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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Modifying institutions to match circumstances If our country is to continue to develop and, as is necessary to catch up with even our Caricom neighbours in the next decade, accelerate the pace of development, our squabbling politicians will have to take some time out to agree on the major fetters to our efforts. The factors for development are multiple and diverse. We all know, from our personal experience, that there isn’t one simple answer to the question why each of us becomes richer or poorer: it depends on inheritance, education, ambition, talent, health, personal connections, opportunities, and luck, just to mention some factors. Hence we shouldn’t be surprised that the question of why whole societies become richer or poorer also cannot be given one simple answer. Different experts have varying views about the relative importance of the conditions and factors that make countries richer or poorer. The factors they most discuss are so-called “good institutions,” which may be defined as laws and practices that motivate people to work hard, become economically productive, and thereby enrich both themselves and their countries. Among the good economic institutions that motivate people to become productive are the protection of their private property rights, predictable enforcement of their contracts, opportunities to invest and retain control of their money, control of inflation, and open exchange of currency. For instance, people are motivated to work hard if they have opportunities to invest their earnings profitably, but not if they have few such opportunities or if their earnings or profits are likely to be confiscated. There is no doubt that good institutions are important in determining a country’s wealth. To our credit, we have introduced most of the above institutions since 1990. So why haven’t we progressed farther? There is the question of time. A long history of government doesn’t guarantee good institutions but at least permits them; a short history makes them very unlikely. One cannot just suddenly introduce government institutions and expect people to adopt them and to unlearn their long history of backward organization. Our politicians must appreciate that we are still a relatively young work in progress. An additional factor behind the origin of the good institutions is that in our country, Europeans introduced corrupt “extractive” economic institutions, such as slave and indentured labour and confiscation of produce, to drain wealth from our country. There were also authoritarian political institutions. In our case “extractive economic institutions” meant practices and policies designed to extract incomes and wealth from our entire society to benefit the foreign imperial power. For instance, even though we produce sugar, not a single refinery was established here to give a higher value added product. This is the ‘underdevelopment’ of which Walter Rodney spoke. This was unlike countries such as Canada and Australia where European settlers had to work themselves and they developed institutional incentives rewarding work. When the former colonies like ours achieved independence we inherited the extractive and authoritarian institutions that coerced the masses to produce wealth for dictators and the elite. In the ‘settler’ colonies of Australian etc, they were left with institutions by which the government shared power and gave people incentives to pursue. The extractive institutions retarded economic development, but incentivizing institutions promoted it. But while we have noted the comparative youthfulness of our nation, this does not give our political elite an exemption. It is an indictment of their maturity that while the questions above were confronted by the founders of our independent nation, some seem to revel in finger-pointing. Unless the institutions undergirding our flawed systems are modified to match our circumstances and patience is exercised to ensure their rules are inculcated in our people (including mainly themselves) we will be arguing about our ‘underdevelopment’ another half-century from today.
Friday October 10, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Parliament is the epitome of utter slackness and a waste of taxpayers’ money DEAR EDITOR, Parliament is about to resume its functions and once again the PPP, led by its Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, will dominate the chamber. Over the years, we have been constant advocates for Parliamentary reform in order to make room for more effective representation of the people’s interest. We are convinced that without Parliament, our democracy will stagnate in shallowness and staleness. But we do not want Parliament to be a rubber stamp or a tool of the PPP as it was during the Jagdeo p e r i o d . We w a n t a Parliament that will improve its effectiveness to deal more efficiently and meritoriously with the nation’s business. We want a Parliament with the power, authority and resources to investigate any whiff of malfeasance and recommend criminal investigations into possible misconduct or alleged fraudulent/corrupt practices. We want a Parliament that would protect the people’s interests, stop corruption and prevent the reckless and lawless PPP regime from wasting the taxpayers’ money. But to date, Parliament done none of the above; it has rarely represented the real interest of the people in the decision-making process. It is the responsibility of Parliament to effectively
supervise all expenditure in the various ministries and State enterprises to ensure transparency, accountability and lack of corruption. Despite the unruly behavior by some PPP MPs in Parliament, the people oughttoknowthattheGovernment is constitutionally obligated to conduct negotiations with the Parliament on the annual budget, national policies and the enactment of legislation. So it is time for the immature minority PPP regime to cease and desist from its antiquated ritual of useless debates, its hollow posturing and grandstanding. But for the last three years, the minority PPP regime has always had its way in Parliament so much so that the President has not even assented to Bills introduced by the majority opposition and passed by Parliament. Clearly he has shown total contempt for Parliament and the opposition has not done anything about it. With all the thievery and corruption that have taken place over the last twelve years under the Jagdeo/ Ramotar regime, Guyana is in dire need of a Parliament of full-time parliamentarians to constitute a body with the p o w e r, r e s o u r c e s a n d authority to be a fierce watchdog on Government spending, corruption, and other infractions; a Parliament anchored in the genuine separation of
Failure to repair phone by GT&T DEAR EDITOR, I reported a fault on my phone on Tuesday 23/9/14 Reference # 1519317. I was told that the repairs will be done in three to five working days. The person told me that is a P.U.C directive. I know it used to be three working days. I wasted a;; day Wednesday and Thursday and no technician turn up. I called on Friday 26/9/14 at 9:10 am and I spoke to one Anna at 12:30 pm. I talked to a lady by the name of Beckles and she promised me that a technician will visit me by the end of the day. I pleaded with her seeing it’s a weekend but to no avail. I waited from Monday 29/09/14 to Friday 03/10/14 and still no technician visited to repair my phone. I am wondering what the P.U.C will do with this company. This is the same company
that is asking for an increase in landline rates. If this is the way this company is treating its customers then I say “No” to the increase of rates for this company. When I asked for the phone bill the company always said it’s in the post. I received my August bill on 02/10/14. Every bill is late. This is the only company in the world that is charging customers on TOLL FREE number. The calls were made in July and August 2013. This was happening for over ten years because I was only receiving bills with no international number just the amount of money to be paid for overseas call. Now the bill has overseas calls printed. I hope this letter will e n l i g h t e n a l l a ff e c t e d customers who were fleece by GT&T and the P.U.C. B.Hetnarine
powers that gives it dynamism, independence and creativity; a parliament that must be respected by the PPP regime; a parliament that is liberated from the dominance of the PPP minority government. In other words, Guyana needs a Parliament that must become the “House of the People” and not a PPP Parliament. Our current Parliament is the biggest farce in the land due largely to the PPP rigidity. It is a fake. All the posturing, play acting, ritualistic debates and particularly budget cutting by the opposition did not faze or deter the PPP regime, especially the Minister of Finance from spending the taxpayers’ money that was not approved. So who are the MPs fooling? If nothing else, they were earning their keep over extended sessions and eating lavishly the expensive meals at the taxpayers’ expense. Put bluntly, except for the sumptuous pricey meals, Parliamentary sessions and budget debates are exercises i n f u t i l i t y. G u y a n a ’s Parliament is like a tiger without teeth. It has not done
anything to sanction Ashni Singh from spending $4.5 billion of the taxpayer’s money that was not approved by Parliament. In any country, if a minority government wants to avoid a no confidence motion, it must negotiate with the majority opposition parties several weeks before the budget is presented to Parliament; not after. That way, there would be give and take, negotiation and collaboration, bringing the people into the process as their representatives make inputs on their behalf in the annual allocation of national resources. Instead, every year the people are treated to another ridiculous and elaborate sham by the PPP regime. Then comes the Auditor General’s reports that point to atrocious waste, massive corruption, gross mismanagement and lack of accountability in public expenditure. The tragedy is that the PPP cabal actually believed they are doing serious work on behalf of the people in Parliament. Not true! Parliament is the (Continued on page 31)
An honorary Consul is not a diplomat DEAR EDITOR, I write out of deep concern for the hard working diplomats in Guyana’s Foreign Service, regarding an article appearing on page 16 of the Kaieteur News of October 9, 2014 captioned “Govt. orders probe into duty-free concessions... Reports fingers top GRA officials in fraud scheme.’’ Among other things the article states “Another case that is under the spotlight involves a number of SUV’s brought in by a Guyanese diplomat posted to the US. He brought the vehicles, reportedly, applying for it as an investor. However, the vehicles were sold.” The diplomats that are posted from Guyana to the United States of America are His Excellency Bayney Karran, Ambassador to the United States of America and the OAS, His Excellency George Talbot, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Brentnold Evans, Consul General, Consulate in New York, Mr. Mohammed Khan, Deputy Consul General, Foreign Service Officers Troy
Torrington, Forbes July, Candida Daniels, Bibi Ally and Shiraz Mohamed. None of these diplomats, I repeat none of these diplomats, has imported to Guyana SUV vehicles. They just cannot do so while they are serving abroad. Mr. Editor, a phone call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have set the record straight. That omission and subsequent publication of the misleading information have caused undue discomfort to our hard working diplomats. I request an apology on their behalf. Elisabeth Harper Director General Ministry of Foreign Affairs E D I TO R ’ S N O T E : Kaieteur News provided the name of the ‘diplomat’ to the Foreign Ministry only to learn that an Honorary Consul is not considered a diplomat. We have since said to the Foreign Ministry that with the facts at everyone’s disposal this Honorary Consul should be sacked immediately.
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Comprehension could have Is this how we have avoided this entire exchange socialized our young people? DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Christopher Ram continues his bold path of misguided criticisms against the Attorney General Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs. I refer to his latest letter published October 9, 2014, under the caption, “Mr. Nandlall has taken the administration of justice to its nadir.” Expectedly, Mr. Ram begun by insinuating that I did not author the letter and I was a mere scribe to the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. This is a regular affront to which professional women are subjected,in our country, on a daily basis, by a society dominated by men, whose philosophy is that women are not their equal and should be domesticated at home, confined to housekeeping responsibilities. It is even more nauseating when it comes from those who present themselves as social activists and public commentators. I was elated to observe that Mr. Ram made no comment on my explanation in relation to the transformation which has and is taking place at the Deeds Registry. The public and I will therefore assume that he is satisfied with the explanation which I proffered in my last letter and that his silence on that issue in this letter is an admission that his fulminations on that issue in his first letter were much ado about nothing. Unfortunately, it is evident that I was not so successful in my explanation, in relation to the reasons why the Judicial Review Act is not in force. I will nevertheless try again. As I predicted, Mr. Ram capitalized on the opportunity presented, as is his wont, to publicly exhibit the research which he did in respect of the evolution of the new High Court Rules and regaled us with the details of his learnings. For that exposition, I hope the public is grateful. It is beneath me to respond to the personal attacks which he litters along the way. I am interested in substance. There is one serious omission of which Mr. Ram is guilty in his research regarding the new High Court Rules. It is that, apparently, he didn’t bother to read the Rules themselves. Had he done so, he would have been confronted on the
very first page of the Rules under the caption, “commencement” the following passage: “These Rules shall come into operation subject to the transitional provisions in Part 73, on a date to be fixed by the Chancellor, acting on the decision of the Rules Committee.” But then again maybe he did read it. Additionally, I made that point emphatically in my last letter that it is not the responsibility of the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to bring the Rules into operation. Comprehension is obviously an underrated problem. In any event, I am aware that these Rules have been sent by the Chancellor to the Guyana Bar Association of which Mr. Ram is the Secretary,for their input. Yet he asserts publicly that these Rules are in force. Mr. Ram listed Rules establishing the Commercial Court, the Constitutional and Administrative Law Division of the High Court, and the Family (Proceedings and Procedures) Rules 2012 and argues that the Attorney General must use that as precedents and extract from the new High Court Rules, the parts dealing with Judicial Review and bring them into operation. I am advised, that this argument is flawed on so many levels that it is impossible to deal adequately with it in a letter to the press. Suffice it to say, that I was further advised that the promulgation of the Rules of Court, of whatever kind, is always an intrinsic function of the Judiciary and will never in, our constitutional matrix, be a
functional responsibility of the Executive. Indeed, I am advised that each of the Rules to which Mr. Ram has made reference were brought into force by Practice Directions issued by the Chancellor of the Judiciary. As a lay person I presume that these are matters with which lawyers must be familiar. Mr. Ram asks why after two years since the Family Court Rules and the completion of the building to house the Family Court, “the Court has still not been established.” The Executive funded the construction of a building, furnished it, and facilitated the drafting of the Rules. The Court is es ta b li s h ed . I t is th e Judiciary that must make it operational. The conceptual dilemma of Mr. Ram is laid bare by his uninitiated assertion that, “in my view Mr. Nandlall has taken the administration of justice to its nadir.” Even I know that the administration of justice is a constitutional responsibility of the Judiciary from which the Executive is trenchantly insulated. If Mr. Ram wishes to see a constitutional change, as Secretary of the Guyana Bar Association, he is well positioned to persuade his organization to publicly campaign for such reform. Indira Anandjit Permanent Secretary Ministry of Legal Affairs
DEAR EDITOR, Someone once said that children are great imitators therefore we should give them something great to imitate. When it becomes a trend for teenagers to engage in sexual acts for the camera, we should ask ourselves is this how we have socialized our young people? The Protection of Children Act (2009) states that the most important consideration in relation to children is their best interests; it reads that “This means that parents, guardians, teachers, other adults, the government, the court and any other body or entity have to make sure that your best interests are considered when they make any decisions” The Guyana National Youth Council would like to express disappointment in the irresponsible way the media has dealt with the recent surfacing of a video of pornographic nature. Images of the act should have never been published and has added to the social media frenzy that the video has generated. In many ways, as a society we are all culpable. We are aware based on statistics from the Ministry of Health and its agencies that many young people are engaged in sexual activity. We are also aware that the age for sexual debut is becoming lower. But how do we address and reverse this
trend? The GNYC would like to call on the Ministries of Education and Health and other stakeholders to increase their efforts to embrace the teaching of comprehensive sexual and health and family life education in schools. This has been proven to help children and young people make informed and healthy sexual decisions, yet is a subject often overlooked and left untaught on the timetable in many local schools. This particular incident has exposed many issues: the unprofessional and inappropriate reporting and sharing of this incident, the use of cell phones in schools which were banned in 2007 by the Ministry of Education, and the reckless calls for punishment that should be meted out to these youth by a youth worker who should understand youth issues and know how to deal with these. While it may already be too late for the teens exposed in the videos to ‘take it all back’, the GNYC is satisfied
with the approach the Ministry of Education has taken in dealing with the issue and providing support to the students. But we should explore ways to ensure it doesn’t happen again. It is obligatory that we ensure young people have access to accurate information on Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services. It is evident that these young people lacked a sense of foresight with regard to the far reaching consequences of their actions. This is clear indication that they lack critical thinking skills to look towards the repercussion of their actions; for this, they cannot be blamed. While many have been vocal in condemning the actions of these young people we see a lack of context and a lack of honesty where it comes to the realities of our society. We live in a hyper-sexual society that does not only objectify women but also unintentionally grooms girls (Continued on page 31)
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Friday October 10, 2014
$10,000 Cash Grant pay-out set to commence tomorrow
A date has finally been set for the commencement of the distribution of the Government-assured $10,000 cash grant. According to information coming out of the Ministry of Education, the first bout of the distribution will commence tomorrow in Bartica. The inaugural cash grant is one that was announced by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, when he presented the National Budget to the nation earlier this year. Since the announcement, several parents have been eagerly anticipating the availability of the grant which will translate to $10,000 per child attending public schools. In order to facilitate the distribution of the grant, the Ministry of Education has crafted strict guidelines to ensure an efficient distribution process. The grant is expected to aid the schooling of children at the nursery, primary and secondary levels. Because of logistical measures that were required to be put in place ahead of the distribution process, the Ministry of Education in a statement issued Wednesday confirmed that the ‘We care cash grant initiative’ is set to be launched on October 11, 2014. According to the Ministry, parents, other family members or guardians of children are asked to pay close attention to the distribution schedule, along with the list of distribution sites which will be published weekly in the newspapers, to ensure that those concerned do not miss their opportunity to uplift the grant.
ELIGIBILITY According to the Ministry, the only eligibility criteria required to benefit from the grant is that children must be on the register of a public school. For this reason, every class in every school across Guyana was asked to submit a list of the students on their current 2014/2015 Register. Head teachers were also instructed to verify the lists submitted by class teachers and added to this, Regional Education Officers were instructed to further verify those lists submitted by schools in their Regions. Moreover, it was noted in the statement that “the Ministry of Education therefore shall be constrained to distribute vouchers only to parents/guardians of children who appear on the list compiled by the school and submitted to Central Ministry…” However, consideration will be given in cases where an interest is expressed and children are accepted into schools during the course of the school year, once they are within the stipulated age range. This, of course, is in accordance with the Ministry’s acceptance policy. According to the Ministry’s statement, Regional Education Officers have observed that since the submission to Central Ministry of the list of eligible children, new children have been enrolled and will now be on the register. As such, this year has seen even larger numbers of late registration than before, because of the promised cash grant. Another unorthodox basis for issuing of the cash
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand engages a gathering of stakeholders during a recent consultation. grant could also be linked to the inadvertence and/or negligence on the part of teachers, head-teachers and/ or education officers, to omit the names of children who are presently enrolled in school and therefore eligible to receive the cash grant. Further still, the statement pointed out that Government is of the considered view that children should not suffer for the failures/inadvertence of adults, whether that failure/ inadvertence caused their non-registration or exclusion from the list. Added to this it was noted that every child on the school’s Register who is registered any date prior to October 10, 2014 will be
entitled to receive the grant. Moreover, at the distribution venues, a separate registration will be done of any child who is registered but is not on the list supplied to the Ministry. But in order for this to be done, the Ministry noted that information such as the name of the child, name of the school, head-teacher’s name, contact information of the parents/guardians, reason for the child not being on the list supplied to the Ministry of Education, among other details, will be required. The gathered information will be verified and a $10,000 cash voucher will later be delivered to the home of the child by the relevant Head-teacher, teacher and/or Regional Education Officer. REQUIREMENTS In order for the parents/ guardians to uplift the cash grant for children whose names have already been submitted, they will have to present themselves at the scheduled distribution venue. They will be expected to present a valid means of identification such as their National Identification card, passports or driver’s licences. The parent/guardian will then receive a cash grant voucher, after which they
would be asked to sign or mark a document indicating that they have received same. They will then be able to encash the voucher at any Western Union/Bill Express across Guyana, a process that will require them to present a valid identification document. The Ministry, in its statement, has also cautioned parents/guardians that they must seek to uplift their vouchers on the date outlined, since vouchers will not be left at schools for later distribution. “If a parent/guardian misses the scheduled delivery date, and wishes to benefit from the programme that parent/guardian will have to attend the Regional Education Office to uplift the voucher on another date to be announced later,” the statement clearly outlined. BACKGROUND As explained by the Minister of Finance when he presented the 2014 National Budget, the cash grant programme is meant to provide more support to parents with school-age children in order to increase their disposable income and also to help increase the enrolment and attendance rates. “This is in fact the first
programme of its kind in the Caribbean and indeed anywhere else in this part of the world where every public school child is entitled to this benefit,” the Ministry’s statement pointed out. “Cognisant of Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana, which recommends inclusionary democracy, and because of the Government’s deep commitment to making decisions based on the desires of the people of Guyana, the Ministry of Education engaged in consultations across Guyana to hear from Guyana’s parents what systems they believe would serve them best. “More than 55 public consultations were held where a number of questions were examined including: whether parents would prefer to be able to receive cash or exchange a voucher for foods in the manner that the uniform voucher programme is currently operated; and if encashing were the preferred option, which service would parents prefer to use to be able to en-cash their vouchers. Choices ranged from the Banks, Mobile Money, Western Union/Bill Express, the Post Office, MoneyGram. “Almost unanimously parents chose to receive cash as opposed to goods and an overwhelming majority chose to be able to encash at Western Union/Bill Express money services. Where, geographically, there is a limitation of financial services, different arrangements will be put in place,” the statement concluded.
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Islamic State seizes large areas of Syrian town despite air strikes
Smoke rises after an U.S.-led air strike in the Syrian town of KobanI (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters seized more than a third of the Syrian border town of Kobani, a monitoring group said on Thursday, as U.S.-led air strikes failed to halt their advance and Turkish forces looked on without intervening. With Washington ruling out a ground operation in Syria, Turkey said it was unrealistic to expect it to mount a cross-border operation alone to relieve the mainly Kurdish town. The U.S. military said Kurdish forces appeared to be holding out in the town, which lies within sight of Turkish territory, following new air strikes in the area against a militant training camp and fighters. Washington said U.S. forces launched nine air strikes on Thursday against Islamic State militants north and south of Kobani, striking some fighting units and destroying four buildings held by the
group. U.S. forces also conducted two air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq. Retired U.S. General John Allen, named by President Barack Obama to oversee the anti-Islamic State coalition, held “constructive and detailed talks” with Turkish leaders in Ankara on Thursday, the State Department said. Ankara resents suggestions from Washington that it is not pulling its weight, and wants broader joint action that also targets the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. “We strongly reject allegations of Turkish responsibility for the ISIS advance,” a senior Ankara government source said, using a former acronym for the militant group. The State Department said Allen and deputy envoy Brett McGurk stressed that the fight against Islamic State would be a “long-term campaign” but that “urgent
steps were immediately required to counter the militants. The statement added that the U.S. and Turkish officials discussed several measures “to advance the military line of effort” against Islamic State and that a joint military planning team would visit Ankara early next week. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Islamic State had pushed forward on Thursday. “ISIS control more than a third of Kobani - all eastern areas, a small part of the northeast and an area in the southeast,” said Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Observatory, which monitors the Syrian civil war. The commander of Kobani’s heavily outgunned Kurdish defenders confirmed that the militants had made major gains, after a three-week battle that has also caused the worst street clashes in years between Turkish police and Kurdish protesters.
Macedonia checking for Ebola after Briton dies, hotel sealed off Macedonia said it was checking for the Ebola virus in a British man who died within hours of being admitted to hospital in the capital Skopje on Thursday. Authorities sealed off a hotel where he had been staying, isolating a second Briton and hotel staff. A Health Ministry official said the man had arrived from Britain on Oct. 2 and had been rushed to hospital at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Thursday, where he died several hours later. Dr. Jovanka Kostovska of the ministry’s commission for infectious diseases said the
man had been suffering from fever, vomiting and internal bleeding, and that his condition had deteriorated rapidly. Amid fears that the disease might spread in Europe, Kostovska told a news conference: “These are all symptoms of Ebola, which raises suspicions with this patient.” It was unclear, however, whether the man had recently been to West Africa, where Ebola has killed nearly 4,000 people since March in the largest outbreak on record. “Initially we had information that he had been
to Nigeria, but then his friend told us they hadn’t been anywhere,” said Kostovska. A government spokesman said later: “Medical authorities have informed us that up till now they cannot confirm whether the patient who died had Ebola. But as a precaution, based on the protocol of the World Health Organisation, medical authorities are taking all measures as if the patient had been suffering from a highly infectious disease.” Ebola is spread through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person.
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Trinidad Muslim group against locals fighting in Syria and Iraq P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – The Anjuman Sunnat ul Jamaat Association (ASJA) Wednesday said it would not support any Muslim from Trinidad and Tobago going to Syria to fight on behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS). Television reports Tuesday night claimed that two Trinidad and Tobago nationals had been identified as part of the ISIS fighters in Syria. One of men has since been identified as Shazam Mohammed, who was recently deported from the United States. One television report claimed that fundamentalist Trinidadian Muslims were being lured by a US$1,000 per day salary to fight on behalf of ISIS. National Security Minister Gary Griffith said that last month, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the United States, estimated that between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters across Iraq and Syria were fighting on behalf of the Islamic State. There are reports that more than 15,000 foreign fighters, including 2,000 westerners, have gone to Syria from at least 80 countries. ASJA president Yacoob Ali told radio listeners
Yacoob Ali that he was surprised that local Muslims had become part of “a destructive group” in Syria and Iraq. “I am very much surprised that a Muslim would want to get involved in this. It is not a declaration of war by a nation on another. These are individuals getting involved in activities we are not aware of. We would not like to be associated with such activity,” he said. ASJA established in 1936 is regarded as the largest and most influential Muslim organisation of Trinidad and Tobago and Ali said that his organization would not support any Muslim who joins ISIS. “Muslims in Trinidad would not wish to support such action. We are
a society, a community in Trinidad that respect law and order and we will continue to do so. “We would urge our Trinidadian brothers and sisters to consider carefully what they are about to do and do not get involved in any issue that would bring a tarnish on their individuals, family or country,” he added. The director of the National Operations Centre (NOC), Commander Garvin Heerah, said that his organization was working with international counterparts to verify the identities of the Trinidadians and was now involved in intelligence sharing. Ali said the Muslim organization here supported the position of the Trinidad and Tobago government in co-sponsoring a United States resolution at the United Nations on terrorism. Griffith defended the decision of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar to cosponsor the resolution saying that it would assist in alleviating the level of terror that exists both locally and internationally. He said information on the Trinidad and Tobago nationals in Syria is being provided as a result of this country’s anti-terrorist position.
Call for more T&T-Jamaica collaboration
Trinidad Express Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams has called for increased cooperation and trade facilitation between this country and Jamaica in order to boost innovation and competitiveness. “A good example of this sort of meaningful collaboration happened in Trinidad in 2011 to assist Jamaica exporters at the trade facilitation desk and this has been good for both of us,” she said. Ffolkes-Abrahams was speaking Wednesday at a business networking luncheon at the International Waterfront Centre, following the opening ceremony of the eighth Americas Competitiveness Forum. She identified several areas where these partnerships can occur. In the area of logistics, connectivity and productivity she said while State-owned Caribbean Airlines is a major player in terms of transportation and connectivity in the region there needs to be another
Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams airline. “We need more. For example carriers can be slightly repurposed by identifying the time slots which have the least commercial activity and reserving them for air freight. This would be an innovative way to boost efficiency in the transport of commercial cargo and maximise the utility of air carriers and that way of course you make more money as well and it will make all of us a lot happier,” she said. “More frequent trips to the islands and more direct connections where applicable
would also allow for greater movement of persons,” the Jamaica Minister added. She said through film and animation both islands can also work together as there is a high demand for Caribbean productions. Ffolkes-Abrahams pinpointed the high cost of production as the main barrier to the creation of quality regional films and animation. As such she made this recommendation: “Given the demand for Jamaica and Trinidad content both countries should contribute towards a venture fund to provide financial support for production and training in these creative endeavours.” “We can move filming to the Caribbean. Our culture is rich and I believe this is a great area for us to collaborate,” she further stated. The hundreds of delegates present agreed. Other areas of collaboration, she said, were through the fashion industry, sport, education and the energy sector. “We in Jamaica are again exploring the fashion industry.
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Kaieteur News
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THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE A PRIORITY The issue of schoolchildren having sex is one that should concern all of us. It is worrying, but not as worrying as the continuing tendency in this country to blame the educational system for sexual acts committed by schoolchildren outside of the precincts of the school. The recent reports in the media suggest that sexual acts involving students of a certain secondary school were carried out in a house and not in the school. However, the school that the children attend was identified by the uniforms they wore while the sexual acts were being performed. Based on reports, the sexual acts seemed consensual, but based on a guess of the ages of the children, it is presumed that we are dealing with statutory rape since, according to our laws, persons below the age of 16 are not considered competent to give consent, regardless of how competent that person is in the actual sexual act. Under our laws, fellatio (an act of oral sex) is considered as penetration. Therefore, if there is nonconsensual penetration, we are dealing not just with the possibility of a sexual
offence, but one that may be considered as statutory rape. I do not know how many students within our school system understand the seriousness of the acts which the students on the footage were engaged in. There is possible jail time involved here. I also do not understand how persons in our society can be blaming the educational system for what took place. Are we now making the school system responsible for the sexual morals of children and what they do outside of the classroom? If the school system is to be held responsible for the actions of the children, where does that responsibility begin and where does it end? And what about the parents of the children, should they not be held responsible too? Yet it seems as if the major blame is being placed on the school system, when this thing is alleged to have taken place in a private home and the only links to the educational system is that the children are students and they were performing their sexual acts in their school uniforms. There is a certain level of hypocrisy also involved in the alarmist reaction to the footage which
was said to have been rolled out on social media networks. First of all, people have been condemning the present generation of schoolchildren and bemoaning the falling standards of sexual morality in our country. But they are only fooling themselves. Hanky-panky between schoolchildren has been going on from time immemorial. Do not let the older generation pretend that there were not sexually suggestive touching and playing going on in the good old days. A lot of that was taking place. The difference was that the age of consent was lower in those days and there was a greater hiding of the facts. But wickedness took place long ago too. So we are not dealing with a new phenomenon. What I think many people are concerned about, is whether these illegal activities are taking place behind closed doors in the schools. That is what is worrying many a parent in this country. We do not know how extensive and widespread sex is in our school system. And we have to be concerned both by what takes place after the school bell rings for dismissal in the afternoons and what takes
place when schoolchildren leave the precincts of the school. But please, we cannot blame the educational system for this sort of thing while exculpating parents from any responsibility. In fact, instead of spending so much time trying to apportion blame, we should be spending more time ensuring that when our children go out, either to school or elsewhere, we know exactly what they are doing and not just what they are supposed to be doing. When our children say they are going to a friend, do we check to see they are at their friend, and do we know
whether the friend’s parents are at home and that the children are meeting under adult supervision? Do we allow our children to walk freely down the road unmolested or do we advise them to walk in groups and teach them how to ward off sexual predators? The safety of our children should be a priority. Too often I see children meeting their deaths because they are roaming with friends and end up doing some dangerous stunt for which they are illprepared. After school, students should go home and from home they should go
and engage in constructive playtime activities, done under the supervision of adults. Children should not be allowed, no matter how old they are, to roam around aimlessly in the streets. Unfortunately this is happening a lot and when this happens, these children can be easily lured into doing wicked things.
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Kaieteur News
Friday October 10, 2014
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Can Ebola destroy Guyana? The World Health Organization says that Ebola’s presence in Europe is unavoidable, but the continent has the resources to contain an outbreak. The obvious question to ask is if a country like Guyana - one of the poorest economies in the world - with abominable shortcomings in state services - can survive an Ebola outbreak? Anyone who lived here will know the answer is no, it cannot. No one wishes illness and death onto others, but self-destructive people should be shown no sympathy. This is a selfdestructive nation. It manifests all the characteristics of a country journeying aimlessly to the precipice. The best analogy I can think of is Germany under the Nazi Party. The German people welcomed Hitler and his Nazi Party in 1930. They handed them substantial
votes that allowed him to enter Parliament in 1933. The German people in the twenties were tired and pessimistic. The defeat in the First World War, and the paranoia and economic hardship, made Hitler an attractive presence. Then Hitler began to show his true colours. Hitler was obsessed with power and domination. As Germany became a disturbed society, consuming its citizenry, the German people remained unmoved, until it was too late. Hitler’s power obsession and the silence of the German people brought about the virtual destruction of Germany in 1945. One of the saddest sights to see, about human misery, is the hopelessness of the German people as they wander around their burn out cities in 1945. The young and the old, and the babies in mother’s embrace looking for
food and shelter, looking for tomorrow. The picture resembles an imaginary Guyana after Ebola strikes. The parallel of Nazi Germany with Guyana is so uncanny. Even though Hoyte brought hope and satisfaction, the Guyanese people welcomed a Jagan Government in 1992. The population felt that the PNC had a mammoth spell and it was time to give another party a chance. Jagan wasn’t that terrible, but the signs were there that PPP and ethnic domination was coming. It came with Bharrat Jagdeo. He showed no interest in state services and public infrastructure. The first casualty was the Botanic Gardens. The animals died, the trees died, the gardens died. The University of Guyana was next. This is one death that the Guyanese people should be ashamed of. Only an infected, morbid mind would accept that the University of Guyana is a functioning entity. There are high schools in poor African and Latin American countries that make UG look like an abandoned building in the 19th century. Compare UG to an elementary school in Europe or North America. The third casualty was Georgetown itself. The people of Guyana, with very few exceptions, accept to dwell in
the filthiest, dirtiest, foulsmelling city in the entire world. Every day there is some celebration or the other among this filth. There is an asinine hat show by some mindless group whose name I cannot remember, right in the middle of the garbage in the Promenade Gardens, where the smell of the single washroom permeates the air. There are groups like the Lions and Jaycees that are immersed in their ego-tripping public escapades and are shamelessly oblivious to the ubiquitous mountains of miasma. This rotting capital of Guyana hides the true picture. I went to Block 8 of Mon Repos to visit someone. The entire district is laden with garbage on every street. All the trenches and parapets on every street look like the forests in the interior. My host
told me he just returned from an American holiday and what he sees in Block 8 has him very depressed. Amidst these debaucheries, ignorance of life prevails. The middle class and the rich stratum deeply believe in their minds that if Ebola should come to Guyana, they would fly out. How stupid can a human be? Ebola causes death within days. And who says your intended country will let you in to receive treatment? Ebola is very infectious. If there is a God, he treats Guyanese in a special place in his heart. It has to be the work of God that prevents literally hundreds of thousands of Guyanese within the space of days from being knocked down with Chikungunya. All over Guyana are unweeded trenches, alleys,
Frederick Kissoon gutters. Mosquitoes have to be in these places by the trillions, not billions. The hand of God is protecting Guyana. If Ebola comes, can an abandoned country like Guyana escape this decimation? God will save those who have spoken out against misrule that has caused garbage to overrun Guyana. God knows such people have paid their obligation to their country. Ebola will only strike down the self-destructive ones.
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo greedy from small Helping others brings happiness, but selfishness never can. When Jagdeo was a li’l boy he stand outside a sweetie shop at Mahaica and peep inside at all dem nice sweetie deh.Up come a rich man, see how Jagdeo watching de sweetie and feel sorry fuh he. De man hold he hand and carry he inside de shop and tell de shop lady, ‘Full a bag with every kind of sweet he wants.’ Jagdeo couldn’t believe his luck. He full he mouth wid sweetie and de rich man ask he, ‘Is that good, son?’ Jagdeo shake he head and seh ‘Uh huh.’ Then the man asked, ‘Could I have some?’ Immediately de man see a different Jagdeo. De boy’s look of joy turned to fear, and clutching the bag he ran away shouting, ‘Mine, mine!’ That is how he stay even when he tun a big man. He believe up to now that de Treasury is he own and he own alone. Dem boys got a message fuh he. Happiness doesn’t come by getting; it comes by forgetting yourself and living for others. Dem boys seh that de Creeatah does bless
you for one reason: to make you a blessing to others. You’re not supposed to be a warehouse—but a clearing house. From de day of that sweetie experience to this day Jagdeo has been more than a warehouse. He start wid a town house which he seh he sell but nobody believe. Then he build a big, fancy beachfront house. Nobody know wha he storing inside but fuh sure he tek de Santa complex to be a warehouse and not a clearing house. Four weeks ago dem boys hear he visit de town house wha he seh he sell to Ernie de Rass. De guard didn’t open de gate because he didn’t know who Jagdeo was. Not knowing de man who resemble de devil cost de guard he wuk. De next day dem boys hear that de guard pardner tun up wid he couple day pay and tell he that he got bad news fuh he. “You see that man wha you seh you nah know yesterday? Well he seh to hand you this envelope and you fired.” Talk half and learn that is how Guyana’s devil does spread love and wealth.
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Death of four-year-old at GPHC...
Mother determined to get justice Had his life not ended abruptly on December 10, 2013, Jaden Mars would have been preparing to celebrate his fifth birthday next Wednesday (October 15, 2014). And the thought of facing the birth date of her first born is proving to be too much for 29-year-old Nathalie Caseley to bear. “The fifteenth of October will be the hardest day of my life; every year I make it a big thing; a real special thing for Jaden, and now instead of having him I have to grieve for him,” said Caseley during an interview with this publication yesterday. Ever since her son’s demise at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), six days after he was admitted to have his tongue sutured, Caseley has been relentlessly fighting for justice. This is in light of the fact that the woman believes she has been able to unearth enough information to prove that medical workers who attended to her son at the public hospital are liable for his death. Official investigations conducted following the child’s death revealed that there was evidence of negligence. Moreover, the findings were placed in the hands of both the Medical and Nursing Councils with a view of the two bodies meting out disciplinary action to the doctors and nurses who attended to the child. But according to Caseley, although several senior health functionaries had promised to keep her abreast of the developments, no one has been talking to her. “It has been 10 months now and nobody is saying anything to me,” said a despondent Caseley as she
stood at the Hadfield entrance of the Ministry of Health yesterday. This was after the woman had made several failed attempts to meet with Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, and then Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, to get answers in relation to her son’s case. She planned to head to the Office of the Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Mr Michael Khan, afterwards. “I have these people on record telling me privately that they know it was negligence, but publicly they are taking no action,” said Caseley of some senior health officers. “If they are hoping to make a mockery of me by allowing me to go ‘coo-coo’ in my head because they are not engaging me, then it is safe for me to do whatever I think will give me results.” Caseley said that she was convinced that by now she would have been able to get closure, but noted that because of the lack of information she is increasingly becoming frustrated. “I’ve tried to move on, look pretty, and post pictures on Facebook...trying just to see if I could get myself going, but those things are temporary; my pain, my loss, is permanent,” said the woman as she fought back tears. Caseley, an employee of the Qualfon (Guyana), has not returned to work since the death of her son, and is fearful that failure to get closure may very well result in her becoming unemployed. “I am a strong person and I don’t like people to see me cry, because crying is a sign of weakness, so I try to bear my pains on my own. They made me try with every fibre of my
- still trying to get answers from health officials
A despondent Nathalie Caseley at the back entrance of the Ministry of Health yesterday
being to erase the memory of my son completely; this is what they made me do...try to forget my son ever existed. “Remembering Jaden is remembering love, remembering life, remembering happiness,” said Caseley as she confided how difficult it has been to give her other two children – two-year-old Jada and sixmonth old Jonathan – the love and attention they so deserve. “It’s unfair to them. If I
didn’t understand my role as a mother I would run and leave them, because I know it was supposed to be three (children) and not two.” So frustrated is the woman that she prepared to publicise recordings that she has in her possession that will
not only substantiate that the hospital was at fault for taking her son’s life, but also to highlight to the public, the insensitivity of senior health
officials. “It is safe to say nothing has been done. It has all been word of mouth from them, although I have been calling (telephoning) over and over, but still can’t get anything significant from them,” said Caseley. The woman said that from all indications, her son’s case has been forgotten by health officials, like so many others in the past. She recalled a case at the public hospital, where negligence was cited in the death of a young mother during childbirth. Reports reaching Caseley is that those involved in that case are still on the job. “My son’s case will not be one like that,” Caseley insisted as she informed that “I am going to keep fighting all the time, although I think these people are taking me for granted.” According to Caseley, it was a very senior health official, who in acknowledging that the hospital was at fault advised her to take legal action. Caseley has since been able to solicit and retain legal Counsel in the person of prominent Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes.
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Kaieteur News
Friday October 10, 2014
Flood victims count their losses
Rohee calls for “media regulatory body”
From page 3 was right up to their necks.” Residents say that despite assurances given by representatives of the Local Government Ministry that the damaged koker will be fixed, nothing of the sort was done. “When we had a little water in our yards, they said that they will fix the problem, now everything in our houses is damaged and floating away and the problem ain’t fix yet,” the residents lamented. “WE NEED LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS” Several members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) visited the area and reinforced the call for Local Government Elections while empathizing with residents. Members of Parliament from APNU, headed by Shadow Minister for Local Government, Mr. Ronald Bulkan, toured the affected area. Other members included Members of Parliament, Ms. Annette Ferguson, Ms. Joan Mabel Baveghems, Mr. Desmond Trotman and Mr. Ernest Elliott. Bulkan expressed his dismay at the continued failure
of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to protect the population from the ravages of repeated flooding. Bulkan insisted that the administration’s lack of a coherent response to the management and maintenance of sea and river defences is economically and environmentally unsustainable, and the loss of household goods, domestic and agricultural equipment, livestock, destruction of homes, etc., demand an alternative strategy. He said that the crisis in the community is a clear failure of the local government system. “This neglect by the administration has placed residents at great risk and I believe it’s a man-made catastrophe brought about by the damaged local government system and a PPP/C administration that is callously unconcerned with local communities and local democracy.” In a press statement yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture said that Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Alli Baksh had visited the community in the afternoon.
During that visit, Minister Baksh met with residents while inspecting urgent remedial works being undertaken by a team of engineers from the NDIA. Minister Baksh added that all measures are being put in place to remedy the situation to ensure that the water recedes effectively, and cautioned persons to not create a mode of panic by misrepresenting the situation. “All measures are being put in place to ensure that the water recedes effectively. Thus far, the boards on the koker were replaced and personnel are working around the clock to ensure that the water effectively drains off-land and in a timely manner,” Minister Baksh said. The ministry said that the NDIA head and a team of engineers were on site to ensure that the situation returns to normalcy. The team is working on installing stop logs to block the flow of water from the Demerara River during the high tide, and a mobile pump was also installed to ensure the continual drainage of the affected areas.
“Of course I have a problem with Kaieteur News” By Abena Rockcliffe “Of course I have a problem with Kaieteur News” said General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party after he called for a “media regulatory body”, during the PPP’s weekly press conference at Freedom House on Tuesday. Rohee said that the ongoing frequency of media infractions in Guyana necessitates the establishment of a regulatory body for the media. He claimed that sections of the media have strayed from the fundamentals of journalistic norms and practices, and are providing fodder for the political opposition. He said these growing infractions bordering on libel, slander, distortions and character assassination by sections of the media have in turn contributed to the lowering of the country’s cultural standards. The General Secretary asserted that it is wrong for every other institution to be expected to function utilizing the ideals of professional conduct guided by specific norms and practices, “while the media escapes scrutiny due to the absence of a formal mechanism to judge their performance and to impose sanctions in cases where there are infractions. While the media plays an important role in society, this should never be mistaken to mean it can do as it wishes without inviting appropriate criticisms and sanctions. The PPP is therefore encouraging the relevant authorities to carefully examine this matter and to swiftly move to establish a regulatory body for the media.” In this vein, Rohee was asked to comment on the
PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee state-owned Guyana Chronicle’s printing pictures of school-aged children involved in sexual activities, but responded that he hadn’t seen the papers. Rohee also said that he knows nothing about the video that went viral over the weekend. He was then asked how would he react, in general, to a media house publishing pictures of school children in compromising positions, considering the fact that Guyana is a signatory to Rights of the Child Convention and that the PPP government has promised to protect children at all levels. But in response, Rohee maintained that he hadn’t seen Chronicle’s front page “but speaking about general principles double standards I have seen time and time again the Kaieteur News publish things like this…If Kaieteur wishes to deny what I am saying, they have a newspaper to do so. Don’t ask me when it happened, how it happened, or where it happened; we are not on trial here. All I can say is that I have seen this. In answering a follow-up question, Rohee said, “I wouldn’t want to comment on a matter; these are set up questions that I would not answer without
understanding the context in which I am answering, because I know how it will be spun in sections of the media, so I am not going to commit myself at this point and time to any generalised question.” Yet Rohee admitted that his problem is with Kaieteur News. He said, “my problem is the consistent attacks”. He said that he was upset that Kaieteur News did not cover anything about Prison Service Week, but published a story about the fact that protesting prisoners set alight a mattress in the Camp Street Prison. Rohee also lamented that Kaieteur News did not cover anything about PPP’s anniversary. “Where is the objectivity,” he asked. Pointed to the fact that the newspaper did not cover People’s National Congress Reform anniversary, Rohee said he did not care about that. He chided Kaieteur News for asking the Guyanese nation to stand with it in the fight for press freedom and democracy and said “I will not stand by no Kaieteur News.” A few weeks ago, Rohee had called for the Media Monitoring Unit to deal with the “politically orchestrated daily smear campaigns”.
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 13
ACDA observes African Holocaust Day - Prominent American historian, author, lecturer is keynote speaker For years, Africans around the world have observed October 12 as the official day of African Holocaust. It is the single most important date on the global African calendar which recognizes that day in 1492 when the European, Christopher Columbus arrived in the Caribbean Region, “signaling the unbridled decimation of indigenous culture and people throughout the world.” The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has teamed up with the Coalition of the Parade Ground Monument to present Dr. Runoko Rashidi; prominent historian, author, public lecturer and researcher. In its move to reiterate the importance of African consciousness (pre-slavery African history), ACDA has amplified the linkage of Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean to the continued depopulation, and the various forms of discrimination suffered by Africans in the West. Dr. Rashidi will deliver special addresses in relation to the African presence around the world prior to European domination. He will provide research information and scholarly teachings on the history and contributions of Africans subsequent and prior to European invasions. Apart from his other fields, Dr. Runoko Rashidi is also an Anthropologist with a major focus on what he calls the Global African Presence—that is, Africans outside of Africa before and after enslavement. He is the author/editor of eighteen books, the most recent being
From right: Dr. Rudi Guyan of ACDA’s Educational Committee, Secretary Charmaine Graham, Sister Penda Guyan and Mr. Elton McRae Dr. Runoko Rashidi ‘Black Star: The African Presence in Early Europe’, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2011 and ‘African Star over Asia: The Black Presence in the East’, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2012 and revised and reprinted in April 2013. Dr. Rashidi also worked closely with Guyana-born Professor of Africana Studies, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima. Dr. Rashidi’s works included ‘The African Presence in Early Asia’, co-edited by Dr. Van Sertima. His two major forthcoming works are: ‘The Ivan Van Sertima Papers: The Global African Presence’ and ‘Everywhere We Are: The Global African Presence’ by Runoko Rashidi. During a press conference at ACDA’s headquarters, Thomas Lands, it was explained that “the student of African history would immediately acknowledge that Dr. Rashidi is in fact continuing a tradition that seemingly was initiated by the Guyanese Anthropologist, Pan Africanist and writer, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, that of documenting ‘The Global
African presence.’” “Dr. Runoko Rashidi’s major mission in life is the uplifting of the African people, those at home and those abroad. He is the official Traveling Ambassador for Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, currently in its 100th year of service. “This is Dr. Rashidi’s third visit to Guyana. His last visit was more than ten years ago and we are truly honoured that he has agreed to come at this time, as he has never missed an African Holocaust Commemoration in Los Angeles, California, in twenty-three years. This bears witness to the emphasis he places on the importance and significance of the Commemoration of the African Holocaust.” African Holocaust or ‘Maafa’ (day) is a Kiswahili or Swahili term for “Disaster” or “Terrible Occurrence”. “Maafa is also the word that best describes the more than 500 hundred years of suffering of people of African descent through Slavery, Imperialism, Colonialism, Invasions and Exploitation.
The Maafa uniquely refers to the subjugation, contamination and loss of indigenous African cultures, languages, spiritual beliefs and encompasses the historic and ongoing commercial exploitation of Africa’s human and natural resources through enslavement, colonization and neo-colonialism.”
Dr. Rashidi will be giving lectures free of cost at Friendship Primary School, East Coast Demerara at 1700h (5 p.m.) tomorrow. He will also speak on Sunday morning at the Sea Wall Bandstand, at 05:45h, in ACDA’s Holocaust programme, while there will be libation at Parliament Building at noon on Monday. Dr.
Rashidi will also deliver lectures on the West Coast, in Berbice and in Linden during next week. More information can be gathered from ACDA at email address: acda2011@yahoo.com. Contact can also be made with 1823 Parade Ground Coalition President; Sister Penda Guyan. (Zena Henry)
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Kaieteur News
Friday October 10, 2014
Miners urged to up declarations as gold price climbs again Gold prices climbed almost US$30 per ounce Wednesday after plunging to a four-year low over the weekend. The turn of events on the world market has heartened regulators, with Government yesterday urging miners to grab the opportunities to up production and declarations. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, along with its regulatory agencies for the gold mining and trading business, it has noted that global gold prices are posting solid gains and hit a threeweek high in early U.S. trading yesterday. “A combination of heavy short covering in the futures market, bargain-hunting and safe-haven buying are boosting the yellow metal. The technical posture for gold has also become much less bearish this week. December Comex gold was last up $26.80 at $1,232.80 an ounce. Spot gold was last quoted up $11.30 at $1,233.25.” Traders are still digesting
the dovish Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes released Wednesday afternoon. The US Fed expressed increasing concern about weakening world economies and some FOMC members questioned whether the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the other major currencies might act as a drag on the U.S. economy. “The U.S. dollar index sold off, while the Euro currency, gold and U.S. Treasuries and stock indexes rallied in the aftermath of the FOMC minutes. The market place reckons the FOMC minutes hint the Fed may have to hold off longer on raising U.S. interest rates, given the increasing concerns about weakening world economies—especially the serious weakness coming out of the European Union,” the ministry said in a statement. European stocks and bonds, and the Euro currency, rallied overnight, in the aftermath of the FOMC minutes and the U.S. stock market rally Wednesday
Mining operations have been asked to increase declarations as prices climbed Wednesday after sliding to a four-year low last weekend. afternoon. U.S. stock indexes were slightly higher in early electronic trading. The U.S. dollar index continued under selling pressure yesterday morning, which is also a bullish “outside market” factor for the precious metals. “The local gold mining industry is being encouraged to capitalize on the rise in prices as we seek to close out the year on a high for the level of declaration that is currently being recoded,” the Ministry
urged yesterday. Gold was trading last Saturday as low as US$1,190 per ounce. The situation had worried the Government of Guyana in terms of the impact of the falling prices on mining operations and the economy. Miners themselves are worried because of loans and other debts they have incurred. Many of them had benefitted from the huge windfall from high prices but the crippling drop has caught them in a lurch. According to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, as part of the continued mandate, his ministry and the regulators,
Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), have been meeting with the miners to determine the way forward. A number of measures have been proposed and are being studied. The US$1,200 per ounce has been viewed by miners as one where deep worry would start. Miners have been warned to bring down production costs in order to remain profitable. Labour, fuel and food have been the biggest expenses for camp sites, with authorities urging miners to increase their recovery rates. Last year, gold prices plunged from US$1,800 to around US$1,200 before
inching up to the US$1,400 mark. According to Minister Persaud, President Donald Ramotar will be briefed on the situation even as it is being assessed. Last year ’s gold declaration was the largest ever at 481,087 ounces. Gold export earning was a massive US$648M as at December 31, last. This year the target has been set for 484,562 ounces. The less-than-expected declarations to date were blamed on hoarding by miners and dealers who are hoping that the price climbs. However, this has been categorically denied by the operators.
Courts ‘throws back’ to ‘70s with “funky” promotion Yesterday, as part of ‘Customer Service Week’, Courts Guyana took customers back to a “funkier time” where bell-bottom jeans, afros and disco fashion dominated, as staff and a few customers dressed up in the style of the 1970s. Customers, who chose to adorn themselves in the trends from four decades ago, were lucky to receive 10% discounts storewide along with 50% discounts on selected items. The promotion was held under the name ‘Throwback Thursday,’ a catch phrase popularly featured recently on social media sites, to reference trends of a previous time. The company saw it fit to host the event as a way to not only celebrate its customers, but also as a way
to show staff appreciation. According to the Customer Experience Manager, Shonelle Bacchus, the company believes that enhancing the Courts experience cannot be a process that is solely geared towards pleasing customers but should also include staff members. With Thursday’s “dressed in retro” event, customers and staff were allowed to partake in the ‘70s party scene, with a live DJ playing all of the top hits from that decade throughout the store, even as customers made their purchases. In addition to this ‘Throwback Thursday’ event, Public Relations Officer and Promotions Officer, Roberta Ferguson, explained that the
staff also participated in teambuilding exercises that sought to enhance and further promote teamwork. Events were planned for the duration of the week, according to the PRO, with activities aimed at including all departments of Courts in an effort to strengthen the company’s productivity and build corporation amongst the staff at every level. Ferguson also elaborated on the other promotions that the company has in store for the public, which included a chance for four customers to win $400,000 cash prizes with any purchase of a Frigidaire appliance, three paint packages and up to $12,000 cash-back with any purchase over $30,000. The company wants clients to see that “The Christmas Season start with Courts” and that is why they are devoting a lot of their efforts in optimizing the services of their staff and improving the shopping experience for their customers.
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Criticism of MPs’ performance…
Govt. constrains, deliberately makes Opposition ineffective - Ramjattan
By Kiana Wilburg While politicians are currently courting the public as the time for the debate over the No-Confidence Motion draws near, criticisms have continued to increase as to whether the political opposition has and is, performing at its best, in and out of the National Assembly. Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, expressed at his last held weekly press conference that he is most satisfied with the performance of his parliamentarians. In previous interviews with this publication, Granger had cited the lack of resources, among other factors to be the main reason why the opposition has not been able to effectively exercise its muscle, when it comes to ensuring that the government is held accountable for its actions. While critics have bemoaned Granger’s position on the lack of resources, Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, is in agreement with the APNU Leader. Ramjattan expressed via a telephone interview with this publication that the lack of resources is a frustration not just to APNU, but to the AFC, and is a factor which has essentially made the Opposition weaker. He noted that the Opposition is “constrained and deliberately made ineffective by the non-grant of facility of researchers and experts to help its members in the analysis of major areas of policy and finance among others.” He explained that the culprit behind this is the Government, which continues to deny the Parliament a Budget Office. This Office, he explained, would certainly assist in scrutinizing Government’s appropriations and recommending an Opposition alternative. “The constraint Mr. Granger talks about is certainly a significant and real one and we in the AFC suffer from it as well. Many things we would have to fund and do on our own, if we have to get the research and specialized analysis on certain matters, we have to do it on our own. We are supposed to have the ability to employ the relevant experts on it. “But the Government does not want us to enjoy that benefit. As it relates to the critics who feel we ought to do better, they need to
Khemraj Ramjattan, AFC Leader understand that what Mr. Granger is talking about is most certainly a serious reality, and because the Government denies us certain benefits, it has made us weaker and we are challenged. Many of the things that we would want to do are left in limbo because of the lack of resources,” Ramjattan asserted. On the question of the discrimination of benefits given to APNU’s Leader as against the AFC Leader, he explained, “Mr. Granger is entitled to certain things for his office as Leader of the Opposition, and the AFC respects that and is not envious of that.” Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram had accused the APNU Leader, and some of his parliamentarians, of being “ineffective” and “incompetent” if one were to examine their parliamentary contributions. This is just one of the criticisms Ram made in a detailed two-part analysis of APNU which was published in July and August. Ram opined that the political opposition coalition makes too many excuses for its “poor performance.” Ram had commented on APNU’s “usual cry” of lack of resources being the cause for the coalition’s inability to perform effectively in the National Assembly. In the face of some of Ram’s criticisms, Granger had said that he finds Ram’s comments to be “unreasonable, misguided
and unfair.” He insisted that he is pleased with the performances and contributions of his parliamentarians. Ram on his website, www.chrisram.com explained that his analysis of APNU was spurred by a press conference a few months ago to mark the third anniversary of the coalition. He made reference to comments made by Granger, who had said that as the major opposition force in the National Assembly, and given its relatively “brief existence” it has made major progress despite the serious lack of facilities and resources. Ram had also made reference to the fact that Granger had disagreed with the critics who said, since last year that APNU has not done adequate work. Granger had disagreed then, and he disagrees now. With 26 members in the National Assembly, Ram insisted that APNU would have been “expected to do more – much, much more”. Granger had said, “I believe the people who question the APNU need to examine the role of the opposition, the resources available and the progress we made in making the government more accountable and on insisting on transparency… “They also need to examine the progress we have made in attempting to make the Parliament office and the National Assembly truly autonomous and independent of the executive branch … “We have had an uphill struggle in making this government more accountable to the people and to make the Parliament a place where real issues can be discussed.” “I am satisfied with what the APNU has done and I feel we have made tremendous progress over the last thirty months or more…I am very satisfied.”
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Kaieteur News
Friday October 10, 2014
Judicial Review Act in limbo In a tit-for-tat that has seemingly exposed the indifference which obtains in the legal and legislative sector, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has accused Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, of being unaware of what obtains when he accused him of deliberately not bringing into force the Judicial Review Act. Ram asserted that Nandlall’s Permanent Secretary, Indira Anandjit, had in defence of the Attorney General suggested that the High Court rules were yet to be completed, a notion debunked by Ram as a fallacy, since they were laid in the House in November 2010. In a twist of events, this publication has been reliably informed that Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, yesterday wrote to President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Ronald Burch-Smith, informing him that the rules which were laid in the House in 2010 had to be revised because of omissions and errors. A point to note is that the missive from Justice Singh to the Bar Association President comes days after Anandjit sought to defend Nandlall’s position. Ram is of the opinion that by not bringing the Judicial Review Act into force, “what Mr. Nandlall is effectively doing is frustrating the decision of the Parliament by his failure to bring the Act into operation.” Ram posited that a delay of four years is clearly intolerable and falls down on his predecessor Charles Ramson’s promise “to bring the judicial process into the 21st century.” It should be noted, too, that the Chancellor, in 2010, spoke glowingly of the completion of the rules which now have to be revisited.
…as Chancellor decides to review High Court rules four years later
Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh The US$10M InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB)-funded Modernization of Justice Administration System Programme was at the time being executed in two components – the High Court and the Ministry of Legal Affairs – headed by Justice Singh and then Minister of Legal Affairs Charles Ramson SC respectively. According to Nandlall’s Permanent Secretary, on Wednesday last, “a simple reading of the Act would have saved Mr. Ram much public embarrassment. Section 3(1) of the Act provides: 1. “An application to the court for relief against an administrative Act or omission shall be made by way of an application for judicial review in accordance with this act and with Rules of Court.” Anandjit contended that it is either that Ram has not read this section or, he did so but did not understand what it means or, worse yet, is shockingly unaware that the Rules of Court currently in force do not provide a procedure for an application for judicial review. According to the Permanent Secretary, the procedure for same is contained in the new Rules of
Court which are in draft and as a result, the Act therefore, cannot be brought into operation without the promulgation of the new Rules of Court and that is a responsibility which does not reside with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Ram had fired back, citing Nandlall’s ignorance of his sector, and pointing out that the High Court Rules have been tabled in the National Assembly, since November 18, 2010. Justice Singh, coincidentally, one day later advised the Bar Association that the rules had to be revised. Ram, the previous day had even posited that even if the Rules were still in draft, Nandlall compounded his poor knowledge by attempting to hoodwink the public into believing that the Judicial Review Act can only be brought into force when the entire body of new Rules of Court is promulgated. Ram used the opportunity to point out that there are several recent precedents for the making of subsidiary rules or legislation for specific legal purposes. He pointed to the rules establishing the Commercial Court and setting out the procedures for the operation of that Court. Ram spoke, too, of the Practice Direction Rule establishing the Constitutional Division of the High Court and the Family (Proceedings and Procedures) Rules 2012, comprising 130 pages. He questioned whether “Nandlall or his alter ego, Permanent
Secretary Indira Anandjit, may wish to explain honestly why more than two years after the publication of the Family (Proceedings and Procedures) Rules, and even longer after the completion of the building to house the Family Court, that Court has still not been established”. According to Ram, it is not that Nandlall thinks it is easier to bring up Rules of 130 pages than it is of Rules of three pages; it is that he is afraid to bring the Judicial Review Act of 2010 into being because it would facilitate legal challenges to the Executive’s excesses and breaches of administrative law. Ram suggested that with the coming into force of the Act, it would give to the High Court the power to grant aggrieved citizens injunctions and declarations more easily than are available under the current Rules.
“In my view Mr. Nandlall has taken the administration of justice to its nadir, demonstrating all at one time cowardice, ignorance and dishonesty. I truly hope for the sake of this country that it does not get worse, although with Mr. Nandlall and Anandjit I am not confident.” Ram emphasized that having been laid in the National Assembly, the Rules were ready to become operational on the date of publication in the Gazette, or some later date provided. “Nandlall as Minister of Legal Affairs has executive responsibility for the administration of justice and it is in him, and him alone, vested the power and the duty to bring the Judicial Review Act into operation.” He said that “to simply and conveniently blame others from a position of ignorance only emphasises
Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram how craven his cowardice is”. “Under the High Court Act, the Attorney General, or his appointee, is a member of the Rules Committee, which he appears not to know…I must ask, is Nandlall for real?” It was Anandjit who publicly responded to Ram on behalf of Nandlall and according to Ram, it was predictable that Nandlall would “shelter under the coattails of his Permanent Secretary, Anandjit, from which to throw pebbles at me”.
Parliament desperately needs Legal Dept. - Speaker By Kiana Wilburg While Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman is concerned about the lack of a financial and analytical support team for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and for other parliamentarians, in the form of a Budget Office, he has also expressed deep concern over the absence of a legal department for the National Assembly. In a brief interview with this publication, Trotman said that based on “recent circumstances” it has become evident that the Parliament “is in desperate need of not just legal officers but a legal department. The Parliament is urgently in need of this, but it is being blocked by the Government.” In support of Trotman’s points, General Secretary of the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson, told this publication that the proceedings of the Tenth Parliament have demonstrated more than ever why the National Assembly should have its own legal department, for several reasons. The first reason Patterson cited was to support the legal drafting of bills for all members, particularly Opposition members. Given the new dispensation, the AFC
David Patterson, AFC General Secretary
House Speaker, Raphael Trotman
member stated that the Opposition members may be desirous of amending existing legislation or even drafting new bills, and such a process would require legal knowledge which not all Members of Parliament would have, and understandably so, since legal background is not a requirement of membership into the National Assembly. He said that currently, the only State legal drafting unit is housed in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, which is under the direction of the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. Patterson reminded that Nandlall on several occasions had stated that he would not be making his staff available for such purposes. Patterson asserted that without a legal staff, the opposition has not been able to take full advantage of their majority, since any bill or
motion had to be privately executed. The second reason the AFC General Secretary highlighted was for research on legal matters. He believes that this is very important, and cited a prime example to justify this point. Patterson said that in the budget cut case, if such a department was in place, the political Opposition would have been able to do the necessary research, which would have guided the Parliament, as well as the Court. “Thus, when the Attorney General took the Speaker to court, it would have been the Parliament’s legal department that would have been defending that case, since after all, they would be there for all legal matters,” Patterson added. Another example the (Continued on page 25)
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Tiger Bay residents displaced as businessman claims land ownership
Mason remanded over city home break-in A 19-year-old mason accused of breaking into a Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt house, and making off with over $1.2M worth in items, including jewellery and electronic gadgets, was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Anferny Cantzlaar, also known as ‘Space Head,’ of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was taken before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, to respond to two counts of break and enter and larceny charges. The court heard that on October 1, last, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Rhonda Simmons and stole her 42-inch flat screen television. It is also alleged that Cantzlaar managed to make off with two laptops, one HTC cellular phone, one BlackBerry cellular phone, one haversack and US$500
Construction workers building the fence yesterday
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and $480,000 worth in jewellery. According to the charges, the items totaled $1,215,000. Cantzlaar pleaded not guilty to the charges and submitted an application for bail through his lawyer, Mark Conway. The lawyer told the Court that his client, who is the father of a five-month-old baby, had never been convicted on any charge before. He admitted, however, that Cantzlaar had faced the court several times on similar charges but added that he had been exonerated. Police Prosecutor Inspector Michael Gant did not reveal the details of the break-in, but opposed bail citing the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, and the fact that Cantzlaar was charged before for break and enter and larceny. The Prosecution asked the court
Accused: Anferny Cantzlaar to also heed the total cost of the items stolen. Grant told the court that while Cantzlaar had never been convicted before, he is wanted by ranks at the Diamond and Leonora Police Stations for other matters of this nature. The Prosecution’s request was granted. The case will be called again on October 14.
Taxi driver granted bail in $1M fraud Several residents registering their concerns with the police More than 30 persons, including children, from Tiger Bay, Georgetown are now displaced. This was after a popular city businessman claimed that he is the owner of a plot of land which the residents have been residing on for almost 30 years. According to information received, about 20 men, some of whom were allegedly armed with guns, showed up on Wednesday at the land, which is located at the back of an adjacent business place, and began constructing a fence around the perimeter. The fence was built around six shacks. No gate was built for the residents to have access to their premises. They claimed that they were forced to look at the construction workers as they built the fence,
without intervening, because they were fearful for their lives. “They built the fence around our houses, so basically what they did is fence us in,” one female resident said. The woman added that when the construction workers left the site on Wednesday, after completing the fence, the affected persons dismantled it. “We break it because we have children who have to come out and go to school and some of us have to go to work and we cannot leave. We’re trapped,” said Tameka Adams, one of the affected persons. However, less than 24 hours after the residents damaged the fence, another set of workers turned up at
the location and rebuilt the structure. Kaieteur News was told that one of the Tiger Bay residents is in a court battle with the businessman over another piece of land in the area. Residents are claiming that it is unfair for them to move from that location since they have been living there for years. They said that almost everyone from the area has applied for house lots, but many were never called in. “We are living here for years and he (businessman) just come and claim he owns the land. Nobody showed us any documents or so, and even if he bought the land, he was supposed to give us some time to get a place and move,” a resident said.
Guyana undergoes first nat'l... From page 23 preparedness is tested when the criminal threatens to blow the facility. The criminal then attempted to escape via river after letting the hostage go aback of the facility. At that point of the exercise, the Guyana Defence Force's Coast Guard and the Police Force's marine responded. “There are a number of persons who are involved in this exercise and MARAD
also has its part in security,” Nurse related. Eric May, of the US's International Port Security Program, was an observer at yesterday's event. He said that he was invited by the Government to help evaluate the country's first national level maritime port security exercise. May told this publication that everything was going well. He too explained that since the implementation of the ISPS code, it is required
that all port facilities that interact with international vessels have a port facility security plan which requires regulations and procedures that have to be tested. “The exercises are very important, because it is a national level exercise that does not only test the fa cility's plan, but the Government's response to such an incident. So this is really a big deal and it's a special occasion for the Guyanese Government.”
A 34-year-old taxi driver was granted $120,000 bail after facing fraud charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Suresh Singh of Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni was taken before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. It is alleged that on October 7, last, at Third Avenue, Bartica, he was entrusted with $1M by Pamela Hussain to purchase
fuel and groceries, but he fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit. The unrepresented defendant pleaded not guilty and requested bail in a “small” amount. Singh said that he would usually work for Hussain as a taxi driver but “it’s just that an accident happened.” He stated that other than traffic matters, this was his
first time in Court to answer such a charge. Police Prosecutor Inspector Michael Grant did not oppose bail, thus this was granted to the taxi driver under the condition that he reports to the Bartica Police Station every Friday at 18:00 hours. The case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court and will be called on October 16.
Parliament desperately needs... (From page 16) politician mentioned was that of the No-Confidence Motion, as well as other such bills and motions. The department, he said, would have also been able to provide guidance on this matter to both the Speaker and the Clerk of the National Assembly, thereby avoiding the public speculation on whether the No-Confidence Motion in its current format is legal or not. His last point, which he believes also underscores the need for the Parliament to
have a legal department is the matter of the ‘Assent Certificate’ to certain Bills by the Attorney General. The AFC member told this newspaper that while in the Constitution there is no provision for review by Nandlall before the Clerk dispatches a bill to the President for assent, he reminded that the AG claimed that it was due to “a convention”. “While the AG had claimed such, what is really happening is that he is stalling and delaying the
process. However, if the Clerk of the National Assembly wants to reconfirm a legal issue before dispatch, instead of asking the AG Chambers, he would simply refer the bill to this department,” Patterson said. He opined that Guyana may be the only Parliament in the Caribbean without such a department and the unwillingness of the Government to fund one, he said, is another prime example of its desire to control everything.
Page 30
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Kaieteur News
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045
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One Mitsubishi Lancer (good condition), with new engine (EFI) spoiler & rims - $950,000 negotiable – Tel: 644-6999
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Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
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Friday October 10, 2014
One Toyota Ax10 - $2.1M Negotiable, One Toyota Spacio $1.8M Negotiable Tel: 678-0109 or 618-2576 One 212 HB Series, good condition – Call:628-9232 1- L Touring Wagon car, Toyota Corolla – Call: 6632882
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Contract cars & experienced dispatcher @ West Site Taxi Service - Tel:600-0680 or 613-0419 Diesel Mechanics to work in the interior (Perkins engine) Contact: 226-9768 Professional painters wanted Contact: 622-4899 Experienced drivers with minibus and hire cars license, also contract vehicles – Call: 645-0025
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Live in maid to work in town Call: 669-6030
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One supervisor/manger for 704, must have catering and event planning experience contact 223-5273/4 Workers for land dredge Call: 694-2310 Over edge and straight stitch operator to work at Garment Factory Call:222-2541 (Monday – Friday)
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MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call:678-7499 Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! – 668-4554 (Continued page 31)
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views
Independent Task Force needed to investigate the NOC DEAR EDITOR, The trampling and denial of the rights of young students at the NOC continues unabated even as the Government of Guyana rolled out rallies and other activities to mark Child Protection Week. We are aware that since the second week of June 2014 the long awaited full report of the 2012 COI investigation has been completed and is with the Minister of Culture Youth& Sport. As such, while we repeat our call for a full and public disclosure of the finding of this long awaited report the Government and the Minister of Youth Culture & Sport cannot escape responsibility that their failure as duty bearers to take adequate action after the events of
August 2012 has had a direct bearing on the more recent reports of physical and sexual abuse of NOC female students. We know statements made in January of 2013 andreflected in the summary report of the COIpointed to poor administration, lack of adequately trained staff who often had no clear understanding or knowledge of policies, roles and responsibilities, inappropriate supervision of students and abusive practices and disciplinary measures meted out to students at the juvenile facility. In spite of the above, reports in 2014 from young women removed from the NOC by the Director of the Child Care & Protection Agency and placed in
protective custody attest to continuing incidents of sexual abuse and the use of a dentition/punishment room called the quiet room’ where students were place naked with the use of only a bucket to relieve themselves for periods of 2 days. Notwithstanding a break out, arson and continued reports of physical and sexual abuse at NOC, State responses have been inadequate, in violation of the human rights of NOC students and in conflict with best practices worldwide for addressing the issue of young people in conflict with the law. Alarmingly the constructing of a special confinement building of 9ft x 12ft ‘holding cells’ for further detention of NOC students
Novel based on the two lost girls from Apoteri was published in Britain DEAR EDITOR, The article ‘Girl lost in jungle 19 years ago recalls ordeal’ which appeared in a Sunday newpaper is indeed remarkably timely. I say this because my novel ‘The Balata Sisters’, a fiction inspired by the two lost girls from Apoteri, was published this month in Britain. I started writing this novel in 1996
soon after I learnt about the girls’ ordeal in the Guyana jungle. The novel is a product of my imagination. Characters and occurrences are fictitious and drawn largely from third party anecdotes and my background in commercial forestry. As the novel was written over a ten-year period I took the author’s liberty of weaving into the narrative,
elements that bring the story closer to the present day, dealing loosely with such topical issues as TIP and forest conservation. By next month the novel will be available in, or through, popular bookshops here as well as in the UK, USA and Canada initially. It is already available on Amazon. Hamley Case
Is this how we have socialized our... From page 5 to see themselves as sexual objects for the gratification of men where young girls are pursued even more commonly by their own teachers, verbally harassed by random men on the street and even those entrusted with their safety and security on an institutional level. To further add to the “sexual” environment created, the typical journey for most young people to and from school consists of listening to vulgar lyrics. It is disappointing that a great majority of the time adults are present on the bus and they do not reject the lawlessness. We live in a society where sexually explicit lyrics are blasted down the street from music push carts, from minibus and taxi speakers, and in a society where only a few speak out against it. Profanity is pushed at us on the radio and television stations most popular with the youth and there must be a conscious and concerted effort by media operatives to the material they push to an impressionable audience. All of this against a backdrop of profound silence, at moments when a joint solidarity effort is needed. If no one
is concerned about the causes for such behaviour, how then can we obsess over these incidences? It seems short-sighted. Until we are prepared to tackle the elements of our society which seek to promote and make such behaviour acceptable then unfortunately we shall remain fixated on the outputs of a process we do nothing to halt, yet seek to condemn. The Guyana National Youth Council would like to see concerted efforts to provide appropriate and accurate sex education intervention programmes which engages
both student and parents, and a consideration be given for general insertion of inschool counsellors to help students deal with all the issues they face at such an impressionable age. We stand ready to support the revision, design and implementation of these towards the protection of our fellow Guyanese youth and can be reached at nycguyana@outlook.com. The Guyana National Youth Council Team: Tiffany Daniels Tricia Teekah Francis Bailey Andrea Bryan
points to a Government and state institutions who are out of touch, insensitive and either have not read their own Juvenile Justice Bill drafted since 2009 and secretly gathering dust on shelves or have scant regard for the human rights of juveniles in conflict with the law and who are in violation of UN conventions and standard rules for the administration of juvenile Justice. The Government of Guyana is also guilty of refusing to outlaw “status offences” as recommended by UN Agencies and Guyanese civil society groups chief of which is the offence of ‘ Wandering’. Juveniles charged with this ‘offence’ are not offenders but victims of child abuse and neglect and many students at NOC especially, teenage girls committed for this offence are therefore being penalized for being victims and survivors of child abuse, The Government of Guyana has stubbornly refused to enact the Juvenile Justice Bill (JJB) which recognizes that Guyana is a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and recognizes that juveniles have rights and freedoms, including those stated in the United Nations Standard Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice and the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty and have special guarantees of their rights and freedoms. Further the JJB in its preamble commits to “ a juvenile justice system that
commands respect, takes into account the interests of victims, fosters responsibility and ensures accountability through meaningful consequences and effective rehabilitation and reintegration, and that reserves its most serious intervention for the most serious crimes and reduces the over-reliance on incarceration for non-violent juveniles.” Based on the above we call on the government to make good its 2009 promise to bring the Juvenile Justice Bill to parliament, we call for an independent Task Force to be set to investigate fully the functioning of the NOC based but not limited to the findings of the 2012 COI report; we call for the NOC to be placed under an independent management committee comprising individuals with the necessary expertise, experience, interest and knowledge of human rights law and practice to run a successful juvenile rehabilitation centre, we call for all status offences and in particular the offence of wandering to be repealed and we demand that students and former students of NOC be granted independent legal representation as is their right in moving forward with prosecution of offences against them if so wished. Danuta Radzik & Josephine Whitehead Help & Shelter Wintress White - Red T hread Melinda Janki - Justice Institute
Parliament is the epitome of utter slackness and a... From page 4 epitome of utter slackness and a waste of the taxpayers’ money. So the entire nation is left in confusion with no limit on spending of the taxpayers’ money by the indiscipline PPP predators and with a par-
liament that can do nothing about the massive waste, gross mismanagement and thievery that we have had for the past 12 years and counting in this country under the new dispensation. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh.
(From page 30)
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Friday October 10, 2014
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
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$500 million allocated for Ebola fears spread as Spanish chik-V and Ebola response nurse worsens, British man tested Jamaica Gleaner - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says the Government has now allocated $500 million for the national health emergency response. At a press conference at Jamaica House yesterday morning, Simpson Miller said the money would help towards the chikungunya response and Ebola preparations. The Government had first announced a $150 million allocation while the local Government Minister had said the National Solid Waste Management Authority would get $140 million to help
Portia Simpson Miller to clear the garbage backlog. The Prime Minister says
the country’s emergency systems have been activated. She says there is to be increased border patrol in light of the Ebola outbreak. Simpson Miller says this will be led by the Jamaica Defence Force which is charged with ensuring there is no illegal entry by persons. Surveillance is also to be stepped up at the ports of entry. Simpson Miller says an isolation facility has also been identified just in case Jamaica has any Ebola cases, but she declined to disclose the location for security reasons.
US official downplays Cuba’s invitation to summit PANAMA CITY (AP) — A senior St a t e Department official said Wednesday that the U.S. is prepared to welcome Cuba for the first time to a region-wide summit but wants heads of state to focus attention on the communist government’s human rights record. At the urging of Latin American leaders, host
country Panama plans to invite Cuban President Raul Castro to the Summit of the Americas in April. Cuba was excluded from six previous summits because Washington said it didn’t meet the region’s standards for democracy and U.S. lawmakers, led by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, are urging Panama to reconsider its
invitation this time around. The deputy assistant secretary of state for Latin America, John Feeley, played down the significance of Cuba’s likely participation. Speaking to journalists in Spanish during a stop in P a n a m a o n We d n e s d a y, Feeley said that “it’s not so important the guests at the table but the meal that’s served.”
No intention of abolishing Dominica income tax – Skerrit ROSEAU, Dominica - CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says he has no intention of abolishing income tax as his ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) gears up to contest a general election constitutionally due by March next year, but widely expected before that date. Addressing the launch of a water project in Belles, east of here, Skerrit said his administration would not seek to removes takes “just because you want to gain votes. “What happens to the
country after that, what happens to our wellbeing, what happens to our schools, what about our students, how are we going to repay our debts and people who are going is money, they have taxes in their countries, so how are they going to give you money when you have no taxes,” he asked. Skerrit said that Caribbean countries with no income tax or a sales or value added tax (VAT) had to introduce such fiscal policies “because countries that give us aid are saying to us we are paying taxes and you can’t
come to us asking for money when you are not willing to make your people contribute. “So they (Caribbean countries) have had to institute and impose on their citizens, taxes, and of course many of us would like to live in a country where there are no taxes, but is this a realistic option knowing how the world operates”. Skerrit said countries “around us” are laying off workers, but Dominica has not lost “one job, notwithstanding the global crisis”.
Reuters) - Fears that the Ebola outbreak will spread globally rose on Thursday with the deteriorating health of an infected Spanish nurse, a British man who died in Macedonia being tested for the virus and more demands by U.S. lawmakers for travel bans. At least 26 members of the U.S. House of Representatives want travel bans and visa restrictions on citizens of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the impoverished West African nations hardest hit since the worst Ebola outbreak on record. The calls came a day after the death in Texas of the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States and after the United States and Britain announced they will start screening many airline passengers arriving from affected countries for fever and other Ebola symptoms. Fears of having to clean up vomit and faeces in airplane bathrooms from infected travellers with insufficient protection prompted about 200 airline cabin cleaners to walk off the job for a day in New York. “The nation is frightened, and people are frightened of this disease,” U.S. cabinet secretary for health, Sylvia Burwell said at a press conference. “They’re frightened because it has a very high mortality rate. They’re frightened because they need to learn (and)
A journalist sits a protective suit after trying it on, understand what the facts are about that disease.” The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever and is spread through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person, who would suffer severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea. About half of people infected have died in the current outbreak, although up to 90 percent of patients have died in previous outbreaks. Spain’s government rejected criticism that its methods of dealing with Ebola were not working and blamed the infection of a Spanish nurse on human error. Teresa Romero, 44, is the first person to have
contracted Ebola outside of Africa after becoming infected by one of two Spanish priests repatriated from Africa with the disease. Romero had told another doctor at the hospital that she had touched her face with her protective gloves. Macedonia officials are taking strict precautions after a British man died within hours of being admitted to hospital in the capital Skopje on Thursday. Authorities sealed off a hotel where he had been staying, isolating a second Briton and hotel staff. The man had been suffering from fever, vomiting and internal bleeding, but it is not yet known whether he had Ebola and it was unclear whether he had travelled to West Africa. A hospital in the Czech capital Prague is testing a 56year-old man with symptoms of the disease who had recently travelled to Liberia, a spokesman said. Containing the outbreak has become a top priority for governments around the world and is no longer just an issue in West Africa, where nearly 4,000 have died since March. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that the number of infections could rise to up to 1.4 million people by early next year without a massive global intervention to contain the virus. Shares in Lakeland Industries a maker of suits to
St. Louis braces for weekend of protests over Michael Brown killing Reuters) - The St. Louis area on Thursday was bracing for more racial unrest over the August killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a white police officer, and another
police killing of a black teenager on Wednesday was expected to add fuel to the fire. Several civil rights organizations and protest groups, including Hands Up United, planned to mark the weekend with marches and rallies in St. Louis and the suburb of Ferguson, Missouri, where Brown was killed two months ago. The groups are demanding the arrest of the officer who killed Brown, and want to draw attention to police treatment of black Americans. Protest organizers said they are planning only peaceful activities, but fear that Wednesday’s killing of the black teen in the south St. Louis neighborhood of Shaw might trigger violent outbursts. “We never advocate violence ... But I do know that people were angry last night and they will be out
this weekend,” said Tory Russell, a leader of Hands Up United. “I don’t know what they are going to do.” At least 6,000 have registered on an organizing website for the “weekend of resistance” events in and around Ferguson, which kick off on Friday with a “justice now” march to the office of St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch. The weekend is to be capped with actions of “civil disobedience” on Monday. Organizers said they are also planning to create a “memory altar” to victims of police violence and to hold a candlelight march carrying a coffin to the Ferguson Police Department. The Hands Up United Web page shows posts from people looking to share rides to St. Louis from Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Dallas, Boston and New York.
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Friday October 10, 2014
CONCACAF President shares reform roadmap and vision at Leaders London – During an interview session on Wednesday at the Leaders in Football conference, FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb shared the formula of CONCACAF’s reform and the factors behind it, since taking office over two years ago. From governance to development – as revealed through success at the 2014 FIFAWorld Cup in Brazil — the Confederation has drawn an effective roadmap for change. “In the most challenging environment, we acted decisively to reform the Confederation while continuing to invest in our future,” shared Webb with the assembled
audience. “Immediately after taking office in May 2012, we initiated a roadmap to reform to enable the development of good governance structures, deliver a strategy for sustainable growth and providethetoolstosupportMember Associations. It’s been a period of planning, building and dreaming on creating opportunities to grow football within CONCACAF.” As part of the roadmap to reform, the new administration’s priority was to rectify all relevant internal matters, so that the Confederation could focus on developing, managing, and promoting the game. Following CONCACAF’s independent investigative report, which was
made public in April 2013, the mandate for openness and transparency was made a reality. Other noticeable reforms were highlighted by the equitable and inclusive participation of Member Associations on all levels of decision making, the optimization of resources to achieve greater efficiencies and the application of financial controls. Each of those elements have contributed to the process of regaining the trust and confidence of partners, sponsors and stakeholders. Compared to 2012, broadcasting, sponsorship and ticketing revenue increased by 405%.
Friday October 10, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Inspiration for writing, music, drawing, painting, or other creative activities could hover just out of reach today, Aries. Great ideas could pop into your head and out just as quickly. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you could run into an old friend and suddenly see him or her in a different light. A romantic, sensual attraction you never believed possible could suddenly seem overwhelming. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A current or potential love relationship could hit a snag as you have a clash of wills. If either of you is stubborn, this could turn into an unpleasant power struggle. CANCER (June 21–July 22) An opportunity to increase your income by working in an artistic or innovative manner could come your way today, Cancer. Technologies like film or computer graphics may be involved. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Circumstances beyond your control may frustrate your desire to get together with a love partner today, Leo. Work or family obligations could interfere. If your partner has to beg off, don't get upset and start doling out blame. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Visitors who mean a lot to you can make your home an even warmer and cozier place, Virgo. You'll probably spend a lot of time fixing it up and receive sincere compliments.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A long but necessary phone call from a close friend or love partner could come at work today, Libra. Matters of immediate concern need resolution. You might be uneasy about taking company time, and could even attract some unsettling attention, but you need to have this conversation now. SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21) Today you might discover a previously untapped talent, Scorpio, perhaps an artistic gift. This could be thrilling, but it will probably take some getting used to. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You should be looking especially attractive, Sagittarius. You may have an ethereal, mystical look about you that attracts attention from strangers. This won't be lost on your friends, either. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your phone may seem haunted today, Capricorn. Calls might be filled with static, you could get some phantom rings, or callers may insist they tried to call when your phone never rang. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A reassessment of your financial goals may be needed now, Aquarius. Some of your expectations may be unrealistic, and you might need to look at them in a more practical light. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Are you romantically attracted to someone you know through work, Pisces? If so, this isn't a good time to pursue it.
“This is a new era for CONCACAF, a new chapter based on building a powerful structure of integrity, transparency and accountability to allow our region to grow,” added Webb. “We have gained the trust required to attain the contribution that creates a strong organization like the one we are envisioning.” Currently, Webb’s agenda is centered on player development, a priority for which CONCACAF has tripled its investment. An estimated 70% of CONCACAF’s budget over the next 12 months will be dedicated for approximately 80 development programs. All of this extends to women’s football, where CONCACAF has the most female players per capita in the world. Moreover, 23% of the 26 million women players around the world are in the region. “We are hosting a seminar in the coming weeks in Philadelphia called Let’s Develop Women’s Football,” Webb announced. “This will be a true celebration which will further establish our Confederation’s commitment to the women’s game by highlighting the success stories of our region and providing our Member Associations with new strategies and ideas.” This year, CONCACAF hosted both of FIFA’s youthrelated World Cups for women (FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica and FIFA U-20
GOA’s act of generosity... From page 39 several times.“The stakes are high and I hope that all Guyana do not see us as another organisation out to get money, but rather as an investment that could guarantee further success in the future,” Green stated. Green then thanked the GOA for its support and assured that the team is not going merely to take part, but rather to take apart the opposition. He appealed to other corporate entities to come on board. Edwards in his remarks spoke of the genesis of the GOA’s support which he said came after the Executive Committee would have looked at the team’s recent success, informing that it was not an easy decision, but they felt it necessary and important to do so. He added that the GOA expects the team to make it to the Pan Sam Games in Toronto, Canada next year. The NACRA Sevens will be hosted by Mexico in December.
Webb sets the football agenda and contributes with insights on key industry issues Women’s World Cup Canada). In 2015, Canada will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup. To further youth advancement, CONCACAF organized its first under-15 championships for boys (2013) and girls (2014). Additionally, the Confederation conducted nearly 80 development- and referee-related courses last year. CONCACAF has turned its focus towards the game’s development in a geographical region consisting of 540 million people. It is a hub for each of its 41 members, which have appreciated the organization’s efforts to become an inclusive organization that invests in their progress and growth. Its priority areas are competitions,
grassroots, futsal, beach and women’s football. In just the past two years, CONCACAF’s level of achievement has been dramatic: a successful method of reform; a record-breaking Gold Cup; an impressive performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup; introduction and implementation of the Embrace Diversity campaign to promote integration within football; realization of its inaugural Under-15 Championships; the 2016 Centennial Cup America announcement and hosting all FIFA Women’s tournaments in its region; among others. (CONCACAF.com)
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Massiah returns as USA captain
Steve Massiah has been re-installed as USA captain, more than a year after giving up the position, and will lead the team in the forthcoming ICC World Cricket League Division Three in Malaysia. Massiah, 35, had served as captain for seven years, from August 2006 to September 2013, before stepping down last year ahead of the ICC World T20 Qualifier in the UAE. He had stated in a press release at the time that the move was designed to let him focus on his batting. A month later, Massiah withdrew from the squad for the ICC World T20 Qualifier and it later emerged that he may have had a rift with the team management. However, Massiah’s role as one of the more influential people in US cricket was restored over the past month. According to sources, he had a prominent say in the composition of the squad picked to go to Malaysia for the WCL Division Three later this month. USACA also announced this week that Robin Singh had been retained to coach the team on tour. Although Singh has a strong coaching record in domestic Twenty20 competitions, most recently as coach of the Caribbean Premier League 2014 champions Barbados Tridents, his record as coach with the USA national team has been underwhelming in competitions staged outside the Americas. The USA Women’s team finished eighth out of 10 teams in the 2011 Women’s World Cup Qualifier while men’s teams coached by Singh at two World T20 Qualifiers for USA have finished 12th and 15th out of 16 teams. USA also went 3-3 under Singh at the 2012 WCL Division Four in Malaysia, finishing second to gain
Masood Syed has rejoined the touring party as team physiotherapist while John Wilson, president of the Brooklyn Cricket League, has replaced Shoaib Ahmed as team manager. USACA has also announced plans for a pretournament training camp in Jamaica to be held between October 15 and 20, including two warm-up games on October 18 and 19. USA will leave Jamaica on the October 20 to head back to New York before traveling onward to Malaysia. USA’s first match of WCL Division Three takes place on October 23 against Bermuda. (ESPNcricinfo)
Mayweather’s Dad says Mayweather... From page 34 going to want to see it again, because I’m just saying, Floyd’s gonna pick Pacquiao apart, man.” Mayweather ’s biggest recent fight was against Canelo Alvarez. He made $41.5 million on the fight. A Pacquiao super-fight would trump that amount, even if he has to give a larger percentage of the purse to Manny. Mayweather Sr.’s proclamation comes after Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum suggested that the fight could happen early in 2015. Still, there’s more reason
Floyd Mayweather to be pessimistic than optimistic. The two camps
FIFA doctor pushes for Premier League time-outs English football should introduce a medical examination of up to three minutes for players with suspected concussion, says the head of FIFA’s medical committee, Dr. Michel D’Hooghe. The Premier League and the Football Association brought in new rules on suspected concussions this season. Players must leave the pitch and the final decision on whether they continue rests solely with the team doctor. A mandatory three-minute examination was adopted by UEFA this month. The rule has already been introduced in all Champions League and Europa League matches after it was proposed by D’Hooghe at the start of September. D’Hooghe is now also urging all national associations to insist on the game being stopped for up to three minutes. “We have no authority in competitions on a national level. The same for UEFA.
Steve Massiah
promotion into Division Three in Bermuda in April 2013. They finished third in Division Three, behind Uganda and Nepal and were coached by Singh’s then protégé, former India international Thiru Kumaran. Former West Indies international Milton Pydanna has joined the USA coaching staff for the first time as one of Singh’s two assistant coaches. Pydanna, 64, coached the New York Region team to a share of the USACA T20 National Championship in August. The other assistant is bowling coach Nasir “Charlie” Javed. Former USACA president Akhtar
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couldn’t make this fight happen in 2010, when both fighters were at the peak of their powers and the money involved would have been off the charts. The bad blood hasn’t cooled. In 2012 Arum accused Floyd of turning down $100 million to fight Pacquiao, and said the fight would never happen. As recently as September, Mayweather was antagonizing Pacquiao on Instagram. As with every Pacquiao-Mayweather rumor in the last five years, it’s best not to believe it until the two actually step into the ring.
Dr Michel D’Hooghe They can judge for the Champions League and Europa League and for the Euro 2016 and 2020 finals and qualification,” he said. “I would be very grateful if this would go down to all the 209 national associations of FIFA.” The brain-injury charity Headway criticised Premier League protocol after Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois played on following a clash with Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez last Sunday. The Belgian goalkeeper continued for 14 minutes after colliding with Sanchez before
being substituted and going to hospital for checks. The 22-year-old appeared to be bleeding from the ear, but Chelsea say the blood was from a minor cut rather than anything more serious. D’Hooghe defended the way the Chelsea medical team dealt with the incident. “I think sincerely the team doctor did a correct examination,” he said. “She came to the correct conclusion that he could go on. But she kept an eye on him and the moment he didn’t feel well - and that can happen with concussions, that the symptoms can increase after some minutes - they took the right decision and took him off. “It would be good if someone else looks at the television images of how precisely an accident occurred because I can imagine that the team doctor sitting on his bench has not always a perfect view of what exactly happened.” (BBCsport)
Oslo pullout highlights need for more IOC transparency Reuters - Oslo’s surprise withdrawal from the race to stage the 2022 Winter Olympics last week highlighted the need for more transparency in the bidding process, Norwegian Olympic Committee Secretary General Inge Andersen told Reuters yesterday. Oslo became the fourth city, after Stockholm, Lviv in Ukraine and Poland’s Krakow to pull out, leaving just two candidates, Kazakhstan’s Almaty and Beijing. In a strongly-worded response after Oslo’s withdrawal, the IOC lashed out at Norway, saying politicians were misinformed and “were left to take their decisions on the basis of half-truths and factual inaccuracies”. Days before the Norwegian government pulled the plug, local media were awash with details from IOC manuals and the host city contract, that fanned opposition to the Games. These details included cocktail protocols, meeting with the country’s king and stocked hotel bars. Even hotel room temperatures for IOC members and the quality of the smiles of the Olympic staff were outlined in the 7,000-page documents. Local media quickly labeled them “contractual IOC demands” if the city won
the right to host the Winter Olympics. The IOC rejected the claims, saying these were merely suggestions or past practices at former Olympic host cities, but the damage was done. “It is important that the IOC goes through these manuals, which for the first time were made public, to make them in a way a country in western Europe, Canada or the United States can understand them,” Andersen said in an interview. MORE TRANSPARENCY “We are living in the world, especially with all social media, where it is important to be more transparent. “When they (details) become public all the world can read them in the way they want to read them. It is important that the IOC modernizes these manuals and is clear that these are just suggestions,” Andersen said. He added, however, that these were not the only factors that resulted in Oslo’s exit. A minority coalition government, a $50 billion price tag for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the perception of the IOC within the country all contributed to the city’s withdrawal. “It was a complex situation and also the IOC was a part of that discussion. It was the Sochi Games, it was the IOC, it was the cost and it
was a difficult political situation. That is why there was so much emotion in Norway,” he said. “The IOC did not see the complexities of the discussions back home. “I think it was more about the cost, it was more about that the people in Norway, politicians in Norway, trust this process after Sochi and tell the people in Norway that we will not build a new city like Sochi did. That was a big challenge.” The country, which hosts the Winter Youth Olympics in 2016 in Lillehammer, has won more Winter Olympic medals than any other nation but now needs to mend ties with the IOC. “Now we need to rebuild the bridges with them,” Andersen said. “We are hosting the youth of the world in 2016 and we are using this possibility to show the Norwegian people and the Norwegian politicians that we can trust the IOC.” He said if the Youth Games, the biathlon world championships in Oslo in 2015 and the 2017 road cycling world championships in Bergen went smoothly then a new Norwegian Olympic bid could potentially be on the cards. “If all three events go well I think that Norway will then go into a discussion how we can do it (Olympics).”
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Kaieteur News
Soca Warriors trounce Dom. Rep. 6-1, Barbados, Antigua and Guadeloupe also win Home team Trinidad and Tobago hammered Dominican Republic 6-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Wednesday evening when Group 7, Round 2 action in the Caribbean Football Union Men’s Caribbean Cup kicked off. In the other game at that venue, Antigua & Barbuda defeated St. Lucia 2-1. In Group 8 play at the Sylvia Cator Stadium, Port Au Prince, Haiti, Barbados defeated St. Kitts & Nevis 3-2, while home team Haiti were held to a 2-2 stalemate by French Guiana. Haiti scored in the 29 minute through Jeff Louis, Solvi Michael equalized one minute later for French Guiana. Haiti was again on target in the (45+1) via a Jean Alcenat effort. French Guiana neutralized that advantage again when Legard Jean David scored in the 54th
minute. St. Kitts was the first to score against the Bajans in the 12th minute compliments of a Devaughn Elliot goal. Four minutes later Marioa Harte converted for Barbados. The Bajans cantered into the lead and vener looked back compliments of a brace from Ranaldo Bailey (24, 29). Harrison Panayiotou hit the network for St. Kitts in the 86th minute to reduce the lead but were not able to score again.
In Group 9 play, Curacao and Martinique drew 1-1. After a goalless first half, Martinique took the lead in the 51st minute compliments of a Julien Faubert goal but Curacao earned an equal share of the points when they equalized in the first minute of injury time, Vidarrell Merencia the player on target. The game became highly physical in the final minutes as the teams sought to gain the ascendancy,, Curacao were reduced to 9 players after their Captain Charlton Vincento and Gianluca Maria were red carded (90+2). Guadeloupe trounced St. Vincent & the Grenadines 31. Thomas Gamiette (41), Ludovic Gotin (53) and Loic Nestor (69) were the scorers for the winners; SVG’s consolation came off the boot of Myron Samuel in the 46th minute.
Ferrer ousts Murray, Djokovic and Federer into quarters Reuters - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer notched up contrasting victories to reach the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals yesterday while David Ferrer fought back from a set down to knock out Andy Murray. World number one Djokovic labored to a 6-3, 46, 6-4 victory over plucky Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin who matched the Serb shot for shot for most of the match before being overpowered in the third set. Two-time champion Djokovic broke Kukushkin for a 5-3 lead before closing out the first set but the Kazakh roared back into contention to stretch the contest to a decider. Djokovic broke his opponent in the fifth game of the third set before extending his winning streak in China to 27 matches and seal a quarterfinal clash with Ferrer. “I congratulate him for fighting,” Djokovic said of Kukushkin. “But I’m really glad to come out as the winner and stay mentally strong. That’s why I won. I won because I fought my way through.” Ferrer overcame Murray 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 earlier yesterday and the Spaniard will now replace the Briton in ninth spot in the race for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London. There are five berths still up for grabs in the eight-man tournament. Murray had little trouble in the first set and looked poised for a quarter-finals berth, but Ferrer staged a
David Ferrer
brilliant comeback, breaking the Briton twice to take the second and level the match. There was no let up in the final set either as the Spaniard raced to a 5-2 lead and raised his arms in celebration when twice champion Murray buried a return into the net. An in-form Ferrer would prove a difficult opponent, said Djokovic. “We all know how competitive David is. To (beat) Murray is a big win for him. So I’m sure that he’s confident. “He runs. He’s (been) one of the toughest competitors around for so many years. I expect another exhausting match.” Murray joined world number two Rafa Nadal, Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka and U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori in exiting the tournament before the quarter-final stage. The Briton said he had not made up his mind yet about where he would compete next as he
bids to qualify for the ATP Finals for the seventh successive year. Federer had little problem taming Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-2 to set up a clash with Frenchman Julien Benneteau. After squandering five break points, Federer finally broke his opponent in the 10th game to win the opening set and raced to a 5-2 lead in the second before sealing his victory when Bautista Agut’s backhanded return crashed into the net. Czech Tomas Berdych boosted his hopes of securing one of the five remaining places in London with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Ivo Karlovic, who hit 19 aces in the third-round clash. Berdych will replace U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic, beaten by Karlovic in the opening round in Shanghai, in sixth place in the race to London if he beats Gilles Simon in the quarter-finals today.
Friday October 10, 2014
Spain crash, England cruise in EURO qualifiers
Danny Welbeck slides in the third goal just after the break and was given a rest by the manager soon after. Defending European champions Spain suffered their first qualifying defeat in eight years yesterday when they slumped to a 2-1 loss against Slovakia while England made it two wins in two. Spain, who had opened their UEFA EURO 2016 campaign with a 5-1 mauling of Macedonia, exhibited all the faults which had led to their early 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ exit as Slovakia went top of Group C with a perfect six points. Former Chelsea midfielder Miroslav Stoch, now plying his trade at Al Ain in the UAE, struck three minutes from time in Zilina to condemn Vicente Del Bosque’s team to a first qualifying defeat since 2006, a streak lasting 36 matches. They trailed to a 17thminute Juraj Kucka free-kick before Paco Alcacer’s strike eight minutes from time appeared to salvage a point. But with just three minutes left Slovakia launched a counter-attack as captain Marek Hamsik played substitute Michal Duris down the inside right to cross for Stoch to head home at the back post. At Wembley, England earned a routine 5-0 defeat of
San Marino. Wayne Rooney took his international goal tally to 42 and forced Alessandro Della Valle into a late own goal, while Phil Jagielka, Danny Welbeck and substitute Andros Townsend also found the target. Having won 2-0 away to Switzerland in their Group E opener, England have now prevailed in what are likely to be their hardest and easiest fixtures of the campaign. They play away to Estonia on Sunday. Switzerland’s campaign went from bad to worse as the team which made the Round of 16 at the World Cup slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Slovenia. Milivoje Novakovic grabbed the winner from the penalty spot in Maribor in the 79th minute after Johan Djourou had brought down Kevin Kampl. The Swiss pressed for a point but were denied by a string of fine saves from Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Lithuania also made it two wins in two in the group with a 1-0 win over Estonia in Vilnius. Group G favourites Sweden and Russia fought out a 1-1 draw in Solna but Fabio Capello’s Russians stay top on goal difference from Montenegro and Austria.
Ola Toivonen scored a second-half equaliser for the Swedes who were missing injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Rennes forward cancelled out Dynamo Moscow forward Alexander Kokorin’s first-half opener as Sweden drew for the second time in as many group matches. Sweden should have claimed all three points but they missed a first half penalty awarded after Igor Smolnikov fouled Jimmy Durmaz in the area. Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev parried Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson’s spot kick. Montenegro were held to an embarrassing 0-0 draw by Liechtenstein, playing their 100th international, in Vaduz. Liechtenstein held on despite having to field two goalkeepers - first-choice Peter Jehle picking up an injury and having to be replaced by Cengiz Bicer. Austria edged Moldova 21 in Chisinau despite playing the last ten minutes with ten men. Marc Janko scored Austria’s winner but was then sent off after David Alaba and Alexandru Dedov had swapped first-half penalties.
Mayweather’s Dad says Mayweather-Pacquiao Super-Fight Is ‘Definitely Going To Happen’ Floyd Mayweather Sr. told FightHype.com that a mega-fight between his son Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is “definitely going to happen.” Mayweather has two fights left on a six-fight, $250million deal with Showtime. He says he’ll retire when the deal ends. That leaves only two opportunities for the two camps to settle their differences and organize what would be the biggest fight of
this generation. Floyd Sr. says it’s happening, though he doesn’t seem to be going on hard evidence (via FightHype): “That fight’s gonna happen. Trust me. That fight’s definitely gonna happen. It’s a fight for the world, man, right there. It’s the biggest fight that has ever been in life, so like I said man, that fight’s gonna happen. I’ma tell you right now, he never told me
the fight’s gonna happen, but I’ma tell you, the fight’s gonna happen. You mark my words and we’ll see. And it needs to happen. Just like Ali and Joe Frazier, or Ali and George Foreman, something like that, man, it’s one of those fights like that. The world wants to see it and they’ll want to see it again when Floyd beats Pacquiao. I’m pretty sure Floyd is gonna make it look where people are (Continued on page 35)
Friday October 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
‘A’ House emerge champions at Comenius Primary School 2-day Sports After the completion of several closely contested events ‘A’ House emerged Champions when the Comenius Primary School Sports two-day ended at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground, yesterday. On the first day of the Sports, ‘A’ House finished on top in the Field Events with 130 points at the National Park while ‘C’ House with 118 points took second spot with ‘B’ House finishing third. ‘A’ House maintained their lead in the Track and Novelty Events yesterday with 534 points ahead of ‘B’
House (460 points) and ‘C’ House (423 points) in that order. With a strong breeze blowing across the ground from the Atlantic Ocean and excited screams from the students filling the air in support of their respective Houses, the atmosphere was one of fun and frolic as the sun streamed down from a cloudless sky. Coordinator of the Event Sharon Waldron-Collymore told Kaieteur Sport that she was satisfied with the event adding that even though the children were very young in age there was lots of athletic
talent on show but the most important thing for the preteens was that they had fun. “We got the full support of the Teachers and Parents who helped to provide the lunches for the children while the Head Mistress, Michelle Booker played an important role in ensuring order was in place” Waldron-Collymore informed. Tokens were presented to the winners and the day was deemed a success by the parents Kaieteur Sport spoke to. It was refreshing to see several fathers among the parents yesterday.
St Stephen’s Primary School Inter House Athletics
Odelli Straughm and Ekon Clarke shines Eagles are known to fly high while doves have demonstrated similar propensities but yesterday morning the Kiskadees flew the highest and carted off the championship honours when the St. Stephen’s Primary School Inter House Athletic Championships concluded at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue. Kiskadee House amassed 407 points while Dove scored 368 to take the second place slot. The eagles did not conform to conventional wisdom and finished in the cellar with 314 points. Kiskadee House had earlier dominated the field events, held at the Campbellville Secondary School Ground last Tuesday and entered yesterday’s activities with a comfortable lead (114) while Dove resided in the second place position on 104. Eagles started the day on 98 points after finishing in the cellar when the field events concluded. Those events consisted of the discus, javelin, shot putt and high jump. On a day when the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, even amidst keen competition, Odelli Straughm and Ekon Clarke turned in remarkable performances to capture the lion’s share of prizes and were eventually adjudged champion girl and boy respectively.
Athletic champions in the making! Odelli Straughm and Ekon Clarke bask in the moment after a hard day’s work. Competing in the Under-8 category, Clarke dominated the Boys eighty meters dash as well as the 100, 150 and 400 meters races while Straughm won in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 meters events. All told, the students competed in 40 events including the boys Under-12 twelve hundred meters, girls Under-12, one thousand meters as well as 800 meters and 400 meters for both sexes. There were also novelty races; wheel barrow, sack as well as teachers and parents races. Activities were conducted under the watchful eyes of Headmistress Ms. Sunita Durgah and her staff in a competitive but disciplined
environment. In brief remarks at the end of activities, Ms. Durgah congratulated the children for exhibiting discipline and commitment even as she lauded the efforts of her staff for their shrewd organizing skills. The head teacher said that activities were incident free owing in great part to her staff who maintained a high level of discipline. She said that she would have liked to see a higher level of parental involvement even as she extended gratitude to those parents that unselfishly lent of their time and resources to make the event a success. The children received prizes for their efforts.
MCYS / EBFA U-13 League The feature match on day three of the inaugural Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS), East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-13 league tomorrow is a potentially mouth watering affair between Grove Hi Tech and Herstelling Raiders.
Both teams are unbeaten after two matches each and fans can look forward to a keen battle between these sides with the tournaments leading goal scorer Trevon Pluck leading Grove while Devon Winter Jnr. will be at the helm for Herstelling. Opening action at
10:00hrs brings together Soesdyke, the other unbeaten team and Diamond United still hunting their first point. Game two of the triple header will see Kuru Kururu Warriors coming up against Agricola Red Triangle.
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Zone Two cops top honours as District (11) Inter Zone School’s Athletic Championships concludes A large crowd of cheering supporters filled the only stand at the southern end while another similarly vociferous bunch lined the southern parameters in support of their choice when athletes from schools in the North Georgetown District (11) competed in the Inter Zone School’s Athletic Championships at the Police Sports Complex Ground, Eve Leary yesterday morning. Over 200 athletes from 25 schools competed in 58 events and when the smoke was cleared, Zone Two had amassed 939 points to claim the honours from Zone One with 908 points. Zone Three sealed off the third place spot after finishing with 704 points with Zone Four ending in the cellar with 217 points. Zone Four’s 4th place position certainly did not reflect their general performance as those athletes had only participated in events in the Under-12 category. There were sterling performances that really excited the crowd and though there was no announcement of which athlete had copped top prizes for individual performances, several of these athletes certainly would have been in contention. In the women’s category, Jevina Sampson stood out after dominating in the 100, 200 and 400 meters events. She also successfully anchored the 4 x 100 relay for her team. Kevin Abbensetts started the day with a compelling victory in the long
Kevin Abbensetts (left) and Jevina Sampson were the pick of athletes. jump after covering a length of 6.09 meters. He returned to take the 100 and 200 meters races but his team had to be content with second place in the 4 x 100 relay event. There were also sterling displays from several athletes out of the Running Brave Athletics Club with Sherwin Sampson carting off the honours in the Boys Under12, 200 and 400 meters races; he finished second place in the 100 meters dash. There were also good performances from Yescina Andrews who copped first place in the Girls Under-12, 100, 200 and 400 meters races. Moriah Urquhart ran in the Under-14 category and won the 800 and 1500 meters events while Avon Samuels
dominated the Under-16 category with wins in the 100, 200, 400 meters and the long jump. Devon Benjamin was also in winners’ row with compelling victories in the Boys’ Under-14, 100 meters dash and long jump. The schools in the respective zones are Queens College, Richard Ishmael, Kingston, GTI and Marian Academy (Zone 1); Chase Academy, Christ Church, St. John’s College, Bishops and School of the Nations (Zone 2), St. Roses, Business Education, St. Mary’s and St Georges (Zone 3) and St Ambrose, St. Agnes, St. Margaret’s, Winfer Gardens, St. Angelas and North Georgetown Primary (Zone 4).
Linden Inter Community Softball
Hill Foot Vipers and Wairuni Conquerors are the male and female winners Hill Foot Vipers emerged as winner of the Linden Inter Community Softball Championship squeezing past Kairuni Rising Stars by six runs in a thriller. Batting first, Hill Foot Vipers were bowled out for 121 in their allotted 12 overs, thanks to Lamtie Hinds’ top score of 34 and Vicky Raghubeer ’s 21. Marley Bharrat took 3-26 from 3 overs and Akeem Singh 2-12 in 2 overs for Kairuni who in reply were restricted to 115 all out in 11.1 overs despite Deon Smith’s overall top score of 50. Marley Bharrat made 16. Narine Looknauth was the main destroyer with 422 from 3 overs, Lamtie Hinds capped a fine all-
round effort with 3-26 from 3 overs. In the female segment, Wairuni were declared champions after conquering All Stars Conquerors in a nail biting finish by 3 runs. Batting first after losing the toss, Wairuni posted 115-6 in 12 overs. Stacy Osborne top scored with 32 and Pamela King 30. Patricia Tello took 4-16 from 3 overs for All Stars Conquerors could only manage 112-6. Charlene Isaacs led with 24 and Akila Castello 16. Amesha Fredericks took 216 in 2 overs for the winners. Stacy Osborne walked away with the award for the highest score in the finals as well as player of the
tournament and player of the match trophies. Deon Smith won the trophy for the highest score in the finals. Lamtie Hinds was named man-of-the-match and manof-the-tournament and was duly rewarded. Regional Chairman of Region 10, Mr. Sharma Solomon presented the trophies. Meanwhile, Organising Secretary of the Linden Softball League, Mortimer Denney thanked the teams for participating and the sponsors RDC R e g i o n Te n , St a r P a r t y Rental, Regal Stationery, B u i l d e r s L u m b e r Ya r d , Ministry of Youth, Sport a n d C u l t u r e a nd Sam’s General Store. (Jacquey Bourne)
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Kaieteur News
Female Referee Maurees Skeete officiates at CONCACAF Women’s Championship Touted as the next Diane Ferreira-James on the pitch, local referee Ms. Maurees Skeete has been afforded the distinguished privilege of officiating at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship set for the cities of Kansas, Chicago, Washington DC and Philadelphia in the USA from next Wednesday. Skeete, no stranger to officiating on the big stage also officiated at the CONCACAF Boys Under-15 championships in Cayman Islands in 2013 and as a result of her performance there was nominated for the FIFA 2014 list. Ever since her raise to this level, Skeete has been climbing the ladder of success. She officiated at the inaugural CONCACAF Girls Under-15 championship in the Cayman Islands in August this year as well as the CFU Women’s Cup also in August in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago where her biggest game was
the third place playoff. As a result of her dedicated and consistent work, Skeete was rewarded with appointment at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in the USA which will see the top three teams qualifying directly for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Competition will kick off next Wednesday with a doubleheader at Kansas City’s Sporting Park when Guatemala take on Haiti followed by the U.S.A against Trinidad and Tobago. The 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship features exciting talent and rivalries from the eight participating nations from North America (United States, Mexico), Central America (Guatemala, Costa Rica) and the Caribbean (Haiti, Martinique, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago). Canada are not participating as the team have already qualified for the 2015
FIFA Women’s World Cup as tournament hosts. Skeete in an invited comment stated: “This is a proud moment for me and I want to thank God for this opportunity.” Kaieteur Sports understands that Skeet is the only Referee from the Caribbean that has been invited to officiate at this prestigious tournament, the premier for women in the confederation. Meanwhile, Guyanese fans will have the opportunity of seeing Ms. Skeete in action as FOX Sports announced plans for its unprecedented coverage of the Championship. Never before have all 16 matches of this region’s most prestigious women’s soccer competition been televised, and this year each match, including the semi-finals and final, are being carried live on FOX Sports 1 or FOX Sports 2 and streamed live via FOX Soccer 2Go and FOX Sports GO.
WICB thanks players for professionalism St John’s, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board has congratulated and thanked the members of the West Indies Cricket Team for their professionalism and sterling performance in the First One Day International against India resulting in a win for the regional team by a comprehensive 124 runs. As is known, the match was under a cloud of possible disruption through withdrawal of player services, and the WICB, the BCCI and all our partners and
stakeholders and especially cricket fans are no doubt delighted that a reasoned approach was taken in ensuring that the match was played. West Indies fans and the WICB are equally pleased with the result which was achieved through an obvious total team effort. The WICB looks forward to the successful staging of the following four ODIs and the full tour of India as the team continues to prepare for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. (WICB)
Carib Beer 1st Div. T20 continues this weekend in Berbice Play in the Carib Beer first division T20 cricket competition continues this weekend in Berbice with Zone A and B second round
matches on Sunday, rescheduled Zone C matches will be contested tomorrow and Sunday. Following are the fixtures:
Friday October 10, 2014
Stag announces support for Guyana Softball Cup IV
Ansa McAl’s PRO, Darshnie Yussuf (centre), addresses the media in the presence of Stag Beer representative, Sean Abel (on her left) and GFSCA representatives yesterday. Ansa McAl, under its Stag Beer Brand, yesterday officially announced its support for the Guyana Softball Cup IV that bowls off this month end at several venues in Georgetown. The competition will feature teams from North America and Guyana. “Ansa McAl Trading Ltd will be continuing its support of sport in Guyana as it collaborates with Guyana’s Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) through stag sponsorship,” the local beverage giants said in a press release. Public Relations Officer at Ansa McAl, Darshnie Yussuf said yesterday that the company is very pleased with the growth of the competition
these pass four years. She said that Cricket runs in the veins of Guyanese and as such, they are happy to offer support. “We have been following the progress of the Guyana Softball Cup and we are very pleased with the development of the tournament and hence we are on board to lend our support and further assist in the growth of such a great event... Cricket is part of who we are as Guyanese hence it’s only fitting that we support and make this into one of the biggest events in our country,” Yussuf said. Officials from the GFSCA, including Vice-Presidents Ricky Deonarain, Ramesh Sunich, Lalta Gainda, Reyaz
Hussain and Pitamber Maharaj, expressed their gratitude for having such a huge company as Ansa McAl support the competition. There will be two categories: the Men’s Open and Masters players aged 45 and over. The leading team in the Men’s Open is guaranteed an $800,000 first place prize and trophy, while the second place team pockets $200,000 and a trophy. In the Masters’ competition, the winning team will earn $600,000 with the runner-up assured of $150,000. The Man-of-theMatch in both finals receives a trophy. The Stag GFSCA Guyana Cup will be held during October 31 – November 2.
R & D Engineering Service T20 - North E’bo
Charity, Devonshire Castle book final spot Charity and Devonshire Castle have secured their places in the final of the R & D Engineering Service T20 tournament after winning their respective semi-final matches played recently at Walton Hall in North Essequibo. Charity thumped Ravens by 10 wickets in their encounter which was reduced to 15 overs due to rain. Ravens tallied 99-6 off their allotted overs, batting first. Punraj Singh was their leading batsman with 21 while Elroy Stephney made 16 not out. Devin Thakurdeen claimed 2-16 and Terrence Tulsieram 2-18. Charity blasted their way to 100 without loss in 11.2 overs. Wayne Fernandes led the chase with 45 and Keisho Rooplall slammed 40. Devonshire Castle trounced Walton Hall by three wickets in their fixture.
Ramesh Narine The home team posted a respectable 179-7 in 20 overs, after taking first strike. Rana Lall hit an unbeaten 41, Latchman Singh 40 and Navin Bahadur 38. Manoj Lall snared 4-24 while Ramesh Narine and Basil Persaud had one each. Devonshire Castle encountered some nervous moments after losing Ramesh
Narine for 32, but Ajay Jailall and Darshan Persaud featured in an unbroken eight-wicket stand of 70 to see their team to safety, ending on 180-7 in 19.4 overs. Jailall stroked 44 and Persaud 36. Bahadur picked up 3-28 and Vishwanauth Lall 2-32. The final is for the Anna Regina Community Centre ground on October 25.
Kaieteur News
Friday October 10, 2014
Page 39
GOA’s act of generosity wipe out last year’s disappointment The generosity which was extended to the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) made this country’s non-participation at last year ’s NACRA Sevens Tournament faded memory. Yesterday, the GOA made good on a promise it made to the Union following earlier discussions when President K. Juman Yasin handed over a cheque worth $3million to President Peter Green in the presence of Secretary General of the Association Hector Edwards and rugby officials yesterday, at Olympic House. The money according to Yasin is to go towards the team’s airfare to Mexico to participate in the NACRA Sevens Tournament with the winner guaranteed automatic qualification to the Pan Am Games next year in Toronto, Canada. According to Yasin, contrary to the pronouncement made by an official of the National Sports Commisssion (NSC) last year about providing unequivocal support for athletes in their quest to reach Rio, the GOA has begun the journey to the 2016 Olympics. “We expected the NSC and the Ministry of Sport to
already be on board but so far they’ve not done so and this is why we have repeatedly called for a National Sports Policy to be presented so that all associations and athletes could have a clear understanding of the extent of support they will receive,” Yasin said. Green in his remarks described the occasion as a joyous one for the sport and the Union reminding those present that last year Guyana suffered for not being able to raise the funds in sufficient time to confirm participation and was subsequently excluded from the tournament. The Union Boss spoke of the distinguished record that Guyana possesses when compared to other Caribbean nations, battling some of the top countries in the sport in the world. Green pointed out that
President of the GOA K. Juman Yasin (2nd left) hands over the cheque to Union Boss Peter Green in the presence of officials yesterday at Olympic House. there is every incentive to win the upcoming tournament since it will finance fully their trip to play in the Hong Kong Sevens Series, an event that Guyana has participated in (Continued on page 25)
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Kaieteur News
Friday October 10, 2014
GVF announces impressive calendar for remainder of 2014 - Guyana to field male and female teams at Continental Cup in Rio The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) headed by Commander John Flores has unveiled an impressive calendar of activities for the remainder of 2014. The GVF said that it will be hosting some of the biggest and most competitive events serving off from this weekend at the Guyana National Gymnasium, Georgetown. On tomorrow and Sunday, the federation’s Super League where two teams each from the counties of Berbice and Demerara will be vying for top honors with the title of inaugural GVF Super League Champions at stake. The tournament is expected to bring out the best players in the sport in Guyana showcasing talent like never before. Following shortly will be the Secondary School tournament which will be on October 18.This tournament is being held to finalize team selection for the Under-16 teams to represent Guyana in Suriname in December. On October 28, respective male and female beach teams will travel to Rio, Brazil to participate in the South American Confederation, Continental Cup for the first time in our country’s history. November 8-9 will be the final activity which will bring the curtains down on an eventful year with the hosting of the biggest and
most spectacular tournament. This is the Invitational International Club Tournament which will feature top clubs from Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad, Brazil and Guyana. According to the GVF, it has been a busy year with several tournaments along with activities held at the community and rural levels all aimed at spreading the game more widely. As a result of this investment, the E s s e q u i b o Vo l l e y b a l l Association has become reality. President Flores has stated that he is very pleased with how the year’s activities have gone so far. He also stated that he is very elated that he has been able to achieve some of the main things he has set out to do when he was appointed President. Flores also announced that the country has received an outdoor volleyball court as a gift from FIVB, the world governing body, and this court will be placed at the Port Mourant Community Centre Sports Ground, Berbice. With Help from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the court will be installed shortly providing a modern surface for players in the Ancient County. The local game is well poised for 2015 and beyond where the GVF will be aiming to participate in several international tournaments.
Kaieteur News
Friday October 10, 2014
GOA advances Nabi & Sons $6M to complete next phase
GOA Secretary General Hector Edwards (centre) hands over the cheque to Shir Nabi of Nabi& Sons in the presence of President K. Juman Yasin yesterday. The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) took another giant step towards the completion of its Headquarters at Liliendaal when Secretary General Hector Edwards advanced a cheque worth $6 million to representative of Enginneering Firm Nabi & Sons Shir Nabi, during a simple ceremony which was conducted in its Head Office yesterday. The funding represented a portion of the $24 million contract which was awarded to the Firm to complete the
next phase of construction of the GOA Headquarters. The anticipated state-of-the-art Headquarters when completed will have several offices and Boardrooms and a Conference Hall that could accommodate 350 persons among other key components. President of the GOA, K. Juman Yasin in brief remarks said because the project is subjected to VAT he is hoping that the Government or the relevant Tax Agency will refund the monies expended in this area.
United Insurance Golf Tournament at Lusignan tomorrow
United Insurance, a Barbados based Insurance Company, through its local agent John Fernandes Insurance Services Ltd (JFISL), will be sponsoring its fourth Golf Tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course tomorrow. “United Insurance of Barbados, is pleased to continue supporting Golf in Guyana,” said Ms Gayle Robinson, Administrative Manager of JFISL. United Insurance, now renamed Massy United Insurance, offers a wide range of general insurance products for businesses throughout 14 territories in the Caribbean. Ms. Robinson indicated, “I expect all arrangements related to the tournament will go excellently, and I look forward to being at the ground, with some of my staff, for the prize giving ceremony that usually takes
place at the end of play.” Club President David Mohamad said, “We at Lusignan Golf Club really welcome and appreciate the continued support of United Insurance. They have been faithful and always cheerful to support us and golfing in Guyana.” Mohamad pointed out that past tournament winners include Colin Ming, Alfred Mentore, Mark Lashley, Fazil ‘That’s it’ Haniff and Kasim Khan. These golfers are expected to participate tomorrow with serious contention from more recent tournament winners such as Mohamad, V.P Dr. Philbert London, Grounds Supervisor Mike Guyadin, Captain Chatterpaul Deo, past Captain Patrick Prashad, Rishi Sukhram, Pur Persaud, Mahendra Bhagwandin and Richard Haniff. Tee-off is scheduled for 12:30hrs.
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t r o Sp
A’ House emerge champions at Comenius Primary School 2-day Sports P.37
Odecia Duke (right) Ariea Richmond (middle) and Alexis Vickerie finish in that order in the girls 4x100 relay at the GDF ground yesterday
Female Referee Maurees Skeete officiates at CONCACAF Women’s Championship P.38 GOA’s act of generosity wipe P.38 out last year’s disappointment Soca Warriors trounce Dom. Rep. 6-1, Barbados, Antigua P.36 and Guadeloupe also win Joshua Phillips (right) pips Samuel Hope into second place in Boys 4X100 relay
Maurees Skeete
Stag announces support for Guyana Softball Cup IV P.38
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