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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Child abuse and neglect must be addressed There is no doubt that there is an alarming increase of child abuse and related incidents and there should be a determined effort at addressing this emergent social malady. Within the past three weeks the nation has been assailed by news of toddlers being left in unattended circumstances leading to their deaths in a few instances. How on earth can any rational person expect to leave two and three year olds alone or in the care of young children, and have a level of comfort that these vulnerable beings will remain safe? Toddlers are reportedly dying by drowning, road accidents, sexual molestation and physical battery but these incidents seem not to be making the kind of impact on our collective consciousness to the point where our social conscience and sensibilities are sufficiently offended to mobilise for justice for these voiceless victims. Guyanese seem to be afflicted by a seven-day syndrome where after that period has elapsed it is back to our usual business. This is not suggesting for one moment that people should not pay attention to new issues; incidentally, there is an ongoing debate on the contribution of social media networks including Facebook, Bebo, and Twitter to short attention spans on young minds.What is needed is the sort of draconian law which sanctions parents and caregivers for reckless endangerment of children in their care and custody. A child runs across the road in front of a moving vehicle and the driver is automatically taken into police custody to “assist with investigations.” The public is left none the wiser on why that child was able to get clean away from whoever s/he was with. No thought is given to prosecuting the adult for being less than vigilant when having an active child in their care. We love to cite the happenings in other countries selectively to avoid taking appropriate measures to address our responsibilities. What we also do conveniently is fail to remark on the steps being taken in those same places to ensure that offenders are brought to book. What is certain is that no evidence is before us to show that parents are being prosecuted under the Laws of Guyana if they leave a child unsupervised occasioning or likely to occasion unnecessary suffering, injury to health or even death. If it is nonexistent then legislation must be tabled to the effect that babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone. It becomes problematic when one considers the fact that many single mothers who work shifts leave their children sometimes overnight, and therefore the important issue is what must be done about 12-16 year olds living in those situations. One may be forgiven for wondering if there is a correlation between unattended children from depressed economic circumstances and the numbers in involuntary occupancy at state institutions. What is certain, though, is that although we are inclined to mind our own business at the most inopportune moments and for reasons best known to ourselves, there is no denying that sometimes minding our neighbour’s business may prevent injury to a child or even loss of a life. Anewspaper deliveryman reported two children wandering naked in Fargo, North Dakota, the result is that the mother was charged for felony abuse. A Denver, Colorado repeat offender couple was charged with four counts of felony abuse after their four non-verbal and malnourished children were removed from their feces and flies covered apartment. Also in Denver a mother was held on charges of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm (felony) and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after a welfare check discovered her unattended children who were playing on the roadway, in a dirty, smelly and hungry condition. What those few examples highlight is not that Guyana is peculiar when it comes to horrific stories of child endangerment; where we stand out is by what we fail to do to ensure that other children are not abused, neglected or otherwise harmed to the point of death. We need to move away from the tired cliché that children are Guyana’s future and act decisively to guarantee for them their future.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Minister Manickchand shouldn’t use students’ achievements to gain political mileage DEAR EDITOR, I rather suspect that Minister Priya Manickchand is hardly celebratory these days in view of the questions she has to answer as asked of her by a letterwriter, Mr. Karim Khan and by our learned friend, Mr. Rockcliffe. And, apparently, it is the stress and tension arising as to whether she answers or not which have caused her to make the remarks she did at the Ministry’s National Awards Ceremony on the 31st October, 2013. The pith and substance of her comment is captured when she asserted this: “So it is absolutely shameful and disgraceful that not one single leader of
the Opposition as yet has found it appropriate to congratulate our children.” She seeks here to chastise the AFC, among others, for not acknowledging Guyana’s 2013 CSEC performance. Minister Manickchand should not be playing politics with these children’s extra-ordinary accomplishments. They are ‘wiz kids’, undoubtedly, and should be given the accolades which are being showered on them. But she should not be using their academic feats to gain political mileage for herself and the PPP. And worse still to unjustifiably and recklessly assault the AFC, as part of the Opposition, and its leadership in not giving praise where
praise is due. Her assault is obviously to divert the public’s gaze from what she has been asked to answer by Khan and Rockcliffe, an examination she surely will shamefully and disgracefully fail. Additionally, she must know by now that these superlative performances by our Caribbean winners had nothing specifically to do with her Ministry or her PPP Government, but everything to do with their personal attributes; their outstanding parents’ support; and private lessons, and (in a couple of cases) the private teachers provided to them. But all of this said, I simply want to inform her that she has been (Continued on page 6)
Sunday November 03, 2013
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A downright insult to the people I do not owe City Hall this figure of Kumaka and Mabaruma DEAR EDITOR, Your Friday Edition carried a story about the President of Guyana handing over keys to houses to residents in White Water Village in Region One. Commendable, but I have a few questions: 1. What is the size of the house lots on which these buildings rest? 2. What is the size of each house? Now for another issue which I think the reporter missed. The President visited that area, landed on the airstrip at Mabaruma, and did not
even turn into Kumaka, neither on the way to Wauna nor on the way back. This is a downright insult to the people of Kumaka and the people of the Mabaruma Sub District as a whole. Those people have to trudge through the slush and their President did not even care enough to go and say hello to them. The Contractor for Life keeps pouring truck load after truck load of mud at the waterfront. His Excellency passed the Power House from where no electricity emits, even from the brand new second hand
generator which was passed off on the Region. As a matter, the roads were being bathed with tar the night before the President visited. Check the undercarriages of the vehicles up there. The report said that people shed tears upon receiving the keys to their new houses. They are probably crying because they know that repayment in cash or votes will be exacted. There are no free lunches with this Government. Concerned Resident
Exorbitant bus fares causing havoc at the Georgetown to Parika Bus Park DEAR EDITOR, Two days ago, I was the victim of two obnoxious events. Firstly, I was physically and verbally abused by a bus conductor due to the fact that I refused to give him his extortionate bus fare which he increased by over 300 percent and
secondly I was almost forced out of a bus and threatened for refusing to pay the same fare. I’m a second year University of Guyana student at the Faculty of Technology, and doing eight courses do take up a lot of study time, hence resulting in using the public transportation late at
night. For the past four years, after six p.m., the drivers at the Georgetown to Parika bus park increase their bus fare up to $500 and say that they are only going to Parika. The law states that once a public bus operates at its route, persons shall pay (Continued on page 6)
DEAR EDITOR, I read in your issue of Kaieteur News of Sunday October 27, 2013 under the caption - “Property Holdings Inc. headed by Brassington owes City Hall $$M”, that City Council Llewellyn John who is said to be supportive of Sooba owes City Hall $7M. This is incorrect. My account with the Municipality has been the subject of dispute over the payment of sums amounting to $2.4M several years ago by cheques and money orders which were encashed by the Municipality, but for which no receipts were issued, and erroneous allocations to interest of moneys which were sent to them for satisfaction of their current rate demand notices which are provided for under Part 1V of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01. Added to this, they made an assessment wholly at commercial rate on a property of which one half only was used for commercial purposes and the other half for residential purposes. Regrettably, although the law provides for recourse to the Valuation Rating Appeal
Panel under The Valuation for Rating Purposes Act, Chap. 28:04, the latter panel was not operating whereby the challenge to the Assessment made by the Municipality based on the submissions of the Chief Valuation Officer could have been pursued. Assessments of taxpayers’ liability are matters available for public scrutiny of the Assessment Book by law, and the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 and the Valuation for Rating Purposes Act, Chapter 28:04 provide ample machinery whereby complaints against the assessments entered in the Assessment Book can be addressed, if the machinery
were in operation, but such remedies have not been in operation for several years. My Assessment number in the Assessment Book of the Municipality is No.33 page 186; the valuation is $112,500.00 and the rates charged thereon is $281,250.00 (two hundred and eighty-one thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars) annually. By comparison on the same page 186 Assessment No. 35 of the Government of Guyana as Guyana Police Headquarters Manget Sendall Place is assessed at $437,350.00 (four hundred and thirty seven thousand, three hundred and fifty dollars). On (Continued on page 6)
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Minister Manickchand shouldn’t use students’ achievements to gain... From page 4 misinformed or ill-informed about the nonacknowledgement by the AFC of this year’s highflyers. I have commented on several AFC television shows across the country that these students deserve our praises.
I think that because I went on to say that the Minister must also tell us how many candidates wrote specific subjects and how many got what grades and how many failed, especially English and Mathematics, must have diluted the input of my earlier
comment that these brightlike-bulb students be praised. But, moreover, at the AFC Press Conference held since 14th August, 2013, after the results were made known to the public, I was present when appropriately our Youth Section leader, Mr. Trevor Will-
Exorbitant bus fares causing havoc... From page 5 the correct fare where he/ she is disembarking. If a bus driver ignores this law, he shall be penalized. At the Georgetown to Parika bus park, it appeared that this law seems to be nonexistent and it is ironic to see a police outpost next to the bus park and the police give the impression of not being concerned in enforcing this law. On Wednesday, October 30, I entered a bus plying the Georgetown to Parika route, and the driver requested $500 per person no matter where they were stopping off. At my destination, I disembarked and paid the conductor $200 which is more than the correct fare. I walked off without asking for my change. The conductor then shouted at me demanding
‘where is my money, this is a Parika bus, pay the Parika fare.’ I kept on walking in silence. The conductor then ran and drew alongside me while demanding his money. I struggled to keep my distance as he was pointing his finger in my face yelling at me where the money is. I responded that the government implemented a fare for each destination involving any public modes of transportation. With that said, I then attempted to walk away from the conductor. As I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the conductor tapped me on my shoulder and started to verbally abuse me. He then folded his fist and hit me on my shoulder while demanding his fare. I stumbled and tried to retreat to a safe place only to
be accosted by the driver of the vehicle who was in the process of taking off his belt, and subsequently holding it in his hand as a weapon. Fortunately, a member of my community quickly came to my rescue. I jotted down the licence number and made a report to the police. A rank assured me that the traffic police will have the information and they will attempt to arrest the culprits. After two days, I have still not received a response from the police. After these incidents, I have no idea how to take it to a higher level as it clearly shows that the police are not enforcing the law. We as Guyanese need to unite and end this criminal act. I am pleading with the government to help us. Christmah Deenanauth
iams, read out an AFC Press Release which was carried extensively in the Stabroek News of 15th August, 2013. This is how the report was carried: “The AFC yesterday said that something needed to be done about the national pass rates, while congratulating this year’s top performing Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students and schools.” “The issue was raised by AFC MP Trevor Williams during a press conference where he gave kudos on the party’s behalf to this year’s CSEC headliners Zimeena Rasheed, who attained 18 grade ones and 2 grade twos, and
Yogeeta Persaud, who gained 18 grade ones. Both girls hail from Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary in Essequibo.” “Williams also congratulated several schools, including the Bishops’ High School, which saw improvements in their overall pass rates, but cautioned that there is work to be done to improve national results.” Additionally, this was the two opening paragraphs in the AFC’s column printed in Kaieteur News of 18th August 2013 : “The Alliance for Change (AFC) wishes to congratulate the top performers at the 2013 sittings of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Profi-
ciency Examination (CAPE). The AFC acknowledges and commends their hard work and that of their parents, teachers and other tutors; it has paid off. It is important to note that while you have completed one journey, it is also only the beginning of another, as some of you may embark upon the world of work and others, the advancement of your education.” Unhappily, the Minister either did not read these or deliberately forgot. Yet she continues conveniently to play political football with the issue since that time. The AFC will never do so. Khemraj Ramjattan Leader of the AFC
I do not owe City Hall this figure
From page 5 the next page 186 the Ministry of Home Affairs Assessment No. 24 - 51/2 of 5 and 6 Croal Street is assessed at $307,450.00 (three hundred and seven thousand, four hundred and fifty dollars). Rates are calculated on a percentage of valuation in the Assessment Book, and this is stilrahs regards the existing assessments in the Assessment Book. I have never sought or never have been granted any waiver as I am of the view that the law does not allow for waiver of amounts payable by
tax payers, though there are provisions in law whereby time can be granted to make ie payments. There are provisions for exemption from rates in the few specific circumstances set out in the Municipal and District CouncilsAct, Chapter 28:01. I wish to make it quite clear that I am still supportive of Carol Sooba - the Town Clerk in her efforts to recover moneys for the Municipality, inasmuch as I believe that all, be they private persons, Government or semi government institutions should pay their taxes. C.M.Llewellyn John
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From State care to classroom
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Dem boys seh
Jagdeo telling people An aspiring teacher tells her story he still calling de shots By Rehanna Ramsay
Three years ago, at age thirteen, Alicia Bollers was placed in State care by the Child Care Protection Agency (CCPA) due to unfortunate home circumstances which included abuse. But rather than allowing this situation to deter her goal for academic excellence, this determined young woman has used her misfortune to propel her, and is now living her dream of becoming a teacher. Last semester, at 16, Alicia began her training at the Cyril Potter College of Education(CPCE) one of the youngest persons to attend the institution. Director of CCPA Anne Greene described Alicia as an example of strength, courage, faith and determination. Alicia sat down with Kaieteur News recently to tell her story in the hope that it would inspire other children in similar situations. Alicia related that she grew up with her mother, stepfather and two siblings in a little house on the East Coast of Demerara. The demure young lady recalls being tasked with taking care of her younger siblings and doing numerous household chores, since her mother was not around often. This responsibility, the teenager says often deprived her of time to study or even attend school. “I went through a lot but I was inspired by my teachers. At first, I didn’t know who to trust with my problems, it was affecting my school work …I didn’t know how to read or spell properly but my English teacher, Mrs. Bradford never gave up on me. She would call me to her table and give me the attention and help I needed to improve my work. I always wanted to be a teacher but she was one of the first persons who motivated me, those were defining moments for me because she encouraged me not to give up on my career goal.” Eventually Alicia confided in her teacher about her domestic situation and the CCPA intervened, following which she was placed at the Drop in Center in Hadfield Street. Alicia is adamant that her “story” would have been different, had it not been for the support, encouragement, care and mentoring of some of the CPPA officials she came into contact with. “At the agency I met Ms Teresa Game, a Child Care Officer who became my mentor. She also exposed me to counseling. The advice that Ms Game gave kept me
from going astray and following negative influences. She helped me to stay focused and to make wise choices.” “At the drop center I found a safe place to sleep and dwell and feel at home, because the staff was very kind to me. They treated me like family. Now that I am moving away to stay in college, I will really miss them but I am in a sense happy because I will have more privacy and less noise.” While at the Centre Alicia attended the Assemblies of God Church where she learnt about having faith in God. She also loves to dance and write poetry, two mediums the teenager uses to express her feelings about her challenges. Alicia was subsequently placed in the care of a foster family for ten months which she said provided her the opportunity to be a part of a functional family. She subsequently returned to live at the Drop in Center. “A family came into the Center and saw me and wanted me to come to their home. I was placed with the family for ten months. They treated me well made me feel welcomed; I still keep contact with them from time to time …” The teenager earned the distinction of Top Female Performer of the Kingston Community High School at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, “I wrote six subjects and I did my best, I got all my subjects. I am grateful to my teachers, the care agency and all those persons who contributed to my success.” On completion of her work study stint at the
Alicia Bollers dressed in her college uniform. Ministry of Tourism, the young woman applied to begin training at the CPCE. The teenager says despite the fact that she is happy, she longs to connect with her own family, especially younger siblings, someday.
Her encouragement to children who may be going through unfortunate circumstances is to “Never lose sight of your goal …. Where there is a will there is a way and you can achieve your dreams ….just don’t give up”.
There is an old saying that old policeman never lef de wuk. Some dem retire but dem does lef dem house every day and go to de station. Some of dem does try fuh give instruction to de young police. Dem nevah realize that dem days done. Jagdeo in de same boat. He does walk round and threaten people like if he is still de President. In fact, he tell some people that he does still call de shots. When he launch de Hard Times paper he was president and owner. De paper was full of ads. Nobody buying de paper and dem who get it fuh free not even reading it. De reporters don’t even read wha colleagues writing. Dem boys see that when he was president he call around and demand ads from business firms and people. He even direct all dem state agencies to buy de paper using state funds. Now he out of office de ads dry up and Jagged calling round fuh bully people. Dem same people refusing to answer dem phone and de secretary telling Jagged that de boss out of office. When he ask dem fuh a cell number de secretary telling him that de boss lef de cell phone in office. Three of dem people who get through to talk to tell dem boys de story. One of dem actually tell he that he not in office no more. One man cuss he and tell he to eff off, that he can’t do nutten fuh nobody. De man tell he that he days done, like Hammy de Green. Dem boys see that he phone did get cut off. He call and he cuss but de phone company tell he that he ain’t president no more and he must know he place. He cry when de phone company remind he that he is a private citizen, just like wha he did tell Janet. Robeson is another one. He test de slush in Mabaruma and get one lick down. Sunny Walker had to pick he up. Robeson limp and announce that when he fall de powers was sending a message that he must keep far from slush. Talk half and send Robeson fuh a read.
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The struggle for accountability Guyanese impact on Barbados is still on - David Granger Opposition Leader, David Granger has registered his firm belief that a basic change to a government that believes in accountability will make a difference for the betterment of Guyana. Granger made that statement as he sought to hit home the dilemma of the Opposition in having to hound the government for information that should be readily available. The politician said that Guyanese stand to benefit collectively from a type of scrutiny that will allow a government to be on its toes. “So the struggle needs to be pursued and all must join.” He said that the People Progressive Party (PPP) administration needs to realize that accountability will make a people more confident in their government. Granger noted that accountability is what makes the system work. He added, “That’s the need for the opposition, and an accountable government will
APNU Leader, David Granger become a good government.” According to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leader, his party has been engaged in a 21-month struggle to ascertain the source of funding for many projects and entities. His immediate reference however, was to the Government Information Agency (GINA). Granger said that it hard to figure how GINA still exists
with the funding given to the entity by the National Assembly. He added, “There must be another source of funding and we need to find that out.” He told Kaieteur News that there is too much going on that the Opposition doesn’t know about. He sought to make it clear that it is not a case where the Opposition is not trying to find out; he said that the Opposition’s inquires are just falling on deaf ears. Granger had also told Kaieteur News, “It is a worry how the government can carry out these projects, like the Marriott, knowing that they are not best in the interest of the average Guyanese people.” He said that the opposition, especially the APNU, will make it “our” interest to ensure that the tax dollar of the hard working Guyanese citizen is put to good use; “that is what we were put here for.”
Massive low voltage continues…
“Residents were advised that this would happen” - GPL Official As massive low voltage continues to plague several communities across the country, people remain fearful that the current fluctuation may cause damage to their household and other appliances. The residents are complaining that they do not fall short on paying their
electricity bill, and should therefore not be faced with these continuous bothers. Some are of the opinion that GPL should compensate anyone facing losses due to the company’s negligence. However, an official of GPL on Friday said that works will be completed before the end of the year and
that affected citizens should have some patience. A few months ago, contracts have been awarded for the “Rehabilitation of the Low Voltage Distribution Network”. The areas to be targeted include East and North La Penitence, Georgetown; La (Continued on page 11)
Barbadian Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, centre, during last Thursday’s panel discussion at UWI Cave Hill Campus. At left is UWI Law Lecturer, Dr David Berry, and at right is UWI Sociology and Social Work Lecturer, Dr Tennyson Joseph. A Barbados newspaper’s report of a private school being forced to adjust its programming and outlook, or face closure following the departure of many Guyanese, points to the influence of persons from Guyana on the island. Last Friday’s edition of the Nation newspaper reported Principal of the Windsor School of Business and Arts, Rodney Prescott, saying that he has been forced to change his approach to education delivery in order to keep his school viable. He said that the Bank Hall, St Michael, school was for some years now suffering from a massive decline in the number of persons attending. “He admitted that the school, which caters mainly to non-nationals, lost many students when the Guyanese population began to move out of Barbados in 2007,” the
newspaper reported. “We were faced with financial problems and low numbers,” Prescott said of the school which is managing to survive by adopting other methods to attract replacement for the Guyanese who supported it over the years. The experience of this Barbados private school was reported just one day after the island’s Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs, Adriel Brathwaite, claimed that his country is not ready for full regional integration because its educational system cannot take on the expected influx of students from other Caribbean territories. Speaking last Thursday during a panel discussion, he pointed to the island’s education capacity and said Barbados is about three secondary schools short of where it wants to be, and that
a similar situation applies to the junior schools. “If we want to invite our brothers and sisters to come and live with us, we want to ensure that they also have education,” he said. Brathwaite spoke of persons living illegally in his St Phillip South political constituency, with children not going to school. “It is not a desirable thing at all, because at the end of the day any deviancy that can arise we still have to deal with it.” That panel discussion, at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, was about the Shanique Myrie judgment and its implication for Caribbean integration. That judgment was that the October 4 ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice that Barbados violated the rights of Myrie, a Jamaican national, by refusing her entry into the island two years ago. The CCJ further made clear in a binding decision that Barbados, along with the other 14 CARICOM member states, must grant to visitors from any of these countries an automatic entry for six months into the territory. During the course of that trial it was revealed more Guyanese, than persons from any other CARICOM country, were turned back from the Barbados airport between 2007 to 2012. Those returnees, counted at 2,128, do not include the forced exodus of Guyanese from the Barbados shores between 2008 and 2010. Many of these are the Guyanese whose children attended that Windsor School of Business and Arts. The newspaper’s report of the school’s struggle to survive after the Guyanese departure stands in contrast to the statement by the Barbadian Attorney General, suggesting people from Guyana and other CARICOM countries will be a burden on the island’s education system.
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TravelSpan all set for mid-December return Guyana is on track for additional flights on the New York/Guyana route from midDecember, TravelSpan has confirmed. The company’s President, Nohar Singh, speaking with Kaieteur News on Friday from New York, disclosed that interviews have already started to hire flight attendants with the final paperwork for permission to be submitted to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) this week. The training for the attendants will begin on November 11. The additional flights would be more than welcome by Guyanese who have been facing high fares over the past year. Two airlines, Redjet and EzJet, folded spectacularly last year, leaving only Delta and Caribbean Airlines. However, the US airline pulled out earlier this year, later citing unfair competition from Caribbean Airlines, which is owned by Trinidad and Tobago and which was controversially receiving fuel subsidies. While the addition of partially Guyanese-owned Fly Jamaica to the New York/ Guyana route in recent months have lessened fears that the coming holiday season may see a repeat of the fare situation earlier this year, the Government has
TravelSpan’s President, Nohar Singh been actively attempting to persuade other operators. The New York destination has long been one eyed by operators because of the number of Guyanese living there. It is one of the more profitable routes also for Caribbean Airlines. According to Singh, oneway fares to New York will start as low as US$234 and US$439 for business class. Last week, GCAA’s Director General, Zulficar Mohamed, reported that TravelSpan has a few documents to submit as part of the permission process. TravelSpan will also have to lodge a US$200,000 cash bond, one of the major requirements for operators.
Some passengers complained of paying up to US$1,600 for a return ticket earlier this year as Caribbean Airlines controlled the route. Officials were summoned to Guyana to explain. TravelSpan is collaborating with US-owned Vision Airlines which will be using one of its 767 planes. “Interviews to fill flight attendant positions are already under way and the company will continue the hiring process in the upcoming weeks; flights will be staffed with both Caribbean and American flight attendants. Flight attendants will undergo training starting from November 11,” the TravelSpan official said. Already there are high interests with flights set for Thursdays and Saturdays. TravelSpan is also introducing New York/ Trinidad flights with these expected for Tuesdays and Fridays. Singh, who has other business interests in Guyana and one of the more popular travel agencies in Trinidad and New York, is no stranger to Guyana. His company has been around for more than two decades. “We don’t anticipate any delays and do look forward to December 14.” Back in September,
TravelSpan will be using a 767 Boeing plane from US-owned Vision Airlines.
“Residents were advised that this... (From page 10) Grange Old and Public Road, Inner Stanleytown, and Canal No. 2 West Bank Demerara; Windsor Forest, West Coast of Demerara, Mon Repos, Blossom Scheme-Enmore, Victoria Village and Now or Never on East Coast Demerara, and Rosignol and Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice. The official said that prior to the commencement of the rehabilitation works, customers were advised that they will be affected with power outages. “The residents were advised that this would happen, so they need to bear with us as the work continues.” The official explained too that these will be done in
isolation, whereas small areas within villages will experience blackouts for 12-hour periods (or less), perhaps once or twice a week. There are reportedly about 100 areas that may need upgrading. Kaieteur News understands that the rehabilitation project is part of a US$5M loan from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), which seeks to build
capacity and energy conservation and rehabilitate the low voltage distribution network. The distribution system is said to be designed to reduce losses by the company due to illegal connections and substandard network, and to enable customers to become more energy conscious through the use of the Prepaid Metering System.
TravelSpan announced that it has signed contracts with Vision Airlines, a Las Vegas plane company to conduct the charters using a widebody Boeing 767 plane. Vision
has backup planes in case of problems. Singh noted that TravelSpan is wary of the business model used by operators, EZjet and Red Jet, in which ticket prices were too
low, making it practically impossible to turn a profit. The Boeing 767 will offer 214 economy and 18 business class seats. (Leonard Gildarie)
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Top performers dubbed “torch-bearers of excellence” The notion that the celebration of top academic performers is a necessity is one that was recently amplified by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who insisted that “their successes should be made to challenge, inspire and encourage others to reach for similar high standards.” And of equal importance too, Hinds noted, are strategic moves to impress on all citizens the need to strive to always do better. This, he explained, should translate to “doing better each day, defying the odds, to surprise even ourselves, and to surpass expectations.” The Prime Minister ’s encouraging remarks were forthcoming at the 17th hosting of the Ministry of Education’s National Award Ceremony for Outstanding Performers at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday last. And according to him, in the quest to achieve growth and development, there is a crucial need for each individual to strive to do better by becoming more capable and productive – which requires a commitment for excellence.
Alluding to the 2013 national and regional top performers who were duly rewarded at the ceremony, Prime Minister Hinds observed that they in fact “epitom i s e that commitment. You are our torch-bearers of excellence and today we pay tribute to you; your country salutes your achievements.” He cautioned the top performers though that “no fame or wealth that you achieve can compete or compare with what your parents or guardians and teachers have given to you...never forget that.” The Prime Minister reminded them too that “you are who you are today because of their love and sacrifice; those sacrifices may not always be known to you...they shield you from knowing what they had to give up in providing for you and enabling your success.” According to him, there are ma n y p a r e n t s w h o sacrifice their personal goals and ambitions with a view of ensuring that their children receive o p p o r t u n i t i e s that they themselves never had. As such he noted that the
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds (third from left) in the company of the top CSEC performers – (from left) Zimeena Rasheed, Rafena Mustapha, Yogeeta Persaud, Sasha Woodroffe and Cecil Cox. incomparable contributions of parents and guardians to the successes of the top performers must not be understated. Similarly, he said that teachers must be appreciated for the role they continually play to educate the nation’s children. He underscored that without the efforts of teachers the top performers could not have attained the heights that they have reached. “They have unselfishly and devotedly dedicated themselves to providing guidance, knowledge and
support to you...,” said Hinds. According to him teachers are often the unsung heroes and heroines in the society. In light of the laudable academic performances realised this year, the Prime Minister asserted that in addition to the top performers, teachers and parents, Government also feels rewarded and vindicated. This he noted even as he pointed out that the environment in which the top performers studied contributed significantly to
the successful performances realised over the years. Moreover, the Prime Minister made a point of highlighting that the successes have not been coincidental since Government has been committed to making deliberate investments which have aided the achievements realised. He noted though that while the efforts were noble, it was not easily attained. “We have to make a little go a long way...we were not ever and are still a far way from being a rich
country....” noted Hinds who outlined that fervent efforts are being made to meet more people rather than just a few.” Among those who were duly rewarded at the National Awards ceremony were the top performers at the National Grade Six Assessment, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination, the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination, the Guyana Technical Education Examination and those at the Carnegie School of Home Economics.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
MAN SHOT IN FACE STILL TO UNDERGO SURGERY The 20-year-old East La Penitence, Georgetown resident who was shot to the right side of his face early Friday by two bandits on bicycles, is yet to be seen by a doctor at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Linton Trotman, of Lot 193 Middle Road, La Penitence is hospitalized in the health institution’s Male Surgical Ward with a bullet still lodged in his jawbone. He claimed that since he was admitted to the hospital on Friday, no medical practitioners have met with him to discuss his surgery. Trotman was shot around 04:00 am on Friday by two bandits on Cooper Street, Albouystown while he was on his way home from a party. Yesterday, at the hospital, the 20-year-old told Kaieteur News that the only time he was seen by a doctor was on Friday. “When I went in the A&E (Accident and
Emergency Unit) I was seen by a doctor and he told me that he cannot do anything and that the doctors who would do the surgery would deal with it.” “Since then, no doctor came to see me or tell me anything. The bullet is still in my jaw and I’m getting terrible headache,” the 20-year-old stressed. According to Trotman, whenever he complained about having a severe headache, the nurses would give him painkillers which he said would only help for a few hours. Chief Executive officer, Michael Khan when contacted said that the patient was seen by a maxillofacial surgeon and was discharged from the institute. He has to visit the Cheddi Jagan Dental School. However, Khan did not mention anything about the bullet still lodged in the patient’s jawbone.
Knowledge and expertise were put to the test yesterday as four teams competed in the Guyana Police Forces’ annual Smellie Cup First Aid Competition Finals held at the Tactical Services Unit Square, Police Headquarters Eve Leary. The four teams represented were the polices’ General Office ‘A’, Immigration ‘A’, Immigration ‘B’ and a team from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Just like last year- the winning team Immigration ‘B’displayed their notably
knowledgeable first aid skills which had spectators in attendance cheering on their every move, and easily copped the 2013 title for the Smellie Cup. Each team was given the opportunity to enact a scene where in which they render first aid assistance to an injured person, while awaiting an ambulance. One by one, each team demonstrated different techniques in dealing with the injured. Although they did not excel in the question and answer session, second place
Linton Trotman
Immigration Office remains Smellie Cup champion winners, General Office ‘A’ outshined its other two competitors in their practical skills. Meanwhile, after a few hiccups during their initial presentation, and running out of time in their First Aid enactment, the women of CID completed their task and managed to finish fourth place. All of the teams were awarded trophies and monetary prizes. First place winners Immigration ‘A’ received $100,000, second place General Office ‘A’ received $75,000, third place
Immigration ‘B’ received $50,000 and the fourth place CID received 25, 000. The Smellie Cup competition was initiated in the 1950’s as a means of encouraging interest among members of the Guyana Police Force and also preparing them for worst case scenarios. A total of eighteen teams from the different divisions participated in this year’s competition. The Felix Austin Police College is the only group to have won the title fourteen times.
The winning team from Immigration ‘B’ on Friday.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
Overseas-based former policeman trusts Top Cop Brumell to probe nephew’s killing Despite the apprehensions of his sister in law, an overseas-based former policeman has placed his trust in Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell to “get to the bottom” of the “real” circumstances surrounding the shooting death of his nephew Delon Hawker. Newton Hazel, who resides in the United States of America believes that given the conflicting reports surrounding the shooting, a clear explan a t i o n is necessary to allay the suspicions of Hawker’s relatives. And Newton is holding the Commissioner to his word that a thorough investigation will be carried out and that nothing will be swept under the carpet as was the case of many other police shootings. Hawker, 29, was shot dead by police at Dundee, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, after he and an
Newton Hazel accomplice had allegedly raided a house, at Good Faith, Mahaicony. Police claimed that he was shot during an exchange of gunfire, which they supported with the reported recovery of two firearms from the dead man. However, the police version was contradicted by
the victim of the burglary who claimed that the suspects never had a chance to pull a gun. Hazel said that based on the conflicting accounts of the incident, he decided to travel to Guyana to seek answers. His position is somewhat different from that taken by the dead man’s mother, who is also a serving member of the Guyana Police Force. “I am not planning to fight fire with fire,” Hawker’s mother had told this newspaper on the day a pathologist examined his body. The grieving mother had admitted that her son was previously jailed for seven years after a gun and a quantity of marijuana were found in the yard where he once lived. He was released from prison last March. The woman refused to believe the police version of
what transpired when her son was shot. “They say that my son shoot at them. If the police and the thieves were in a shootout, why the police weren’t injured? Why my son was only shot once?” Hazel in an interview with this newspaper last Thursday, said that while his nephew was no angel, the circumstances surrounding his death were not clear cut and warranted a thorough probe to prevent any possible cover-up. “If he was shot dead in that woman’s house, I would not have even decided to come home to bury him. But some things are not adding up,” he said. The former policeman who recently returned home to bury his nephew, visited Commissioner Brumell, who he claimed was his boss when he served in the Guyana Police Force two decades ago, to seek answers. “My nephew wasn’t innocent …He did
stuff…that’s understood; but we believe that the day of the occurrence, he had nothing to do with it,” Hazel said. “I went and I shared that with the Commissioner. His response was that he was happy that I came. He said that I’m the first person ever to come to him, sharing a concern that they were not in agreement with whatever the situation is. He said that what happens is that people go to the newspapers first,” Hazel explained. After listening to Hazel, the Commissioner engaged the current Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Heeralall Mackanlall, to look into the matter. Hazel, who returned to the USA yesterday, said that he has taken this course of action because he does not want the matter to be swept away like many other police killings which are tainted in controversy. He is very confident that
Delon Hawker the Commissioner will ensure that the matter is properly investigated and he is prepared to accept the results. “I trust the Commissioner’s straightupness….He will do a thorough investigation to bring out the truth; if the police are accountable for the situation, they will be dealt with according to law,” Hazel said.
TIGI wants Govt. to apologize Transparency Institute (Guyana) Inc (TIGI) wants Government to retract statements that it’s President, Anand Goolsarran, prejudiced investigations into the “conflict of interest” situation between Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and his wife, Geetanjali Singh, Audit Director of Audit Office. In a press statement, yesterday, TIGI referred to the recent statement made by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon about its presentation to the Organization of American States’ team on Guyana’s compliance with the InterAmerican Convention against Corruption. Dr. Luncheon at his recent post-Cabinet press briefing reflected that on October 23 he indicated that financial analysts Anand Goolsarran, Christopher Ram and Ronald Alli had made prejudicial statements about Mrs. Geetanjali Singh’s professionalism in this matter concerning conflict of interest. He said gender discrimination was the motivation for the attack. Government has since apologized to Ronald Alli, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Guyana. In order to clarify matters for the benefit of the public, TIGI said it was only allowed 10 minutes to make its presentation on the Audit office, the Public Accounts Committee, public
Anand Goolsarran procurement, Integrity Commission, Public Service Commission, and access to information, among others, during its interaction with the overseas team. “Our presentation contained 13 recommendations. Given the time constraints, we were only able to present our recommendations with brief statements to justify them,” TIGI said. Recapping its presentation, TIGI said “The Minister of Finance is responsible for preparing, certifying and submitting the public accounts of Guyana to the Auditor General for audit. His wife is, however, the only professionally qualified accountant in the Audit Office and holds the position of Audit Director which is the next level position below the Auditor General. Given that the Auditor General is not a
professionally qualified accountant, the general view is that wife of the Minister is the de facto head of the Audit Office. In addition, she has overall responsibility for the audit of public enterprises of which the National Industrial and Commercial Industries Ltd (NICIL) is one such entity. The Minister of Finance is the Chairman of NICIL.” The TIGI said it recommended that the Auditor General and Government take appropriate measures to remove the conflict of interest that exists in the Audit Office since the appointment of the Minister of Finance in 2006. This could be done by reassigning the Minister to another ministerial portfolio, or if this is not considered desirable, having the concerned officer relocated to another State-owned/ controlled entity, the body said. TIGI said it trusts that Dr. Luncheon would be kind enough to retract his statement as he has done to Ronald Alli. “Those present at the forum would substantiate that there was no discussion in relation to the above, save and except that the ICAG confirmed that, according to its records, there was only one professionally qualified accountant in the Audit Office. This was in response to a question posed by an OAS team member,” TIGI said.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Yog Mahadeo secures doctorate Former head of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Yog Mahadeo, has completed his Doctorate Degree in Finance from the Swiss Management Centre University, Vienna, Austria. “Yog”, as everyone fondly calls him, continues to be passionate about the development of Guyana and is known for his intelligent and independent analysis and views. Over the past two years, he has been engaged in a number of community projects across the country. These include educational and inspirational work in the various villages and communities. He is also the first Guyanese to start the Peace, Love and Unity events which attract thousands of Guyanese to Christian, Hindu and Islamic events. Dr. Mahadeo started
He is now Dr. Yog Mahadeo Inspire Incorporated which has been attracting a lot of goodwill with the inspirational
and motivational work that it is doing. He has also been instrumental in the birth of Insight, a current affairs magazine which was launched last September. During a recent interview, Dr. Mahadeo presented a vision for a developed Guyana that involves all Guyanese, which in his words is “empowering everyone instead of enslaving them.” He believes that inclusive governance is important for Guyana’s growth and wishes to see independent procurement commission, tender boards and strong policy and personnel in place “to stop the scourge of corruption that is damaging all of our reputation, individually and collectively.” His thesis was based on “The value of a Monopoly to a Developing Country - a Case for Guyana” in which he
Granger to press Dr. Anthony on NOC investigation Coming on the heels of recent reports that three teenagers at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) are pregnant, Leader of the Political Opposition, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, will be enquiring from the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, on the status of the Commission of Inquiry (COI), he had called for. Following the fire and mass break out of inmates that occurred in August last year, Granger had called for a Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the reform institution. Granger has submitted on the Order Paper for Parliament this Thursday, questions into the work of the COI. He also wants the Minister to provide answers to the House regarding culpability of the person or persons involved in the escape as well as those that had been involved in the massive fire. The Opposition Leader will also be pressing the Minister for answers as it relates to the recommendations made as to the appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken against those found culpable. Granger wants to know too if the Commission of Inquiry has completed its work on this matter and, if not, whether a new deadline has been set for its completion and, if so, by what date has the Commission been directed to complete its work. He is also seeking to find out when the members of the House would be supplied
with a copy of the report. Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader will also be seeking to have the National Assembly appoint a commission, styled the National Veterans Commission, to examine the conditions and circumstances facing veterans of the defence forces and disciplined services to make recommendations to ensure their health and welfare and for the general administration of veterans’ affairs in Guyana. According to Granger, the Constitution of the CoOperative Republic of Guyana prescribes that “Every citizen has the right to free medical attention and also to social care in case of old age and disability.” In his call for the Commission, Granger says that thousands of persons have served in the defence forces and disciplined services of Guyana in which they rendered essential national defence and public security services to the nation as a whole. He says too that in accordance with Section 20 of the Defence Act, certain members of the defence
Leader of the Political Opposition, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger forces are required to retire after only twenty-two years of service and other veterans of the disciplined services may be discharged honourably from regular service or transferred to the reserve for various prescribed reasons. According to Granger, many ex-soldiers and servicemen have faced challenges which have had deleterious effects on their employment, health and welfare of their dependants.
discussed the current liberalization of telecommunication and the establishment of regulated. He argued that a free market approach is important for many sectors of Guyana, including communication, electricity, Local Government, and other sectors. Dr. Yog Mahadeo was known to have called for liberalization of telecommunications even when he was the CEO of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, which currently has the monopoly on landline and international calls. On social issues, Dr Yog Mahadeo feels that domestic violence, alcoholism and physical and verbal abuse of young people are an indictment on Guyanese
society. “We have to take a more proactive stance on domestic violence, child abuse and spousal abuse. It is destroying the future of Guyana since it affects the minds of our young children who are exposed to it”. He said that “physical and verbal abuse of young people at the work place is also of great concern”. He refers to inaction of businesses, business groups and the government. “They do not take action on their staff, members and public officials when abuse takes place.” Dr. Yog Mahadeo is a public figure in many aspects. He is also known for his inspirational and motivational talks in Guyana and North America. He has a widespread online social presence and provides commentary and
opinion pieces on topical issues. He has published two books, one of which is ‘A Garland of Pearls’. “I am presently working on Volume 2 and 3 of Garland of Pearls,” he said. Dr. Mahadeo comes from a humble background. Born in Berbice, his family is now made up of doctors and researchers. His brother, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, is a Member of Parliament and head of the Berbice Regional Health Authority. Dr. Yog Mahadeo thanks his mother who lives in the family home in Berbice and he is also full of praise for his son, Yoga Mahadeo, his business partner Anita Balram and his other brothers and sisters. “In the final analysis,” he said, “It was all God’s grace.”
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Kaieteur News
ImmigrationINFO (Immigration News For Our Community)
Digital Form I-94 Issued Upon Entry into U.S. Attorney Gail Seeram U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made the issuance of arrival records (Form I-94) a digital process in order to streamline passenger processing. Form I-94 provides international visitors evidence they have been lawfully admitted to the U.S, which is necessary to verify alien registration, immigration status, and employment authorization. The automation means that visitors to the U.S. will no longer need to fill out a paper form when arriving to the U.S. by air or sea, improving procedures and reducing costs. Thereby, visitors will no longer receive a “white card” with a stamp of their entry date and the date they must leave the U.S. The current processing time for entering foreign visitors’ travel information into the I-94 database is 30 days or more. This new automation process will
Gail S. Seeram provide immediate upload and access to arrival and departure information for all travelers to the U.S. So, when you enter the U.S. you will no longer be given a white paper (Form I94) to fill out with your name and it will no longer be stamped with your entry date and required departure date from the U.S. Instead, your passport will be stamped with your entry date and required departure date. If you wish to print a
paper copy of your entry and departure for your records or for filing adjustment of status, then the information will be immediately available on-line at www.cbp.gov/I94. In order to access the information, the following security questions will have to be answered: name, passport #, date of admission, departure date and class of admission. Initially, the I-94 automation process will be rolled out to the following airports: Miami, Chicago and Orlando – with all U.S. airports to follow. The arrival and departure information for all passengers will be available immediately upon arrival into the U.S. but upon depart from the U.S. it will not be accessible. Our office recommends all travelers to review and print the information that will be placed on-line at www.cbp.gov/I94 for accuracy upon their arrival into the U.S. As with any process that is electronic, there may be errors and you would want to ensure that your arrival and departure records are correct so you have no problems or issues with your next entry into the U.S. and with future adjustment of status. This new process only applies to passengers entering the U.S. with a nonimmigrant visa – it does not apply to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card holders).
Sunday November 03, 2013
Mon Repos vet lab is 80 percent complete
Construction ongoing on the vet lab during early last September. It appears as though the deadline for the Veterinary Laboratory at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara will be met. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, disclosed yesterday that the facility is about 80 percent complete, with three weeks of work left to be finished. This would mean that the November month end deadline might most likely be met. Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, had visited the site less than two months ago, informing reporters that construction of the facility was just about 55 percent completed. At a cost of US $2.5M, Dr. Ramsammy said that the laboratory will have the capability to test, detect, and diagnose diseases affecting animals, thus ultimately improving the livestock sector. The laboratory is being built where the Animal Health Laboratory once stood. Because the old facility was hardly ever used, and had not been functioning as a full-fledged lab, it was demolished and redesigned. Dr. Ramsammy explained that the Animal Health Lab was operating as sample holding facility, and that tests had to be done overseas. However, with the new diagnostic lab, the Minister said, the resources will be made available to allow for testing to be done locally. He noted that when the laboratory is commissioned, it will be equipped to test for brucellosis which is caused by bacteria, and
affects mainly sheep, goats, pigs, cattle and dogs; bovine (cattle) diseases; leptospirosis; and tuberculosis among others. Just recently, Cabinet announced its approval for the contracts to deliver, install and commission equipment for the lab at a cost of Euros 265,825. The equipment will be installed upon completion of the lab, Dr. Ramsammy said. The Minister noted also that his Ministry is working to have the laboratory accredited, so that the tests done here can be recognized abroad. Dr. Ramsammy had told Kaieteur News that the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is critical as Guyana moves towards consolidating its food security and lowering its high importation cost. It was further noted that soon, there will be a database on the Veterinary Practitioners’ Act, and a Veterinary Council will be set up to register all veterinarians and veterinary technicians across the country. Dr. Ramsammy also made mention of the Animals (Movement and Disease Prevention) Act, which is intended to address the wellbeing of animals. He said that wanting to improve the quality of meat produced locally, especially for exports, would call for healthy animals, thus, a credible animal health lab is necessary. The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is, and will remain under the supervision of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), which is headed by Dr. Dindyal Permaul.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
Housing Take and You…
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a mortgage that you can afford
Container homes could be stylish and reasonably cost effective By Leonard Gildarie A friend sent me some photos of homes built from shipping containers, pointing out that he is amazed that more Guyanese are not looking for ways to construct cheaper homes. The containers were placed side-by-side on foundations and the rooms and walls constructed to convert it into a livable area. But I want to discuss this a little later. I have been receiving complaints about the hardship new homeowners are facing to meet their monthly mortgage payments. This is a serious problem. When granting a loan, the rule of thumb in the US and Canada is that the monthly payments should not exceed 30% of the gross income. The reasons are obvious. If your payments are higher, it will affect how you live. There must be money left over for food, utility bills, clothing, maintenance and travel, among other things. Not having enough money for these has a ripple effect on the economy as a whole. The crash of the US economy in 2008 was largely blamed on the collapse of the housing market, after too
The rains are hovering, but the dry conditions are enough to give rise to fires, and the elements would not disappoint. This fire would result in another home being damaged and some people being set back so bad that children would be forced to live with strangers. The origin of the fire would be clear, a case of some burning material getting out of hand. ** Speed is always a contributory factor in accidents, especially during
many persons, enticed by unscrupulous mortgage lenders, ended up owing the banks. In turn, the banks, unable to sell off the foreclosed properties in time, were unable to quickly sell off these, leading to a cash situation. Remember, the banks make money mainly on core services of loans and mortgages. In Guyana, Government has assured that the very conservative nature of the lending institutions makes it difficult for the housing sector to run into problems anytime soon. Representatives of the lending institutions told me that there is no ceiling and each potential home owner is assessed based on their circumstances. It is important that you built what you can afford. If it is just three of you, with the third one a baby, and cash is limited, build something that can be extended in later days. Don’t compete with your neighbour. Build smart, what you will need. The temptation will be there to go grand to impress your relatives and friends. Bad move. As mentioned before, in the United States and Canada, a commonly accepted guideline for housing
affordability is a cost that does not exceed 30% of a household’s gross income. When the monthly carrying costs of a home exceed 30– 35% of household income, then the housing is considered unaffordable for that household. Housing is often the single biggest expenditure of low and middle income families. For them, their house is also the greatest source of wealth. The government has been arguing that owning a home makes you a millionaire and paves the way for you to be able to borrow to finance a business. I also spoke about this before. I know some of the banks have been talking about partnerships with hardware suppliers. I have one suggestion that some countries have already started working on. Yes, it’s your electricity needs. It is no secret that with Guyana near the equator that it is mostly sunshine all year around. The banks should have some built-in mechanism where new homeowners can have the option of installing an alternative power system. While wind turbines are not a really big thing in the city, solar power has been growing in popularity in many
the holidays when people drop inhibitions and resort to excessive alcohol intake. A group of young men is going to be caught up in the spirit of the season and the result would be a crash. Already the hospital is
overwhelmed with the spate of shooting and the like. This crash would simply add more pressure to the system. ** Some men are on the hunt for a target identified by a drug dealer who feels that he has been robbed. The fact that the hunters are not involved except that they have been promised a sum of money is interesting. This shooting is going to leave everyone saying something about bad business.
communities, especially in the hinterland, where Government is rolling out its project to power the Amerindian villages. A few of the hardware stores and other firms have been pushing the solar power panels which, trapping the sun’s rays, channels the energy down to batteries which are charged. These batteries provide power to the home. There have been arguments that the initial costs of these are high. But with the demand for volumes and the push to educate homeowners that Government may be offering concessions on solar power equipment being brought into the country, the financial institutions may very well find it lucrative to offer assistance with alternative power. In any case, a landowner when applying for a mortgage
would more than likely submit estimates for electrical works. I believe that the issue of offering new homeowners the option of choosing GPL or alternative power should be a no-brainer. Mixed with a prepaid meter, I think it could end up a winning formula for any new homeowner who wants to save money. Now back to those container homes. I like this idea. I spoke about it before. Businessmen have told me that they can source used 40foot shipping containers for as little as US$1,500-$2,000 ($300,000-$400,000). You will need to construct a foundation. From estimates, I do believe three containers could be used to build a threebedroom home that could be stylish, reasonably cost effective and efficient at the same time. I am being told that a completed home could cost around $5.5M-$6M.
Of course, there will be challenges of transporting the containers to the site and having equipment move it to the foundation. It will need careful planning too. The entire point is that we need to start thinking of ways to reduce the rising costs of material that the construction industry is facing. Stone, lumber and everything else construction-related have risen significantly over the past two years. While the Chinese stores have been providing stiff competition, the issue of quality of material being bought comes into play. I have provided at least one of the alternatives to what could be a possibility of “affordable housing”. I hope it spurs some kind of debate. Do enjoy your weekend and drop those comments to gildarie@yahoo.com
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Sunday November 03, 2013
The Baccoo’s Halloween By Michael Jordan The crash of shattered glass woke me. I scrambled up and switched on the bedroom light. A large claybrick slab lay on the floor. A draught of cold breeze came through a gaping hole in my bedroom window. Grabbing the cutlass from beneath my bed, I navigated through broken glass and peered outside, expecting to see some drunken vagrant, or a gang of fleeing boys. Instead, standing on my bridge, was the shortest man I had ever seen. Asmall heap of stones lay by his feet. He hefted two other stones in his large hands. Madman, I thought, and he looks ready to smash another window. I wasn’t excited about facing him, but I went outside, cutlass in hand. I was just a few feet away from the culprit when I noticed the bunch of ripe bananas near the heap of stones. I blinked. Short, ugly man...heap of stones...bunch of bananas... It couldn’t be... As if reading my mind, the squat man who had disturbed my sleep nodded grimly and said: “Yes is me.” “You’re a… Baccoo?” He nodded again. “It least yuh recognise me.” Before I could blink, another brick went crashing through my window. Lights came on at the house next door. A window opened and my neighbour peeped outside. “Everything alright? That man bothering you?” “Nah,” I said. He was bothering me, but he also had a large brick in his hand. The cutlass didn’t make me feel any safer. My neighbor retreated inside and I turned to my strange visitor. “What
yuh want?” I whispered, not wanting to arouse my neighbour again . “We want talk wid you.” “We?” My visitor gave strange, low whistle. Immediately, a ball of fire appeared and hovered over my head. There was a puff of smoke and a thin, very old, red-eyed woman was suddenly standing before me. I took a step back. Mrs. “Ol Higue?” She smiled. I took another step backwards when I saw those teeth. But they were not alone. A hallow-cheeked man in a tattered suit and who was dragging a coffin suddenly materialized. Then I heard a splashing in the canal by the Diamond Housing Scheme reserve. A high-cheekboned woman with nice curvy hips, green eyes and a silver comb in her hair stepped across the road and joined them. “Massacurraman couldn’t come,” she said, addressing my other visitors but staring at me. “Okay, Fairmaid,” Baccoo said. I felt goosebumps break out on my arms. I thought of retreating to the safety of my home. Instead, as happens in dreams, I suddenly couldn’t move. The short stranger smiled, and then I knew that he had cast some sort of spell on me. I wanted to scream. Instead, I found myself saying: “Leh we talk in my yard.” They followed me to the backyard. Fairmaid sat on the steps, combing her hair. “Alright,” I said. “What y’all want?” Baccoo peeled a banana, threw the skin in my yard, then said: “What day is today?” I looked at my watch. It was a minute past midnight. “Thursday.” ”What day of the month?”
A Moongazer (illustrated by Harold bascom)
“October 31.” Then I got it. “Halloween.” Then I said something that I thought would pacify them. “Happy Halloween.” Fairmaid stopped combing her hair and cut her eyes at me. Ol Higue changed into a ball of fire then back to human form. Baccoo stamped and ground his teeth, waving a brick at me threateningly. “What I do now?” I asked. “What you do?” Baccoo screamed . “Is what all alyo do. I look at the TV this week. .Ah see witch, ah see Leprechaun, ah see Dracula...ah see Abominable Snowman...ah see ghost-jumbie white cousin-” He stopped, as if too overcome with rage to continue. I now understood. “But they leave y’all out.” “YES,” Baccoo screamed. “Where jumbie...where Ol Higue...where fairmaid...where massacurraman..bush dai dai...moon-gazer?” “ Ye s . . . ” i n t e r j e c t e d Jumbie, speaking in a nasal tone as if he had a bad cold. “Y’all mek the Chinese and Brazilians tek over. Now y’all got the foreign undead tekkin we place.” He stamped a foot, leaving a clod of graveyard dirt on my step. “That gun happen over my dead body.” I found myself nodding in agreement. For the past week, the television channels had shown us an assortment of vampires and ghouls at scheduled Halloween parties. There had even been a Leprechaun day a month or two ago. But nowhere had I seen a single Guyanese monster. I looked at my strange visitors. “Why y’all don’t go to the Minister of Culture?” Baccoo glared at me, then turned to the others. “You think ah should tell he what happen?” They nodded. Bacoo took a deep breath to calm himself then said: “Me and Baccoo went by the Minister Pradoville house about two nights back. We slip past the guards and knock at the front door. ‘Who’s there?’ a voice inside said. ‘Baccoo,’ I say. ‘Back-who?’ “I ain’t answer, because I woudda say something bad. Then he open the door. He look at me, standing with me bricks and bananas. Then he look at Jumbie, with he coffin. He smile, then go inside, and come out back with two paper bags. He gave we the bags. ‘What is dis?’ I ask. ’It’s candy,’ he said, putting on a American accent. ‘You kids not tricking or treating?’ He point to me. ‘Let me guess. You are ‘Leprechaun’...and then he look at Jumbie and said...’and you are...the Boogieman...the one who always in the closet.’ At this point Jumbie took over the tale. “Then the
Minister smile and ask me if I still hiding in the closet, and when I gun come out.” He gave a long sigh. “Boy, I did so mad that me heart actually start beating. All I couldda do was take the candy and leave.” Baccoo gave a wicked grin. “As soon as he shut he door, ah shy two big brick through he Nissan Pathfinder windscreen…and jumbie lef one ah he rotten big toe pun he step.” Jumbie sighed again. “But he might just think that is a fake toe from some stupid Halloween store.” Ol Higue, who had turned to a ball of fire and was floating nearby, reverted to her human shape and said: “Nobody believe in us anymore. The other night I went in a yard in Queenstown. But before I could slip through the front door keyhole a woman come outside and see me. She think I was some poor old woman suffering from Alzheimer’s and wandering in the streets. She call the ambulance and they take me to the Dharm Shala. They did preparing a bed fuh me when I turn into a ball of fire and disappear.” Fairmaid, still combing her hair, sucked her teeth. “I was in the interior the other day. I sitting by the waterside, combing my hair and minding me own business when a porknocker come up. He show me two pennyweight and ask me if I doing business. Then a woman with a shotgun come up, lash the porknocker, and say she come to rescue me from being a trafficking in persons victim.” She sucked her teeth again. “I try telling she me name. ‘Fair..maid?’ she seh. ‘That sound like a Brazilian name.’ I just cuss them and jump back in the river. The
Mr. Jumbie (illustrated by Harold Bascom) next day, I read in the papers ‘bout some Brazilian girl who drown sheself because she didn’t want to be a human trafficking victim. Is when I read the description of the woman that I realise that is me they talking ‘bout.” I looked at my disgruntled visitors and tried to comfort them . “But so what if people don’t recognize y’all?” Baccoo shook his head dispiritedly. “Then we will die.” “Then you will what?” “Die,” Jumbie said. I shook my head. “But-but y’all can’t die. Whoever hear ‘bout a jumbie dying?” Jumbie rubbed his casket, then said: “Anything that isn’t cherished, nurtured, honoured, acknowledged, celebrated and valued, dies. When last you hear about Baccoo pelting a house, or
The Ol Higue (illustrated by Harold Bascom)
somebody saying they see Ol Higue, Massacurraman turning over a boat? When the stories about us die, we too will be cease to exist.” There was a moment of gloomy silence. Then I said: “But why y’all come to me?” Mermaid gave a sad smile. “Because you is one of the few people that still believe in us. You recognize us right away. You still dream of us, you tell our stories.” It was true. I had been like this since I was small. I remembered the night when, at age seven, I woke in darkness and saw an assortment of monsters in my room. My bigger brother insisted that the monsters were just blankets, towels and other stuff, but I knew better. I have always believed in mermaids, or ‘fairmaids’ as my grandmother called them. I still do. And I honestly feel the presence of something in that black water whenever I pass by the Lamaha Canal. I sighed. “So what you want me to do?” Baccoo smiled. “Keep writing about us…keep our stories alive. And help us fight this Halloween stupidnes. That is not we thing.” Ol Higue chimed in. “Yes…instead of Halloween Night why not have a ‘Jumbie Night,’ and children could dress up like us.” By this time my entire household had awoken. Ol Higue and fairmaid babysat my grand-daughter. Jumbie entertained the children with some jumbie stories and some jumbie jokes. Baccoo pelted stones at the stray cows that were passing on the Diamond access road, then opened a tin of condensed milk and raided the two banana suckers in my backyard. They didn’t leave until I had finished this story.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
An apology to Adam Harris but I still fear for my life In July this year, because of things I had to do before I planned to leave Guyana for Trinidad, I had to contact by phone rather than in person, Mr. Nigel McKenzie who was acting for Adam Harris who was out of Guyana. I sent him three columns because I informed him I would be in the interior. McKenzie found out I lied when it was made known that I was going to Trinidad with my daughter to attend her cousin’s wedding. Why did I lie? I was afraid of my daughter and I coming to harm at the airport because my landline and cell phone are tapped. I know this. Here is one example. Only I knew that I was going to arrange a picket exercise in front of the Ministry of Social Services. Over the phone I told Leonard Craig to meet me there. At the picket site we would then call members of the Ghana Day Committee, 1823 Coalition for the Monument at Parade Ground and the People’s Parliament to join us. When I arrived the Special Branch were already there. Only one person could have told them that – Leonard Craig. I don’t believe he
would. He is a comrade I trust and he is also a personal friend. They got the information from my phone. There are other situations of graphic evidence of the tapping of my phone. One more description will suffice. I called Norris Witter, President of the TUC, to inform him of a picket I would lead outside of the office of the Ethnic Relations Commission and to join me. Only Norris I spoke with over the phone. I arrived first and two policemen were proudly perambulating the street outside. I don’t think for a moment, not a split second that they got the information from Norris. They got it from my phone. I know my phones are bugged, so I would like to think the police know some of the incredible information that comes my way, including powerfully placed politicians who are engaged in all sorts of illegal capers, some of which I discuss on the phone with my media colleagues and personal friends. I could not take the chance on my phone of revealing to McKenzie that I was leaving for another
country. The honest, sincere feeling in my body is that I was afraid of physical harassment and bureaucratic victimization at the airport. Please, I implore of readers not to think I am chauvinist, but I do believe there is an obsession with me in dark corridors where State power is exercised in maddening ways. On Monday last I sent Adam Harris four columns by e-mail (I am constantly changing my password) followed by a telephone conversation that I would be in the interior from Tuesday to Thursday. As with Nigel McKenzie I lied. One of the Guyanese I respect immensely, law professor Rudy James, told me when I was a UG freshman that lying is a bad thing, but sometimes it is a necessary. I withheld the truth from Adam Harris. I wasn’t going anywhere far from Georgetown itself. I was heading for Balwant Singh Hospital on Tuesday to do complicated eye surgery (thank God such types of surgery can be done in Guyana) that the Georgetown Hospital does not offer and that the Ophthalmology
Hospital in Port Mourant does not perform and even if both public institutions did, I would have refused. I had this fear that if it was heard over the phone that I was to be hospitalized then maybe the long tentacles of the dark corridors would want to endanger my life. God knows I mean no insult to Balwant Singh Hospital, but the truth is I live in fear of my life. In August last year, I was attacked and struck repeatedly in a severe way at the back of my skull. Dr. Haydock Wilson recommended a brain scan. I
did it days after and it showed nothing. Eighteen months later I am enduring pains right in that area. I told Nazima Raghubir about the pain two weeks ago when she interviewed me for the Association of Caribbean Media Workers. In weeks to come I will take another brain scan. I called Adam the next day (Wednesday), apologized and told him why I lied. In his inimitable style, he yelled over the phone. “Boy you paranoid, wuh bout me, I don’t tek no precaution, if
Frederick Kissoon they want, let dem kill me.” Maybe I am paranoid, maybe I am foolish. But I am not taking any chances. I sense it, I feel it, I know it that an obsession is there. I know how dictatorship operates. Not me, man! I’m staying with my paranoia. Once again, an apology to Nigel McKenzie, and a sincere one to Adam Harris and Balwant Singh Hospital.
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Book Review: BOOK: Memories and Musings by Dr Jerome Teeelucksingh REVIEWER: Dr Glenville Ashby Dr Jerome Teeelucksingh’s work is hardly that of a romanticist, nor is it from the mold of William Blake. His writings can be loud and subtle, starkly black, white, or grey. His narrative responds to the now, the existential exigency of the present. His work is far from cryptic. It is a free verse that proves easily identifiable. Memories and Musings is political and at times philosophical.
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
Echoes of hope amid distress It is richly poetic, the musings of a man emotionally stricken by the vagaries of life and the inequities of society. Teelucksingh is not dark in the vein of another contemporary, Adrian Augier; neither is he as painful and punishing as Kendell Hippolyte. He screams out, identifying the world’s problems, hoping that we listen and find solutions. His is “conscious poetry.” His literalism belies the profundity of a narrative that is authentically unwavering. Unlike the fatalists, his message simmers with hope. Yes, there is pain and disillusion. But the glass is still half full. His work
laboriously breathes an air of optimism, good counsel and compassion. In ”A Gentle Voice,” he writes: “The hopeful voice of last rites soothes a departing soul....The assurance of a young sister softens the cold heart of a brother in prison.” And in “What is a Miracle,” his words are comforting, spiritual: “Finding survivors after a natural disaster...rescuing lost hikers...surviving a vehicular accident; waking up from a coma...Surviving to see the creation of a new day, the believer and non-believer all experience the miracles.” His “Commitment” is axiomatic and thought provoking. “If I could Fly” is magical with its breezy, transcendental tone; and equally soothing is “Lotus.” In “The flower of light,” he pens, “brightening life’s murky waters, the majesty of flowers commands respect and admiration...” He aptly follows with “From notebook of a naturalist.” But its is “Tales from the Land of the Weird,” that Teelucksingh, dazzles, dabbling with canto, the long poem. It aptly honours the “weird” in the title, but is never remotely frivolous. It provides a panoramic view of life, of the world, through nature. Here, animals are “humanized,” busying themselves with tasks and responsibilities. Is it a take from “Animal Farm?” No. It is original and funny; instructive and prophetic. No doubt there is an essential message inscribed with clever abandon. Therein is a limerick-like
strain; its pace is ribald with a tone and levity that can distract you from the intent. But Teelucksingh still asks his readers to peer beyond the veneer of jocularity. In a veiled jab at colonialism, he wittingly recites:: “Christopher, the surfing cockroach...arrived on a small island and met Hammy the hare. Hammy explained due to a hidden snare had to grow fangs which she cleaned with care. Christopher raised his wings and said: “You have nothing to fear...” Teelucksing effortlessly meshes the past with present, raising the perennial subjects
- Apartheid and Civil Rights and today’s struggle for justice: “A formal and grand end to bygone eras, however, remnants remain, as gated communities with razor wire remain aloof of ghettos...” He is gratuitous to “Latin American Lions,” as he is to ”Caribbean Rebels with a Cause,” where he lauds the iconic figures who advanced the cause for justice. “They raised hell and broke the shackles of colonialism and imperialism. Men and women as Captain Cipriani and Elma Francois continued the battle to champion for the poor and dispossessed.”
But clearly Teelucksingh concedes that the battle is far from won. Overwhelmed, he is nostalgic, yearning for a time when life in the West Indies was simple, less muddled. Here, his injection of island argot is refreshing. “Yes, long time days! The river clean, no chicken guts, old car and stove. No flooding in de rainy season. We could drink the water, bathe and ketch fish. Lawd, it look like dem days gone for good...” His aversion to war is stark. “Medals for bravery, dedication, courage and lady luck; medals for cowards, killers, survivors and soldiers of the tombstone.” “Destruction of Iraq and Afghanistan” underscores his “Peacenik” leanings. He recoils at refugee crises, caused by wars and his words are hauntingly true: “Humanitarians have seen it before and expect more. A stray dog lurks among the shadows and laughs at an advanced civilization.” Memories and Musings fittingly ends with “Warlock and Witches,” that encapsulates the poet’s warning of man’s ignorance and potential for evil. Once again, Teelucksing’s corpus of work commands attention and reflection. glenvilleashby@gmail.com/ Follow me on Twitter@glenvilleashby Memories and Musings by Jerome Teelucksingh Red Lead Press, Pennsylvania ISBN: 978-1-4349-6530-1 Available: Amazon.com Rating: Recommended
Sunday November 03, 2013
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MY COLUMN
Are we over-reacting about this Bill? The situation today takes me back to New Year’s Day 2000 when people around the world expected the worse because computers were supposed to have behaved in a certain way because of the millennium change. Computers were said to have been programmed to read the last two digits in the year, the same way that they do today, so the pundits began to wonder what would happen when the computers were asked to read the ‘00’ which represented the year 2000. Many said that the computers were already programmed to accept the change. Even the little handheld gadgets that we had we were told to expect problems. Indeed, the cell phone had come and they were providing the time and the like. Midnight comes early for places like New Zealand and parts of the Pacific so for a few moments the attention of the world was focused on
those countries. Nothing happened. Airport systems did not collapse nor did any of the computerized gadgets that had become so integral to human existence. Those of us in Guyana who had a few hours, as many as ten hours to see what would happen, began to breathe a sigh of relief. But of course there are those of us who simply look for a Doomsday scenario. It is traditional that we call everyone under the sun on the stroke of midnight so we all pulled out our cell phones just to show off that we had these gadgets. Lo and behold, the system at Telephone House just could not handle the calls and crashed. Rather, the system became choked. People who had learnt a few words of the international language began to talk about the Millennium Bug hitting Telephone House. This time around we have what has become known as the anti-money laundering
Bill. The government did have a positive campaign for this Bill and pretty soon just about every Guyanese knew what the issue was about. There was talk about sanctions against Guyana, particularly the business community and those importers who must transfer money in order to get goods into the country. Of course, the campaign did not leave out the common man. The experts began to talk about remittances being affected. So there it was that people who normally expect a ‘raise’ from relatives overseas at this time of the year were being told that unless there was this Bill they would not be able to get one cent. There was more to the campaign because suddenly, many organisations began to place advertisements in the newspapers begging the opposition to pass the necessary legislation that would allow Guyana to avoid being blacklisted by the international community.
Of course, there were those who already proclaimed that they were feeling the effects of what they say were sanctions. For example, one girl spoke of a relative getting a hard time sending money to Guyana for his mother. Another person spoke with all authority that insurance companies in Guyana that needed to reinsure with foreign partners would not be able to maintain that relationship. I know that one importer said that he had brought in some items but that the seller was having a problem negotiating to get his money out of Guyana. But I recalled someone writing about the days when Guyana really had its back to the wall. Guyanese ingenuity prevailed. There was no money but goods came in. People who had to move money found interesting ways. I know that in those days the United States Port Authority was not as rigid as today so people entered the
country with tons of foreign currency picked up in Guyana at blackmarket prices. In fact, people got very rich. This time around there is a lot of money to move around, but there is also Homeland Security and the ever vigilant officials who suspect that any movement of cash is intended to fund terrorist activities. But then again, the authorities should not have to worry. Guyana is not too dependent on trade with Great Britain and the United States and Canada. These days there are China and India and those other countries that would take money without asking too many questions. My take on this is that the Guyanese business community wants to enjoy travelling to the western world for their vacation, so they would not want anything to disturb that. But there was no need for all this confusion. Last week I suggested that the government could have
Adam Harris granted one concession to one of the parliamentary opposition parties. On Wednesday I heard that the government is now prepared to make the Public Procurement Commission a reality. I asked the Cabinet Secretary whether this had anything to do with the demand by the Alliance For Change in order to get the vote. The man said that my conclusion was a distinct possibility. Well I must ask why now when, according to the government, Guyana is staring down the barrel of a gun.
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Sunday November 03, 2013
Where is our manufacturing sector? By Dominic Gaskin AFC Treasurer GuyExpo can fairly be described as an annual display, by individuals and businesses, of what is available to the Guyanese consumer. It attracts thousands of visitors and is therefore a good vending opportunity for many exhibitors and concessionaires. From all accounts it has become a successful ‘lime’, providing nights of entertainment for a broad cross-section of the local society. However, as a showcase of what Guyana has to offer, GuyExpo is disturbingly uninspiring. The familiar lament about the difficulty of finding locally-produced goods at this event rings louder every year, and at some point it must be acknowledged that we simply do not have much to offer in terms of locally-manufactured products. This is not an indictment of GuyExpo itself. It goes way beyond that to
reveal our failure as a nation to nurture and develop a sustainable manufacturing industry, capable of bringing significant foreign earnings into our economy and providing much-needed jobs. Unfortunately this is not an easily reversible situation, as each passing year of neglect sets us further back in the league of global producers competing within a single market space. After twenty-one years in charge, the PPP-C Government must shoulder the blame for what currently prevails. A thriving productive sector cannot be wished into existence, and it is clear that the Government has given up on transforming the sector. This is evidenced by its reliance on platitudes and an accumulation of unapplied initiatives to indicate its “mek attempt” to encourage manufacturing in Guyana. It is unlikely that another twenty-one years of PPP-C rule will see the development of a modern local
manufacturing industry. Fortunately, this scenario is an unrealistic one, as that Party’s dwindling electoral support provides a real chance for a change in Government; and the beginning of a new phase of democracy and development, from which a diversified economy can emerge according to a sensible long-term plan. The fact that many of the world’s strongest manufacturing centres were developed with the help of tariff protection and other subsidies in an era preceding WTO rules, should at least alert Government to the need for some effort on its part to jump-start the process here at home. It may also be useful to reflect on those earlier attempts to build a manufacturing base in durable goods such as radios, refrigerators, bicycles and even automobiles – in particular the sense of pride that came with finally having our own brands. This pride has all but disappeared, as we
no longer consider the importance of producing what we consume or consuming what we produce. Who would have thought the day would come when imported lumber or fruit would be competing favourably with our local produce? It is imperative for Guyana’s long-term economic well-being that we increase our exports relative to our imports. Attempting to achieve this by simply exporting more gold, bauxite and rice is a demonstration of the Government’s lack of resolve when it comes to the, much chanted about, diversification of our economy. The hundreds of millions of US dollars worth of illegal narcotics exports that spike our economy each year, is a dangerous substitute for formal export earnings, and merely masks the failed policies of an inept government. The term value-added is often heard when we contemplate various alternatives to shipping out our unprocessed timber, gold and bauxite. Indeed it’s a shame that we have not been able to develop industries to process and add value to these primary products, however, the world has changed from the days when industries were centred around locally available resources, and there is no limit to what we, here in Guyana, can produce once we get our act together. However, it will take an ambitious government with conviction and determination to guide us onto the right path. A handful of sketchy
projects will do nothing to create a truly multi-sector economy that can advance us towards Developed Nation status. In 1991, then Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia unveiled that country’s Vision 2020 in which it set an almost thirtyyear target for becoming a self sufficient, industrialized, developed nation by the year 2020. Today, twenty-two years later, Malaysia is on the way to achieving the status of Developed Nation by the year 2018, two years ahead of time. Guyana, in the meantime, has very little to show for the PPP-C’s loudly celebrated twenty-one years in office. There are two key elements which must form part of the way forward for a successful local productive sector, namely; competitiveness and marketing. These ought to have been comprehensively addressed, and the implementation stage of some master-plan should, by now, have been well underway. The seven-year-old National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS) could have been the solution. However, despite its G$1.8 billion price tag, the NCS has so far failed to make an impact on the productive sector. This IDB-funded program is scheduled to end next year and will no doubt suffer the same fate as our much revered, but unused, National Development Strategy. A government accustomed to tailoring its policies to achieve the most basic standards in the best of times, is hardly likely to
harbour the ambition to formulate and implement strategies to be tested in the global marketplace. The unregulated economic swelling that has occurred during the PPP-C’s twenty-one years in power has not brought us any closer to penetrating external markets than when they first took office. The fact that in August of this year, at the National Economic Forum, stakeholders were still groping for creation stage solutions is evidence that we are not yet on a desirable trajectory. The AFC understands the importance of cultivating a formal business environment: where producers can compete on the basis of quality and efficiency; where there is a level playing field to inspire investor confidence; where there is a national export strategy in place to guide investors; where there are specific sectoral strategies in place for all industries with export potential; where incentives are used to effectively attract investments according to national priorities; where modern legislation is constantly drafted and amended to protect investors. Moreover, the AFC also has the ambition to place Guyana on the map and brand us as a quality provider. When it comes to manufacturing, the PPP-C has kept Guyana sitting on square-one for over two decades. One would have to be extremely optimistic to expect any sudden advancement in this regard without a change in government.
Sunday November 03, 2013
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SUNDAY SPECIAL CITY HALLNOTAUDITED FOR SEVERAL YEARS A reliable source from the City Hall is insisting that millions of dollars of taxpayers’ monies are being stolen under the leadership of the Town Clerk and that this is being facilitated by a crooked system that continues to exist. The source said, “Whilst the council has fallen into disrepair, the system at this point remains shady and it should be made clear that the Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, is not doing anything about it. Sooba is not interested in preparing any Financial Statement because the loopholes would expose the millions of dollars being pocketed.” “This council has not been audited since 1996. And, you can’t expect corrupt people to improve any system that they have crafted to serve their unquenchable thirst for taxpayers’ money.” “The system at City Hall needs restructuring and Sooba who claims that she is serious about making a difference has not demonstrated in any way that her words have any merit.” The Council, the source explained, will only plummet to the ground if the systems are not fixed. “What is Sooba afraid of? Why can’t she get the system in order and prepare the necessary financial statements so that the council can be audited?” The source also said, “Several efforts have been made for the Municipality to get its records in order for the 2013 Audit but its Clerk, at this point, is not interested in that. Also troubling, is how the government or the Opposition can just let this glaring breach of the Municipal and District Councils Act, continue to prevail.” MONDAY EDITION ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING…TIME RAN OUT FOR SELECT COMMITTEE- GOVT. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in explaining the reason behind Government’s decision to wrap up the work of the Special Select Committee tasked with addressing the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill said that time ran out. Nandlall in an invited comment said that the Special Select Committee it is not the end of the process since, “it has to be taken to Parliament, debated, checked over, gazetted and then assented.” Those steps, according to
Dr. Roger Luncheon
The disputed First Federation Building on Croal Street and Manget Place, Georgetown Nandlall, “will take some time…so it is not that we can finish the entire process in a day or two.” November 18 is the deadline set by the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce (CFAFT) regarding the amendments to the antimoney laundering laws, hence Government’s decision to wrap up the work of the Committee so that the other steps can be taken within the allotted time. Nandlall said, “having regard to the particular history of this matter, including the amount of time we have spent, efforts we have made to solicit the cooperation of the Opposition, we felt satisfied that we have exhausted all opportunities available and unless we act swiftly in this matter, we might end up with a Bill still in Committee and then we would have been part of the blame for the Bill not exiting the Committee.” He said too that what must be fundamentally noted is that the amendments did not just come from the whims and fancies of Government but rather emanate from a review of the existing law by CFATF after which they recommended the legislative changes. “We didn’t concoct it…These provisions came out of recommendations which the CFATFT made,” said Nandlall. CABINET INTERFERING WITHAUDIT OFFICE CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVESTIGATION - CHRIS RAM Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram has described Cabinet Secretary, Roger Luncheon, as a moniker “politician” who can hardly exempt or justify careless and untruthful speech, particularly when making serious allegations about others. At a recent press conference, Dr. Luncheon had
accused Ram along with Ronald Alli and Anand Goolsarran of being engaged in a ploy that is orchestrated against Geetanjali Singh, the wife of Finance Minister Ashni Singh. Singh is the Audit Director of the Audit Office of Guyana. According to Ram, Dr. Luncheon should be aware that a formal complaint was lodged with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana (ICAG) by Robert McRae, a partner of Ram & McRae, alleging a “conflict of interest between the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Auditor General, involving Dr. Ashni Singh and his wife Gitanjali Singh.” Ram said that the complaint, which was lodged since July 9, 2012, had to name the two persons since investigations are held into the conduct of members of the Institute, not offices. Ram explained that on the same date, McRae lodged not one but two complaints with the ICAG, only one in which Mrs. Singh is named along with Dr. Singh. As it relates to
Mr. Alli, Ram said that he was not aware of any statement being made by him at any time on the matter. TUESDAY EDITION GOVT. LOOKING TO SELLFIRST FEDERATION BUILDING FOR US$1M …CHANG RESTRAINS MOVE TO BLOCK LAWYER’S ACCESS TO BUILDING Attorney-at-Law Saphier Husain has secured an injunction against the Government through its Attorney General, the First Federation Life Insurance Company and the Official Receiver which is the Public Trustee, for the Croal Street property under dispute. Chief Justice Ian Chang handed down the ruling this past week, ordering that Government be restrained from interfering with Husain’s “ingress and egress and occupation and use of the First Federation Life Insurance building on Croal Street and Manget Place.” Husain has since accused
the government of a malicious strategy to remove the occupants of the building in a bid to sell the property. In his Affidavit in support of his motion, Husain said that the Attorney General has acquired a valuation of the property for some $249M which indicates Government’s intention to sell, transfer or dispose of the property. In that affidavit in support of his plea for an injunction, Husain said that in July 1987, he entered into an Agreement of Tenancy, with the First Federation Life Insurance Company for an office in the building. He said that he has paid his rent annually from that time up to December 2013. In 1988 there was an order to liquidate the Insurance Company and from that time the rent was paid to the Official Receiver, which is the Office of the Public Trustee. In July last year, Husain said he was sent a “Notice to Quit’ which was followed by a Summons in January this year, filed by Solicitor General, Sita Ramlal. When the matter was called up, Husain argued that Government through the Public Trustee was not the owner of the building and as such could not claim the building for its use.
Charted Accountant Christopher Ram
BIKER’S EXECUTION IN ECCLES … SUSPECT SURRENDERS Businessman Rondy Jagdeo, the prime suspect in the murder of Eccles resident Kirk Davis, surrendered to police last Sunday, almost two months after the brutal killing of his one-time friend. Jagdeo, who was accompanied by attorneys Roger Yearwood and Mark Waldron, surrendered at the Ruimveldt Police Station around 15:00 hrs. He was subsequently taken to the Brickdam Police Station. As news of the arrest spread, some of the slain man’s close relatives turned up at the Providence and Brickdam Stations in the hope of seeing the suspect. Kaieteur News understands that Jagdeo gave police a statement in which he denied any involvement in Davis’s death, which is said to have stemmed from a dispute over a woman. Police had issued a wanted bulletin for the 28year-old Jagdeo, even as they had received reports that the suspect had fled to Suriname. Asked why his client was only now surrendering, (Continued on page 47)
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Sunday November 03, 2013
Poor public infrastructure is impeding progress Guyana’s economic development has been impeded and its international competitiveness has been impaired because of the lack of major investment in public infrastructure. Collapsing stellings; congested city streets; aging ferries; deteriorating hinterland airstrips; broken bridges; impassable roadways and weakened kokers and sea defences, have all become major obstacles to everyday commuting, communication and commerce. The People’s Progressive Party Civic administration, however, has no comprehensive plan to invest in, improve or increase public infrastructure assets. The danger is that, by not repairing existing assets, higher costs will eventually be incurred in replacing them. The pursuit of costly white elephant structures or politically glamorous projects – such as the so-called fivestar hotel and specialty hospital–rather than pursuing practical projects,
has been sucking the oxygen out of other essential infrastructure. Guyana needs a plan to coordinate the efforts and consolidate the resources of various state agencies which seem to be involved in public infrastructure works. The Ministry of Public Works, for example, is charged with general responsibility for infrastructure. It frequently seems preoccupied with lowly, municipal tasks at the expense of longer-term national matters. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment seems to be running its own ‘Hinterland Infrastructure Committee’ for mining districts. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, also, has assumed a role in building roads, bridges and structures in the hinterland. The Office of the President has become involved, with predictably costly and catastrophic results, in attempting amateurishly to administer an ambitious information
technology engineering project. The absence of a coherent policy, the lack of a comprehensive plan, and the failure of coordination have created confusion and consternation in the delivery of services and waste in the expenditure of state funds. A notorious example has been the administration’s strange construction of the $54.4 million airstrip on Wakenaam Island. Island residents, years after its completion, are still bewildered at being given an unwanted airstrip yet being denied river transport they always asked for. Paradoxically, forty-four more frequently used airstrips in the hinterland – located in the Barima-Waini; CuyuniMazaruni; Potaro-Siparuni and Rupununi Regions – receive only marginal maintenance and scant attention, a contributory factor to aviation accidents. The condition of bridges is frightening and dangerous. The spectacular submerging of sections of the Demerara
Harbour Bridge in July 2012 halted traffic between the east and west banks of the Demerara. The collapse of the Moco-Moco Bridge temporarily stopped travel in the South Rupununi. The Kumaka-San Jose Bridge had become a nightmare for Moruca residents. Traversing some roads is agonizing. Bus drivers on the Linden-Kwakwani route and residents of Ituni set up road blocks to protest against the deplorable state of the road in August. Residents of East Bank Berbice– a major commerce corridor of the entire East BerbiceCorentyne Region–have frequently held protests to call attention to their plight. Bus operators in Bartica for years have been calling for the reconstruction of the BarticaPotaro Road. Sophia residents, in collaboration with the United Minibus Association, were forced to protest about the poor condition of roads which have remained in a deplorable state for over 12 years. The aging fleet of ferries – including the venerable MV Barima, MV Makouria, MV Malali, MV Torani, MV Kimbia and MV Lady Northcote – is another maritime nightmare. Vessels now have to be docked at a
cost of several hundred millions and have become increasingly uneconomical to maintain. The decaying Bartica, New Amsterdam, Parika, Rosignol, Stabroek, Vreeden-hoop and Wakenaam stellings all need major rehabilitation. The Wakenaam stelling may cost millions to repair in the wake of an incident in which the ferry – MV Torani – slammed into it in July 2012. A section of the new, multi-million dollar Supenaam stelling – completed at a cost of $431 million but with additional remedial works which cost over $100 million – collapsed. A lorry ran off the MV Makouria ferry and sank in the Essequibo River as the vessel was making its way to Bartica in September 2013. Members of the Parika Speed Boat Owners Association, fed up with the primitive docking arrangements at the decaying Parika stelling, protested to demand safer facilities for the increasing daily traffic. Guyana’s 430 kilometrelong, low-lying coastline – most particularly between the Pomeroon River in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region (No.2) and Crabwood Creek in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region (No.6) – needs to be
protected from the Atlantic Ocean. The Ministry of Public Works cannot competently cope with the continuous challenge of maintaining the natural and man-made sea defence systems. Breaches still recur in the DemeraraMahaica (No. 4) and Mahaica-Berbice (No.5) Regions. The Office of the President’s E-Government Project Unit was ill-equipped to adequately supervise the installation of the 560kilometre, US$32M fibre-optic cable from Lethem to Georgetown. The project director, in another example of poor planning and lack of coordination at central government level admitted, frankly, “Our major problem was the quality of supervision.” The Public Works Ministry eventually had to be tasked with correcting poor work from Kurupkari to Mabura by one of the project’s contractors. Guyana’s assets will continue to deteriorate and its abundant resources will remain underdeveloped without a public infrastructure plan. There must be new thinking if this country is to become competitive and the people are to have a good life.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
An unyielding dedication to nursing...
Peggy James is a ‘Special Person’ By Sharmain Grainger “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” is a proverb that was popularised by British Educational Writer, William Edward Hickson. It was this very adage that Nurse Peggy Ann James has for many years embraced in every aspect of her life, although she was not aware of it at the time. In fact it was the desire to try again that saw her being an efficient nurse for close to five decades, rendering unblemished service at the New Amsterdam and Georgetown Public Hospitals and the Psychiatric Hospital for a brief stint. Nurse Peggy, who resides at 43 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, celebrated her 72nd birthday on July 3, and is intent on continuing her nursing career as long as the Creator permits. She obviously cannot remember all the patients she attended to over the years, but many will never forget the caring face of the now aged but still very vibrant nurse who is easily recognised as she criss-crosses the city on her bicycle. Currently her nursing expertise is utilised by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which sees her being attached to the Amerindian Dormitory at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Previously she was seconded to the Amerindian Hostel at Princes Street. Though she is now charged mainly with attending to the basic health needs of school aged boys and girls from the hinterland Regions staying at the Dormitory, there is no doubt
that Nurse Peggy is as dedicated to the profession as she was when she first started. But just how did Nurse Peggy, who is fondly referred to today as “Nursee”, manage to not only enter the nursing profession, but continue to serve the land of her birth over the years in the face of many attractive overseas offers. The answer is simple. In addition to the fact that Nurse Peggy is a true and committed daughter of the soil she has an undying
forced to leave school to care for her mother whose condition had considerably deteriorated. “I was the one that had to care for my mother and when she died I was just about 14 years old,” said Nurse Peggy as she reminisced on how she took the time to do whatever was necessary to make her ailing mother comfortable. She recalled that it seemed quite natural for her to be a caregiver. So it was understandable that she was
“If the older nurses are given the chance to really help the younger nurses, the nursing system I believe will improve by 75 per cent if not 100 per cent.” dedication to care for those in need. You see, from a very tender age she developed a passion to care for others, a disposition she developed having attended to her ailing mother up until her death. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Nurse Peggy and her twin brother Leopold Alexander were born on July 3, 1941, and resided with their parents Frederick and Ursula James at Second Street, Alberttown, Georgetown. They later moved to a residence at Regent Street, Georgetown. She recalled during an interview that they had a modest upbringing which was considerably strained by the fact that her mother was stricken with cancer while she and her brother were still very young. And although she was able to complete schooling at St Ambrose Anglican Primary, her time at Tutorial High was short-lived, since she was
intrigued by a newspaper advertisement appealing for young individuals to apply for training in the field of nursing. At the time, the young Peggy was required to contribute to the family’s purse, since the income from her father ’s clothes laundering profession was not nearly enough to adequately cater to all their needs. She recalled how she was able to secure a job at a cone booth which saw her being paid on a weekly basis. “It wasn’t much, but at least I was able to get a ‘small piece’ at the end of the week,” Nurse Peggy recounted. She remembers being very respectful to her elders and “putting her best foot forward” at everything she did, a practice that was fostered by her disciplined upbringing. And perhaps it was this very ‘disciplined upbringing’ that helped pave the way for her acceptance into the
Attending to a student from the hinterland
nursing programme since she hadn’t completed her secondary education. Her nursing training commenced in 1964 at the Georgetown Public Hospital, but her academic limitations proved to be her downfall, so much so that her less than satisfactory performance saw her being asked to leave the nursing programme. It was a sad day for young Peggy whose life appeared to be crumbling from every side. Her father was no longer able to care for her and her brother, and this resulted in the twin siblings being separated – Peggy was sent to a female relative while her brother was shipped off to an uncle. KEEPING FOCUSED Though daunted by her situation, Peggy was somehow driven by an unknown force which gave her the confidence that she could be whatever she wanted to be if she worked hard enough. And she did just that. Since she was not eligible to pursue the programme again at the Georgetown Hospital, she decided to head to the Ancient County of Berbice where she applied to be trained at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Not only was she accepted into the programme, but a few years later, Peggy was fully qualified as a Staff Nurse/Midwife. In fact, she would spend 28 years of her life practicing at the New Amsterdam Hospital, retiring as a well respected Ward Sister. Of note, too, is that after retiring, her service was most welcomed at the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was contracted to work for a few more years. “I always cherished my years as a nurse in the hospital setting,” said Nurse Peggy even as she speculated that “the practice of nursing back in the day could today be deemed the ‘gold standard’ of the profession. “We had good mentors and our matrons, like Sella Bacchus who also tutored, taught us all we needed to know...We also had people like Sister Serelene LaRose, who taught us the required practical.” The instructions imparted in her day emphasised that nurses not only had to be caring and kind to patients, regardless of the circumstances, but they were also expected to be respectful to doctors. “I remembered working on the wards, and whether a (Continued on page 48)
A proud Staff Nurse/ Midwife
Nurse Peggy when she commenced training in 1964
Sunday November 03, 2013
From page 31 attorney-at-law Roger Yearwood alleged that Jagdeo had been receiving death threats. “A lot of death threats were sent to Mr. Jagdeo, and he is still concerned about his safety,” the attorney told Kaieteur News. 31-year-old Kirk Davis, of Seventh Street, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was riddled with bullets on Tuesday, September 3, outside his residence by a man who called him out of his home. WEDNESDAY EDITION ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING BILLS IN LIMBO…WESTERN DIPLOMATS FAIL TO BUDGEAPNU Western diplomats met on Tuesday with the main Parliamentary Opposition as worry continues over an ongoing stalemate regarding critical anti-money laundering legislation. It is unlikely that a November deadline can be met, with the faction making it clear that it will not support the legislation when it comes before the National Assembly next week. Failure to pass the legislation could see international bodies, tasked with guiding countries into introducing measures to reduce dirty monies being transferred through the financial system, recommending almost certain sanctions. Already the private sector, banks and insurance companies have warned of severe implications for money transfers, payments for goods and delays in business if Guyana is blacklisted by trading partners for being noncompliant. There have been reports from businesses that bank transfers have been held up by overseas banks as questions arose over the transactions. The issue has sharply divided the Government and Opposition. Government had tabled the legislative changes at the last Parliamentary session, but the Opposition, despite protests over the deadline by the Government, sent it to a special select committee to be fine-tuned. The problem was that the committee’s work suffered a number of delays. An exasperated Government, in the absence of the Opposition members, completed work of the special committee last week and announced that the legislation was going to be sent back to the National Assembly, in a race against time to meet the November deadline.
Kaieteur News
Bharrat Jagdeo GOVT. SACRIFICES SHARES IN GT&T FOR MARRIOTT, RISKS LOSING ALL - CHRIS RAM “The country’s money cannot be placed at the disposal of any single individual or handful of individuals as in the case of NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited) and outside the Constitutional and Parliamentary framework.” This is the view held by Financial Analyst, Christopher Ram, who on his website chrisram.net said that the lessons learnt from projects such as the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the Berbice River Bridge, the Marriott Hotel and the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project should be heeded. Ram posits that large scale projects being pursued by the administration must be properly considered and evaluated by independent persons before they are undertaken. “GuySuCo should have taught us that we can illafford the consequences of poorly conceived and badly executed projects…We have a parliamentary body to oversee economic activities and projects…We should make full use of it.” Ram in his writings said that the Marriott Hotel project “is the combination of everything that was and is wrong with the other projects.” On that project, NICIL had set up a onedirector company (Atlantic Hotel Inc.) to build a hotel with a secret private partner. NICIL sold its 20 per cent stake in GT&T “from which it has earned billions of dollars in investments and gave it to AHI which used it to make payments on a lopsided contract with another Chinese contractor.” THURSDAY EDITION TV STATIONS MOUNT COURT CHALLENGE ON $2.5M LICENCE FEE - SAYS 1,000 PERCENT INCREASE WILL EFFECTIVELYCLOSE
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NICIL/AHI Head, Winston Brassington
Financial Analysist, Christopher Ram
OPERATIONS As time runs out for a number of TV and radio stations to submit critical documents in order to be licenced, six broadcasters have started legal proceedings challenging a $2.5M fee that they say was arbitrarily imposed by Government. The new fees, if allowed to be fully implemented, will effectively close operations as owners will be unable to afford them, representatives claimed Wednesday. The six stations that have initiated the court actions include CNS Channel 6; HBTV Channel 9; RBS Channel 13; HGTV Channel 16; MBC Channel 42 and SKAR Channel 102. On Wednesday, representatives of Channel 9 and Channel 13 confirmed that their lawyers have drawn up legal challenges that would have been filed within hours. Thursday was the deadline given by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) for broadcasters – TV, radio and cable TV- to submit outstanding documents, including financials and other technical information. Compliance also meant paying both the licencing and spectrum fees. A number of operators who have complied have already received their licences. On Wednesday, Jacob Rambarran of Channel 13, and Charles Griffith of Channel 9, both said that the “imposition” of the fees has been a major worry for operators, since being announced earlier this year. There were no proper consultations with stakeholders prior to the fees being implemented, they say.
Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the capital charge of murder. Jagdeo emerged from a police vehicle, clad in a white T-shirt and “green camouflage” pants and walked calmly into the courthouse. Jagdeo, 27, of Lot 159 Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge. According to the allegation, on Tuesday September 3, 2013, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Jagdeo murdered Kirk Davis. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Bharat Mangru, said that Davis and the accused were close friends. Prior to the incident, the biker was seen kissing Jagdeo’s wife on her neck at Palm Court Restaurant and Bar, located at Main and Middle Streets Georgetown, he added. Mangru told the court that about 20:30 hrs, that day, Jagdeo armed himself with a gun, and went to the home of Kirk Davis at Eccles, East Bank Demerara in a silvercoloured Allion to confront him about the reports.
BUSINESSMAN CHARGED FOR BIKER’S MURDER After evading the law for several weeks, the sole suspect in the execution-style killing of popular biker Kirk Davis has been charged. Randy Jagdeo, alias “Rondy Jagdeo,” appeared on Wednesday before Chief
FRIDAY EDITION GOVT. NEVER ENFORCED EXISTINGANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS – AFC/APNU The Joint Political Opposition has said that it will only be supporting amendments to the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML-CFT) that provide for the appointment of members of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), independent of the President or Minister of Finance. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) on Thursday issued a joint statement in an attempt to make clear their position on the proposed Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
Bill. “We would only support a bill which ensures the strong, effective and independent oversight by its FIU, with adequate resources to carry out its functions and achieve the objectives of the Bill.” According to the two parties, the Substantive Law must be complemented by other institutional authority(s) to ensure integrity, accountability and transparency in the use of public resources. As such, “our support is conditional on the appointment and operationalization of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).” This is the first time that APNU has tied its support to the proposed amendments to the setting up of the PPC. The AML-CFT Acts of 2000 and 2009, which the proposed amendments are seeking to adjust, have never been enforced by the government, according to the Joint Statement. “No investigation was ever carried out, nor report presented by its FIU, even though many Ministers and their friends flaunted considerable unexplained wealth locally and amassed significant fortunes overseas.” PANAMA, COLOMBIA EYED FOR NEW RICE MARKETS The search is on for additional markets for Guyana’s rice as production has surpassed the 500,000 tons targeted for this year. Panama and Colombia are being eyed as markets of interest for 2014. This is according to an official close to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), who enlightened that General Manager of the GRDB Jagnarine Singh and senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry are “looking for additional markets”. The official said that thus far, production for 2013 has allowed Guyana to have surplus rice in storage, a situation which rarely exists. As such, the GRDB is hoping to tap into the Panamanian and Colombian markets for the first quarter of next year. The official said it is usually difficult for Guyana to export to those markets since they purchase early. Though challenged to find new markets, the GRDB is utilizing the opportunity to expand existing markets. The
official related that G u yana’s export to the European market has already surpassed what was sold to that market for the entire 2012. “At the end of September, Guyana was able to supply the European market with 50,000 tons of rice while its entire export to that market for 2012 was just over 40,000 tons.” This welcoming increase in production would probably see Guyana supplying Venezuela, under the Petrocaribe agreement, with additional tons of paddy in December. The official said Guyana has already satisfied its contractual responsibility of exporting 88,000 tons of paddy for 2013. SATURDAY EDITION GOVT. ADMITS DEFORESTATION COULD HURT NORWAY FUNDING …GUYANA STANDS TO LOSE US$25 MILLION The government on Friday admitted that it could lose an estimated US$20 million from its forest-saving deal with Norway. This follows a new report, which shows increased levels of deforestation in 2012. Under the five-year forest-saving deal with Norway, Guyana needed to monitor the amount of the forest cut down, and to keep it at a level agreed to by the two countries. Once Guyana kept its end of the deal, it would bank US$250 million, but now a chunk of that could be lost. The reason is that under the agreement with Norway, the number of trees being chopped down, or what is called deforestation, was set at 0.07 per cent, but a monitoring and evaluation exercise found that last year, the level of deforestation was 0.079 per cent - more than allowed under the agreement between Guyana and Norway. If the percentage is converted into actual forest loss, it means that more than 36,000 acres of forests were cut down in 2012 about 9,000 acres more than that cut down the year before. The Minister with responsibility for forestry, Robert Persaud, was not ready to be forthright in saying that because of the increase in deforestation Guyana could lose the Norwegian funds, but he did anyhow. “If what we have is accurate…somewhere in the range of about US$20M or thereabouts (could be lost),” Persaud said at a press conference on Friday. The actual figure Guyana stands to lose is about US$25 million.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
Peggy James is a ‘Special Person’ From page 46 doctor was elderly or very young, the minute that doctor entered the ward you would immediately stand if you were sitting... You would stop writing and recognise the doctor, but that doesn’t normally happen today,” Nurse Peggy reflected. As such, she is convinced that in the training of nurses today, more emphasis should be given to ethics and the importance of dedication to the profession. It is her belief that older nurses could play an instrumental role in helping the younger nurses to adopt the appropriate nursing style that would help to cater to a significant improvement in the delivery of nursing care. “If the older nurses are given the chance to really help the younger nurses, the nursing system I believe will improve by 75 per cent if not 100 per cent,” said an optimistic Nurse Peggy, who is convinced that nursing is the best profession in the world. And although there are nursing opportunities throughout the world, Nurse Peggy is of the firm belief that her services are more needed here. The single-parent to three sons – Colin, Michael and Deryck – and grandmother to five is convinced that there is
always a reward for being dedicated to whatever you do. She disclosed that throughout the years, one of her traits has always been to follow-up on her patients, even after they would have left the hospital setting. “I always thought followup was important, because I wanted to know how they healed...sometimes I even went to patients’ homes voluntarily to assist them with dressing,” said Nurse Peggy, whose caring ways have also been premised on her religious beliefs which she embraced from a tender age. And there is every likelihood that Nurse Peggy’s impression on the local nursing system will be remembered for many years to come, as she was not so long ago approached to share her nursing experiences with young nurses at a health facility set to be opened in the near future. This strategic move, this publication understands, is being done with a view of ensuring that the nursing practice which obtained back in the day does not become extinct. And so in recognition of Nurse Peggy’s commitment to the nursing profession throughout the years, she is today being bestowed with the deserving title of ‘Special Person’.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
FROM MADAME DEOLATCHMEE RAMOTAR, FIRST LADY OF GUYANA
FROM THE PEOPLE PROGRESSIVE PARTY The People’s Progressive Party extends best wishes to all Guyanese and to the Hindu community in particular on the occasion of Diwali. The wonderful festival of lights comes at a time this year when forces around us are trying relentlessly to slow the wheels of advancement and dim the light of hope in our nation. Diwali which serves to illustrate that good will always triumph over evil in the long run, is a fitting message to those who are currently willing to jeopardize the economic development of our people and place stumbling blocks in our pathway in their quest to simply gain political leverage. The light broke through in 1992 when the PPP/C won the first free and fair elections in post
independent Guyana. This ushered in a new era where democracy and the rights and empowerment of our people prevail. Slowly however, those from that era of dictatorship and oppression have returned and so have their old habits in a new guise. A return to suffering, starvation, hopelessness, large scale poverty and ultimately economic decline and desperation is not an option for our country. We have come too far as a people; we have made significant gains in gradually, painstakingly working to improve the livelihood of our people. The journey is never complete as there is more work to be done in our efforts to place our nation on a stable economic platform and ensure each and every
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President Donald Ramotar Guyanese benefit in a tangible way. On this auspicious occasion, we hope that the illumination of the diyas and the added brightness from the participation of all Guyanese in this Hindu tradition will be enough to force a change in the hearts and minds of those who currently wish to see our people in a perpetual state of division and suspicion. Happy Diwali to all!
It is with extreme happiness that I extend Diwali greetings to all Guyanese but more especially to the Hindu community for whom this festival is a joyous occasion. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil; of life over death and light over darkness. I trust that these universal messages would touch every heart in our nation and that the torch of enlightenment would brighten those dark crevices, such as ignorance and greed which may exist within our midst. Diwali is not just about celebration. There is a personal element that requires all of us to bring light
APNU Leader, David Granger previous years because the PPP/C Administration has accelerated its confrontational approach towards the National Assembly while continuing to violate the fundamental tenets of our parliamentary democracy,
particularly their refusal to govern in accordance with the rule of law and to recognize the law-making and oversight role of the National Assembly vis-à-vis the executive branch, the people of Guyana are seeing the light disappearing while a gathering storm looms on the horizon. The symbolism of the triumph of light over darkness now carries a powerful message for the Guyanese nation. In the circumstances, the PNCR invokes the blessings of Mother Lakshmi to end this darkness so that our dear land can once again experience peace, prosperity, good governance, equity, security, a culture of civility, and good order. A HAPPY AND JOYOUS DEEPAVALI TO ALL GUYANESE!
FROM THE GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION (GAWU) Light Up Minds, Lighten Burdens. Illumination. Light. Vision. Enlightenment. These words and concepts tend to convey the spirit of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights usually celebrated at this time of year. Now a nationally-embraced public holiday, Diwali captures the attention and even participation of thousands of Guyanese citizens including non-Hindus. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), home to a great number of Hindu union members, enjoins the Hindu community especially to find innovative, practical and productive ways to influence national leaders to indeed light up their own minds and other faculties in pursuit of the greater good for Guyana.
Again, GAWU will not dwell on the almost romantic elements of the Diwali legend but hopes that the Spirit of Mother Lakshmi will inspire more open-mindedness in the Guyanese society. Our brief message, therefore, is to celebrants and leaders alike: Just as Guyanese Hindus have fashioned unique Diwali motorcades, which attract national attention, let the Guyanese ‘melas’ and the ‘diyas’ of the mind illuminate wisdom in all communities, in places of work and worship, in Government and Parliament to lighten the poor man’s burdens, through righteous policies and programmes. This is the least – but the most sought-after, that the union and hope for. Happy Diwali 2013.
Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar May our own personal example come to signify the conquest of good over evil. A Happy Diwali to all!
FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE
FROM THE PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM The People’s National Congress Reform extends friendly greetings to all of the Guyanese people, but particularly to the members of our Hindu Community on Deepavali. Our Party recognizes that Deepavali the Festival of Lights - should enliven all; young and old, men and women, rich and poor; in towns and communities throughout Guyana. It should be a unifying and integrating force which encourages goodwill, joy and friendship that bring all the people of Guyana together. In the religious context, the Goddess Maha Lakshmi - the Goddess of Light - is worshipped for wealth and spiritual enlightenment. This year we are forced to revisit many of the themes from
to those areas of our lives and of the lives of those in society which are in darkness; to eradicate greed and ignorance, to reject violence and hatred and to banish illthoughts and needs. It is a time for festivity but also a call for personal and community action to bring brightness into the lives of others. May the modesty of the simple ‘diya’ that is lit at this time remind us all that no matter how limited our means are we can all contribute to making our country and our world a much brighter place by generously illuminating the lives of others through doing good and through being good.
AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan
As we prepare to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, the Alliance For Change sends special Diwali greetings to our Hindu brothers and sisters and to all Guyanese. The Festival of Diwali or the Festival of Lights, as it is also known, is of special religious significance to Hindus as it marks the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile. To welcome his return and to light his path, ‘diyas’ were lit. This year, as we light diyas and admire the light that shine brightly from such little lamps, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, let us all commit that our lives will be as lights shining forth to unmask evil, lawlessness and corruption. Diwali is a celebration of life itself and that the lights and diyas represent hope for all humankind regardless of faith or ethnicity. Let us be the light we want to see in others and let our little light fill the world around us. Let us be the example that good will always triumph over evil. Happy Diwali to all Guyanese.
FROM THE INTER RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION (IRO) While Diwali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant spiritual meaning behind it is “the awareness of the inner light”. Central to Hindu philosophy is the belief that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman (soul). The celebration of Diwali as the “victory of good over evil”, or light over darkness refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With this awakening come compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings the feelings of true joy or peace. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Diwali is the celebration of this Inner Light. Diwali is a lighting festival during which God is worshipped in the form of Maha Lakshmi: Goddess of
light. It is celebrated by Hindus on the darkest night of the month of Kartick (September/October) this auspicious occasion is marked with prayers and the lighting of ‘diyas’ and other special electronic and sophisticated lighting arrangements. Regardless of the lighting system, the festival is filled with the feelings conductive to prayers, invocation and adorations to the divine. Deepavali symbolises man’s quest for light so that the inner corners of his being and sub-consciousness will be brightened, bringing joy to his inner world wherefrom he can radiate wrath, love, compassion and forgiveness. The bright light is about letting go of the past hurt and be mindful of the future.
This results in man’s development of a source of energy that overcomes all the darkness of negativities. As the ‘diyas’ begin to flicker into radiant life, there are new hopes and aspirations whereby the devoted becomes one with the object of devotion. In this moment there is the awakening to the realities of our real identity. The lighting of the ‘diyas’ is a special moment; and for all those who have prepared physically and mentally, it serves as a personal experience which makes life and living more meaningful. In essence benevolence and humility combined with the light of knowledge are the characteristics of a perfect person. Happy Diwali.
The Quest for Knowledge refreshes the mind, recreates the spirit, and motivates the body. It creates enthusiasm and desire to live an exciting and full day in spite of the routine.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
Halloween: New Culture or Commercialism? By: Kiana Wilburg Halloween seems to be etching its way firmly in the mainstream of Guyanese festivities. When it was first introduced into the Guyanese society, the predominantly ‘western’ concept was not widely accepted but today, many look forward to the arcane celebration. Known as All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve, Halloween was officially celebrated on Thursday last but the biggest local parties in observance of this event were held last week Saturday. This holiday is celebrated annually around the world in remembrance of the dead, including saints, martyrs and all the faithful departed believers of Christianity. It is observed by western Christians and many non Christians around the world through activities such as, “Trick-or-Treating,” costume parties, making jack-olanterns, lighting bonfires, divination and apple bobbing. However, over the years, Halloween has been adopted and tailored by many countries to suit their unique cultures. One such country is Guyana.
While it is anyone’s guess whether Guyanese will ever adopt and implement certain aspects of the celebration such as the ‘trick or treating’ facet, the costume parties have been totally espoused by most, and continues to grow in number each year. This year has proven to be a huge success in this regard with over 40 parties celebrated countrywide as opposed to the meager five held last year. Some businesses have noted an almost 95 percent increase in the sale of costumes, but emerging as the largest supplier this year was the Giftland Office Max which offered in excess of 50 types of costumes, for all ages and sizes . Staff member Gavin Bob told Kaieteur News that ,”Costumes with matching accessories were available for all ages, and what we noticed was that people were very excited and anxious about this event and customers were asking for the costumes even before we had them out. The most popular costumes were the most elaborate and sexy ones like the biker girls, witches, and the army girl’s costumes and even the baseball costumes for women.”
And since Halloween was celebrated countrywide, Naughty Collections in Berbice ensured that they cashed in on the costume frenzy. ‘I am actually surprised at the turn out this year. Last year I didn’t have much of a sale to talk about but this year I am sorry I didn’t invest more. I had about 30 costumes on sale this year and in one day they were sold out. Halloween is taking over and I think Guyanese have adopted this holiday not paying much attention to its historical meaning. Guyanese are generally inclined to partying and I think people love the fact that they can dress up and be someone exotic or wear something that is elaborate and eccentric and have fun with it. But it has taken over and I think that it is clear that it is here to stay,” expressed the owner, Marsha Prescott. Stealing the coveted crown of ‘Halloween Party of the Year’ was, “Monster’s Ball” which was held at the newly built club at the United Centre City Mall on Regent and Camp Streets. From the décor, it was easily referred to as ‘the underworld” by those in attendance.
A group of women who took part in the Halloween festivities The party saw more than 95 percent of the patrons decked out in the most horrifying costumes as well as some of the most exotic. It was the perfect combination of eerie and “spectacularly-inviting.” Speaking with Kaieteur News was Navin Singh, General Manager of the Club that has become a new sensation in the City. “I am amazed and I always knew Guyanese love theme parties, but they really went all out for this year ’s Halloween festivities. And it was
surprising and pleasing to know that if people didn’t buy a costume they made one and that made me really happy and it shows that they really wanted to be a part of it. Some people say if you’re not American you shouldn’t celebrate Halloween but I don’t agree with that. It’s a chance to dress up. Be your favourite super hero. Be someone else and just have an amazing time. My team and I are happy to bring the best party and we are happy that it turned out to be a hit.” Some Halloween revelers
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
noted that “Halloween is something new to us and quite frankly there are some aspects of the holiday we don’t care for, but we love the aspect of dressing up in costumes and actually coming out. It may even be the perfect excuse to dress however you want to without being judged. Besides it’s a great departure from dressing in your fancy dresses and brand name clothes. It gives you an opportunity to be crazy… Live a little as they say.” However other sections of the populace expressed a different view as they believe that Halloween is a concept adopted purely on the basis for businessmen to make money. One representative of the group said, “To be honest, we feel that it is just an opportunity for businessmen to make money and exploit the already poor society. But what the heck, some Guyanese are very foreign minded and new face and we believe that this is just a passing phase. But if you are going to adopt a holiday, businessmen should consider going all the way instead of just focusing on the costumes and so forth.” Regardless of the dissenting opinions, one thing is clear, a large section of the Guyanese society has gravitated towards this growing phenomenon and if the costume frenzy and the numerous parties are anything to judge by, they are certainly fashioning the holiday to their unique taste.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
Former Christ Church student pledges annual donations to school sports Lynden Archer Graham is an overseas-based entrepreneur and former “Champion Boy” of Christ Church Secondary School. He decided to give back to his alma mater in the form of trophies, medals, gifts and monetary awards. However, in a conversation with his daughters Tiffany and Oneka Graham, he was promptly reminded; “Don’t forget the females.” In hearing this comment, he realized that the “Champion Girl” must be recognized. After contact was made with the Headmistress Ms. Sharon Smith, Mr. Archer Graham was informed that there is also a junior champion boy and girl category and asked if he would like to make a contribution there also. To fulfill the school’s wishes, he accepted, since his gesture is to inspire greatness in the field of athletics in the school. This year, Christ Church Secondary School annual inter-house school sports were held on September 26 at Eve Leary Police Ground. The award ceremony was held on October 4, at the school’s auditorium where the winners were honoured. Mr. Archer Graham donated the Champion’s Cup and Gold Medals to the senior champion boy and girl; the Champion’s Trophy to the junior champion boy and girl, along with gifts and monetary awards. He also donated the champion house cup; and honored the sports
Page 59
Gunmen relieve goldsmith of over 1M in jewelry A 38-year-old goldsmith and father of three was on Friday robbed as he was about to leave his business located in Wales Market. Latchman Paul, also known as Ravi, of lot 321 Bell West Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, said that he was robbed of over $1M in gold jewelry that he had on him. According to the Paul around 16:30 hours on Friday he was closing his shop when he met two schoolgirls that he had sold jewelry to earlier in the day. The gold smith related that the girls came to return the items since they said their relatives told them that the gold they purchased would fade fast. Paul said that he reclaimed the jewelry and refunded the money to the girls and just as
they walked off, two men approached him. One of them who was armed with a gun placed it to his face and instructed him not to move or make a sound, while his accomplice robbed him of his belongings. They both escaped into the cane fields aback of the Market. Paul then explained that he quickly made his way to the police station where he related to the officers there what transpired. The officers accompanied him to the crime scene and went in the direction that the bandits went. A search was conducted by the police in the cane fields but due to the lateness of the hour and darkness stepping in the search was abandoned. According to the businessman, the police mentioned to him that the
Robbed goldsmith Latchman Paul robbery seemed as a set up; that the schoolgirls were used as a decoy and might be involved. The police are currently investigating the matter.
Causing death driver released
Lynden Archer Graham with some of the trophies and medals co-coordinator with a medal and award for coaching the event. These contributions and more will be made annually by Mr. Graham to Christ Church Secondary School for its inter- house school sports. In the near future, he will
be donating trophies and other awards to the interschool champions and the national high school champions at the track and field events. His impetus is the youths are our future, so let’s inspire them.
Police have released the driver of a speeding minibus on station bail, who apparently struck down threeyear-old Nikisha Shalom, a Danielstown toddler. The toddler remains a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital almost five days after she was involved in the accident on the Lima Public Road. The toddler sustained injuries to her head. The child’s condition, however, has been listed as stable. He relatives said that she is gradually responding to treatment. On Tuesday last, around 17:30 hours, the child, who was in the company of an
older brother was standing on the eastern half of the Danielstown Public Road. Upon noticing her uncle she made a sudden dash across the Lima Public Road and was struck down by the speeding minibus.
And Nursery School teacher, Maxine Cort, was readmitted in the Georgetown Public Hospital. Cort was involved in an accident at Onderneeming, several weeks ago. Driver, Felix Layne, was a fatality.
Page 60
WANTED Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary educationCall:612-1595 2- Waitresses & 2 Bartenders - call: 698-0977 / 679-5112 1 Yard worker, to work in Greater Georgetown - Tel: 223-0654 Contract cars- Contact City Taxi Service- 660-1100/2267150 Attractive live in waitress Call:228-5129 Jet man, marak man operator, baheir – Call:671-5149 Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252; 674-4665 GREENHEART AND PURPLE HEART LUMBER - TEL: 653-9752 Wash bay attendant – Contact:694-4148 or 2256296 Two guards for a marine company; one manager for a mining company. Attractive salaries. Call 2237165; 226-8645; 223-5180
Kaieteur News
WANTED One maid must be able to cook & clean; between the age 25-40yrs Telephone:6106168 Labourers/ painters/ carpenters with own tools to work with limited supervision - Tel:225-6070 Hotel receptionist; Restaurant cook – age 25+ (shift systems) – Contact: 223-6284 One male care taker between the age 25-35yrs; single or with family for a farm in Craig – Tel:654-1029
Young , active & attractive house maid, 17-30 years, needed for a Foreign National ( morning job) @ Prashad Nagar – Tel:6042164
Worker wanted for restaurant and roti shop in Trinidad; accommodation provided. For more information contact - 0011-866-760-1426.
One female cleaner- Apply to Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling Stabroek.
Urgently needed land to buy - Tel:675-7292; 2185591. One cook to prepare one meal a day. Call 223-7165; 644-4284. Attractive salary offered One cleaner, living between Cove & John & Unity, 3 times a week: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday – Call:623-3231 Office Clerk: CXC English/ Mathematics- Call:225-0188/ 225-6070 One domestic, live in & live out babysitter from 12pm8pm- Call:225-4492
Toyota Raum PRR, 16 mags, music, Tv, $1.4M – Tel:6622569; 670-3775.
Toyota Carina 212. Excellent Condition, female driven Contact Marica: 629-9511; 625-9511
One salesgirl to work in shop. Age 17-24, text or call: 615-8121
Skilled experienced carpenters – Apply to Alabama Trading Georgetown, Ferry Stelling Stabroek.
ONE MITSUBISHI FUSO CANTER (ENCLOSED) PLEASE CALL 619 9000
Experienced and attractive female waitress to work at bar must be able to work late hour - Call: 649-1105.
Porters- Apply to Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek.
Waitresses living within West Coast Demerara – Tel:660-1248
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154
White 2008 Tacoma 4x4 lift kit, off road tyres. Excellent condition- Call:610-5370
Housekeeper required on the E.B.D must know how to prepare a Variety of dishes Phone: 690-9233
Urgently upholsters, joiners, spray painters ( Furniture) handyman Contact S. Khan: 225-6810
2007 Toyota BB, fully loaded, unregistered special price $2.350M – 617-2891
Urgently needed 1 plot of land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie - Tel:675-7292; 2185591
Professional painters and carpenters – Telephone:6224899
2 Attractive waitresses @ Mombo’s Barr, Kitty – Call:622-7201
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Skid Steer Thomas with Japanese Kabota Engine Call:259-1370, 650-3447
Bodywork man, handyman, maid (under 30yrs) apply Guyana Variety Store Tel 2273939 Minibus driver for contract, living in Georgetown – Call:675-3093 Simple business opportunity: Business/Individuals wanted, internet connection, registration $5,000, no investment, NovemberDecember –Tel:662-9950 1 Live in experienced waitress (18-25 years) & 1 experienced cook ( Salary $50,000 monthly) – Call:698-7172 TRUCK DRIVER WITH EXPERIENCE, MUST HAVE POLICE CLEARANCE, 3 REFERENCES OF LAST JOBS & ALL PROPER I.D’S & LICENCE. TEL:231-8529 HOUSE KEEPER/ NANNY: MATURE WITH EXPERIENCE, POLICE CLEARANCE & 3 REFERENCES. FLEXABLE HOURS – TEL:231-8529 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, IST, Runx, FielderCall:652-3820/665-4529 Axio -$2.9M, Premio - $2.6M, Spacio registered PRR $2.2M; Trade- in available for Axio – Tel:697-0294 One Toyota RZ minibus, BHH series. Price negotiableCall:668-5180 First Class Auto: Premio, Axio, Passo, Runx, Allex, IST, Fielder, Raum – Call:609-8188; 602-6307 Two Toyota Tacoma 2006 unregistered: 4wd $3.9M & 2wd $3.1M- Call:662-1396/ 678-0573 Toyota Allion PNN 7620, green – Contact: 669-2650, 677-5559. New RX8 (Red) rotary 7 speed engine, new rims, tires, music kickers, lambo doors – Tel:680-2095 One Toyota RZ mini-bus BJJ series – Call:678-5887 3-Ton Canter excellent condition – Model M.Bush truck for interior – Tel:2318417; 231-6560; 231-1238; 624-0443 GRR 573, long base RZ minibus, automatic. Excellent Condition Tel:687-5657; 652-0709 1 Nissan – Virgo mini van PKK series, E24 Caravan – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453 1 Toyota Ipsum; fully powered; AC & music – Tel:223-6948; 642-4379 One AT192 PLL966 $1.1M; with DVD player – Tel:6399528 1 Toyota – Hilux Off Road pick-up, AT212, AT192, AT170, Ceres, Caldina Wagon, IST, Tundra – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453
Sunday November 03, 2013
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Hilux, 2L Turbo – price $2.5M – Tel:609-3426 Super heavy duty Tubo Diesel F350 (very powerful), owner migrating - Tel:2278519 F150 Tundra, chevy cargo van – Tel:227-8519; 653-4287 NZE fully loaded HC series, 1 year old, price $1.9M negotiable - Contact Shahab - Tel:613-5484 Toyota RAV 4, PMM 1072 with body kit. Price $3.4M negotiable – Call:610-1230; 673-5828 One RZ minibus – Contact number:664-9936 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN& cheap RZ buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 C r a s h To y o t a Vi o s . Asking $750,000 as isCall:617-7113 ALYEA’S AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2002/2003, AXIO 2008. ALL PRICES ARE NEG. 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK- TEL:2317284/622-3823 Driven Auto Sale: New arrivals sale – unregistered, fully loaded Toyota Sienta $2,250,000 & Madza Axela $2,350,000 – Tel:643-6565, 226-9931 Leroy Trident car 250CC, 4 doors, power window, $750,000 cash or credit Tel227-3939, 621-4000
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 Potting Soil and quality cow mould- Call: 656-1326/678-0058 Tundra ‘Woman Driven’ Tel:627-1983 Cheapest Online Vehicles!!! - Tel:626-2771 One circular sofa suite; one metal frame single spring bed; one toilet bowl set - Tel: 613-0836 Dachshund & Terrier mixed pups for sale – Contact: 6800192; 216-3408 1 Pool table cloth, ball , cue stick, pokets, rubber , coins, shoot, chalk, springs, rocks call:669-9927 Pre-painted and unpainted corrugated zinc sheets at affordable prices- Call Tel: 226-7054 Houses & house lots Contact: 223-8479; 647-3768; www.spaceseek.gy.
Hilux Surf 4 doors, minor parts needed, sold as is $800,000 Tel: 227-3939, 6214000 Nissan Maxima, fully powered needs repairs sold as is $375,000 cash 227-3939, 621-4000
1- Caterpillar D5 Bulldozer and 1- Caterpillar engine 3406 Contact number 650-0402 Whole sale: Pluck Chicken - Tel:676-0931
Mitsubishi 3000GT sports car, fully powered, $1.8M cash or credit available Tel: 227-3939, 621-4000 Stretch limousine, Lincoln Town car, fully powered $7M or credit available Tel 2273939, 621-4000
6 months pitbull pups – Tel: 650-3327; 670-7206 1 Used 3304 Caterpillar engine, diesel injector tester – Call:645-0279; 624-2561
Trike Can-Am style motorcycle, 200cc new, unregistered $550,000 negotiable or credit Tel 2273939, 621-4000 Cheapest- Premio, Pitbull, Manual Buses & HiluxCall:616-7635 HILUX SOLID AXLE PICKUPS, unregistered, in excellent condition – Call:691-2077 BUY/SELL VEHICLES OR PROPERTY; SAVE TIME + MONEY USING PHOTO ADS – WWW.GYTRADER.COM ; TEL:651-4300, 670-4300
One popcorn machineCall:639-241
Cummings fuel pump PC type for logging truck and injectors – Call:645-02-79; 624-2561 Chicken Hatchery (Robbins), 28,000 eggs capacity fully ready, $6M or credit available Tel: 227-3939; 621-4000 Diesel Generator, 3 cylinder Lister pitter (England) key start, 15kva, $750,000 cash or credit 227-3939, 621-4000 Generac Generator 15kva, portable, $550,000 cash or credit available Tel 227-3939, 621-4000 Diesel Generator silent 28kva SDMO John Deere engine, missing Fuel Pump, Panel, Avr make offer 227-3939, 6214000
FOR SALE Honda welders; 270 amps 15,000 watts generator Tel:611-5114/220-4495 Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call:615-1578/ 694-3595: Tools & Chainsaw-668-2831 One stall @ La Penitance Market; $600,000 – Tel:6900437. Pure breed 7 weeks pitbull pups for sale – price negotiable – Contact: 6565412; 661-4112; 234-1460. One (1) Passenger speed boat (19) seater – please contact phone: 218-4829, 686-3155, Supernaam Parika Route – Price Negotiable. Land! Land! Land! – 6600 SQFT to 1500 acres: Providence & Berbice Contact: 223-8479; 6473768; www.spaceseek.gy . Large vacuum cleaner wet & dry (for cleaning or car wash), stereo sets& speakers. Tel:227-8519 Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call: 672-2566. Toyota Hilux LN 172 diesel, extra cab pick up 4x4, manual ( 5 speed transmission)Tel:623-0425; 609-2876 1 Three storied building centrally located down town in Thomas Street South Cummingsburg, G/town Tel:623-0425 or 609-2876. Original Games- Call: 6722566. Generators, welding sets, compressors, power washers, drill - migrating, must see! - Tel:227-8519 2 white female and 1 brown male fluffy dogs - contact: 699-6006 One taxi service for sale Tel:683-7400 One 8000 Ford tractor & one Ford 450 2005 Towing truck – Call: 689-1864 (Guru) / 6945599 (Floyd). Sawmill Located at Linden Equipped with planner, ripsaw & one portable mill for more information - Call: 687-6844/ 649-6837 Hifi Sound Connection: Car Audio, Pro Audio, complete sound system generator.Call:610-1230/673-5828 (Continued on page 61)
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 61
(From page 60) LAND FOR SALE
FOR SALE
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Lot 349 located in Craig Public Road EBD with river view – Price negotiable – Call: 6909763; 695-6641; 602-0287.
Clarke forklifts 2000, 3000, 4000 Lb, lifting capacity make an offer Tel: 227-3939, 6214000 73" 3D TV Mitsubishi Like new make offer 227-3939, 6214000
Property for sale- Call:6275416
32 Acres for sale, Lot 5 Content Mahaicony, E.C.D: US$175,000: Call: 813-3194219: rpooran@ tampabay.rr.com
60FT Antenna (Mass) for Radio, TV, Cellular, with cables, brackets, sky light make offer 227-3939, 621-4000 8GB flash drives – wholesale $2,000 each – Call: 256-4001, 256-3464 – At Mohamed’s Internet Café Enmore Exclusive designed: Sarees; Indian made – Price $6000.00 – Contact Tel:216-1210 or 648-8961 1 Pajero JR Roof Rack – Tel: 233-2182 Clearance Sale: greenheart lumber, slabs, strips & firewood. Toolsie Persaud Ltd, Lombard St. Georgetown – Tel:226-4920; 226-4071-5 SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
VACANCY Two sales representatives between ages 18-25 contact number:227-1042 Wanted security guards & drivers to work nights Please contact: 223-3534 or send CV to Lot 1 Chapes Street. Vacancy exists @ Survival Shopping Complex; 173 Sheriff St - For cashiers & drivers. Apply with written application & passport photograph Contact: 227-5288-89 Vacancy exists @ Survival Shopping Complex; 173 Sheriff St - For IT Technician. Apply with written application & passport photograph & CV - Contact: 227-5288-89 Operators: Apply in person to BM Enterprise Inc, Guyana Fisheries Limited Wharf, Houston, East Bank Demerara - Tel:592-227-8176/7
One –Two storey business property (transported) @ Brickery public road, E.B.DCall: 660-8128 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call:592-6248704/592-684-9203 Road side business property - Tel:687-3017 111 Collinswood Avenue, Nandy Park, EBD – Contact:616-9775;687-0835 Agriculture Road: 2 Storey 3 bedrooms house; land 600x36Ft - $17.5M – Tel:6122522 Property for sale- Contact: 699-9926 Prime Property for sale Light Street, Alberttown Contact: 639-3619, 619-7299 1 Unfinished concrete house at Recht Door Zee W.B.D - Tel:643-4740 House and Land by owner De Edward W.C.B – Tel:6892973. One (1) 2- storey 5 bedrooms recently built house, $25M; Mon Repos E.C.D (Transported) – Tel:6179316,220-0818, 651-0744 Diamond -$6.5M, Kitty $30M, Alberttown - $33M, Queenstown – $23M, call Diana:227-2256; 626-9382 Prime 2-storey concrete building 80x23, 6 bedrooms, 2 master bedrooms @ Leonora next to Primary School - call: 652-0709, 268-3572 29 Silver City, Wismar Linden: 3 bedrooms property - Tel: 685-2005; 682-9930 Prime commerical property, Albertown, 3 lots with business, (Nut Centre) price negotiable. Tel 621-4000; 2273939 Small property, old building @ Albertown, front lot, business area - $12.5M negotiable – Contact:6629950
Pump Attendant at Shell Service Station Providence, E.B.D. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm)Call:265-7305
Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:2259032,647-2943 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Persons desirous in exporting scrap metal, ferrous & non ferrous – Please contact:681-1631 Thick infestation yard spray – Tel:650-3327; 670-7206 Christmas cleaning: Power washing for homes & commercial buildings – Tel:648-1544 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) Private driving tutorials; learn on your own pace & on your own time – Tel:625-3265
FOR RENT One 3 bedroom house for rent - $45,000 monthly Parafaite Harmonie WBD Tel:622-1782; 658-5803 1 Two bedroom apartment at Samatta Point Grove - Tel: 613-7596 ($40,000) One three bedroom; preferably family – Call:2269659; 667-3124 Hairdressing salon station; Rushelle - Tel:684-3384
Paradise (furnished house) -$38,000, Atlanic Gardens – US900, Kitty - $120,000 Call Diana:227-2256; 626-9382
Coolers and Call:657-0424
Scaffold-
Apartments, houses & land – Contact: 223-8479; 6473768; www.spaceseek.gy.
Kashmir make-up studio & spa: Specialized airbrush artist/ esthetician for an exceptional lookContact:665-5979/698-0114 CAKES & PASTRIES: Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery, Call: 670-0798. Also Wedding dresses for sale
Semi furnished 4 bedrooms house, available for rental starting from January 1st , 2014 – Tel:611-5110 1 Barber, hairdresser, $5,000 weekly cosmetology course. Everything 6 month cheap. Telephone:602-7960 Apartments Unfurnished: 1 bedroom $50,000 and $55,000. 2 Bedrooms $60,000 a month furnished US $500 – US$1,000 a month - Contact:231-0845
PENPAL
LAND FOR SALE
Aidan’s Car Rental & PickupCall: 645-7981/ 698-7807
At Blankenburg Public Road, W.C.D. 38x150 & 39x150 $16M each- Call:666-3619
First Choice Car Rental: Cars as low as $5,000 per day- Call: 668-0306/ 694-7817/225-6337
Citrus farm at Yarrowkabra with over 300 bearing trees and creek running through – Call Paul at: 602-7740
Wings Car Rental- Call: 687-4116 Untouchable Car Rental Tel:621-6827; 226-9668
Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours- 2271218 One bedroom house; Lusignan E.C.D - Tel: 662-9043
Bond space: recently constructed bond with house and office space on the same lot – Tel:6230425;609-2876
Top flat for rent Diamond Scheme – Tel:678-9835
CAR RENTAL Premio, vitz call: 679-7139
Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: As low as $5000 per night- Call: 668-0306/602-8769/ 694-7817
V/Hoop Junction: Office, clinic, taxi service, salon, barber shop, internet, canteen, classes, day care/ school – Tel:680-9905
We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699.
Computer Technician: Home and office visits at your comfort!! Brian Moe@6423543/ FB:Brian.Moe.165
Furnished self contained studio apartment @ Eccles with: Cable, internet, A/C, etc – Tel:233-2770
Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 679-7139
Furnished short term/houses to rent – 687-3017; business place Carmichael St.
Do you need someone to take care of the sick or elderly - Call:691-8699 or 266-3408
TO LET One- 3 bedroom upper flat apartment @ Industry, E.C.D - Call:613-4057
Wedding dresses – Tel:6893910
HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL:694-9843/227-2766
Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/ 226-3693dollysautorental@yahoo.com/ www.dollysautorental.com
Chefs, cooks, waitress, bartenders, cashiers - Apply in writing: 89 Robb & Oronque Sts; stlago7@ yahoo.com 1 Maid - must be good in Indian cooking & experienced in housekeeping - Call: 2235451/ 227-4799
SERVICES Professional and affordable landscaping and tree trimming services. Budram’s Landscaping ServicesCall:656-1326/678-0058
Businessman in Trinidad seeks Guyanese woman for friendship & marriage between ages 30-40; email:ramphal mahadeo@ live.com – Tel:0011-868-7243155; 0011-868-4681075
EDUCATIONAL CXC/CAPE classes for students and adults. Highly qualified teachers & CXC examiners - Call: 683-3887 Institute Academic Supremacy; East Street, 4 building before Balwant Singh Hospital – Forms 1-5, CXC, adults/classes – Call:226-8468, 690-5008 Nehemiah Comprehensive School; evening classes: Integrated Science, Human and Social Biology - Call:2260847 for more details. Christmas Computer Courses Deal: 9 courses (Diploma in Technology) $30,000. Micrographics Technology, Vreed-En-Hoop – Tel:264-3057 Now open! Christmas Shopping just got easier. Shop online, cheap shipping. Cybertron Vreed-En-Hoop Tel:264-3057
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Primo Late PNN Series – Tel:624-6471; 2254741
MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call:678-7499
Page 62
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
Pakistan slams US for killing Taliban leader ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Pakistani government Saturday accused the U.S. of sabotaging peace talks with domestic Taliban fighters by killing their leader in a drone strike, as the militants began the process of choosing a successor. The rise in tension, even though the U.S. took out Pakistan’s No. 1 enemy, shows just how complicated the relationship between the professed allies can be. The two repeatedly have clashed over issues such as drone strikes and Pakistan’s alleged support for militants fighting U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban leader slain Friday, Hakimullah Mehsud, was a ruthless figure known for a deadly attack on a CIA base in Afghanistan and a bloody campaign that killed thousands of Pakistani civilians and security personnel. The Pakistani army has launched numerous operations in the country’s northwest in a failed attempt to subdue the group, which aims to topple Pakistan’s democratic system and
impose a harsh version of Islamic law. It also seeks an end to the country’s unpopular alliance with the U.S. Pakistan’s government, which took office in June, has pushed peace talks with the Taliban as the best way to end the conflict, although many people are skeptical a deal is possible. The drone strike that killed Mehsud in the North Waziristan tribal area came a day before the government was to send a three-member delegation of clerics to the region with a formal invitation to start peace talks, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said. It never ended up going. Khan called the drone attack “murder” to the peace effort, but hoped the process could continue. He said he warned the U.S. ambassador previously that American drone strikes should not be carried out while Pakistan was trying to hold peace talks and no Taliban leader should be targeted. The government later summoned the U.S. ambassador to complain. When asked whether he thought the U.S. was trying
to deliberately scuttle the peace process, the minister responded: “Absolutely.” “The efforts have been ambushed,” the minister said. He did not say what he felt the U.S. stood to gain but questioned: “Why do they want us to be insecure?” Another prominent political leader, Imran Khan, whose party controls the government in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, threatened to block trucks carrying supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan over the strike. He said he would push the provincial assembly to adopt a resolution to block the supplies and would do the same nationally. “Dialogue has been broken with this drone attack,” Imran Khan said. The interior minister said as soon as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returns from abroad, a national security meeting will be convened to discuss U.S.Pakistan relations and cooperation. He would not specifically address the threatened supply lines closure. Azam Tariq, the Pakistani Taliban spokesman in the South Waziristan tribal area, provided the first official confirmation of Mehsud’s death yesterday. “We are proud of the martyrdom of Hakimullah Mehsud,” Tariq told The Associated Press by telephone. “We will continue our activities.”
In this file image taken on Nov. 26, 2008, Hakimullah Meshud, then the deputy Pakistani Taliban leader, is flanked. AP Photo
Mehsud and the other four militants killed in the strike were buried yesterday at an undisclosed location, Taliban commanders said. Drones still flew over the area, and witnesses in the towns of Mir Ali and Miran Shah reported that Mehsud’s supporters fired at them in anger. The Taliban’s Shura Council, a group of commanders representing the group’s various wings, met Saturday to choose Mehsud’s successor, Tariq said. The Shura will meet for a few days before making a decision. The two main candidates to succeed Mehsud are Khan
Sayed, the Pakistani Taliban leader in the South Waziristan tribal area, and Mullah Fazlullah, the chief in the northwest Swat Valley, Pakistani intelligence officials and Taliban commanders said. Omar Khalid Khurasani, who heads the group’s wing in the Mohmand tribal area, is also in the running, militant commanders said. He was not believed to be a strong candidate. Several Taliban commanders reported that a majority of Shura members voted for Sayed, but they were still waiting for commanders from remote areas to arrive.
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Obamacare woes frustrating Democrats’ 2014 prospects (Reuters) - The chaotic launch of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law has Democrats in Congress increasingly anxious about its potential impact on them in the 2014 elections and scrambling to protect themselves if the program’s problems persist. Particularly nervous is a group of 16 Senate Democrats who are defending their seats next year, as Republicans will seek a net gain of six seats to try to take over the 100-seat chamber. Some of the Democrats, such as New Hampshire’s Jeanne Shaheen, represent states where enthusiasm has been high for the Affordable Care Act. Among other things, the law aims to provide inexpensive health insurance to many of the estimated 15 million Americans with little or no coverage. Others, such as Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, represent conservative states where skepticism has been fueled by Republican attack ads discouraging participation. The balky website, HealthCare.gov, has been unable to process an untold number of applications for insurance since its debut on October 1, and the frustration both types of Democrats have had with it was evident on Thursday. White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough was summoned to the Capitol for a closed-door meeting with all Senate Democrats and peppered with “tough and pointed” questions about the program, one Senate Democratic leadership aide said. The senators told McDonough that they wanted to see more progress in getting the site working efficiently, and that the administration had to do a better job of communicating its successes and failures in implementing the biggest legislative achievement of Obama’s presidency. Telephone calls and letters from disappointed constituents began pouring into Shaheen’s offices almost immediately after enrollment in Obamacare began with a thud last month, when it immediately became clear that navigating HealthCare.gov was vexed. Administration officials have said most of the site’s problems will be fixed by November 30. Even so, Shaheen
gathered nine other Democratic senators to encourage the White House to extend the initial enrollment period beyond March 31. “The rollout of the new law was a disaster. The administration had three years to prepare,” Shaheen told Reuters. “They clearly dropped the ball.” The senator is feeling pressure from voters partly because she was a vocal advocate of the healthcare law, which could help about 130,000 uninsured people in her tiny state, as well as many others who have insurance that does not cover preexisting health conditions or that has significant limits on benefits. Shaheen is widely seen as having a strong chance of winning a second six-year term next year. But several other Senate Democrats running for reelection, including Pryor and Landrieu, are likely to face tough challenges from conservative Republicans. Obamacare’s stumbles are a particular problem for them as they defend a landmark law they helped write and still believe in. Several Democrats have offered proposals that could be rushed onto the Senate floor if computer wizards cannot make the healthcare site more functional within the next month - and if a controversy does not die down over revelations that some people will lose health insurance plans they like, despite Obama’s earlier assurances to the contrary. Landrieu said Wednesday that she was crafting a bill to allow anyone who is satisfied with their current insurance to retain it. Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat who is not up for reelection next year but whose state is increasingly trending Republican, has called for a one-year delay in requiring individuals to sign up for health insurance, echoing arguments made by many Republican lawmakers. Of the 10 Senate Democrats urging an extension of the March 31 deadline for people to sign up or face a penalty, seven, including Shaheen, face reelection next year. “The fundamental reason for doing the Affordable Care Act continues to exist,” Shaheen said. “Prices for health insurance were going up at a rate that was increasingly unaffordable. Too many were not able to get
health insurance.” But the snafus have raised her and other Democrats’ political antennae. If “getting too far out on a limb” for Obamacare started to feel risky and the limb began to crack, said Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire, Shaheen is “going to get closer to the trunk of the tree. “That’s what we’re seeing” in the proposal to extend the Obamacare enrollment deadline, Scala said. While looking out for her constituency, “I think she’s trying to limit her personal downside,” too. The frustration among Democrats is also evident in the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives. They are not likely to win enough votes to take over the 435-seat chamber, where the Republican majority has voted more than 40 times to repeal Obamacare, claiming it will destroy jobs and raise medical costs. Some Democrats describe feeling let down by the administrative shortcomings. D e m o c r a t i c Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland told Reuters that he offered some firm advice to Obama during a recent meeting. “I think what the president has to do (is) ... own the problem,” Cummings said. “Then he’s got to say, stepby-step, exactly how it’s being fixed and what kind of progress is being made.” For now, the Democrats are mostly stuck in a waitand-see mode, hoping the administration meets its selfimposed November 30 deadline for eliminating the website’s glitches. “If the Obama administration fixes it and people start signing up, then we’re in a good spot,” said a Senate Democratic aide, “and you won’t see much of a liability” from the messy rollout. If they don’t, “then we’re going to have trouble” heading into the 2014 elections. Democratic lawmakers have indicated it is increasingly urgent that people in their states begin to see benefits from Obamacare soon, or else the situation will feed critics’ claims that the program is a failure. Pryor is the only remaining Democrat in the congressional delegation representing Arkansas, where Obama was trounced by Republican Mitt Romney in the presidential election last
year. During an interview with Reuters, he said misperceptions about Obamacare dominate many of his conversations with constituents. Some people didn’t like it, but “others who have looked at the (costs) ... are actually pleased.” He said some voters have been led to believe that the government itself is selling insurance, rather than arranging for the sale of coverage from private carriers, with government subsidies reducing costs for those with lower incomes. By the November 2014 elections, people will have had about a year ’s worth of experience with Obamacare, Pryor said. He cited private studies projecting that the law will help rural hospitals and the overall economy in Arkansas. Republicans see an opposite scenario, one they say will boost their election chances next year. The National Republican Congressional Committee, which strives to elect
Barack Obama Republicans to the House of Representatives, is targeting seven seats held by Democrats who represent districts that have voted for Republicans in the last three presidential elections.
Several of those Democrats proudly voted for the healthcare act, said spokeswoman Andrea Bozek. “Now it’s time for them to be accountable for the failures of this law.”
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Sunday November 03, 2013
Europe’s spies work together on mass surveillance: Guardian
Edward Snowden
LONDON (Reuters) Spy agencies across Western Europe are working together on mass surveillance of Internet and phone traffic comparable to programs run by their U.S. counterpart denounced by European governments, Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported yesterday. Citing documents leaked by fugitive former U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden, the Guardian said methods included tapping into fiber optic cables and working covertly with private telecommunications companies. The Guardian named Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands as countries where intelligence agencies had been developing such methods in cooperation with counterparts including Britain’s surveillance agency GCHQ. The report is potentially embarrassing for governments, especially in Germany and France which have been the most vocal in protesting about U.S. mass surveillance of European communication networks revealed by Snowden since June. Germany, jointly with Brazil, circulated a draft resolution to a U.N. General
Assembly committee on Friday that called for an end to excessive electronic surveillance, data collection and other gross invasions of privacy. There has been particular anger in Germany, a close ally of the United States, over the revelation that the NSA monitored the mobile phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel. Snowden has written an open letter to Merkel and other German authorities to say he is counting on international support to stop Washington’s “persecution” of him. Germany’s BND federal intelligence service said there had been considerations in 2008 about merging German security services’ surveillance of telecommunications, which would have required changes to telecommunication and security laws. It said it had exchanged experiences with the British services on this in 2008 but these discussions had focused on technical rather than legal issues. The BND added that it regularly held such exchanges on technical developments with other European services. “It is incorrect that Germany’s BND federal intelligence service tried to circumvent legal restrictions to be able to implement British acquisition technology. On this point too the BND complied with the law,” a BND spokesman said. The Guardian said GCHQ files leaked by Snowden showed the British agency taking credit for advising European counterparts on how to get around domestic laws intended to restrict their surveillance powers. Citing a 2008 GCHQ
country-by-country report, the Guardian said the British spies were particularly impressed with Germany’s BND agency, which they said had “huge technological potential and good access to the heart of the Internet”. “We have been assisting the BND ... in making the case for reform or reinterpretation of the very restrictive interception legislation in Germany,” the GCHQ document said, according to the Guardian. The GCHQ had also praised France’s DGSE agency and in particular its close ties with an unnamed telecommunications company, a relationship from which GCHQ hoped to benefit. “We have made contact with the DGSE’s main industry partner, who has some innovative approaches to some Internet challenges, raising the potential for GCHQ to make use of this company in the protocol development arena,” the report said. There was similar analysis of the intelligence agencies in Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands, with Spain’s CNI praised for its ties with an unnamed British telecommunications firm and Sweden’s FRA congratulated over a law passed in 2008 that widened surveillance powers. Asked about the Guardian’s report, Sweden’s National Defense Radio Establishment (FRA) said it was natural that it had contacts with similar organizations in other countries. FRA spokesman Fredrik Wallin said cooperation with foreign intelligence services could include exchanges of intelligence reports. He declined to comment on specific countries but said all activities were strictly controlled by Swedish law. “There is a clear legal framework which determines how we cooperate with other countries,” he said.
Sunday November 03, 2013
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UNC slams PNM threat to stop ads Trinidad Guardian - The Opposition People’s National Movement’s (PNM) threats to media houses to halt the controversial “split vote” advertisements are an ominous red flag that media freedoms and the right to individual freedom of expression were under threat from the Keith Rowley-led PNM, Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj said Friday. He was speaking after handing over flood compensation cheques to farmers at Aranguez, San Juan. He presented 310 cheques, worth $2.8 million. Maharaj was commenting on legal action which PNM leader Keith Rowley’s attorneys threatened against media houses this week over the satirical ads. His lawyers, Alexander, Jeremie and Company, demanded that media houses should stop publishing and broadcasting the ads which appeared on television and in all three daily newspapers in the build-up to Monday’s St
Joseph by-election. They purported to be a thank-you letter from the PNM leader to Independent Liberal Party (ILP) leader Jack Warner on the recent local government elections and prompted a fierce reaction from both the PNM and ILP. Yesterday, however, Maharaj said: “The PNM’s move on media houses also clearly shows that press freedom and the right to individual freedoms of expression will be under threat with any possible Rowley-led PNM administration and that is supported by the fact that the PNM has a solid record of suppressing the media. So one doesn’t have to look too far to see how this could arise in this latest PNM.” Maharaj said former PNM Prime Minister Patrick Manning had “left a barber salon in South”
and drove to the Power 102FM radio station to take issue with comments made on the station. “Rowley was part of the Cabinet and said nothing then,” he added. He said: “When the PNM denied the Maha Sabha from getting a radio licence, when they burned the Guardian in Woodford Square and called the Guardian names, when they brought Newsday’s Andre Bagoo before the Privileges Committee of Parliament and also Express’ Sasha Mohammed. “This beef with the media is in the PNM’s political DNA. They have always tried to manipulate the media and they can’t wash it away with the rebranding of Rowley.” Saying the PNM’s move against media houses was a sign of fear and desperation over Monday’s
by-election, Maharaj added: “That ad they are upset about, I think, epitomises freedom of expression and freedom of the press, which is enshrined in T&T’s Constitution. “Among our art forms, we have many people who create things of a similar nature. “But for political purposes on the occasion of this by-election, the PNM is clearly willing to sacrifice press freedom and democracy as the media is considered the watchdog of democracy. “Also, one of the hallmarks of T&T society is satire, innuendoes, double entendres and similar other forms, especially in calypso and the Pichakaree competitions. Can the calypsonians and Pichakaree singers expect similar preaction protocol letters from the PNM?”
Maharaj added: “The PNM’s move in this issue is a very ominous, very significant sign for press/ media freedom, given that the PNM has said it is an alternative government in waiting and the society needs to take a close look at this red flag development.” He noted that media advertising was a revenue stream to pay media workers’ salaries. “But the PNM’s action in this regard
is suppressing economic activity in this area,” he said. “You may not agree with someone’s opinion but in our democracy you will defend their right to express it and this is the core issue in this matter. “But the PNM seems very unwilling to see this and more willing to sacrifice our democratically enshrined rights and freedoms to their own selfish political shortterm purposes,” he added.
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Sunday November 03, 2013
Venezuela’s government ‘Blatant corruption seizes US-owned oil rigs on the Govt.’s part’ CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela has quietly seized control of two oil rigs owned by a unit of Houstonbased Superior Energy Services after the company shut them down because the state oil monopoly was months behind on payments. The seizure took place Thursday after a judge in the state of Anzoategui, accompanied by four members of the local police
and national guard, entered a Superior depot and ordered it to hand over control of two specialized rigs to an affiliate of PDVSA, the state-owned oil producer. PDVSA justified the equipment’s expropriation, calling it essential to the South American nation’s development and welfare, according to a court order obtained by The Associated Press. Company workers were instructed to load the rigs, known as snubbing units and used to repair damaged casing, onto trucks to be deployed at “critical wells” elsewhere, according to the document. “It was like a thief breaking into your house, asking for the keys to the safe and then expecting you to help carry it away,” Jesus Centeno, local operations manager for Superior in the
city of Anaco, said by phone. “Their argument was that we were practically sabotaging national production.” While the late President Hugo Chavez liked to grandstand on national television, ordering troops to seize everything from supermarkets to foreignowned oil companies, his hand-picked successor, Nicolas Maduro, has avoided any additional expropriations six months into his rule. Instead, even while attacking the country’s business elite for allegedly hoarding toilet paper and other basic goods as part of an “economic war,” he’s insisted Venezuela is open for investment and is seeking to boost production of oil that accounts for 95 percent of exports. Neither Maduro nor any government official has publicly commented on the seizure of the U.S.-owned rigs.
Trinidad Express - Former House Speaker Nizam Mohammed has charged that the United National Congress (UNC) by-election candidate Ian Alleyne’s use of State resources in some 25 projects in his election campaign was illegal and must be investigated. Mohammed, an attorney and former head of the Police Service Commission (PSC), said the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Integrity Commission and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) should investigate the matter. Over the past few weeks, Alleyne has been moving around the St Joseph constituency and calling ministers to get State agencies to do a number of works, including constructing box drains and paving roads. Alleyne had said Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar had written her ministers and instructed them to ensure they support
Alleyne and his campaign manager, Environment Minister Ganga Singh, by giving them anything they wanted. Mohammed, in a telephone interview with the Express, said such an issue can lead to social upheavals. “I see it as both illegal and it is open corruption. I am surprised that the independent civic bodies are not taking a position on this issue. It is situations like these that create social upheavals and I am very worried about where such behaviour will end,” he said. “I am urging everyone to look at the Privy Council judgment in the case of Yasin Abu Bakr against the Attorney General (2009), in which the law lords clearly spelt out what actions can be corrupt and illegal as distinct from being legitimate, and the Attorney General may do well to study this judgment before he makes further pronouncements on a situation that can only be described as worrisome,” said Mohammed. Mohammed was referring to the matter between Bakr and the State which was taken to the Privy Council over a piece of land which the Jamaat claimed was promised to it by former prime minister Patrick Manning. Mohammed referred to part of the judgment, which states, “The essence of the
Nizam Mohammed agreement between the Prime Minister and Mr Abu Bakr on behalf of [the] Jamaat was that certain advantages would be given to the Jamaat out of State property, in return for securing voting support for the Prime Minister’s political party. “In the opinion of the board this was corrupt within the meaning and intendment of Section 3 and each party to the agreement was acting in contravention of the section. It is quite apparent that it was quite different in kind from the ‘pork-barrel’ arrangement, whereby governments take actions which are proper exercises of power, but which may favour certain areas or classes of people, in the hope and expectation of electoral support. The latter may, depending on the facts, be justifiable as a legitimate public purpose. But the whole purpose of this agreement was to obtain electoral advantage for one political party, the PNM, by means of using State property, and as such it was clearly illegal.”
Sunday November 03, 2013
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Regional experts say CCJ ruling is a turning point for the integration movement BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Almost a month after the Trinidadbased Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that Barbados had breached the rights of a Jamaican national when she sought entry into the country in 2011, regional stakeholders say the judgement represents a turning point for the regional integration movement. The CCJ was established in 2001 to replace the Londonbased Privy Council as the region’s final court, but while many Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are signatories to its original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Guyana and Belize are signatories to the appellate jurisdiction of the court that also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the integration movement. At a panel discussion at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the west Indies earlier this week, panellists examined the implications of the CCJ ruling in the Shanique Myrie case in which Barbados was also ordered to pay BDS$75,000 (One BDS dollar = US$050 cents) in compensation. Myrie, who had been granted leave by the CCJ to file the action, alleged that when she travelled to Barbados on March 14, 2011 she was discriminated against because of her nationality, subjected to a body cavity search, detained overnight in a cell and deported to Jamaica the following day. Myrie also claimed that she was subjected to derogatory remarks by a Barbadian immigration officer and asked the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment applicable to CARICOM
citizens moving around the region. Barbados Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite said that while the introduction of free movement within CARICOM though noble, it was not properly thought out. Highlighting Barbados’s concerns, he said there were not enough structures in place to ensure free movement work and if the region doesn’t get it right, there will be chaos. “We’re faced with a situation where we are concerned about whether or not we have the capacity not only to provide housing for all of our people but for those of us, those people from the region who we would love to come to live with us. “But we can’t invite people to come and live with us and then we have six and eight people living in a room, sharing one bathroom etc, [these] kind of stories you hear from time to time. “We have the whole issue of education. We, to the best of my knowledge are about three secondary schools behind where we would like to be and probably three or four junior schools from where we would like to be. If we want to invite our brothers and sisters we want to ensure that they also have access to education,” he said. Brathwaite insisted there’s nothing earth shattering about the Myrie judgement and that Bridgetown has already made moves to re-train its border personnel in keeping with the CCJ ruling. But he stressed that all member states must follow suit to make free movement a reality. “What we were doing is that we were granting three months initial and then if you want an extension come back and give us a chance so we can get an idea in terms of
what you are doing, what you are up to and if you needed the additional three months then they will give you the additional three months. “All it means now from a particular perspective is that you want the six months and rather than having the mechanism where you need to come back to us, if we think there are issues we will go to you. It means that we will have to have some additional bodies on the ground immigration wise but that’s what happens in most countries. “So that’s why I said it is really not a major issue. What might be the major issue would be the fact that we really have to change psyche of many immigration officers across the region. I have been in St Kitts going into Nevis and been asked how come I am going into Nevis so often? I have been asked that. So it is not a case where it only happens in Barbados,” he added. But Dean at the UWI Faculty of Law, Dr David Berry believes it is important Caribbean people are educated about their rights under the Treaty of Chaguaramas. He said the treaty does not in fact grant freedom of movement. “It grants freedom of movement in Article 46 to
CARICOM Skilled Nationals, certain categories of persons. So what the revised treaty does have is another provision which says towards the goal of free movement we will try to do these things. “So Article 45 talks about a goal of free movement and Article 46 is of one instance of free movement. So the revised treaty itself, and this was argued before the court, does not give a full blown right of freedom of movement.” He said the regional leaders at their conference in 2007 created in a sense a right of free movement. “They created an automatic right to enter and stay for six months subject to sufficiency of funds...you will not become a burden on the public purse and that you are not undesirable. So those are the two criteria.” But Dr Tennyson Joseph, the head of the Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work at the university said the Myrie ruling has forced the region to rethink the concept of sovereignty. He said the region’s current economic troubles have also led some governments to look inward, moving away from the vision of deeper integration
articulated by the framers of the “Time for Action” report who laid the foundation for strengthening of CARICOM and the integration movement. “Whether or not the rational that they identified which forced them to ask for a revised treaty, has either deepened or diminished. I would say that the challenges are greater. But because the challenges are greater one of the tendencies is for us to become regionalist instead of xenophobic. “Instead of redefining sovereignty towards more regional framework, we turn inwards. Hitler faced a similar issue in his time in the first World War period, where he was facing an economic crisis and you know which choice that he took.
Adriel Brathwaite “Sovereignty is malleable, that the nation of citizenship is malleable. Globalisation has raised new questions about what is a citizen. What is a state and what sovereignty,” Joseph added.
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Sunday November 03, 2013
The Abigail Column Pregnancy gives clearer perspective on relationship DEARABIGAIL, I have been divorced from “Brian” for more than a year and separated for almost two. I am currently expecting his baby. Obviously, we were still sleeping together, but this pregnancy was a total accident. I’ve always wanted a child, and this should be a happy time for me, but I am miserable. I’ve tried many times to get back together with Brian, and until recently,
we actually “dated” off and on. The divorce was his idea, and he’s the one who initiated the possibility of getting back together. I always went along because I thought I loved him and would never get over him. The problem is, now that we are bringing a child into the mix, I’ve realised after much soul searching that I don’t love him anymore. Brian still treats me with the same amount of disrespect and hostility he always has. I put up with it out of low self-esteem and a fear of being
alone. Should I end things between us and raise the child on my own? Pregnant Dear Pregnant, Pregnancy seems to have given you a much-needed backbone and a clearer perspective on what behaviour to model for your child. If Brian treats you terribly and getting back together depresses you, please don’t do it. He is legally obligated to provide financial support for the baby whether you reconcile or not.
Sunday November 03, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): There’s a definite purpose behind today’s events and you’re determined to reach a certain goal. Morning trends make it appear as if you will do so too. ********************************* TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): A disagreement with your partner or a close friend preys on your mind. On top of this, your doubts about the feasibility of a new career scheme chips away at a current working relationship. ********************************* GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Some matters need your urgent attention and no matter how you might feel, your conscience will not let you ignore them. However, the less complicated these tasks are, the better. ********************************* CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): As long as you don’t mind an audience, you might enjoy the chance, today, to show off a special talent. The more confident you are about this ability, the less aware you will be of any spectators. ********************************* LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): In your keenness to finish certain job-related or domestic chores you might be tempted to cut a few corners. This could, however, lead to shoddy workmanship and you will only regret it later. ********************************* VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): A recent dispute with a friend or colleague will soon be water under the bridge. A clever idea you come up with this morning will help resolve the issue to everyone’s satisfaction. LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT
22): Morning trends hold little challenge and this makes you somewhat restless. Watch your spending and think twice before splashing out on an expensive treat for yourself or someone you care for. ********************************* SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): If you have any choice about it, opt for those affairs and matters that keep you close to home. Travel delays or mechanical breakdowns could make even short-distance travel frustrating. ********************************* SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): No matter where you go or what you might be doing, you can expect a friendly welcome. In areas where you are having difficulty, someone else will have the knowledge or talents to help you out. ********************************* CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): A happy social scene leads to some interesting new experiences and social get-togethers help you make valuable future contacts. ********************************* AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): An efficient approach to your work and other responsibilities will earn you a pat on the back from someone who matters. Don’t take your high energy levels for granted as you may not be feeling as enthusiastic later in the day. ********************************* PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Yo u c o u l d g e t s o heavily involved in a team project that the people you are working with become too dependent on you for your help and support.
NCN CHANNEL 11 05:00 _ Inspiration 05:30 _ Newtown Gospel 06:00 - NCN Late Edition (r/b) 06:30 _ BBC 07:00 _ Voice of Victory 07:30 _ Voice of Islam 08:00 _ Lifting Guyana to Greatness 08:30 _ President’s Diary 09:00 _ Bollywood 60 Mins 10:00 _ Homestretch Magazine 10:30 _ Weekly Digest 11:00 _ Tomorrow’s World 11:30 _ Diwali Service -Rama Krishna Mandir 12:30 _ Between the Lines 13:00 _ Dharma Vani 14:00 _ Catholic Magazine 14:30 _ The Naked Truth 15:00 _Motorcade & Cultural Programme - LBI 16:00 _ Family Forum 16:30 _ Shape 17:00 _ Farmers Connection 18:00 _ NCN Week in Review 18:30 _ Guysuco Round up 19:00 - Round Ta ble 20:00 _ Kala Milan 20:30 _ Diwali Special 21:00 _ African Moves 22:00 _ Movie
DTV CHANEL 8 09:25 hrs. Sign On 09:30 hrs. Touching Lives 10:00 hrs. Crash & Bernstein 11:00 hrs. Movie: Encounter with Danger 13:00 hrs. Movie: The Cradle Will Fall 15:30 hrs. Movie: Look Again 17:00 hrs. Family Feud
18:00 hrs. Catholic Magazine (Faith in Action) 18:30 hrs. Know Your Bible 19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 21:00 hrs. Once Upon a Time (New Episode) 22:00 hrs. The Amazing Race 23:00 hrs. The Good Wife (New Episode) 00:00 hrs. Sign Off
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
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“West Indies v India – History tells us that West Indies must mind the hype!” Present West Indies captain Darren Sammy and former captain, now team manager Richie Richardson, are correct in assessments and requirements from their team for this short two-Test series against India. Despite the occasion, West Indies must be fully aware of its purpose and not get caught up in the engulfing hoopla of massive celebrations and events. Of course West Indies’ squad should be pleased and honored to be part of this unique occasion - unofficial, tailor-made send off into retirement of one of the last great masters of Test and One-Day cricket, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, who will play his 200th Test. Few players with long tenures in Test and ODI cricket, including Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and other teams’ players like South Africa’s Graeme Smith, remain. But, allowing for the euphoria of nearly one and a half billion people celebrating should not distract West Indies from its purpose in this series, or they could all live to regret the results. It will not be easy, as India has winds in its sails, and having played longer games recently, against Australia, with great confidence and good form, India will want to send its great champion into retirement in the best way
Colin E. H. Croft says: Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Sachin Tendulkar
Graeme Smith
Chris Gayle
possible; playing his 200th Test on a winning team. West Indies, despite not having much long form competitive cricket in its recent past - they should be fresh - must give a good account of itself, trying hard to win both games, taking the puff completely out of India. If that does not happen, there could be great embarrassments and headaches much later! Fortunately for West Indies, Sammy and Richardson are extremely well grounded people and sportsmen, each, in a strange co-incidence, having come to his own cricketing prominence relatively similarly, as neither was, initially, thought of as a West Indies captain in his own right when then appointed. There was much noise when Richie was given captaincy, after (Sir) Vivian Richards had left, since Desmond Haynes was suggested to have been the anointed one. Many, when Sammy was
made captain, thought that he could not even have made the team on pure merit, much less be leader of that said team. Those situations are now water under the bridge! Richardson persevered well, despite severe internal team acrimony, while Sammy has matured, in stature and cricket terms, to be a good contributor and leader. But West Indies should be aware of its long history where especially India are concerned. It would be sensible to think that Richie and Darren would have reminded their team that India had severely embarrassed and upset West Indies in the past, even if it is distant history. In 1971, India, eternal underdogs then, beat West Indies for the first time in a Test series in the Caribbean, a series which also brought to prominence that other Indian “Little Master” – Sunil Gavaskar. Everlasting calypsos and legends were born in that series!
To this day, West Indians who participated in that series have massive regrets, excuses, laments, even heart tremors, whenever that 1971 series loss to India is mentioned in conversations. Probably much more significant to younger folks, for this was only 30 years ago, and also always remembered, eye-opening even, a watershed in India’s cricketing history, was the game of a lifetime, on either side of the divide, but especially for India; winning ICC World Cup 1983. Like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor - December 07, 1941 - to bring USA into World War II, then USA President Franklyn D. Roosevelt suggesting that that was a “Day in infamy”, so too was 25 June 1983 a similar day, one that brought infamy, for West Indies, or
fame, for India, depending on your perspective. Remember, West Indies had won both inaugural stanzas of that competition 1975 and 1979 - and were overwhelming favorites to make it a “three-peat”, winning three such competitions in a row. Also, in 1983, India was not considered a good oneday cricket nation, as it has become in 1990’s and especially 2000’s. Back then, India was simply thought of as fodder for teams like West Indies! It was even a surprise that India had made that final at all in 1983! When West Indies dismissed India for only 183 in that fatal game, West Indians everywhere, including at Lords, outside and inside the dressing rooms, started premature
JKA/WF Guyana 2013 karate ... From page 70 Boys 14-15 years orangegreen belts Kata 1st Menelik Sellasie 2nd Shane Nurse 3rd Brandon Samaroo Boys 14-15 years orangegreen belts Kumite 1st Menelik Sellasie 2nd Nicholas Brusche 3rd Shane Nurse Boys & Girls 14-15 years brown-black belts Kata 1st Alex Rodrigues 2nd Simon Bactawar 3rd Storm Katchay Boys & Girls 14-15 years brown-black belts Kumite 1st Storm Katchay 2nd Alex Rodrigues 3rd Simon Bactawar Male 16-17 years brownblack belts Kata 1st Shaqueel Amin 19.2 points 2nd Randolph Singh18.9 points 3rd Andy Sam-Reddy18.7 points Male 16-17 years brownblack belts Kumite
1st Shaqueel Amin 2nd Andy Sam-Reddy 3rd Randolph Singh Female 18+ Kata 1st Kissandra Pitt 2nd Babita Sohan 3rd Oneika Ramsuchit Female 18+ Kumite 1st Kissandra Pitt 2nd Babita Sohan 3rd Oneika Sohan Male 18+ purple-brown belts Kata 1st Rudolph Dyal 2nd Ashab Bacchus 3rd Simeon Castello Male 18+ purple-brown belts Kumite 1st Rudolph Dyal 2nd Simeon Castello 3rd Ashab Bacchus Male 18+ black belts Kata 1st Marlon George21.9 points 2nd Shankar Singh21.7 points 3rd Shermon Best-21.3 points Junior open team Kata Contest 1st G/town -Kristian
Chaves, Kristalia Chaves, Reyad Yassin (18.9 points) 2nd G/town-Timothy Khan, Paulo Oliveira Reis, Jordon Denny (18.5 points) 3rd G/town-Simeon Todd, Camiel Melville, Cy Mc Ewan (18.3 points) Male & Female open Kata Contest 1st G/town-Shaqueel Amin, Randolph Singh, Storm Katchay (14.6, 14.6 points 2nd G/town-Marlon George, Shermon Best, Shankar Singh (14.6, 14.1 points) 3rd Port MourantAndy Sam-Reddy, Simon Bactawar, Yudesh Singh (14.4 points) Female open team Kata Contest 1st G/town-Jaydan Alleyne, Nyota Rodrigues, Loren Black (14.6 points) 2nd Canji-Emily Ramsuchit, Oneika Ramsuchit (14.2 points)
celebrations, with shouts of “West Indies - Champions, again! West Indies - ThreePeat!” What ensued immediately afterwards would have made rum and roti stick in supporters’ throats, as the might of West Indies was shocked into losing by 43 runs, Indian captain Kapil Dev turning the screws! Similarly, so many excuses have been offered by participating West Indian players after that debacle, a game, and time, rightfully described as the year that India stunned the world and everything changed! Yes, much has indeed changed since then. India, No. 3 in Test rankings, is still top of its game and influence, while West Indies, No. 6, is trying hard to regain prominence. What a great time and place to re-start for West Indies. Enjoy!
Berbice High remain unbeaten in Wilbur Hope Memorial Inter Schools Football tourney Berbice High School remained in contention for a semifinal berth when they edged past defending champion Tutorial Academy Secondary ( TA S S ) 1 - 0 a n d s t a y e d unbeaten in the Wilbur Hope Memorial Inter Secondary School football Competition being played among Schools in the New Amsterdam/Canje area. Wi t h b o t h s c h o o l s coming into the game with one win under their belt, the game began with both schools looking for the win to enhance their chances in reaching the semifinal stage. In the game which was played on Thursday at the All Saints Scott Church Ground, both schools created and squandering many chances in their efforts to go ahead. A defence error by TASS in the 28th minute
broke the ice to give BHS the 1-0 win. In the other game, Vryman’s Erven Secondary school (VESS) whipped Canje Secondary School 41. John Hikel led the way with a double in the 4th and 58th minutes, while Akeem Haynes 50th and Osafo Mc Donald 53th supported. Jamal Benjamin netted a consolation goal for CSS in the 53rd minute. The competition will continue on Tuesday and not Monday as was original scheduled with another double header when, BHS go up against BEI and NAMS play VESS. Wednesday will be the day for the final preliminary round of matches with TASS and SON contesting the first game followed by the matchup between CSS and NATI. The top four schools
will advance to the semifinals and subsequent final which is slated for Thursday 7th November. At the end of the preliminary rounds No1 will play No4 and No 2 and 3 will clash for a place in the final which will be preceded by the third place play off. The top four teams will be adequately rewarded with trophies, med als and other prizes, while the top individual players will also be presented with accolades. The competition is being sponsored by overseas based Guyanese and US Army soldier Kevin Henry and the Hope foundation and coordinated by Neil ‘Grizzly’ Humphrey and members of the Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
Preparations heighten for Roberts JKA/WF Guyana 2013 karate tournament a success Gym amateur boxing card in Berbice Preparations are in full swing for the recently formed Roberts Champion Boxing Gym (RCBG) first ever Amateur boxing competition to be staged in the Ancient County of Berbice. The gym, which was formed by former national boxing champion Jeff Roberts, has organised a 12 bout card slated for next Saturday 9th of November at the Matthew Allen (Stelling Road) in New Amsterdam Berbice. It is expected to be a night of fistic fury and Berbicians are expected to come out in their numbers to witness the event as a number of top Amateur boxers from Georgetown and Berbice pit their skills in the night’s encounter dubbed ‘Berbice verses Georgetown.’ Box off time is 18:00 hrs. Apart from boxers of the RCBG and the Rose Hall Jammers boxing gym of Corentyne the night’s action is also expected to feature fighters from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Harpy Eagle (HE) and Forgotten Youth Foundation. Among those expected to highlight the 12 bouts card are the three boxers that represented Guyana at the recently concluded inaugural Junior South
American Games in Peru; Flyweight Michael April (52kg), Junior Middleweight Travis Fraser(69kg) and Bantamweight Joel Williamson (56kg) all fighting under the banner of the RCBG. Among other top notch boxers expected to show case their skill are Jamal Eastman, Tyrone Lashley, Keon Williams and Albert Thomas. Coach of the gym and organiser of the event, Jeff Roberts, who is a former national amateur and professional multi weight boxing champion, stated that preparations are moving smoothly and his charges are ready to represent their turf. Roberts is on a mission to take the sport back to the heights it once reached in years gone by. The RCBG has over 20 young boxers who are all aiming to make it big and are eager to showcase their skills. The training base is the People National Congress (PNC) building at Strand and St Magdalene Street in New Amsterdam. According to coordinator Roberts, he is hoping to make it an annual affair while seeking to promote other cards as often as possible at different locations so as to
keep the boxers active and interested. He said that he will gage his next activity at the conclusion of this card. Roberts also stated that the event is being promoted to help in promoting the sport in Berbice. He said that “If we don’t keep activity for these boxers then, we run the risk of them losing some of what they are being taught.” Meanwhile, Roberts is still appealing to the business community to come forward and help to make the encounter a success. He noted that Berbicians have always staked a claim in the boxing arena. He mentioned such names as Al Thomas, who holds the distinction of sparring a few rounds with the legendary Mohammed Ali when he visited Guyana years ago, Howard ‘the Battersea Bomber’ Eastman who fought three times for the world title, himself, Robin ‘The Albion Prince’ Lall and the late Ramesh Best, among some of those who would have performed with some distinction. Among those expected to be at ring side are Regional Chairman David Armogan, Mayor Claude Henry and former Mayor and boxing buff Errol Alphonso. (Samuel Whyte)
Digicel\National Schools Table Tennis C\Ships 2013
Mae’s A, Bishop’s in Novice Semis, Marian, Mae’s A in U-13 final four
The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall had a colourful look yesterday when the Digicel\National Schools Ta b l e Te n n i s c h a m p i o n s h i p s continued with over 150 students from schools across Guyana battling for supremacy. Mae’s A and Bishops High have booked their places in the semifinals after recording convincing victories in the quarter final games in the Novice division, while Marian Academy and Mae’s A also secured their semifinal spots in the U-13 segment. M a e ’s A t r o u n c e d Marian Academy 3-0 and Ash Educational Institute 3-0 to top group 1, Marian Academy beat Ash Educational Institute 3-0 to take second place. Bishops High defeated St . R o s e s H i g h B , A s h Educational Institute and Business School 3-0 each to take the honours in group 3. St. Roses High B placed second
with 3-0 wins over Ash Educational Institute and Business School, w h i l e A s h E d u c a t i onal Institute finished third with a 3-1 victory over Business school who ended in the cellar position. St. Roses A top group 2 with 3-0 wins over Central High, Ash Educational Institute B and Business School B. Ash Educational Institute beat Central High 3-1 and Business School B 3-0 to claim second spot. Central High ended in third spot after a 3-0 win over Business School B. In the Under 13 division Marian Academy took the honours in group 1 A after o v e r c o m i n g B i s h o p ’s High and Central High 30, Bishop’s ended in the cellar position after going down to Central High 3-2. M a e ’s A t o p p e d group 2 with 3-0 victories over Marian Academy B and Ash Educational Institute. Marian Academy p l a c e d second with a 3-
0 over Ash Educational Institute. Queens College hammered Mae’s B 3-0 and St. Stanislaus 3-0 to take top place in group 3, while Mae’s B beat St. Stanislaus 3-0 to finished second. North Georgetown Primary are favoured to win the U-11 title after registering a 3-0 win over M a e ’s B a n d R a m a Krishna 3-2 in the round robin play off on Friday. North Georgetown will battle Mae’s A in their final game. Bishops High led by Chelsea Edghill and Jamaal Duff overcame Jacome Mitchell and Kevin Anderson of Central High 3-0 in the U-18 division. Queens Col l e g e A b e a t We s t D e m e r a r a 3 - 0 , M a e ’s A d e f e a t e d A s h Educational Institute 30, St. Joseph got he better of Ash Educational Institute A 3-0. The championships continue today.
Awardees pose with their trophies, from left, Neville Holder, Reyad Yassin, Loren Black, Kristian Chaves & Shaquillle Amin. Scores of parents and supporters turned out to witness this year’s Japan Karate Association/World Federation Guyana national karate tournament held last Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown and was pleased with the competitiveness, conduct, standard, performance and camaraderie displayed by the participants and other members. The tournament commenced with opening remarks by Managing Director of Cerulean Incorporated Mrs. Lyndell Danzie-Black, who bid a warm welcome to everyone whilst briefly highlighting the facets of Shotokan karate, introduced the judges and officials and wished those competing to do their best. The tournament consisted of students from Main HQ Dojo Thomas Lands, Craig EBD, Port Mourant and Canje Berbice Dojo’s, all competing for the top places. The tournament commenced with a Kata demonstration and an “edge of your seat” suspenseful karate display by the black belts that resulted in a wave of loud applause across the Sports Hall to get things going. Four (4) trophies were awarded to the outstanding competitors of the tournament, these were as follows: Best Male Competitor Shaqueel Amin Best Female Competitor Loren Black Best Junior Competitor Reyad Yassin Best Junior Competitor Runner up-Kristian Chaves Top honors went to Neville Holder who was the recipient of the honorary student award for 2013, “The
Master Funakoshi Trophy” which signifies a student who possess and represents integrity, humility, self control, respect, courtesy and the very character development that Shotokan karate seeks to inculcate. Chief Instructor Sensei Chaves in his closing remarks, said he and the committee were satisfied with the showmanship and discipline exercised by all the participants and would also like to recognize the contribution of the referees Sensei Marvin Singh and Sensei Marlon George as well as the judges Neville Holder, Stephanie Kerry, Shankar Singh, Shermon Best, Randolph Singh and Shaqueel Amin for a job well done. He mentioned that the top performers of this tournament will make up the team to represent Guyana at the international level at JKA/ WF America International Karate Camp and Goodwill tournament to be held in Panama City, Panama in June of 2014. Special Thanks were also extended to the Ministry of Culture Youth & Sports, the parents, sponsors especially Guyana Lotto Company and many supporters who all played a huge and pivotal part in the success of this tournament. Sensei Chaves stated that they will be going straight into preparation for their November 23rd grading examination. The results for each category are as follows: boys & Girls 5-7 years Kata 1st Jared Yassin 2nd Akeel Isaacs 3rd Thierry Thom, Shabaka Martin boys & Girls 5-7 years Kumite 1st Jared Yassin 2nd Thierry Thom
3rd Shabaka Martin, Jaedon Yassin (all of HQ Dojo in Georgetown) Boys 8-9 years yellowgreen belts Kata 1st Marlon George, Jnr. 2nd Derrick Seecharran 3rd Shakobe Barton Boys 8-9 years yellowgreen belts Kumite 1st Derrick Seecharran 2nd Marlon George, Jnr. 3rd Shakobe Barton (all of Craig Dojo EBD) Boys 8-9 years purplebrown belts Kata 1st Camiel Melville 2nd Kristian Chaves 3rd Simeon Todd Boys 8-9 years purplebrown Kumite 1st Kristian Chaves 2nd Simeon Todd 3rd Cy Mc Ewan Boys 10-11 years-purpleblack belts kata 1st Mikhail Da Costa 2nd Reyad Yassin 3rd Shaun Singh Boys 10-11 years-purpleblack belts Kumite 1st Reyad Yassin 2nd Mikhail Da Costa 3rd Shaun Singh Boys & Girls 13-14 years yellow-purple belts Kata 1st Jaydan Alleyne 2nd Emily Ramsuchit 3rd Rekeem Wright Boys & Girls 13-14 years yellow-purple belts Kumite 1st Jaydan Alleyne 2nd Emily Ramsuchit 3rd Rahul Dhanraj Boys & Girls 12-13 years brown belts kata 1st Loren Black 2nd Yutesh Dyal 3rd Isaac Plummer Boys & Girls 12-13 years brown belts kumite 1st Loren Black 2nd Jordon Denny 3rd Timothy Khan (Continued on page 69)
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
Guyana Cup Softball cricket tournament
South Florida Softball Cricket Association arrive Tuesday primed for battle The South Florida Softball Cricket League (S.F.S.C.L) will be arriving in Guyana on Tuesday Nov. 5th to partake in the GUYANA SOFTBALL CUP 111 tournament. The team will be lead by first time captain Masood Mohamed, Manager Ramzan Roshanali Assistant Manager Zameer Mangroo and will be under the guidance of the SFSCL President himself Mr. Sal Hussain. The SFSCL team is composed of a number of Allrounders including the league MVP Kaiume Mohamed; Ramesh Persaud, Keshan Budhna, Anoop Basdeo and
Vivian Khan. The batting is further fortified by wicket-keeper/ batsman R a v i P e r s a u d (OJ), Randy Narainasami, N a z i m A l i a n d Vi s h a l Singh. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Mark Mukhlall, Ramesh Persaud, Masood Mohamed and others. In a release, the SFSCL President Sal Hussain stated that, “Some of our players have not visited Guyana for a while and upon arrival, some will travel to Berbice, parts of Demerara and Essequibo. The team will assemble back in Georgetown on Thursday 7th of November to
prepare and make final plans for the Guyana Cup.” Mr. Hussain further noted in the release, “We intend to give our best in the field in hopes of wresting the championship away from N.Y. (last year tournament winner). We will display great sportsmanship on and off the field and hope to have a great time doing so.” Mr. Hussain expressed special thanks to Zameer Mangroo and Mr. Ramzan Roshanali, the honorary consul, Consulate of Guyana in Miami, for all their help in assisting the team to take part is what promises to be an exciting tournament in Guyana.
Riverton Suites Upper Corentyne Under19 50 overs cricket competition 2013 NO 70 Young Star defeat Skeldon Community Centre by 5 wickets to claim title
Dr. Pooran Seepersaud (right), proprietor of Hotel Riverton Suites hands over the winner trophy to No. No. Young Star Captain Thameshwar Kumar. Also in photograph are members of the Seepersaud’s family. The No. 70 Young Star are the inaugural winner of the Riverton Suites Upper Corentyne Under-19 50 overs cricket competition, defeating Skeldon Community Centre by 5 wickets on Sunday last at the Skeldon ground. Batting first, Skeldon were bowled out for 109 runs in 35.2 overs with Viendra Gooniah 54 and Nicholas Seenarine 11 the only batsmen reaching double figures. Bowling for No. 70 Young Star Thameshwar Kumar took 3 for 19 off 8 overs, Navindra Edwin 2 for 20 off 7 overs and Daveanand Chatterpaul 2 for 23 off 6 overs. In reply No. 70 Young Star reached 110 for 5 in 26.2 overs with Thameshwar Kumar 34 and Permashwar Chatterpaul 27 the main scorers. Bowling for Skeldon CC Deon Esau
took 3 for 32 off 6 overs and Viendra Gooniah 1 for 22 off 9 overs. At the presentation, Dr. Pooran Seepersaud, proprietor of Hotel Riverton Suites, thanked the two teams for a good game of cricket and congratulated No. 70 Young Star for winning. He also thanked the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for organizing a wonderful tournament and pledged to continue sponsoring this tournament for the next three years and even beyond. The winning team received a trophy and $25,000 whilst the runner up received a trophy and $15,000. The batsman with the most runs in the competition was Permashwar Chatterpaul with 228 runs and the bowler with
the most wickets in the tournament was Wadikar Ramrattan with 18 wickets, both received a trophy and $5,000 each. The M.V.P of the tournament was Thameshwar Kumar for scoring 160 runs and taking 17 wickets he also won the man of the match in the final award. He received two trophy and $10,000. Dr. Seeperasud also present tokens to all boards members, umpires and some of his friends who were present at the game. Mr. Vicky Bharosay, treasurer of the UCCA, on behalf of the board, thanked Dr. Pooran Seepersaud and his family, firstly for coming on board with this much needed sponsorship and secondly for putting so much effort in making the final a grand event at their expense.
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Webb announces new task force for Caribbean Professional League FIFA Grassroots Com-unity Seminar kicks off in Saint Lucia MIAMI – Addressing participants at the opening of the FIFA Grassroots Comunity Seminar in St. Lucia Friday, FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb announced that the confederation will be naming a new task force to examine the feasibility and sustainability of the Caribbean Professional League initiative. “Our focus relies on enhancing the partnership between governments, the private sector and football community in order to foster cooperation,” said President Webb said. “CONCACAF is committed to growing our game by empowering all federations through development, so that we continue to progress in a
Jeffrey Webb dynamic and innovative environment of collaboration.” CONCACAF will continue its work in the areas
of development, referee and coaching education through its solid administration to help shape future generations and enhance the competitiveness of its players. “Football is truly a vehicle of social change, and at the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA), our goal is to give the boys and girls as many opportunities as possible to grow through the game of football,” said SLFA President Lyndon Cooper. Delivering on a commitment from the Sports Summit in September 2013, President Webb said that task force members will be named at CONCACAF’s next Executive Committee meeting on November 7 and 8 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Gibson satisfied with tour match WICB - KOLKATA, India – Head coach Ottis Gibson felt West Indies achieved most of their targets during their threeday, tour match against Uttar Pradesh which ended in a draw on Saturday at the Jadavpur University Complex here. Gibson said all of the main batsmen spent quality time at the crease and all of the main bowlers, except Kemar Roach and Shane Shillingford, had a chance to extend themselves and things looked to be falling into place ahead of the first Test against India, starting this coming Wednesday at Eden Gardens here. “At the start, we said we wanted to get some quality practice,” said Gibson. “We did this – Shivnarine Chanderpaul got a hundred, Narsingh Deonarine batted well and all of the others, but time in the middle was much more important for us. We have not played a Test match for a long time, so it was important for everybody to get a run-out and this game was good for us. “It also gave us an understanding of what is going to happen next week and what we need to do, particularly as a bowling attack. We will need to bowl more patiently than we were here, but everyone got a few overs under their belt and this would put us in a good position.” He added: “Speaking to the head groundsman here, he said there has been a lot of rain in Kolkata, so we expected this would have been a slow pitch.
Ottis Gibson “He also felt the pitch at Eden Gardens could well be similar and so for us to have this opportunity of playing on this kind of surface [at the Jadavpur University Complex], it means we are a bit accustomed to what we might get next week, so it’s not too bad.” Gibson allayed fears about Roach and Shillingford missing the match. He said they will take their rightful places in the line-up for the first Test. “Shane was supposed to play, but he slept badly on his neck the night before, and had a bit of stiffness,” he said. “Kemar is the same. “Those two will add a little bit more potency to our attack, but it was good to see Sheldon Cottrell get a run out in this match, Tino Best also bowled well and so too Veerasammy Permaul, so everything is looking on course for next week. We are happy about where we are at the moment.” Gibson said West Indies he was satisfied with the bowling options and stayed away from discussing the possibility of two spinners playing in the first Test.
“We will see,” he said. “Shane has been excellent for us and we will have to see who else will play. We need to find a bowling attack that we think can win us a Test match or put India under pressure. “The Indians have been in excellent form with the bat during the current One-day International series against Australia – but in Test cricket, where they have to be a bit more patient, we will have to have the right bowling options that can control and contain them.” Gibson said West Indies were the clear underdogs going into the two-Test series, but they were confident and working hard to prove that they have made advances. “We are playing away from home in India,” he said. “We are now ranked at No.6 in the World, we have won our last six Tests, but India are in the top bracket, so playing away from home in a place like India, we are going to be underdogs. “But we have a good spirit inside the team. There is a good blend of experienced players, like Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy who have played a lot of cricket in India – and some very good youngsters. “We understand where we are, but sometimes the underdogs have a strong bite and that is what we hope we will come and show next week.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
Webber keeps Vettel Rohit Sharma smashes 209 as India win series off Abu Dhabi pole
Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia takes a corner during the third practice session of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit on Yas Island, November 2, 2013. REUTERS/Caren Firouz ABU DHABI (Reuters) Mark Webber seized pole position for the floodlit Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Saturday with Red Bull team mate and quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel making a rare error and having to settle for second best. The pole, with Webber approaching the end of his Formula One career this month, was the Australian’s 13th in 12 years and second in three races. “Mark did a very good lap so congratulations to him,” said Vettel, who is chasing his seventh win in a row after wrapping up a fourth successive title with victory from pole in India last weekend. “I should have done a little bit better, but I don’t know if it would have been enough. He did a great job, no mistakes,” added the German, whose team also secured their fourth constructors’ crown in a row in India. “We lost it in turn one, sorry guys,” the 26-year-old had said over the team radio. Mercedes filled the s e c o n d r o w a t t h e Ya s Marina circuit, with Germany’s Nico Rosberg qualifying third and B r i t a i n ’s 2 0 0 8 w o r l d champion Lewis Hamilton fourth despite spinning off on his final lap. Only Vettel and Hamilton, when he was with McLaren, had previously qualified on
pole in the four races to date in the Emirate. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, currently second overall and fighting to lift his team ahead of Mercedes and back to second in the constructors’ championship, had a miserable evening and will start 11th. It was the first time this season the Spaniard has failed to qualify in the top 10 but it came as no surprise after Ferrari appeared to be struggling in practice. Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa, who is leaving the team at the end of the year, qualified one place ahead of the double champion. “All weekend we haven’t been so quick and in qualifying we were not so fast,” Alonso told reporters. “Also my laps were not so clean and I lost a couple of tenths. Maybe it is better to start in this position tomorrow.” Kimi Raikkonen, who is third overall and 24 points behind Alonso, qualified fifth for Lotus in a race he had contemplated not coming to only days earlier. The Ferrari-bound Finn, who told reporters on Friday that he had not been paid all season and could yet walk out of the final two races in Austin, Texas, and Brazil, will have Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg alongside. Raikkonen’s team mate Romain Grosjean qualified a disappointing seventh.
Rohit Sharma watches the ball soar into the evening sky. (BCCI) BBC Sport - Rohit Sharma became only the third man to score a double century in oneday international cricket, smashing 209 from 158 balls as India beat Australia by 57 runs to win the ODI series 32. His 16 sixes in Bangalore broke Shane Watson’s previous ODI record of 15. Sharma hit the first two balls of the last over for six but was caught at deep square leg off the third, leaving Virender Sehwag’s 219 as the record. Needing 384, Australia fell short despite James Faulkner’s valiant 116. India had finished on a mammoth 383-6, with skipper Mahendra Dhoni run out off the last ball for 62 after he and Sharma plundered 101 from the last five overs - meaning the tourists required the second highest successful ODI run chase of all time to prevent India winning this high-scoring series. They started slowly and looked dead and buried when Glenn Maxwell was caught in the deep, having made 60
from only 22 deliveries including seven sixes, to leave them 138-6 in the 23rd over. But all-rounder Watson (49), batting down the order after he had left the field with an injury and was unable to complete his bowling spell, added 67 for the seventh wicket with Faulkner in only six overs to give the innings some impetus. Watson and Nathan Coulter-Nile fell in quick succession but Faulkner dominated a stand of 115 with tail-ender Clint McKay (18) which was the fourth highest ninth-wicket partnership in ODI history. Faulkner hit 11 fours and seven sixes and recorded his maiden century in professional cricket while trying to farm the strike, but just when he had reduced the target to 67 from 48 balls, India produced a couple of tight overs, before McKay was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Faulkner then holed out at deep mid-wicket off the very next ball as India
The Guyana Boxing Association was last week presented with a brand new computerized scoring system that is expected to bring Guyana on par with the world in relation to judging fights. The new technology, developed by Swiss Timing, was handed over by international governing body AIBA to GBA Te c h n i c a l Director Terrence Poole in Almaty, Kazakstan. President of GBA Steve Ninvalle, while thanking international governing body AIBA for the gift, disclosed that the a s s o c i a t i o n ’s t e c h n i c a l
personnel would be immediately brought up to date with the operation of the new technology. GBA will this afternoon host a seminar for referees and judges at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown. The seminar commences at 12:00pm. Ninvalle said that there is no time to be wasted, as the scoring system would be used at the National Open scheduled for the National Gymnasium tarmac this weekend and the Champion of Champions in Bartica. “We are basically playing catch up as the rest of the world has been using this system
James Faulkner sizes up to go over the top. (BCCI) clinched victory with just under five overs remaining. The match brought an exciting end to an enthralling series, which has included the second and third highest successful run chases in the ODI format after India chased down targets in excess of 350 at both Jaipur and Nagpur. Sharma, who hit 491 runs in six innings at an average of 122.75 to win the man of the series award, said after his marathon knock: “Getting a 200 in the ODI format is a wonderful feeling. “We knew it’s a small ground and runs are easy to come by, so we wanted to stay in and capitalise. “I was disappointed not getting a hundred in the last game, so I wanted to play big and keep the momentum going.” S e h w a g ’s i n d i v i d u a l record had looked under threat at one stage, after Sharma took 26 from the 4 7 t h o v e r, b o w l e d b y
spinner Xavier Doherty, who took 2-74. But the slow left-armer was far from the most expensive Aussie bowler as seamers McKay (1-89), Coulter-Nile (0-80) and Faulkner (1-75) all took heavy punishment in their 10-over spells. Sharma enjoyed stands of 112 with opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (60), 72 with Suresh Raina (28), and 167 with Dhoni, whose 62 came from only 38 balls. Watson had limped off after bowling only five overs, aborting the first delivery of his sixth, and batted at number eight instead of his usual number three position - but Australia’s fears over an injury to one of their key Ashes Test players will have been assuaged by his batting. The highest run chase of all time remains South Africa’s 438-9 against Australia at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, in 2006. Scores: India 383 for 6 (Rohit 209, Dhoni 62, Dhawan 60) beat Australia 326 (Faulkner 116, Maxwell 60) by 57 runs.
Computerized scoring hits Guyana’s boxing
Steve Ninvalle for some time.” “The AIBA Scoring
System was developed with transparency and fair play i n m i n d . We h a d b e e n knocking on AIBA’s door for some time with a request for this system. Our boxers can now be assured that the scoring system used here would be no different in any other part of the world,” Ninvalle declared. The AIBA Scoring System is based on a ten point Must-System involving five judges around the ring. The scores of three of the five judges are randomly drawn by the computer and taken into account. Scores are only revealed at the end of the fight.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
2013 New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice Philbert Willburgh’s 73 not out steers Kortheberaadt 7th Day Aventist into playoffs Kortheberaadt Seventh Day Adventist defeated Edinburg in their final Zone E (East Bank Berbice) preliminary match to emerge unbeaten and winners of that zone to earn the right to advance to the play-offs of the 2013 New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice. After Edinburg had posted a fairly decent 170 for 9 in 35 overs, the 7th Day team in their reply were struggling at 10 for 3 but with Philbert Willburgh slamming 73 not out (5 fours and 3 sixes),andQuincyDeVelde40,they managed to still win by 5 wickets. Also advancing were No.70 M.Y.O, who defeated No.69 Red Rose to win Zone N (Upper Corentyne-Central). After posting 129 for 8 in 20 overs, the M.Y.O off-spinners Mahmood Khan with 4 for 23 and Jameel Azad with 3 for 26 helped to bowl out Red Rose for 119 in reply. Geeraish DeJees slammed 91 (7 fours and 6 sixes) to steer Overwinning Bible Church to 204 for 7 in 30 overs against the other team from Kortheberaadt, Flying Star. He came back with the ball and took 3 for 30 which together with 4 for 38 from ShazamAzeez saw Flying Star bowled out for 142 in reply. Medium pacer Devendra Persaud of Young and Restless of Reliance Abandon took 5 for 26 but that could not save his team from going down by 64 runs to Canefield. Viendra Gooniah of No.68 Turn Team was the other batsman to score a half-century. In scores from the matches played: At Edinburg, Kortheberaadt Seventh Day Adventist beat Edinburg by 5 wickets. Edinburg 170 for 9 in 35 overs with Tameshwar Ramdeen 42, Zaheer Hussain 26 and Andy Ramkissoon 3 for 29. Kortheberaadt Seventh Day Adventist172for5in27.2overswith
- NO.70 M.Y.O also advance
Philbert Willburgh
Geeraish DeJees
Philbert Willburgh 72 not out, Quincy DeVelde 40 and Carl Campbell 36. At No.69, No.70 M.Y.O beat No.69 Red Rose by 10 runs. No.70 M.Y.O 129 for 8 in 20 overs with JameelAzad 41 and Niazi Khan 26. No.69 Red Rose 119 in 18.4 overs with Mahmood Khan 4 for 23, Jameel Azad 3 for 26 and Niazi Khan 2 for 12. At Kortheberaadt, Overwinning Bible Church beat Flying Star by 62 runs. Overwinning Bible Church 204 for 7 in 30 overs with Geeraish DeJees 91, Shazam Azeez 32, David Durant 2 for 23 and Gershon Barron 2 for 28. Flying Star 142 in 20 overs with Shazam Azeez 4 for 38 and Geeraish DeJees 3 for 30. At Rose Hall in Canje, Canefield beat Young and Restless by 64 runs. Canefield 164 in 30 overswithYudeshEmrit 25, Devendra Persaud 5 for 26 and Amrit Thomby 2 for 27.Young and Restless 100 in 21 overs with Leon Sunthgolam4for20,AmeerBudhoo 2for14andKhemrajSumair2for33. At No.69, No.69 Vikings beat No.64FightingMarinesby3wickets.
No.64 Fighting Marines 115 for 7 in 20overswithJasonItwaru33,Trevor Thomas 28, Anil Bramdat 4 for 29 and Tulsi Narinedat 2 for 18. No.69 Vikings116for7in18.4overs. At No.63, No.68 Turn Team beat No.64 Fighting Marines by 37 runs. No.68 Turn Team 164 in 29.3 overs with Viendra Gooniah 67, Sean Persaud 4 for 29 and Vedanand Sugrim 2 for 29. No.64 Fighting Marines 127 in 30 overs with Trevor Thomas 38 and Viendra Gooniah 3 for 25. At D’Edward, Blairmont Community Centre A beat D’Edward by 6 runs. Blairmont Community Centre A 150 for 7in 35 overs with Nick Ramsaroop 29 and Derick Lalsa 2 for 13. D’Edward 144 for 9 in 35 overs with Derick Narine-Lalsa 40 and Ryan Sutherland 2 for 22. At Bath, Bath beat Sundown by 2 runs. Bath 137 in 23 overs with Ravi Gossai 28, Anil Balkarran 25, Sohail Saffee 4 for 15, Permaul Singh 2 for 15 and Fazir Ahmad 2 for 28. Sundown 135 in 29.3 overs with Fiaz Gafoor 40, Shawn Kadim 3 for 16, Vinod Ramjattan 3 for 25 and Ravi Gossai 2 for 15.
Unbeaten St. Pius set up final... From page 75 after the remaining time in the regulation period and two halves of extra time action, failed to produce a winner. West Ruimveldt kept their nerves, and saw Oie, Akil Plass and Dante Seeram scoring their spot kicks even as Jones missed his own, while for Tucville, Kedar Chester and Colwin Best scored their kicks, with Linton and Ronaldo Guillen missing their own in that order. Prior to West Ruimveldt and St. Pius reaching for championship honors, Tucville and East La Penitence will do battle in the third place playoff which is expected to kick off at 15:00hrs, following several other lower plac-
ing battles. Earlier yesterday, South Ruimveldt through a hat trick of goals from Christopher Bovell (10, 24 &38th) defeated Marian Academy 3-0 and Ketley edged Redeemer 2-1 with Kevon Mullin (9th) and Jaheim Massiah (21st) scoring for the winners while Ephraim Prass pulled one back for Redeemer in the 10th minute. North Georgetown Primary also defeated St. Stephen’s 3-0, with national tabletennis player Tyriq Saunders scoring a brace in the 24th and 29th minutes and Oren Williams the third goal in the 2nd minute for the victors. J.E Burnham also edged St.
Ambrose 3-2. Thanks to Adriel Wilson’s double (12th and 18th) and Keshon David’s solitary strike in the 6th minute, with Jermaine Padmore scoring both goals for St. Ambrose in the 24th and 33rd minute of play respectively. Teon Forde scored a brace in the 190th and 39th minute which guided St. Gabriel’s to a 2-0 win over Enterprise, prior to which F. E Pollard defeated St. Margaret’s 2-1, through goals from Dwain Dick (1st) and Cordell Charles 939th), with David Scott scoring for St. Margaret’s in the 35th minute. The final is set for next Saturday at the same venue.
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Man City put seven past woeful Norwich Manchester City highlighted their credentials as title contenders with an emphatic 7-0 win over lacklustre Norwich. Focus prior to the game had been on England keeper Joe Hart being dropped but once play got under way, City’s attacking prowess took centre stage. Bradley Johnson’s own goal put City ahead before David Silva, Matija Nastasic and Alvaro Negredo struck. Yaya Toure scored a free-kick, Sergio Aguero fired in before substitute Edin Dzeko swept home a seventh. The win, City’s biggest in the Premier League, moved them up to fourth in the table, while Norwich dropped into the bottom three. It was as impressive an attacking display from Manuel Pellegrini’s side as they have produced this season as they continued their dominance on home soil this season - they have won all five Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium. In fact, they have not lost at their own ground in the league since they were beaten 3-2 by Norwich in May. But City’s strength at home had not been the talking point in the build up to kick-off. Instead, it was the absence of Hart from the starting line-up. The 26-year-old had started every Premier League game since making his debut for the club in April 2010, and will undoubtedly be determined to win back his place in the side as soon as possible with the 2014 World
Cup in Brazil seventh months away. However, Costel Pantilimon Hart’s replacement - will be keen to establish himself as City’s number one, although he had little opportunity to make an impression against the toothless visitors. Instead, much of the play was contested in Norwich’s half and the game was effectively over when City scored four goals in 20 first-half minutes. The first came in fortuitous fashion when Silva’s initial shot was blocked and Aguero’s stab at the rebound cannoned off the boot of Johnson and looped over Norwich keeper John Ruddy. The visitors had little time to regroup from that setback as City added a second minutes later. Nasri’s smart ball split open the defence and Aguero raced into the box before pulling the ball back to Silva, who beat Ruddy with a first-time shot. The goals continued to come as City tore apart a fragile Norwich with embarrassing ease. A touch of fortune resulted in City’s third as Nastasic’s header from Nasri’s corner deflected off Russell Martin and the fourth quickly followed. It was a moment of real quality. Toure, an impressive presence throughout, clipped the ball through the Norwich defence for Aguero, and although there was a suggestion the Argentina striker had strayed offside, he was allowed to continue and
his pass across the face of goal was tapped in by Negredo. Pantilimon made his first contribution of the game when he pushed Anthony Pilkington’s speculative low effort wide, before City swiftly resumed their dominance as Toure’s shot on the turn was held by Ruddy just before the break. The half-time introduction of Johan Elmander and Josh Murphy revived Norwich with the former flashing a powerful volley wide from close range. But it proved little more than a brief respite as City added a fifth when Dzeko was fouled 20 yards from goal and Toure stepped up to expertly curl the free kick over the Norwich wall and into the top-left corner of the goal. A sixth arrived with less than 20 minutes remaining when a poor clearance by Sebastien Bassong fell kindly for Aguero, who smashed the ball into the net from the middle of the area. There was still time for Dzeko to get his name on the scoresheet when he turned inside the area and swept the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Ruddy. In results from other games: Newcastle 2 - 0 Chelsea Fulham 1 - 3 Man Utd Hull 1 - 0 Sunderland Stoke 1 - 1 Southampton West Brom 2 - 0 Crystal Palace West Ham 0 - 0 Aston Villa Arsenal 2 - 0 Liverpool
Kimi Raikkonen disqualified in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying BBC Sport - Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen has been disqualified from qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and will start the race from the back of the field. The Finn, the 2007 world champion, qualified fifth but his car then failed a front-floor deflection test. Floors are tested for rigidity because a floor that can flex can give an aerodynamic performance advantage. The race stewards rejected Lotus’s argument that the part had broken as a result of contact with a kerb. Lotus had successfully used that argument when a similar issu e a f f l i c t e d Raikkonen’s team-mate Romain Grosjean at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July. But in Abu Dhabi the stewards said that they
“did not accept that the incident referred to constituted an accident or excused failing the relevant test”. Lotus now have the choice of starting Raikkonen from the back of the grid or from the pit lane if they change the settings of the car to make it easier to overtake. Red Bull chose the latter option inAbu Dhabi last year when Sebastian Vettel was excluded for a fuel infringement. The German fought back through the field to finish third. The penalty is the second major problem to hit Raikkonen this weekend. He turned up at the race late following a dispute with the team over payment. He said on Friday he had “not been paid a single euro all year” and
threatened not to race in the final two grands prix in the USA and Brazil if Lotus did not fulfill a promise to solve the dispute. Raikkonen said the team had reached an “understanding” but did not reveal the details of it. On Saturday, before the decision about his exclusion was revealed, he said: “I have no interest to talk about those things. It’s not your business and it will not get us anywhere.” Raikkonen has this weekend reverted to Lotus’s standard car, which has not been raced since the Singapore Grand Prix at the end of September. Grosjean has stuck with the longwheelbase car, which the team believes is quicker but which Raikkonen feels does not suit his driving style.
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Kaieteur News
Gayle, Samuels spark as WI draw
Sunday November 03, 2013
Girlz into semis
Marlon Samuels (WICB/Randy Brooks) Chris Gayle (WICB/ Randy Brooks)
Jamaica’s Robyn-Ann Whittaker (left) dribbles away from her Haitian opponent during their CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship Group A match at the St Catherine Sports Complex. (PHOTO: PAUL REID) K O L K ATA , I n d i a – Half-centuries from Chris Gayle and compatriot Marlon Samuels rounded off a reassuring performance from West Indies, as they drew their tour match against Uttar Pradesh on Saturday here. Both batsmen use the relaxed atmosphere to explore the range of their stroke-play, scoring 58 apiece, as the Windies, leading by 94 on first innings, reached 199 for five in their second innings when the three-day contest was brought to a close at the Jadavpur University Complex. The visitors had found out the hard way how merciless the conditions that lie ahead could be, when the bottom half of the UP batting plundered easy runs, as the home team finished on 372 for nine declared, replying to West Indies’ first innings total of 466, with Parvinder Singh completing his 10th firstclass hundred of 112. Left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell was the
p i c k o f t h e Wi n d i e s bowlers, grabbing 3-65 from 19.3 overs, left-arm spinner Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul supported with 3124 from 33 overs and Tino Best collected 2-77. Gayle, anxious to spend some quality time at the crease after being dismissed cheaply in the first innings, slammed 11 fours from 49 balls in just over an hour. The talismanic opener put on 68 for the first wicket before fellow lefthander Kieran Powell became the first of 4-72 from 14 overs for Piyush Chawla, the former India leg-spinner and UP captain, and Gayle also surrendered to a return catch to the second delivery from the same bowler after the regional side resumed from their teatime total of 85 for one. Similarly, Samuels too, had promised much in the first innings before he was dismissed and batted with typical nonchalance the second time around, striking nine fours and one
six from 47 balls in just under an hour. He put on 84 for the third wicket with wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin, whose 41 from 53 balls in 45 minutes contained five fours and one six and also gave him precious time in the middle which he also lacked from the first innings. They were dismissed within six balls of each o t h e r, w h e n S a m u e l s skied Arish Alam to long-on and Ramdin was caught at deep midwicket off Chawla, who also had Darren Sammy caught at long-on for eight before Permaul joined Narsingh Deonarine to bat through until stumps were drawn. Earlier, Parvinder reached his hundred from 129 balls, when he cut Cottrell through b a c k w a r d point for the 15th of his 17 fours. He spent a further 15 minutes at the crease f r u s t r a t i n g We s t I n d i e s before he fended a short-
ball from the soldier to gully. A couple spills spoiled the fun for the Windies, as wicketkeeper/batsman Amir Khan and Chawla made the Caribbean side toil either side of lunch, which saw the home team reach 329 for six. Best made the breakthrough about 20 minutes after the interval, when he had Chawla caught behind for 46 and Permaul squeezed them further with the scalp of Khan for 47 to a slip catch inside the first five minutes of the second hour after lunch. Cottrell soon had tailender Imtiaz Ahmed caught at mid-on for 19 to bring UP’s resistance to an end and give West Indies a second chance to make merry with the bat. A day of rest today will be followed by two days of intense practice for the Windies before they face I n d i a i n t h e f i r s t Te s t , starting on Wednesday at Eden Gardens on the other side of the city.
United States businessman supports... From page 76 Paul and was so delighted when I heard of their plans for their 24th edition of their tournament that I felt obliged to render some form of support,” said Mr De Souza. He said that Caribbean Cargo DC is truly a Caribbean Shipping Company and they are currently contemplating
expanding their business in Guyana. He feels that his support for the imminent tournament is adequate and fitting introduction to this country. “We currently serve the midAtlantic region of the USA and all the Caribbean countries,” he revealed. The company has donated two desktop computers which will go to the two
schools out of Linden that reaches the furthest in the tournament. Further, Caribbean Cargo DC has donated a quantity of footballs for the tournament plus an undisclosed sum to assist in the tournament preparation. “Caribbean Cargo DC would like to take this opportunity to wish the Kashif & Shanghai Organization, the
Ministry of Education, and all participating schools every success; may the best School win,” concluded Mr De Souza. He also committed to future support on a larger scale. Mr Major expressed deep gratitude to his benefactor and assured him that the gift will assist in the success of the tournament.
Jamaica Observer CATHERINE HALL, St James — Jamaica’s Young Reggae Girlz have achieved their first objective in the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship by qualifying for the semi-finals after beating Caribbean neighbours Haiti 3-0 in their Group A game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex Friday night. The hosts are the first team in the tournament to confirm their place in the topfour that will be played next week Thursday. In the game that started in pouring rain and left the field slick, the Jamaicans improved on Wednesday’s performance against El Salvador and took control of the group on six points. They now need only a draw in today’s final game, against Mexico, to top the group. The top-two teams from the tournament will qualify for next March’s FIFA World Cup in Costa Rica. Jessica Johnson led the way with two second-half goals, while Asia Lee-Fatt, who got both goals on Wednesday, opened the scoring in the first half with a well-taken goal. Despite the rain, that started in the first game where Mexico swamped El Salvador 7-0, thus eliminating the latter from the semi-finals, approximately 2,500 fans — the largest crowd of the tournament so far — cheered on the Jamaicans to a moraleboosting victory. Jamaica dominated the opening minutes with Johnson and Deneisha
Blackwood leading the attack down the left flank, supplying Lee-Fatt and Felecia Davidson with crosses. Lee-Fatt put the host ahead in the ninth minute when she muscled away a Haitian defender then powered the ball past goalkeeper Jonie Gabriel. Gabriel would soon after be stretchered off the field, after she came out on the wrong side of a collision with Jamaica’s Robyn-Ann Whittaker, and was replaced by Naphtaline Clermeus. The substitute goalkeeper was called into action early parrying a shot from Lee-Fatt, who shrugged off a lunging tackle to shoot powerfully to goal in the 42nd minute. Johnson doubled the lead in the 53rd minute when she sped away from the Haitian defenders and beat Clermeus. The Jamaican added a second 10 minutes later to send the crowd int o wild celebration. The Haitians came close to pulling one back when they hit the underside of the crossbar in the 86th minute, but the ball was successfully cleared out of the danger zone. In the first game of the afternoon, Mexico eliminated El Salvador from consideration, beating them 7-0, with Janae Gonzalez scoring the tournament’s first hat-trick with goals in the 27th, 54th and 59th minutes. Jacqueline Garcia scored twice in the 15th and 56th minutes, while Belen Cruz in the 20th and Cinthia Huarta in the 33rd got the others.
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 75
Petra Organisation/Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Competition
Unbeaten St. Pius set up final clash against West Ruimveldt failed to so for St. Pius who remained unbeaten with the win, even as Burnette, Hope and Sealy-Yaw missed their chances for East La Penitence in that order. In the other semifinal, West Ruimveldt’s key player for this tournament and prominent goal scorer Michael Oie did his best to ensure their contest did not go down to penalty kicks, but he lacked the necessary support at the top. DeAndre Linton sent Tucville into the lead in the 13th minute, when he scored Action in the clash between eventual winners St. Pius and East La Penitence yesterday. S t . P i u s a n d We s t Ruimveldt made it to the final of this year’s second annual Petra Organization organized Courts (Guyana) Inc. sponsored Pee-Wee Schools Football Competition through similar routes in their semi-final encounters yesterday, at the Banks DIH, Thirst Park ground. Both teams had to survive penalty shootouts to make it to the championship round after regulation and extra time failed to provide a winner in two enthralling matches played before a fairsized crowd. The East La Penitence versus St. Pius clash lived up to all expectations as the two unbeaten teams treated the fans to a fine exhibition of football that has them on the edge of their seats and even though regulation and extra time failed to net a goal for either team it was the skills and tenacity by both backlines that dominated the vigorous discussions among fans East La Penitence’ defensive line which comprised Shaquille Burnette, William McKenzie and Leroy SealyYaw, did an excellent job to thwart the sporadic efforts of St. Pius’ and the tournament’s top marksman
Bevney Mark on several occasions. At the other end of the field, St. Pius’ defence worked assiduously hard to ensure Fabian Boters ‘ hard work at the top for his team went in vain, shutting down his every move when they could, while his shots were wide of the mark. Midway through the first half, Marcus Wilson, who was working in tandem with Mark and Kamacy Davis as part of the strike force for St. Pius, sent a free kick just wide of East La Penitence’s uprights, with their custodian in no man’s land. A mere two minutes had elapsed and Mark saw his powerful right footer, missing the uprights, sparking off murmurs among the fans at the sidelines, who were shouting instructions to their respective teams. The contest finished nil all at full time, even though Mark had only himself to blame when he missed a penalty kick which was awarded late in the second half, following a handled ball by Burnette in the box off a well directed pass from Davis on the left side. His powerful right-foot strike crashed onto the crossbar and headed into touch.
Kaieteur Sport carried a story on page 29 of Saturday November 2 edition headlined “Upper Demerara Kwakwani sound warning”. We would like to retract that story because our reporter did not actually
speak to Mr Renaldo Crawford but got the information from another source. We apologise to Mr. Crawford for any discomfort or embarrassment our publication may have caused.
Retraction
Mark also had the chance to finish the contest in regulation time, when he received a gem of a pass in the box from Wilson, but sent his shot wide and at the other end, Boters could not get a shot off when presented with the opportunity, after receiving a pass from Andre Hope. In the penalty shoot out, Wilson and Mark found the back of the net, while Davis
a scorcher through a sea of players from both sides to spark off celebration son and off the field of play amongst his teammates and supporters, including Chief Education Officer Olata Sam and Managing Director of Courts Clyde DeHaas. Many felt an upset was in the making since West Ruimveldt, who lost in the finals to former champions Marian Academy in last year’s tournament and were tagged to come out on top in this year’s version, were behind the eight ball.
But Oie put on a heroic show and won a penalty for his side following a handled ball at the top of the box, and in true leadership style, stood over the spot kick himself and later buried it home, nullifying Linton’s strike six minutes later. A see-saw battle ensued as both teams looked to snatch the go ahead goal, with Tucville’s custodian effecting a save from a point blank shot off Oie and later Rayon Jones, before the game went to penalty kicks (Continued on page 73)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 03, 2013
United States businessman supports K&S Schools’ football Twenty four football teams from as many secondary schools are scheduled to take centre stage when the Kashif and Shanghai Entertainment and promotional group presents the 24th edition of their yearend football extravaganza and the organizers are promising a chockfull of action reminiscent of the recently
concluded Digicel U-18 football extravaganza. The K&S principals, known for their acute administrative expertise, have been working feverishly to ensure that the tournament receives the requisite support towards its resounding success. Consequently, one of the K&S Directors, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, recently
left Guyana for Washington DC, USA, where he received tangible support from Caribbean Cargo DC to offset expenses relevant to the success of the tournament. CEO of the donating firm, Royston De Souza admitted that he had never had an opportunity to attend the tournament but he received favourable
Customer representative Earl ‘Sleepy’ Paul (left) looks on as Marketing Representative, Tenisha DeSouza hands over the gift to Mr Major in the presence of Mr Royston De Souza C.E.O (right). feedback of the quality and professional approach of the promoters. He also said that he learned of the national award bequeath to the
organization by the Government of Guyana after 23 consecutive years of staging the annual Knockout Christmas tournament.
“I was only introduced to Mr Major this morning (yesterday) by our Customer Service Representative, Earl
Sunday November 03, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 77
Youth in Focus – Meet 13 year-old Karateka, Alyssa Persaud There is the notion that the youth is the future, but let’s get it right, ‘The Future Is Now’. In the past few months, this nation would have witnessed dozens of our young athletes putting their all o n t h e l i n e i n representing the country. Many have been the sacrifices for them to prepare themselves and to get into competition shape. In many instances, these athletes have been doing so without proper diet and not the best of facilities available to them, but they have persevered and did their best. To mention a few, the national Under-17 female football team, despite conceding 40 goals in three matches they did their best; the 1st South American Youth Games team as well as the Inter Guiana Games team, all comprising Under-19 athletes. Kaieteur Sport from today and each weekend will be featuring young athletes as we seek to highlight and encourage t h e s e y o u n g ambassadors, looking at from whence they came, why they are involved in their particular sport as well as their hopes and aspirations. The aim of these articles is also to motivate others and at the same time, have our administrators and those in authority understand that investing in the Real Development of our youth is a must, there is no other option. Today we are pleased to introduce to you, 13 year-old Alyssa Persaud,
a budding karateka. Alyssa Persaud, is a confident yet quiet and well mannered teenager. She began the Martial Art of Karate at the tender age of nine (9) at the Guyana Karate College (GKC). Despite her age, young Persaud was and is a force to be reckoned with. She currently holds the coveted rank of ‘Shodan’ or First Degree Black Belt, with a regiment of training thrice weekly at the Malteenoes Dojo of the GKC, where she has been making quite a name for herself. A l y s s a h a s successfully participated in a number of local and International Karate camps and tournaments where she represented the Golden Arrowhead. The most recent was the Caribbean Karate Championships which was held in Barbados in July of this year. Others include the International Karate D a i g a k u Wo r l d tournament that was held i n To r o n t o , C a n a d a (2012) where she won gold in the Individual Kata and Kumite events as well as the Team Enbu, Team Kata and Team Bunkai with her Karatedo teammates. Alyssa who is now 13 years-old and a Grade 8 student of the prestigious Marian Academy, is quite exceptional, maintaining excellent academic grades, whilst at the same time, being a naturally talented athlete. The multi-talented athlete is currently quite involved in Table Tennis while at the same time also testing her skills at Judo and
Hockey. Her typical day, which is full of activity as she juggles her academic pursuits with her extracurricular activities, sees her studying in her spare time, with weekends reserved for watching her favourite movies and listening to music particularly rock music, things she enjoys just like any regular teenager. Alyssa, who is required as a young athlete to eat healthy and maintain a balanced diet, has a strong aversion to meat and therefore selects her vegetarian diet carefully to maintain her energy level and to satisfy her high calorie needs. Born under the birth sign of Capricorn, Alyssa also enjoys reading and swimming but dislikes passionately, having to deal with persons who are
dishonest. Alyssa’s message to her fellow youths is to do whatever positive things they are doing to the best of their ability. She has as her role models, her father and mother Ryan and Vanessa Persaud and wishes to follow in their footsteps by becoming a successful entrepreneur after completing her University education. She also intends to follow through with Karate as a lifetime activity. Alyssa is now undergoing vigorous training in preparation to be graded for a Second Degree Black belt ranking also known as ‘Nidan’ this month when Shuseki Shihan Frank Wo o n - a - Ta i , 9 t h D a n Black Belt and Chairman of the International Karate Daigaku visits Guyana. (Franklin Wilson)
t r o Sp Digicel Guyana Open Golf Tournament Digicel\National Schools P.70 Table Tennis C\Ships 2013 Defending champion Persaud, Suknanan share lead after opening day
-Sukhram poised to retain Ladies title Mae’s A, Bishop’s in Novice Semis, Marian, Mae’s A in U-13 final four
Defending champion Avinash Persaud and Jaipaul Suknanan shared the lead in the Championship Flight after the first day of the prestigious Digicel Guyana Open which started yesterday, at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara. Persaud, who has already notched four liens on the trophy and Suknanan based in the USA, finished the day tied on 75 gross and have set the stage for an interesting final day today in the 0-9 handicap. Mike Mangal with a gross 76 is also in contention for top honours heading into the final day. In the B Flight (10-18 handicap), Roy Cummings has assumed pole position with gross 81, but is closely followed by L. Ramsundar with 82, while Ayube Ally leads the C Flight (19-28 handicap) with gross 89, ahead of K.M. Chung with gross 91. Christine Sukhram, on a seven-year winning streak after copping the title
Jonathan Persaud of Mae’s B (red shirt) battles Rajiv Muneshwar of Queens College in the u-15 segment.
Christine Sukhram
Avinash Persaud
consecutively from 2006 to 2012, seems poised to lift her eighth success Guyana Open trophy after she finished on top of the leaders board. Playing in the Ladies Flight (0-36 handicap), and with a handicap of 10, Sukhram ended the day with net 65 and gross 75. Shanella Webster is in second position with net 70 and gross 103. The other competitors on the distaff side are Joann Deo and Juliet Prince. Meanwhile, the 74 registered starters were sent on their way by Chief Executive Officer of Digicel (Guyana), Gregory Dean,
who performed the first tee to signal the commencement of the two-day tournament. Dean said his company is pleased to partner with the Lusignan Golf Club to host the prestigious competition, even as he wished the players well during the championship. “We’ve had a long association with the Lusignan Golf Club, but this is the first time we’re sponsoring the Guyana Open…and we hope it would be a long and successful marriage,” Dean said during brief remarks before tee off.
Petra Organisation/Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Competition
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Unbeaten St. Pius set up final clash against West Ruimveldt
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