, the army base, the high court and residence of district head Abba Hassan. “One was shouting in English to the others: ‘Let’s go, let’s go. Finish t h i s a n d l e t ’s g o ’ , ” a policeman who escaped the attack and fled to the
state capital Damturu said. From being a religious movement opposed to Western culture - Boko Haram means “Western education is a sin” in the northern Hausa language - the sect has emerged as a well armed, fully fledged insurrection. A military offensive launched a year ago against Boko Haram, which initially seemed to be working, appears to have left the group stronger than ever. The insurgents occupy a vast, hilly terrain along the border with Cameroon, from where they have repeatedly launched devastating hit and run strikes. Nigeria and its neighbours say Boko Haram now threatens the security of the whole region. Cameroon has deployed armoured vehicles and some 1,000 troops to its border region with Nigeria to counter the rising threat. Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh
said yesterday the military knew where the abducted girls were but ruled out using force to rescue them for fear of endangering their lives. Yesterday the United States said it did not have independent information to confirm Nigeria’s claim to know the whereabouts of kidnapped girls. Since the girls were captured, according to a Reuters count, at least 470 civilians have been killed in various locations at the hands of Boko Haram, which has said it wants to reinstate a medieval Islamic c a l i p h a t e i n A f r i c a ’s most populous nation. Nigeria accepted help from the United States, Britain, France and China last week and around 80 U.S. troops have arrived in neighbouring Chad to start a mission to try to free the girls. Surveillance drones are scanning the Sambisa forest, where parents say the girls were last sighted.
Putin says Kiev must stop military operation in east Ukraine MOSCOW - (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin called yesterday for an immediate halt to Ukraine’s military operation against proRussian separatists in the east of the country. In his first reported comments on Ukraine since its presidential election on Sunday, Putin also stepped up pressure on Kiev to start a dialogue with the rebel leaders as fighting raged in east Ukraine. The Kremlin said Putin had spoken to Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi by telephone and “underscored the need for an immediate halt to the punitive military operation in the southeastern regions and the establishment of peaceful dialogue between Kiev and representatives of the regions.” Moscow has amassed troops on the frontier with Ukraine during the crisis, in which Ukraine’s Moscow-
basked president was ousted and Russia annexed the Crimea region from Ukraine, but said last week they had started to withdraw. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said separately that halting bloodshed was “the No. 1 task for the Kiev authorities and a test of their durability” after billionaire businessman Petro Poroshenko’s election success. “The election has taken place, and we respect the results of the expression of the people’s will, but we believe it is absolutely imperative to ... stop all violence,” Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as telling a news conference. Lavrov said Poroshenko would find Russia a reliable partner if he established dialogue with eastern Ukraine, but said that no visit by Poroshenko to Russia was being considered.
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Obama plans to end U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan by 2016 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday outlined a plan to withdraw all but 9,800 American troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year and pull out the rest by the end of 2016, ending more than a decade of military engagement triggered by the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. The decision means that Obama will leave office in early 2017 having extricated the country from the longest
war in U.S. history. He ended Washington’s combat presence in Iraq in 2011. Obama’s White House Rose Garden announcement prompted criticism from Republicans that the hardfought gains made against the Taliban could be lost in much the same way that sectarian violence returned to Iraq after the U.S. withdrawal. Obama, who made a whirlwind visit to U.S. troops in Afghanistan over the weekend before American
combat operations conclude at the end of 2014, appeared to anticipate concerns that he is abandoning Afghanistan. He said it is time for Afghans to secure their country. “We have to recognize that Afghanistan will not be a perfect place, and it is not America’s responsibility to make it one,” Obama said. Under his plan, 9,800 U.S. troops would remain behind into next year. By the end of 2015, that number would be reduced by roughly half.
By the end of 2016, the U.S. presence would be cut to a normal embassy presence with a security assistance office in Kabul, as was done in Iraq. The 9,800 troops would take an advisory role backing up Afghan forces. They would train Afghan troops and help guide missions to rout out remaining al Qaeda targets. Any U.S. military presence beyond 2014 is contingent on Afghanistan’s
government signing a bilateral security agreement with the United States. Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign it. But U.S. officials were encouraged that the two leading candidates in Afghanistan’s presidential race, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, have both pledged to sign quickly should they be elected in the second round of voting set for June 14. Obama said the lengthy U.S. presence in Afghanistan is proof that “it’s harder to end wars than it is to begin them.” “But this is how wars end in the 21st century: not through signing ceremonies but through decisive blows against our adversaries, transitions to elected governments, security forces who are trained to take the lead and ultimately full responsibility,” he said. While Americans have long since grown weary of a conflict in which nearly 2,200 U.S. troops have been killed, some Republicans greeted the news with skepticism. They continued a drumbeat of criticism of the president’s handling of foreign policy and national security ahead of a speech on the subject Obama is to give today at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. “The president’s decision to set an arbitrary date for the full withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is a monumental mistake and a triumph of politics over strategy,” Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham said in a statement. A senior Obama administration official bristled at the notion that the United
States would be leaving Afghan forces to do battle against the Taliban alone. “We never signed up to be the permanent security force in Afghanistan to fight against the Taliban,” the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters. The United States now has about 32,000 troops in Afghanistan. U.S. military leaders had pushed for a force of at least around 10,000, saying it was the minimum required. Remaining U.S. and NATO forces will advise Afghan forces, focusing on functions such as budgeting, logistics, and support for security institutions. NATO countries have helped build Afghanistan’s military and other forces from scratch since 2001. While Afghan forces have grown more independent, they lack key skills such as intelligence collection and air power. As part of the post-2014 force, a small number of U.S. soldiers is expected to conduct counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda and other hardline militants, located mainly in remote areas along Afghanistan’s eastern border with Pakistan.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said yesterday that top diplomats from Pakistan and India would meet soon to advance peace talks that have moved fitfully because of political tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Sharif was in New Delhi for Monday’s inauguration of India’s new prime minister, Narendra Modi, with whom he had a “warm and cordial” bilateral meeting, he said. “We agreed that our meeting in New Delhi should be a historic opportunity for
both our countries,” he told reporters. “This provides us the opportunity of meeting the hopes and aspirations of our peoples that we will succeed in turning a new page in our relations.” “We also agreed that the two foreign secretaries would be meeting soon to review and carry forward our bilateral agenda in the spirit of our meeting today.” India said earlier that Modi had conveyed during the meeting his concerns about militants using Pakistani soil to carry out acts of terrorism in India.
Barack Obama
India, Pakistan agreed to get peace talks back on track: Sharif
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
Rowley on PM’s change: Admission of a security problem Trinidad Express Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has said the Prime Minister’s decision to transfer the LifeSport programme to the Ministry of National Security was an admission by her that her Government had created a national security problem in the administration of the programme by the Ministry of Sport. “If the Government has now conceded that it has created a national security problem in the administration of the LifeSport programme, then the place for it to be dealt with is National Security,” Rowley said Monday. Noting that National Security Minister Gary Griffith had stated he became aware of the LifeSport/Carapo connection when he was adviser to the Prime Minister on national security, Rowley said: “The Prime Minister must now explain why this programme grew from $6 million to $115 million, especially since her Minister of National Security is saying half of that (money) is ghost gangs breeding profits for a number of people.”
Dr Keith Rowley Rowley said once again, she only acted when water was more than flour. “She has acted on it in the context of the fact that the public now knows that the programme has generated national security concerns. It is in that context that she has taken the programme into the Minister of National Security,” he said. He said this was the Prime Minister’s modus operandi, “her style to try and defend the indefensible” until public
pressure forces her to act. It is only when a matter becomes a public issue and she has no other option that the Prime Minister takes action, he said, citing the Reshmi Ramnarine issue and the Jack Warner issue among others. Rowley said the Prime Minister was following the same pattern in her response to a video in which a person resembling a minister is featured rolling a marijuana cigarette. Notwithstanding the removal of LifeSport from the Sports portfolio, Rowley said the PNM was calling on the Prime Minister to fire Roberts because he posed a threat to “Cabinet Government” in the country. Rowley said the Minister who resembled the person in the video could be blackmailed by whoever took the video and by those participating in the video. “Persons who took the video can hold a ‘whip hand’ over that minister because they could say ‘I know it is you, so what are you giving me?’ And a minister cannot be beholden to persons outside of the Cabinet,” Rowley said.
Government has no plans to legislate public sector wage cuts CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC – The St. Lucia government says it has no intention of legislating a wage cut for public servants and that retrenchment is not an option being considered as it seeks ways to reduce expenditure. Public Service, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. James Fletcher said the Kenny Anthony administration is holding talks with the public sector unions on finding ways to reduce expenditure and that wage reduction has also not been finalised. Responding to concerns raised by opposition legislators during the recent debate on the 2014-15 national budget, Fletcher said there is no need for undue panic . “The government of St. Lucia is in negotiations with the public sector unions. Nothing has been decided on. Nothing has been agreed. “The government has said that it must make a reduction in its expenditure. It has said so. And we have been having the meetings. And all of the meetings that have gone; have centred on finding out how we make those adjustments,” he added.
Dr. James Fletcher Fletcher also dismissed suggestions that the government was considering a wage reduction by attrition, insisting that while the government is exploring the difficult option of wage reduction, retrenchment is not an option. “We have no intention of legislating a wage cut. There has to be a contract between the unions and the government to decide how we reduce expenditure.” He said a suggestion by an opposition legislator that instead of a five per cent cut, the government should explore a process of attrition. “…if we were to do that the savings from that would be EC$18.5 million (One EC
dollar = US0.37 cents)or the equivalent of 495 workers being retrenched. So five per cent wage cut or 495 persons being retrenched to give you a savings of EC$18.8 million,” he said, warning that retrenchment and failing to fill vacancies would be disastrous to the island’s essential services. Prime Minister Anthony has already indicated that the government is faced with increase spending for wages and salaries in the public service sector. During 2012/ 2013 the bill for wages and salary in the public sector stood at EC$449 million. This figure is expected to increase to over EC$450 million, this year. He said that outstanding increase in wages and salaries for the public sector, brought about through wage negotiations stands at approximately EC$459 million and that serious attention must be paid to that situation. “The journey has started … we have done well …we must continue … fiscal discipline is producing results … it requires a change and we have to complete this journey of taking it down,” Anthony said, adding that the goal of his administration this fiscal year is to reduce expenditure by 17.4 per cent.
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CARICOM countries looking for unified position on future of sugar industry KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) sugar producing countries are seeking to adopt a unified position as it relates to the future development of the industry as well as their relationship with Europe. A three-day meeting of the International Sugar organization (ISO) began yesterday with issues relating to the soon to be introduced changes in the European Union (EU) Sugar Regime among the main agenda items. The ISO 45th Council Session in Montego Bay is being held under the theme: ‘Positioning for the new market frontiers’, and is expected to be attended by more than 60 delegates from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Roger Clarke, said delegates would also discuss the number of problems, including the cost of production, now confronting the sugar industry. He said CARICOM will be
Roger Clarke particularly interested in the discussion on the sugar regime. “We are looking at getting a unified CARICOM position, especially among the sugar stakeholders, as to the region’s approach to the future development of the industry, the relationship with the EU and how, as a group, CARICOM fits into the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) organisation. The conference is really about putting together plans as to how we lobby,” he said. “The change in the EU
sugar regime, which comes into effect in two years time, will pose tremendous challenges for sugar producing nations such Jamaica, so we need to be proactive and unified in our approach. “We will also focus heavily on the cost associated with the production of sugar, because if you look at the trend in prices, sugar producing nations are now being forced to take a critical look at the viability of the industry,” he added. Clarke said that the meeting here will also discuss health related issues within the industry. “There is this lobby regarding the harm that can be done to humans through the consumption of sugar. We are now being forced to take an aggressive position to educate members of the public of the health benefits. “This will be done through support from our scientists who have been charged with the task of putting those fears to rest through research information,” he said.
Barbados in ‘high demand’ Barbados Nation INVESTORS ARE FALLING over each other to be part of the development of Barbados, says Minister of Housing Denis Kellman. Stating that the country was “now ready”, Kellman told Sunday night’s Democratic Labour Party’s St Lucy branch meeting that after Barbadians had been repeatedly told that nobody wanted to invest here, investors were “now tumbling over each other for every project that we got in Barbados”. He told those gathered at his constituency office in Pie Corner that the much-delayed Four Seasons Resort project was in particularly high demand by investors. “Imagine everybody wants the Four Seasons project! There are about five or six people who bid, and people telling you that Barbados is not a good place? The biggest problem in Barbados now is that we have billions of dollars in the bank earning no money,” he added. Kellman, who has been representing St Lucy for 20 years, therefore called on Barbadians to invest in some aspect of productivity and not be “left behind and have no footstep in the development of Barbados”. “If you do that, outsiders will come and get all the benefits and we will have the
Denis Kellman money in the bank getting nothing. Money does not grow in a bank. Instead of you forking up the land and growing some vegetables, you taking your money every month and putting in the bank to get nothing. If you buy two chickens, you think the chicken will stand as chickens? They will become fowls! You don’t like growth?” he asked. He said the investors were coming on board just in time, as Government had started cutting the Public Service. “When we did the layoffs we were cognisant of what was going to happen with these projects,” he said, mentioning Almond, Sam Lord’s Castle, Sandals, Four Seasons, as well as
community projects featuring Stroude Bay, Archer’s Bay and North Point in St Lucy. “The people we lay off are the ones who can easily get back jobs. And the projects that are coming, the people can easily be employed in,” he explained, noting that if Government had kept the Public Service overloaded, it would have had to import workers for the projects as the former administration had done. “The negativity is only for a short period of time and the glory is at hand . . . The [Barbados Labour Party] knew that if within one year they didn’t get us out of Government, because of where the economic situation was, they don’t stand a chance. And that’s why all of a sudden you don’t hear them with all these Rubbing Shoulders and so on, but don’t believe they’re sleeping,” said Kellman. He also rapped what he termed the “bad-mouthing” of projects like Pickering and River Bay but reminded that after all the negative talk, Government had been able to convert it all into something positive. “As a Government we’re committed to these projects and we’re moving forward,” he added. Minister of Agriculture Dr David Estwick was also scheduled to speak but was reported to be in Dominica.
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Kaieteur News
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Gibson welcomes legends to Windies camp From page 37 said. “He’s obviously led the West Indies bowling attack and done it very well over his career, so hopefully he will impart some knowledge and pass on some of his experiences onto the guys.” Gibson was speaking at the 3Ws Oval as the players went through their paces. He added it was a great experience for the players to have Sir Garry around, especially the young batsmen. “Sir Garry is the best of the best and it is great to have him join us. He is still an avid watcher of the game, so he sees a lot of things. He is here
to pass on his knowledge over so many years of doing it,” Gibson said. “The guys like Darren Bravo and young Kieran Powell have been very receptive and his wisdom will not be lost on the experienced guys like Shiv Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels either. All the guys will get the opportunity to speak to Sir Garry about their game, which can only be a good thing for us. “Hopefully, over the next couple of the days, the guys will really use him as a springboard for where they are in their game and what he thinks they need to do to take
Sir Curtley Ambrose their game to the next level,” Gibson added. FULL SQUAD: Denesh
Sir Garfield Sobers speaks to Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn during a training session for the West Indies Team at the 3Ws Oval at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados on Monday, May 26
Wednesday May 28, 2014 ARIES (March 21 April 19): You might find that your brain is chugging along in the slow lane today, Aries. It could even be gradually creeping over to the breakdown lane! It may be more difficult to come up with your quick, witty rebuttals in conversations. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 May 20): You might find that words aren't the best way to communicate today, Taurus. Body language and the sense of touch and taste are much more effective. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 June 20):Things are apt to get intense for you today, Gemini. There will be a lot of information coming your way, but it all won't necessarily be great. ******************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): Your head may be buzzing with activity, Cancer. It seems like the spotlight suddenly has been turned on. Your mind is on stage and your brainpower is being tested. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Focus on the simple pleasures today, Leo. Don't feel like you have to search in far-off lands or engage in expensive recreational activities to find happiness and peace. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): Focus on your creative mind, Virgo. This is a very fertile time for planting hearty seeds that will be sure to grow up healthy and strong.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) : Motivation must come from within, Libra. The only thing that can pull you out of bed is your inner drive and determination. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Your mind should be quite clear today, and communication will go extremely well for you, Scorpio. You'll find that you'll need very few words to get your point across. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Strong forces may be acting up and asking you to stand up a little straighter than usual, Sagittarius. Keep your shoulders back and be proud. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): You can expect today to be kind of intense, Capricorn. Even if you've made a conscious decision not to let anything get you down, you may still harbor some negative emotions from the last few days. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): Your thinking is steady and reserved today, Aquarius. You'll find that your mind is right in line with your ego, and you'll be able to accurately verbalize what's going on inside. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): Today is an excellent day for you to say exactly how you feel, Pisces. Your thinking is sharp and clear. You'll find that once you start talking, you may never stop.
Ramdin (Captain), Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Shane Shillingford, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor> TEAM MANAGEMENT: Ottis Gibson (Head Coach), Sir Richard Richardson (Team Manager), Sir Curtly Ambrose (Bowling Consultant), Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach), Andre Coley (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles
(Strength & Conditioning Coordinator), Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Manager), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist). SERIES SCHEDULE: June 8-12: First Test – Sabina Park, Jamaica, June 16-20: Second
Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad, June 26-30: Third Test – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana, July 5: First T20 International – Windsor Park, Dominica, July 6: Second T20 International – Windsor Park, Dominica. (WICB Media Release)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Meet the team representing Guyana at an Int. Volleyball tourney in French Guiana Guyana will be competing in an International volleyball tournament serving off in French Guiana from today and continuing until June 2, 2014. Kaieteur Sport is pleased to introduce the Guyana Volleyball Federation team of 12 players and 4 officials that will be seeking to keep the Golden Arrowhead aloft.
Name: Quacy Matheson Club: PMTC Position: Wing Hitter, Wing Blocker Experience: IGG, GVF International Invitational 2012, 2013, Suriname Invitational 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, 2014, Caribbean Players League - Trinidad 2013, South American Beach Games 2014. Matheson created history by becoming the first Guyanese to be accredited with a FIVB number. He is considered as the back bone of his Team.
Name: Satesh Seenauth DOB: 1989-02-07 Clubs: PM Jaguars / PMTC Position: Setter
Name: Beepaul Bandoo DOB: 1994-11-27 Clubs: PMTC / GDF Position: Libero Experience: IGG, GVF International Invitational 2012, 2013, Suriname Invitational 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, 2014, Lyzecs Anniversary Suriname 2013
Name: Trevon Mc Rae DOB: 1993-09-26 Club: PMTC Position: Middle Hitter / Middle Blocker Experience: IGG, GVF International Invitational 2012, 2013, Suriname Invitational 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, 2014, Lyzecs Anniversary Suriname 2013
Name: Ian Bagot DOB:1985-08-15 Club: PMTC Position: Middle Hitter / Middle Blocker Experience: IGG 2007, 2008, IGG 2006, 2007, 2008, GVF International Invitational 2012, 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, 2014, Lyzecs Anniversary Suriname 2013
Name: Luen David Club: PMTC Position: Wing Hitter, Wing Blocker Experience: IGG 2012, GVF International Invitational 2012, 2013, Suriname Invitational 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, 2014, Suriname Volleyball/ Red Bull Beach Classic 2013, Lyzecs Anniversary Suriname 2013, South American Beach Games 2014
Name: Levi Laurence Nedd DOB: 1962-06-30 Club: Defenders, PMTC Position: Head Coach Experience: European trained, Head Coach of the Guyana Volleyball Federation for a number of years. Nedd can be considered the backbone of the sport in Guyana and has the distinction of producing at least one player for each club every year.
Name: Yoganand Dhoray DOB: 1998-04-19 Clubs: Albion Sports Complex / PMTC Position: Wing Hitter Experience: IGG 2013, GVF International Invitational 2012
Name: Shemroy Ross DOB: 1989-12-17 Club: PMTC Position: Wing Attacker Experience: IGG 2007, 2008, IGG 2006, 2007, 2008, GVF International Invitational 2012, 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, 2014, Lyzecs Anniversary Suriname 2013
Name: Kapildev Samaroo DOB: 1986-08-09 Club: Young Achievers WBD Position: Utility Player Experience: GVF Invitational 2012, 2013, Caribbean Players League Trinidad, Guyana U-16
Name: Cleveland Peters Club: Young Achievers WBD Position: Middle Blocker / Middle Hitter Experience: GVF Invitational 2012, 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, Caribbean Players League 2013
13 players named Name: Creston Rodney Club: PMTC / Young Achievers WBD Position: Wing Hitter / Wing Blocker Experience: IGG Captain 2012, 2013, GVF Invitational 2012, 2013, TTVF Players League 2012, 2013, 2014, Lyzecs Anniversary Suriname 2013
by LABA for national tryouts for CBC men’s team Name: Godwyn Allicock DOB: 1978-10-26 Club: PMTC Position: Manager Experience: Mr. Allicock is also the Treasurer of the Berbice Volleyball Association and the representative to the GVF. He can be considered as the livewire of the BVA
Name: Gregory Rambarran Position: Manager Experience: President of the Berbice Volleyball Association and Vice President of the GVF. Former Referee and Coach
Name: Jadeshwer Doolchand Position: President of the Demerara Volleyball Association and representative to the GVF. Has a wealth of experience in the game. He is also Coach of the UG Volleyball Club
Thirteen male players have been shortlisted from Linden to be eligible for drafting into the Men’s National squad to be named shortly with the aim of representing Guyana at this year’s Caribbean Basketball Championships set for the British Virgin Islands in July. The Linden players named by the LABA as requested by the governing Guyana Amateur Basketball
Federation, are:Alister Webster, Shane Webster, Dwayne Roberts, Chris Williams, Lawrence DaCosta, Orin Rose, Sheldron Noel, Amaniki Archibald, Travin Dryden, Keiron Cameron, Alwyn Wilson, Trevor Profit, Stephon Tappin. The coaches identified for the selection process to the GABF are Abdulla Hamid, Kevin Joseph and Kerwin Abrams.
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
Letter to the Sports Editor
Local football and its continued underdevelopment DEAR EDITOR, The publication of an article captioned “Matthias confident of General Council’s support at today’s Ordinary Congress” K.N. 26.04.14 Editor, in no significant way has it escaped my attention for public comment, moreover, with a byline “cites creditors and Golden Jaguars debt as unpardonable”. Apart from the aforementioned comment being ironic and also pathetic, remains a clear indication that the individual is definitely oblivious to what sponsorship entails within a budgetary framework. Utilizing the World Cup Qualifiers as an example, local compulsory expenditures are as follows: EncampmentAccommodation, Meals, Laundrying, Transportation, Supplements, Training Equipment, Medical Supplies, Players’ Stipend, Physiotherapist, Refreshments and payments for additional staff i.e. Equipment Manager, Masseur and Nutritionist. Given the fact that encampment in the interim is for a period of five (5) days, at a cost of $450,000 daily. Then within six (6) instances of five (5) days encampment, the total cost would amount to: 5x6x $450,000 = $13,500,000! This is against the backdrop that salaries/ wages have not being included for coaching and managerial staff along with ground rental and preparation. With the National Stadium, being the only venue locally to host World Cup Qualifying matches, compounded by exorbitant overhead costs i.e. rental, security, gate management, ticket sellers, traffic police, advertising, ball boys, accommodation, meals and transportation (two teams; officiating personnel and match commissioner) along with the relevant payments for the latter two, in USD!
Additionally, meals and beverages are also provided for workers directly connected with the game on the corresponding day, along with workers of the stadium who are paid overtime. Printing of tickets; ground preparation, medical personnel, ambulatory service, P.A/Sound System, and ball boys are all additional costs reflective in the expenditure. Meanwhile, with income consisting of advertising, sponsorship, donations, food and beverage, franchises; gate receipts (ticket sales/vehicles parking) and sale of corporate suites. Editor, once again deceitfulness on Matthias’ behalf continues to unfold, since he must be aware from the outset of the sponsorship for initial encampment, moreover, given the local investment and economical circumstances prevailing within the business community. In this endeavour, Banks DIH, despite nothing substantial to the World Cup Qualifiers, nevertheless for decades has remained the single largest sponsors of local Football. However, the contributions of DDL, Ansa McAl, GT&T, Digicel, Bakewell, Guyana Beverage, Beepat, Giftland, Humphrey’s Bakery, New GPC, Beharry Group of Companies and others too numerous to mention must all be lauded. But what of the banking sector, tourism industry, government agencies, hoteliers, transportation, construction, mining and other local distributors for international product? So, with the inability of the stadium to have a sold out crowd amidst a “clarion call to boycott due to an increased fee for second round matches”, Maybe Matthias can provide the relevant answer for the transformation of moving from a negative financial position for encampment of home matches
and overseas travel for return matches, inclusive of increased airfares and stipends. Since it must also be taken into consideration that the compilation of budgets had to be done for over two (2) rounds, with the second one being larger! Finally, to give a breakdown of 1,184 matches purportedly being played under the auspices of the GFF, in various associations, reflective of development, remains at its best downright dishonesty. Since during the period 2013-2014, knockout competitions was the major component! Also, it must be taken into consideration that invitational competitions attract a few, with the other clubs being neglected. Is this development? Rather is this not continued underdevelopment, with the Essequibo FA for instance, during 2014, playing 16:20/20 matches! Does this format exist under the auspices of the GFF, CFU, CONCACAF and FIFA? Meanwhile, the Associations of East Demerara, (not East Coast) as Matthias publicly advocated, along with East Bank and Upper Demerara must all be commended for being somehow consistent, with youth competitions. But what a burning shame on the GFF’s behalf, despite advertising an Expression of Interest in the print media, they have failed to attract sponsorship to determine the respective winners at the Association or Club level in the various divisions of competitions. Is this reflective of true and meaningful development? Also it must be noted that the once powerful GFA is being surpassed by other Associations in relation to coordinating competitions in the various divisions, unlike what transpired between 2008 - 2010 under Troy Mendonca’s presidency. In actuality when the GFA fails, so too does the GFF! Respectfully yours, Lester Sealey.
Gibson welcomes legends to Windies camp Bridgetown, Barbados – Head Coach of the West Indies team Ottis Gibson says he is happy to have West Indies cricket legends Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Curtly Ambrose on board with the team as they continue their preparation camp ahead of the upcoming Test Series against New Zealand. Sir Garry, the greatest allrounder in the game’s history, will be working with
the batsmen during the ongoing three-day warm-up match at the 3Ws Oval as well as some training sessions before the team departs for Jamaica on Wednesday, June 4. The first Test bowls off on Sunday, June 8 at Sabina Park. Sir Curtly, one of the best fast bowlers of all-time, is the new Bowling Consultant and will work with the team during the upcoming three Tests and two T20 Internationals.
“Sir Curtly is heavily involved in cricket here with the Combined Campuses & Colleges and is making a contribution to West Indies cricket in that way so the feeling is to get him to come in and mentor the good bowlers that we have and try to see if he can inspire them through his experiences to turn themselves into great bowlers,” Gibson (Continued on page 35)
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Score’s Even wins main event, but Swing Easy is top horse Shariff Stable best on show with three victories
Representatives of the Shariff Stable receive their silverware for Champion horse Swing Easy’s double victory. By Samuel Whyte Score’s Even of the Dennis DeRoop Simple Royal stable of Corentyne obliged accordingly to win the feature event at last Sunday’s Rising Sun Turf Club in collaboration with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Independence one day horserace meet at their Arima Park, West Coast Berbice track. Classified as Guyana’s number one racehorse with a ranking of A1, the animal given the opportunity to compete, used the occasion to dish out a beating on its opponents, racing away with the feature A and lower 1400 M event. Piloted by 17 year old Ajai Sansarran, the Kentucky bred animal was in a class by itself. Recognised for its devastating performances and blistering finish, however, the racehorses’ handlers decided to change tactics this time. Score’s Even wasted no time as the five horses were sent on their way, powering from the outside gate, the animal running as if possessed, with Ajai in saddle giving it full range immediately stormed to front lead. Score’s Even ran with a body weight of over 1000 pounds and carrying a weight of 130lbs on it back. The horse gathered momentum early and with powerful strides distanced itself from
its opponents with every passing stride. Seemingly taking a breather around the far turn, its opponents may have had some encouragement, but the top horse soon hit the gas, galloping into the homestretch, cantering over the finishing line well ahead of the other horses by about eight lengths to claim the $1M top prize compliments of Banks DIH and the General Secretary trophy. Treacle finished second ahead of Got to Go and California Strike. Swing Easy of the Shariff Racing Stable had a swinging day as it dominated proceedings to win two events to be crowned champion horse on show. With Jockey Randolph Richmond on the perch the animal first took care of business in the D3 and Lower 1400M event with a blistering finish to win the $500,000 top money from Run Nana Run, Force Entry and It’s my turn. Swing Easy with Richmond in the saddles returned to win the F1 and lower 1400M event and the $400, 00 winner’s money in similar fashion from Princess Alisha, Silent Night and Captain Crook. Settling Jet of the Jumbo Jet stable with Brian Blake settled in front early as it upset the field in the event for Three-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred animals to take the $400,000 winner’s
money from Unsettled, Shooting Star and Today is My Day. Damascus Dream with Richmond on the hunch continued the dream day for connections of the Shariff stable as it raced away with the G3 and lower event and the $300,000 purse, beating Ameera’s Joy, Quiet Storm and Release the Beast. Richmond rode Easy to Win of the Dookie stable to a comfortable triumph in the ‘I’ and lower 1100M race to take the $200,000 f prize from I Want Revenge, Famous Pride and Savion. The J1 and Lower 1100M race saw De Gump of the Night Eyes Stable and ridden by Rupert Ramnauth, winning the $180,000 prize from, Royal Cash, Famous Pride and Little. Jockey Randolph Richmond was adjudged Champion jockey with four wins, while up and coming rider Russel Chichester was adjudged top apprentice on show. The Shariff Racing Stable raced away with the top stable honours, while Fazal Habibulla was the top trainer. They received trophies and other rewards compliments of the Trophy Stall. A number of government and regional officials were in attendance. Over 80 horses took part in the day’s proceedings with over $6M being up for grabs.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
St. Lucian boxers to highlight card GABF receives Game and Shot as GBA takes ‘Nuff Cuff’ to Buxton Clocks from US based GT players
They have travelled to several communities in their bid to take boxing to the people and just a few days ago, ventured into Mahdia where residents were treated to one night of fistic fury. Now, the executives of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), in their bid to broaden their horizons, are preparing to venture into Buxton ECD for another edition of ‘Nuff Cuff ’ at the Buxton Community Centre Saturday March 31 next. Fifteen fights are carded for the night and the special feature will see three boxers out of St. Lucia battling against their Guyanese counterparts. The last time Arthur Langelier travelled to Guyana, he engaged Dennis Thomas in what turned out to be a ding dong Middleweight clash. Thomas won the fight but since then the St. Lucian had cried foul and yearned for a return clash. The impending encounter s h o u l d b e a scorcher especially since Thomas is out to prove that the victory was no fluke. Another St. Lucian, Ron Bastien , will also comprise a part of the St. Lucian squad. He will be fighting in the Welterweight division and has promised a better
Dennis Thomas showing than his last bout in Guyana against Eon Bancroft. The promoters have not yet indicated who his opponent will be but hinted that Bancroft might be called upon to fill the spot. Female pugilist, Theresa London, is also scheduled to be in action and she faces St. Lucian, Malanda St Clair. The two were scheduled to face off in St. Lucia March month end but London was forced out of the fight after losing by technical knockout in Chile. St Clair had been primed up for the clash and was somewhat disappointed by the turn of events. London
has now received the green light and the two boxers will clash in the Heavyweight division. Further, there will be 12 additional bouts among some of the nation’s top boxers. Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, expressed satisfaction at the progress of the young boxers. He said that his team has been hard at work in a bid to improve the fortunes of the young boxers. The GBA President further explained that the ‘Nuff Cuff’ initiative is meant to strengthen the bond between his organization and the various communities while keeping the boxers productively engaged. “GBA executives are also aspiring to showcase those boxers that are currently preparing for national duty at the Commonwealth and the Central American and Caribbean championships,” Ninvalle disclosed. He said that the boxers would soon be encamped as preparations intensify. The admission price is set at $500 and Mr. Ninvalle indicated that all monies accrued from the event would go towards the preparation of the boxers for their international engagements.
George cries foul after Heat... From page 39 attack the basket as much as they attack the basket,” George said. “You can’t tell me we’re not aggressive. Maybe we’re too aggressive. But I feel like we’re just as aggressive as they are attacking the basket and making plays at the rim. Maybe this was just home cooking.” Not everyone in the Indiana locker room agreed. “You can’t blame it on the refs,” veteran Luis Scola said, “when you lose by double digits.” They could blame Bosh, because he was the one who got the two-time defending NBA champions going. Bosh scored the game’s first eight points, making a pair of 3-pointers and ending a series-long funk. He had scored exactly nine points in each of the first three games
of these East finals and was held under 10 points in each of his last seven playoff games against Indiana. But he came out flying, and probably not coincidentally, the Heat finally had a good start. “You always want to see your first shot go in, or the first couple of shots, or at least get some open looks and try to really change your luck a little bit,” Bosh said. “I was able to do that, and that helped me just be aggressive as the game went on. I kind of put the cerebral stuff to bed. I’m really not thinking too much anymore and just going out and playing.” The Pacers trailed only 49-44 at halftime — even though Hibbert and Stephenson both had three fouls, the Heat didn’t have a turnover until the second quarter, Miami shot 10 more
free throws in the half, and Bosh and James combined for 32 points in the first 24 minutes. If there was any doubt, Miami erased it quickly after halftime. James scored five points in a 7-0 spurt to open the second half, and the Heat were on their way. “They’re the best offensive team in the NBA,” Vogel said. Miami outscored Indiana 31-20 in the third quarter and kept pulling away before the Pacers used a 15-3 run to make things rather interesting. Alas, way too little, way too late. And now Miami is poised to oust Indiana for the third straight year. Only the Celtics and Lakers franchises have been to the NBA Finals in four straight seasons. The Heat now have three chances to join that club, and would enjoy nothing more than getting there tonight. “We try to get better every single day, every single game,” James said. “When you do that and go out and play the type of game that you are capable of playing, you can be satisfied with the results. And that’s what we’ve built over the years.”
President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds last evening collected two Game Clocks, two Shot Clocks and eight pairs of basketball boots from a Brooklyn and Queens group of Guyanese based basketball players at a presentation Ceremony held at Duke Lodge in Kingston. Hinds thanked Karl Moore and his Company Southern System Lean Green Technology Solutions, Pinnacle Audio Visual, Restoration Brothers Contractors LLC, CRP Plumbing & Heating Inc, EGGI’s Express Shipping and the US based Guyanese players including Rundell Ramsey and Joel Simon for their generous contribution to the local basketball fraternity. The GABF Head disclosed that the clocks will be presented to the Georgetown Amateur
Basketball Association (GABA) and Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) while the boots, which are for both males and females, will be distributed to players who are in need. According to Hinds, a former National player, the clocks, which is mainly for Outdoor Courts but which can also be used indoors, will also be used as a ‘back-up’ to the clocks at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and if needed at the school level tournaments like the YBG National Championships. “When I was playing we never had outdoor clocks. I remember last March at the National Club Championships at the Sports Hall the Shot Clock stopped working causing some amount of confusion. These clocks will ensure that does not happen again. The Shot Clocks were
introduced in the early 1990s in the NBA to prevent players killing time,” Hinds explained. He disclosed that acquiring this modern electronic equipment has been the hope of GABBF for over two decades and said that clocks could also be used by the Linden Sub Association and other promoters of outdoor Basketball locally. “Recently I attended a tournament in Berbice and they were keeping the score on a chalkboard. This state of the art equipment will certainly bring up to par with what’s required at this level,” Hinds pointed out. Present last evening was Stefi Moore, who presented the clocks on behalf of her father. Also at the head table were Junior Andrew Hercules and Ivor Thompson who represented the overseas sponsors. (Sean Devers)
Rain hampers Media / Umpires T20 clash Rain had the final say in the Media versus the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) T20 game on Monday last at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda. Batting first, the Media XI managed 91-7 off their allotted overs before a heavy downpour prevented further play. Openers John Ramsingh and Rajiv Bisnauth started cautiously, picking the singles and occasional two’s as the GCU&SA utilised the pitch moisture to good effect. Bisnauth stroked the first boundary in the fourth over, but just as he was starting to gain momentum, was trapped leg before by left-arm spinner Trevor Ritney for nine. Daniel Singh (02) was spectacularly caught on the square leg boundary by Delvin Austin, while Ramzan (00) was bowled the very next delivery hitting across the line; both falling to Ritney. The hard-hitting Keon Blade (01), Sean Devers (01) and Calvin Roberts (06) also found the going tough as the Media XI stumbled to 43-6 by the 14th over. It took a fighting partnership of 48 between Ramsingh and Ravi Persaud to prop up the total. Ramsingh, the stocky right-hander, remained unbeaten on 32, which included a solitary boundary, while Persaud who was caught off the final delivery of the innings hit a breezy 24, inclusive of two boundaries.
John Ramsingh hits out during his top score Bowling for the GCS&UA, Ritney finished with three wickets, while Nigel Duguid picked up two. After the match was called off, the teams decided to meet again in another T20 contest, tentatively set for CARICOM Day. The Media fraternity wishes to thank Lifetime Realty, Trophy Stall, P&P Insurance Brokers, Western Union, Guyana Amazon
Warriors energy drink, Christopher Matthias and the management of Georgetown Cricket Club for their tangible support in making the match a reality. Meanwhile, the Media boys will be in action again this Sunday when they take on the Enmore Over-40 team in a T20 match at the Enmore Community Centre ground from 14:00 hours.
Wednesday May 28, 2014
Kaieteur News
McKinnon captures GNRA Precision Pistol Shoot Ryan McKinnon returned to form to win the .22 Precision Pistol Compe t i t i o n organized by the Smallbore section of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) and held last weekend at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) range, Eve Leary. McKinnon recorded 293 points to win the competition which consisted of three stages shot at the seven metres, 10m and 15 metres distances. Shooters were required to fire 10 rounds at each stage
for a combined overall score. Leading female shooter Vidushi Persaud continued her excellent showing this season with a second place finish with 256 points. Third position was captured by Fabian Stuart who amassed 240 points at the three stages. Randy Sarjoo secured fourth position with 225 points, while Shawn Smith was fifth with 224 points. Last weekend’s competition brought the curtains down on three weekends of shooting with
Smallbore captain Dale Hing clinching victory in the first leg held at Eve Leary, while the second leg at Timehri range was won by Dr. Johan DaSilva. Saturday’s results were as followed: 1st Ryan McKinnon 293points 2nd Vidushi Persaud 256points 3rd Fabian Stuart 240points 4th Randy Sarjoo – 225 points 5th Shawn Smith – 224 points.
North Road All Stars to play Pegasus under lights Friday night North Road All Stars will clash with Pegasus Cricket Team under lights at the Hotel’s Tennis Court on Friday Night in a 15 overs Tapeball match. Pegasus will be brimming with confidence after a highly contested series victory over Kingston Cricket team and according to their Captain, Miguel Lee, North Road
should expect no mercy. The last time the two teams met North Road won by 5 wickets, but Lee said that was in 2008 and this time around the boys from Guyana’s most distinguished hotel will send veterans Bryan Hercules, Charwayne Walker, Colburn David, Orin Samuels and Nigel Roshuevel into permanent retirement.
North Road All Stars Team: Charwayne Walker (Captain), Colburn David, Orin Samuels, Lucius Hodge, (Wicketkeeper) Lee Vann DeSantos, Bryan Hercules, Jai Kishun, Marvin Monroe, Neil Johnson, Nigel Roshuevel, Dion Inniss, Gavin Lewis, Imran Khan, Dennis Paul and Keith ‘Chief’ Jordon (Manager)
Brathwaites put HPC firmly in control Lucas Sreet, Barbados, CMC – Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was closing in on his sixth first class hundred while seamer Carlos Brathwaite nudged the senior selectors with another incisive display, as West Indies High Performance Centre took command of their four-day “Test” against Bangladesh A here yesterday. At the close on day two at the Windward Cricket Club, WI HPC were 170 for two in their second innings, an overall lead of 322. The 21year-old Kraigg Brathwaite was unbeaten on 96 and was partnered by Leon Johnson who was unbeaten on 40. The pair have so far added 90 for the third wicket. Brathwaite has scored unusually quickly, facing 125 deliveries and counted ten fours and a six – a big stroke over long-on off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam that raised his half-century. Earlier, Bangladesh A were undermined by terrific spell from Carlos Brathwaite who finished with four for 45, to send the visitors tumbling for 140 all out. Resuming at five without loss, the Bangladeshis were having things their own way in a 66run opening stand between Imrul Kayes (32) and Shamsur Rahman (28). Brathwaite’s introduction, however, changed the course of the
Carlos Brathwaite hails his fourth wicket. innings dramatically. He sent back Imrul after the lefthander had faced 51 balls and struck five fours and a six, and should have had Marshall Ayub four overs later but Ashley Nurse floored a difficult catch at slip with the score on 72 for one. With five runs added to
the total, lively part-time seamer Jonathan Carter trapped Ayub lbw for eight, and Brathwaite then found himself on a hat-trick when he struck twice just before lunch. He had Shamsur caught at the wicket by Chadwick Walton and off the next delivery, removed Naeem Islam to a fine catch at slip by Nurse. Struggling at 78 for four at the interval, Bangladesh found no reprieve afterward as WI HPC pressed home their advantage. Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell claimed Mominul Haque, lbw for ten, and captain Nasir Hossain who has already played 14 Tests, then gave Brathwaite his fourth wicket with another catch behind to Wa l t o n . Bangladesh A then needed a cameo, run-a-ball 31 from Muktar Ali, with five fours and a six, to get up to their eventual total. Fast bowler Miguel Cummins took the last three wickets to finish with three for 25 while Cottrell picked up two for 29. Kraigg Brathwaite and Assad Fudadin (22) then put on 79 for the first wicket before WI HPC lost two quick wickets with just one run added to slip to 80 for two. Johnson, who has hit three fours and a six off 76 balls, joined Brathwaite in a positive stand to ram home the HPC’s advantage.
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LABA selects 20 to train for U-19 clash against President’s selection on Saturday The Linden Amateur Basketball Association has named twenty players to attend sessions from which the Linden Under19 team will be named to face a Presidential side as part of the supporting card for the Linden against Berbice men’s clash in the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s Inter Association championships, which conclude Saturday at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court on Saturday in
Linden. The players named are to represent Linden with the intention of being called to the national squad which will be selected to train for the upcoming Inter Guiana Games later this year against French Guiana and Suriname. The players are: Daniel Anthony, Amaniki Buntin, Akani Wilson, Dellon Patterson, Isaiah Semple, Nigel Plowell, Keifer Tappin, Isaiah Haynes, Dennis Niles,
Daniel Anthony, Ron Profitt, Allister Lewis, Odley Inniss, Tyrese Mitchell, Terron Welch, Travin Dryden, Vibert Benjamin, Branley Griffith, Wayne Wilson and Keon Wills. The teams had a training session yesterday and another is set for today from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court under coaches Malcolm James and Kevin Bonnett.
George cries foul after Heat take Game 4, 102-90
Miami (AP) - The stat sheet from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals told quite a story. It said Miami never trailed, that Indiana’s All-Star center failed to contribute a single point, that the night’s two leading scorers were wearing Heat uniforms and that the Pacers committed twice as many turnovers as they forced. Paul George apparently saw something else. “We outplayed them,” the Indiana star said, adding, “They won this game at the free-throw line.” With that, the storyline surrounding this series went from revolving around something an Indiana player said to, well, revolving around something else an Indiana player said. Almost overlooked amid all the dramatics: For Miami, what would be a historic fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals is now just one win away. LeBron James had 32 points and 10 rebounds, Chris Bosh added 25 points — nearly matching his output from the first three games of the series combined — and the Heat grabbed total control of the East title series by topping the Indiana Pacers 102-90 Monday night. The Heat lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 in Indianapolis on Wednesday night. “I’m motivated enough to try to get back to the Finals,” James said. “That’s motivating enough.” George scored 23 points and David West finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds for Indiana, which has dropped the last three games in the series. Other than those two stat lines, it was a largely forgettable night on the floor for the Pacers, and might have gotten worse off the floor. —Lance Stephenson, who acknowledged that he
Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) drives to the basket over Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) was trying to get inside James’ head before Game 4 and said the four-time NBA MVP was showing a sign of “weakness” by engaging with him during games, was scoreless until the third quarter. —Roy Hibbert went scoreless, the first time in 36 appearances against Miami that he’s failed to get a point, that donut coming after he averaged 18.3 points per game against the Heat in his last 15 matchups dating to last season. —Pacers coach Frank Vogel got a technical foul in the third quarter, plus appeared to move toward
Shane Battier as the Miami veteran took a 3-pointer from near the Indiana bench in the first quarter. “We got outplayed by the Heat,” Vogel said. “I wasn’t disappointed in our fight. I was disappointed in the result.” Then came the headlinegrabber, when George arrived in the interview area and blamed the officiating for the Indiana loss. Miami was 30 of 34 from the line; Indiana was 11 of 17, something that got George to use words like “demoralizing” and “lopsided.” “You can’t tell me we don’t (Continued on page 35)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
First IPL qualifier Big boys in another knockout battle postponed due to rain The Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab IPL qualifier at Eden Gardens has been postponed to today due to torrential rain in Kolkata. The match will be played at 4 pm, while the eliminator in Mumbai, between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, will be played at 8 pm as scheduled. If the weather or ground conditions do not permit a full game in Kolkata today as well, overs will be reduced till it is a five-over-a-side affair. If even that is not possible, as per the playing conditions, the winner will be decided via
a Super Over. The latest the Super Over can begin is 9.10 pm. If that, too, is ruled out, then the side which finished the league stage with more wins - that is, Kings XI - will go through to the final. Thundershowers “in spots” are forecast for Kolkata for today. The ground had been fully under covers and the outfield was under ankledeep water in places due to torrential rain lashing the city, PTI reported. At 5.15 pm, umpires Nigel Llong and S Ravi inspected the ground with curator Prabir Mukherjee and decided that it was
impossible for it to be made match-fit in time for even a five-overs-a-side game today, prompting the early postponement. “Ticket-holders who purchased tickets for the original match day will be able to enter the stadium today on presentation of their original ticket (with the bar code intact) at the turnstiles. Gates will open at 2.00 pm,” PTI quoted the IPL’s media advisory as saying. “Refunds will only be made to ticket purchasers if the match is cancelled without a ball being bowled.”
Forde storms to victory in Diego Run For Peace Spads Inc. offers congratulations
Cleveland Forde poses with Spads Inc. staff Pauline Stevenson (right) and Danielle Stevenson. Known as the ‘Little Kenyan’, Guyana and the Caribbean’s leading distance runner Cleveland Forde added yet another first place trophy to his wide collection with victory in the Diego Run For Peace that was held in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday last. Forde completed the 14.5 miles contest in One Hour 22 Minutes 37 Seconds and in the process relegated home boy Richard Jones to second place. Guyanese, Kelvin Johnson who is based in T&T placed third. There was also a 5K segment to the event which started and ended at the North Secondary School in D iego Martin that saw another Guyanese, Lionel
D’andrade c o m i n g i n second. According to Forde, more than 80 athletes both male and female participated in the event. Meanwhile, Spads Inc. of Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg had presented Forde with his airfare to compete in the race and was very happy that the University of Guyana Business Management student was successful yet again. The athlete paid a courtesy call to Spads Inc. yesterday in a show of gratitude. Spads Inc. Paul Campbell told Forde that they were very proud of his achievement pointing out that his continued discipline and hard work, traits that are associated with the company
have brought enormous success to the athlete over the years. Campbell informed Forde in the presence of other employees that Spads will continue to support him in the future while wishing him continued success in his studies at the University of Guyana. Campbell recalled that former proprietor of the company, the late Stuart Stevenson, an avid admirer and supporter of Forde had committed the entity to assisting Forde during his career. Forde extended words of gratitude to his sponsors whilst stating that his victory on Sunday last was dedicated to the memory of the late, Stuart Stevenson.
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in a knockout is a familiar scenario in the IPL. However, a different narrative had tempted the tournament as recently as a week ago. MS Dhoni’s men were cantering to a top-two finish until their bowling was found out, and elsewhere Yusuf Pathan rained mayhem. Rohit Sharma was leading a group of individuals that could not rally as a team, until faced with an improbable task. Sunday’s heroics will be difficult to set aside and in many ways, they will benefit from turning up at Brabourne Stadium believing the first ball to be 14.5. Dhoni is a captain who enjoys the camera. Clever jabs with commentators at the toss and a clear post-game analysis during the presentation are just as much part of his game as his brutal hits down the ground. During a three-match losing streak, his reasons flitted between fielders shelling opportunities to the new ball not being profitably utilised. Super Kings function on belief, perhaps more so than any other team. Their batting is capable of posting any total, their captain is capable of finishing any game and their spinners are canny enough to stump any opposition. However, the form of their seamers would be a worry. They were a vital part of Super Kings’ success in the UAE, but lately the number of overs they get have dwindled in accordance to their potency. Mumbai are strong enough to exploit those weaknesses, but it depends on which Mumbai turns up. They have travelled the majority of the tournament with an underperforming battingorder. Michael Hussey, with his return to form, will be a valuable asset against his former team. Besides the obvious positive of Corey Anderson in hitting form, the most heartening
Kieron Pollard tees off outcome has been their Indian players responding to gruelling pressure. Ambati Rayudu and Aditya Tare can expect the challenge to only get steeper. Form guide Mumbai Indians: WWWWL (completed games, most recent first) Chennai Super Kings: WLLLW League meetings “No, no, no, not really. Losing the first five [games] was not easy. We couldn’t take that defeat,” claimed a vehement Rohit after his side overcame their final hurdle in exhilarating fashion. He was speaking about Mumbai’s winless run in the UAE, which included a sevenwicket loss to Super Kings. A fragile top-order and their bighitters’ indifferent form contributed to a total of 141. Rohit made a half-century, but his efforts were comfortably topped by Brendon McCullum who made 71 off 53. The chase meandered into the final overs
with an off-colour Faf du Plessis searching for form, but MS Dhoni got the better of Lasith Malinga in the 18th over to quell Mumbai’s hopes. The Wankhede was brimming with emotion on Sunday and Mumbai had drawn strength from it, but earlier in the tournament Super Kings, inspired by Dhoni’s final-over theatrics, broke Mumbai’s 10-match winning streak at home. Ambati Rayudu’s 43-ball 59 set up a target of 158. Dwayne Smith replied with a sedate 57. Amid dubious umpiring decisions and basic spills in the field, Lasith Maliga uprooted three batsmen in eight balls across two overs as the game went down to the last over. However, with Kieron Pollard bowling, Dhoni secured the requisite 11 runs with considerable flourish. Watch out for... The combination of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, when on song, can curb runs and thereby swindle wickets and even time out of the game. Ashwin is often asked to tackle the powerplay overs and Jadeja is not shy of bowling in the death. A fruitful association prefaces most victories. However, an off day for them provides stark reading: Ashwin’s economy rate in lost matches nudges past eight and Jadeja’s soars towards 10. The left-arm spinner has generally had a tough tournament aside from two four-fors. Kieron Pollard was coming off a long injury layoff at the start of the IPL. Similarly Rohit Sharma had made starts but struggled to capitalise in the run-up to the tournament. Those cobwebs hung around both players and though there were sparks of brilliance, consistency still evades them. Their batting positions have been debated to exhaustion. After playing a minimal part on Sunday, both will be hungry. (ESPNcricinfo)
Albion floodlights fail to flicker for Independence Cup While those in Demerara got the opportunity to get a feel of new floodlights that were in use at the Demerara Cricket Club ground on Monday evening for the first time, those in Berbice were left disappointed. Hundreds of fans turned up at the Albion Community Centre to witness the much anticipated Independence Cup cricket competition and have a firsthand feel of the new multimillion dollars floodlights that were recently
installed. They were utterly disappointed as words came at the last moment that the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport had instructed that the lights should not be put to use. This was even after all preparations were made and the all clear given. The lights were also tested for about two hours on Thursday and proved to be in order. According to information, the foreign engineers from
Musco Lighting had given the all clear for the use of the lights, but the government was not too keen on putting them into use at this juncture for un-named reasons. The fans were left frustrated and totally disappointed and did not hesitate in making their feelings known. The organizers had to hurriedly make alternative arrangements and resort to the inadequate artificial floodlights.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
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Guyana’s representative at Regional Guinness will be known this weekend Now that competition in the respective zones is complete, fans can now set their sights on this weekend’s National Final in the Banks DIH-sponsored Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Tournament that will determine who represents Guyana at the Regional Competition scheduled to be played on June 6-7, at the Jean Pierre Complex in Trinidad and Tobago. The finals will be played over two days among eight teams of which four will
come from Georgetown, three from Linden and one from East Coast Demerara. The teams from Georgetown are Queen Street of Tiger Bay, Stevedore Housing Scheme, Hope Street of Tiger Bay and Albouystown ‘B’. Those from Linden are Eagles, Retrieve Unknowns a n d Wi s m a r H o u s i n g Scheme, while the East Coast lone representative is recently crowned champion Melanie ‘A’. The winning team from this national competition will go up
against the hosts who are defending champions, along with teams from Dominica, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia, St Kitts, Jamaica and Antigua. The winner of that competition will receive US$5,000 and an Introductory Advanced Level Coaching Course accredited by FIFA.
Flashback! Part of the action in a previous competition.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
DCB U-17 Inter Association
Rutherford spurs Georgetown to victory over East Coast BySeanDevers Aman-of-the-match unbeaten 47 from Sherfane Rutherford spurred Georgetown to a comfortable eight-wicket win over home team East Coast yesterday at the Enmore Community Centre ground in the opening round of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-17 Inter-Association 50-over competition. Rutherford picked up 3-25 and got support from Renaldo Mohamed (3-22) to dismiss the host for 76 in 26.1 overs in the rain hit encounter which was reduced to a 30 over affair and then returned to hit six fours in an attractive 47 as the City side galloped to 78-2 in 13.3 overs. Georgetown won the toss in cloudy conditions and invited East Coast to bat first on slow track and heavy outfield. They quickly lost Andy Dowlatram (2) with just three runs on the board and never recovered despite a fighting 33 from National Under-15 batman Bhaskar Yadram. With a very strong wind blowing across the ground, East Coast lost their second
wicket at 9-2 when InterCounty Under-19 player Ramnarine Chatura (8) was dismissed by Aviee Smith. A small but noisy crowd watched as Vishwanauth Ramlakhan, also an InterCounty player, was bowled by Rutherford for six to leave the score on 39-3. The versatile Rutherford struck twice again in the space of three runs by getting rid of Afzal Rahoman (2) and Kader Amsterdam (3) to leave East Coast wobbling on the ropes on 51-5 after the 50 was posted the 16th over with dark ominous clouds floating over the Enmore sward. Just after Suresh Jainarine was run out for two at 51-6 a heavy shower sent the players scurrying off the field at 11:09hrs with the score on 58-6. When play eventually resumed at 13:55hrs with Yadram on 25, East Coast had to bat another 11 overs and the 14 year-old Yadram, who struggled with his fitness, played the anchor role with intelligent batting before he was ninth out. National youth
Bhaskar Yadram punches through the off-side at Enmore yesterday player Mohamed removed Rajpaul Gopaul and Akeem Hiles in the space of a run as the hosts had slumped to 708. When left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd bowled Ya d r a m a n d S h i n r i c k DiSilva was LBW to Samuel McKenzie for five, two
wickets had tumbled for no run; the City lads routing the homesters with 3.5 overs left in the innings. Georgetown in their reply enjoyed glorious sunshine and lost Darshan Persaud (4), bowled by Yadram at 16-1 but opener Raymond Perez (13)
Man-of-the-match Sherfane Rutherford square drives for four at Enmore yesterday took the score to 52 before Perez tried to hit a juicy full toss out of Enmore but succeeded in skiing a catch to the wicketkeeper, giving Amsterdam his only wicket. But Rutherford stepped up a gear and delightfully whipped Gopaul through mid wicket
for four and majestically square drove him to the point boundary next ball before finishing the contest in emphatic fashion with a thumping four off pacer DiSilva. The East Bank vs West Demerara game at Wales was washedout.
LeBron James bests Michael Jordan for most 25/5/5 games in playoff history In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, LeBron James scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out five assists in the Miami’s Heat victory over the Indiana Pacers. While
that line would rank among the career-best games of many players, it’s long been standard for the 10-time AllStar and four-time MVP. These performances, and the highlights that go along with
them, are his normal. This particular game, however, marked a new milestone for the superstar. It was LeBron’s 74th game with at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists,
breaking a tie with Michael Jordan for the most such games in NBA postseason history. While topping Jordan is unlikely to change minds in the long-held debate
regarding LeBron’s place among the greatest players of all-time, a comparison of the stats does show just how versatile James has been in the postseason. MJ achieved his 73 performances in 179
career playoff games, or 40.8 percent. LeBron, however, now has 74 in 151 games, or 49 percent. He’s been eyeing Jordan’s record for nearly two years — he matched Bird’s 53 on June 1, 2012, against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals. It was a foregone conclusion, though the speed with which James achieved this mark is no less stunning for it. Historic single-game stats are not widely available, so it’s as yet unclear exactly where LeBron ranks on the all-time regular-season list of 25/5/5 performances. However, he is one of four players in history to average that mark for a career (alongside Jordan, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson) and has done so in 378 of his 842 games, or 44.9 percent. So, LeBron actually does it more often in the postseason, when his play matters most. That stat might not be the best mark of his clutch heroics, but it’s not meaningless.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 28, 2014
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Division One League Grove Hi Tech end 1st round in pole BVTU, Victoria and Mahaica take full points position; bangs Mocha Champs 8-1
Domini Garnett Grove Hi Tech ended the first round of the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football association division-one league in a blaze of glory, whipping Mocha Champs 8-1 at the Grove Playfield on Monday afternoon last. Already ahead in the standing by virtue of a better goal average after being locked on 15 points with Soesdyke Falcons and Timehri Panthers, the home team emulated the other teams in the tournament who have all defeated Mocha.
Timothy Griffith It was a no nonsense a p p r o a c h a d o p t e d by Grove who were led with a hat-trick each from Domini G a r n e t t a n d Ti m o t h y Griffith. Dexter Archer it was who put the home team ahead ten minutes into the game and thereafter it was just a matter of how much the final score line would have read. Garnett converted his first in the 12th minute and completed his tally with efforts in the 62nd and 68th minute. Griffith emulated his Captain Garnett with
goals of his own in the 27th, 38th and 57th minute. The icing was put on the cake in the 73rd minute. Mocha did not leave the game empty handed as Jermaine Liverpool scored their consolation goal in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot. Grove, like Timehri and Soesdyke displayed admirable consistency during the first round, Agricola started well but fell away during the latter stages of the round. Kuru Kururu Warriors have held their own while Diamond and Herstelling, the latest team to join the EBFA has both been showing heartening signs of development which augurs well for an explosive second and final round of matches. All the teams will be reviewing their performances with a view of coming out stronger as they battle for the first place prize of $300,000. Complete First Round Points Standings
King’s Jewellery softball
Yusuf guides Phone Paradise to 9 wicket win A fine half century by Yunnis Yusuf guided Phone Paradise to a nine-wicket victory over Superior Woods when the King’s Jewellery Softball tournament continued recently at Thirst Park. Yusuf slammed 65 not out and got support from Mahendra Arjune who made an unbeaten 35 as Phone Paradise successfully chased 114, ending on 117 in 10.1 overs. Randy Katwaroo led Superior Woods batting with a top score of 35. Rudolph Johnson captured 4-15 and Doodnauth Ramdeen 3-9. Frontline overcame Superstar by seven wickets in their match up. Superstar batted first and scored 138-4
Ramo Malone
in 15 overs. S. Mohan stroked 69; T. Mars claimed 2-20. Frontline responded with 139-3 in 12 overs. Ramo Malone hammered 75 and K. Singh 46. The competition continues tonight with Diamond Trading facing
Stockfeeds, Omesh XI playing Hill Foot Loggers, Umrow doing battle with Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Brush Variety challenging Banks DIH and Speed Boat XI matching skills with the winner of game one.
Competition among the senior teams on the East Coast of Demerara got off to a competitive start on Sunday and Monday last, a welcome return for the teams affiliated to the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA). Ansa McAl under their Stag Beer brand is sponsoring the tournament which has a first place prize of $200,000. At the Buxton Ground, BV Triumph United waltzed to a 3-1 win over Sparta FC which marched into the lead through a 6th minute goal from Kevin Squires. BV, an experienced unit, led by elder statesman Delroy Deen went into overdrive against the Haslington based Sparta when Deen himself drew his team level in the 12th minute. Thereafter, Sparta found that it was a difficult proposition to
penetrate the BV defensive third while on the other hand, BV were able to penetrate theirs. While it took some time for BV to finally break the deadlock given the fierce nature of play between the two sides, when they {BVTU}finally did, it was all over. With ten minutes to game time, Paul Kingston found the back of the nets to hand BV the lead for the first time and with four minutes to game time, Under-17 Captain, Ramario Welcome sealed the deal to hand BV a hard fought 3-1 win. In the other game, Buxton Stars and Golden Stars battled to a 0-0 stalemate. On Sunday, Mahaica Determinators collected full points without breaking a sweat, their intended opponents, Buxton United, failed to put in an
Delroy Deen appearance.In the lone game played, Victoria Kings defeated Ann’s Grove by the lone goal of that encounter; veteran Winston Pompey netting in the 75th minute of a closely fought match. More action is set for this weekend.
Minister Anthony commissions floodlights at DCC Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony lauded the members of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) for their teamwork when those two bodies launched the installation of Floodlights at the club’s facility in Queenstown Monday night last. Speaking at a simple ceremony which was held to officially commission the lights, the Minister stated that partnerships like that were hard to form. Anthony wished the Guyanese present a happy 48th Independence Anniversary and hailed DCC for their efforts in developing cricket. He applauded the GFSCA in making softball an integral part of healthy lifestyles adding that it affords players an additional avenue for indulging in cricket after some may have retired from the higher level. Anthony stated that sports can be used as a weapon to combat crimes and unite people. The Minister informed that DCC and other organisations can take advantage of the Ministry’s fa c i l i t y w h i c h a s s i s t s sporting bodies in the country in acquiring one million dollars for the development of their entities by virtue of following simple steps which are then produced to the Ministry in order for the loan to be
processed. Earlier, DCC VicePresident Ian John thanked the Minister and the GFSCA for their support. He said that the lights will play an important role in the development of sports and help to keep the youngsters meaningfully occupied. Meanwhile, GFSCA President Ramchand Ragbeer explained that the historic
project took tremendous efforts from both bodies along with the Ministry of Sport in order to be a reality. The vote of thanks was given by West Indies and Guyana all-rounder Chris Barnwell who expressed gratitude to everyone for making DCC a place where cricket can now grow from strength to strength.
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GABF receives Game and Shot Clocks from US based GT players P.38
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GABF President Nigel Hinds collects the donations from a representative of the sponsors Stefi Moore at Duke Lodge last evening
St. Lucian boxers to highlight card as GBA takes ‘Nuff Cuff’ to Buxton
McKinnon captures GNRA Precision Pistol Shoot Ryan McKinnon (left) receiving a trophy from Captain Dale Hing.
Theresa London
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