Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

SERIOUS crime figures The recent claim by the police about the state of serious crimes requires some clarification. When people hear that serious crimes are down, obviously they would want to know exactly what it is that the relevant statistics represent. This is no more so than when it is the view of many that the offences identified in the releases seem focused on the violent crimes of murder, robbery under arms, and robbery with aggravation. There is a curious lack of detail regarding “total serious crimes” and therefore the citizens are none the wiser about what constitutes that amalgam. The fundamental observation being made here is that officialdom needs to recognize that there comes a time in most people’s experiences when waffling and obfuscation must be replaced with cogent and unarguable facts which relate to the safety and security expectations of law-abiding citizens. Moreover, the police should not be measured on the number of murders committed or not committed; outside of interventions by partners in the social services sector, there is no way that the Guyana Police Force could prevent homicides whether domestic, disorderly or felony. One incontrovertible indicator should relate to professional investigations which result in successful prosecutions leading, ideally, to convictions. Notwithstanding the fact that those crimes mentioned above must be tackled with coherent and comprehensive strategies, if we are to be provided with an appreciable level of comfort, there should be no denying that there are crimes just as heinous which are not mentioned with the same enthusiasm in terms of the police successes or lack thereof. It is no secret that certain crimes feed the commission of others, and are themselves fed by others. Matters are not helped by politicising the pursuit of certain types of crimes. Among the offences which are not publicized as falling within the ambit of serious crimes are: drug trafficking; human trafficking; arms trafficking; prostitution and child sex Tax evasion and revenue offences are investigated and prosecuted selectively, regardless of how material, contrived or tenuous the purported evidence. Money laundering; corruption and bribery; intellectual property offences; and environmental crimes are seemingly ignored in terms of their potential to cause serious harm to the nation’s image, since this reflects an alarming level of insouciance and possibly official complicity. The distribution and sale of illegal drugs impact society in myriad negative ways, but these cases, when they are made, do not feature in the serious crimes data as released by the police. It is very obvious that political considerations are paramount when it comes to determining what will be made public and what should not. The lethargy which characterizes how certain crimes are dealt with makes that conclusion inescapable using deductive reasoning. A significant omission in the publication of serious crime statistics is the rate of crime, which basically, is the number of reported crimes by the population, and multiply the quotient by 100,000. So the population is left none the wiser about crime levels and the rate of their commission, what the police are actually doing to minimize if not eliminate certain types of crime, and how the public can help to avoid becoming victims. Furthermore, as mentioned above, politics play a significant role in what is reported, since some governments are loath to release any information which they feel makes them look inept, or that which confirms their incompetence. Citizens have a right to be told these things, apart from being regaled with high figures in the sum of hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on the force. It would be interesting to go beyond that worn-out practice and focus instead on the indirect costs of crime, with which the populace is more likely to empathise. From the lack of

Friday October 17, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

What will be uncovered if an audit is done on the Mr. Sattaur? DEAR MR. EDITOR, I have been following the Guyana Revenue Authority saga that has been unfolding for the past few weeks and as an employee of that entity, I would like to share my view, and believe it or not, this is the view shared by many of my colleagues. This whole fiasco began with the information printed about the family members of the Commissioner General being employed at this agency. I do not know if Mr. Sattaur is unaware of the conflict of interest clause, but in GRA, a husband a wife cannot be working in the same section, or an officer is prohibited from handling matters regarding a family member. Now if Mr. Sattaur is the overall boss of the GRA and he has his kids

working there under him, what is that called? Some time back, from whispers within GRA, I learned that Mr. Sattaur has a relative that works at the Parika location, but I’m not sure if she still works there, and that individual was involved in some illegal activity which involved the use of a computer. Can you believe that her punishment, as you may want to put it, was for her to remain working at that location, but she wasn’t allowed to use the computer? Now who will tell the niece of the CG to not use a computer? If it was another staff, the readers of my letter know what would have been the outcome. Moving back to the CG’s children, more specifically

his sons working at the GRA, can Mr. Sattaur explain to the public why his son in the Audit Division was promoted in front of persons that were more qualified than him when he started working at the GRA, plus they had the relevant experience? He only completed his ACCA last year and to make it look legit, they did an across the board promotion as soon as he completed his studies. As an employee, I can tell you that GRA has many over qualified persons who have the experience to move up the ladder but they are overlooked many times so that certain people are promoted. I would like the public to know also that when this son of the CG was completing his studies in Trinidad, he was away from

work for that period and was still an employee of GRA. The ordinary staff gets a tough time when they may now and then need some time off to attend classes at the University of Guyana, or even to take care of an unexpected emergency. I do not know how the readers look at this, but myself and many employees complain- mind you, among their peers - since if their sentiments were to reach the wrong ears, God be with them. The Commissioner General needs to explain why his son carries news on staff members and at least in one instance had his father instruct that a few staff from the Audit and Verification Division get letters, because according to the complaint (Continued on page 31)

We make international headlines on suicide, and all we do is walk DEAR EDITOR, We have gone past the time for another perambulation of Georgetown in a vaunted Suicide Walk. It cannot and will not replace education, counseling and the tremendous work we the parents have to do. Each suicide; each unfortunate death in this country is an indictment on our conscience as a people. Do we really care? I am sorry to hear of Alex’s suicide in West Coast. And, I am sorry to hear that some blame is being pinned to the Principal. I have the highest regard for Swami Ashkarananda. I wish we could be blessed with a fraction of the patience and discipline that he lives by on a daily basis. Yes he is stern, yes he is strict -and sometimes harshly so. But which Leader, what Parent and what disciplinarian should not be stern and strict? As is, we make international headlines on this matter and all we do is walk. Yet, most suicides are related to discipline/ rebellion or “puppy-love”.

The question is what are we prepared to do to deal with this monster called suicide? And, it has to start with our system. We ALL need to start taking personal responsibility for every death. We cannot depend on a system that is failing us. Let us take responsibility and not blame anyone. So, the question is, have we failed our children who are commiting murder of themselves? Is there anything we can do? I believe we should start talking about this more. Parents and children need to start talking. This has to become a family discussion matter. Teachers must also start friendly discussions on this. Let it be weekly. Where are the school guidance counselors? I also believe that the Ministry of Health must start preparing counselors to be on call. Our children are too important to shuffle this away. I will volunteer to be trained and to provide such service if needed. Is it going to be enough? Maybe not. But let’s start today, let’s save our children.

evidence, it appears as if to date, the force has not conducted the type of surveys whose findings can assist in the formulation of realistic strategies aimed at addressing citizens’ safety and security concerns and fears. Mouthing reform and strategies because the words sound good will not cut it. The Guyanese people naturally expect that their contact with members of the force will not leave a bitter aftertaste. And therefore a force characterised by professional ethics-driven men and women would be a sure indication that reform is indeed underway.

They are but a reflection of ourselves, our country and our system. They can be saved - by us. Time to start is now. To Mom and Dad of Alex, our deepest sympathies. To all mothers or fathers that lost a child to suicide.... our sympathies.

In closing, I call upon all parents who have lost a child to suicide: You have lost a child - but you must feel empowered to lead this fight so that we do not lose another son or daughter. This is our call, for the sake of our children. Dr. Yog Mahadeo

$10,000, then what? DEAR EDITOR, Despite the fact that it appears to and may very well be a praiseworthy act on the government’s part, while I’m elated to see fellow Guyanese (parents) dressed in smiles, I could not help but wonder what’s next. The NCN nightly news on October 14, 2014 captioned their piece “paving the way for a better life all for G uyanes e children,” but we need to ask ourselves if that is indeed so. As much as I aim not at dragging the family and inner circle of those involved in the October mortification of the renowned prestige high school back into the limelight, it’s hard to overlook what is a precise reflection of the major social epidemic that plagues’ our schools and educational system as a whole and as such should serve as an eyeopener. Our education system remains broken; while our “parents” become $10,000 richer is not my idea of a solution. Rather much like the

Speaker’s ‘scandal’, the A P N U ’s - L i n d e n embarrassment (which was unfortunate) and the prolonged Rodney trial and others too numerous to mention, the $10,000 grants are just another sad attempt to distract the Guyanese public. This I deemed as totally unacceptable and so I wish to urge the Public to force the relevant authoritative figures back to the drawing board. We n o l o n g e r n e e d diversions and pathetic windows to embezzle large sums of hard earned tax payer’s dollars. Rather give us higher paid and higher qualified teachers, competent ministry officials, caring and dedicated welfare officers, much need counselling groups for parents and students and well equipped learning institutions; and then maybe, just maybe WE can accept the governments financial grants or rather the government’s one month transportation allowance. Mr Mikhail Hilliman

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Kaieteur News

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

Every reason to celebrate DEAR EDITOR, The People’s Progressive Party has every reason to celebrate. It has as a political party won regional and general elections for five consecutive terms since the restoration of democracy on October 5, 1992. Before 1992, the PPP won elections in April 1953 and following the suspension of the Constitution and the party’s removal from office, again in 1957 when the life of the interim government came to and end and fresh elections were held. The PPP went on to win the elections of 1961 but a studied and calculated attempt to change the electoral system from first past the post to proportional representation saw the PPP manipulated out of office even though it won the plurality. But it is not so much the fact of winning elections that in the end really mattered. Rather, it is in the exercise of political power that sets the PPP aside and apart from previous administrations including that of the colonial government. The interim government which was appointed by the British government after the ejection of the PPP from office in 1953 turned out to be nothing but a huge failure. The country for all practical purposes was only marking time. This was hardly surprising as the majority of those who were catapulted into political office had either failed to win a seat or were”loyalists” to the Crown and had little or no interest in the affairs of state. It was only after the PPP was re-elected to office in 1957 that any real attempt was made to meaningfully address the concerns of the people in particular the working people. A number of policy measures were taken to boost agricultural production in particular rice, milk and dairy production so much so that the United Force in its election manifesto promised to provide the people with “free milk and cassava” in its election manifesto. In the area of social sector development, much emphasis was placed in education and health which saw among other stellar projects the

establishment of the University of Guyana and the Bank of Guyana both of which were the brainchild of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Political power for the PPP is not the end but the means to a much bigger end, namely to enhance the quality of life of the Guyanese people. This is why the PPP can take pride of the fact that it has played the key role in all major aspects of our development both in terms of constitutional and democratic reforms as well as infrastructural development. Indeed Guyana’s changing landscape both from an infrastructural and a political perspective is inextricably linked to visionary leadership and good governance employed by the PPP/C government in which the country successfully mobilized resources for development under very trying conditions and a hostile political opposition. Guyana today is no longer part of any IMF programme as in the past and therefore enjoys much greater latitude and leverage to pursue policies and programmes that accord with national imperatives. This was not always the case as many other developing countries who are depended on IMF funding are forced to contend with. True independence has always been a dream of the Guyanese people who for over 150 years were subjected to British colonial rule and for close to a quarter of a century after political independence still remained in the clutches of neo-colonial and undemocratic rule. In a real sense the true liberation of Guyana only began with the restoration of democracy on October 5, 1992 when for the first time

the country experienced democratic rule in an independent Guyana. It is common knowledge that all elections in post independence Guyana were blatantly and massively rigged by the PNC which made a mockery of our independence and the democratic aspirations of the Guyanese people. The PPP/C became the first democratically elected government in post independence Guyana and Dr. Cheddi Jagan became the first democratically elected President of Guyana. The people of Guyana are today the true masters of their destiny, thanks to the restoration of democratic rule. They enjoy a fundamental freedom which was denied them for close to three decades by the PNC, that is the freedom to elect a government of their choice. This is a fact that cannot and should not be downplayed. Indeed, it is the single most important distinguishing characteristic between the current PPP/C administration and the former PNC administration. The PPP/C administration is a democratically elected administration in contrast to the PNC administration which was foisted on the Guyanese people through a combination of force and fraud. A fresh wind of democracy is now blowing across the country. Guyanese have every reason to be proud of the achievements we have collectively made over the years. Hydar Ally

Jagdeo not credible to talk about the “Green Opportunity” DEAR EDITOR, It is obvious that private citizen DR.BHARAT JAGDEO does not want Guyanese to be oblivious or not to know what is happening in the rest of the world because in his words, they will miss out on this “GREEN OPPORTUNITY.” DR. BHARAT JAGDEO wants Guyanese to support him and his PPP cabal on the Amaila Falls Hydro project which he claims is the biggest Green Opportunity for Guyana. But one thing the DR. should know is that the people do not trust him or believe him because how can he call himself the “champion of the earth” but allow Georgetown, once dubbed the Garden City to become the garbage city. We fully agree with the principle that Guyana desperately needs non-fossil fuel renewable energy sources but not because the country is desperate to have hydro power it should do anything or pay any price to have it and give up on the principle of accountability and transparency. Similarly, not because a family is desperate for a child they will go and steal the neighbor’s child. It is not that hydro power is not good for Guyana but more importantly, the people should know how it is acquired and implemented, who to implement it and at

what cost to the taxpayers. These are all fair questions which the Jagdeo/ Ramotar cabal had refused to answer before Sithe Global pulled out of the deal. One thing is certain and that is such a huge project cannot be entrusted to the Jagdeo/Ramotar regime to execute because they are shrouded in secrecy in terms of administering contracts. Also they cannot be trusted because of their failure with the Skeldon Sugar factory, the Specialty Hospital and the Marriott Hotel which the PPP is yet to tell the people who the private investor is. We want to remind the people, especially the supporters of the PPP, that the Jagdeo/Ramotar regime was entrusted with G$45 billion of the taxpayer’s money to build the Skeldon Sugar factory and what did they do? They spent all the money in a most unaccountable and non-transparent manner and provided the nation with a Chinese-built Skeldon Sugar factory that is performing worse than the retired 60 year old factory inherited from Bookers? So Dr. Bharat Jagdeo can talk all he wants but he has no credibility left and cannot be trusted and therefore should not be allowed to spend another dime of the taxpayers’ money on any

project. Furthermore, he has earned the reputation of having poor financial judgment and is highly incompetent in the execution of capital projects which too often have ended up with the contractor leaving with hundreds of millions of dollars of the taxpayers’ money with little or no legal recourse. Fip Motilall ran away with G$600 million; Surendra Engineering with G$800 million and the Chinese Company that built Skeldon Sugar Factory with G$550 million in unfinished remedial works within the contract liability period. And we can go on and on. We believe that DR. BHARAT JAGDEO should continue to sell his snake oil but only to the petit bourgeoisie in the Private Sector. They would be more willing to FALL IN LINE FOR Dr. JAGDEO hatched scheme. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh.

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Region Four’s 2014 top Digicel submarine cable approval… performers in education rewarded Jagdeo was not speaking

on administration’s behalf By Latoya Giles

Top (NGSA) performers for the Region 4 Education District

The District’s top CSEC performers The continued development of literacy amongst students in schools is a major component that will help improve the education system. This was the assertion of Regional Education Officer of Region Four, Jennifer Bourne, on Wednesday, at the 2014 Region Four Department of Education award ceremony which celebrated achievements in academia, sports and teaching. The Education Officer described education as a basic requirement for the advancement of human resource development not only in Region four, but in the rest of the country as well. Bourne reported that through the Ministry of Education’s projects like the ‘Uniform Voucher Initiative,’ the

‘Schools Feeding Programme’ and the ‘Because We Care Initiative’, the Department of Education recorded an increase of approximately 300 learners into the public schools. Bourne also commended the hard work of the 1,705 teachers that educate the 32,420 learners in the public school system of Region Four. According to the official, of the workforce, 896 are trained teachers and 450 are trained graduates. She emphasised that this is “a qualified workforce that should successfully guide our learners”. Once again, in highlighting the importance of literacy development, Bourne mentioned the Literacy Action Plan by the Education Ministry: which

aims to improve literacy rates throughout the region. “We will reinforce that every child in the region must be able to read by Grade Three,” the official stressed. She outlined that to achieve these goals, literacy training must start at the earliest stage possible so as to ensure that children master skills of language expression. According to the education official, the region recorded an increase in performance in the National Grade Two Assessment, with 62 percent of the schools gaining 50 percent and over pass marks when compared to 2013. However, she lamented a decline in the National Grade Four Assessment performances as only 14 (Continued on page 25)

Government’s main spokesperson, Dr. Roger Luncheon has said that he does not believe that Former President Bharrat Jagdeo was speaking on behalf of the administration when he disclosed that Digicel was expected to receive formal approval soon for its fibre optic cable. Last week the former head of state told the gathering at the annual Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association dinner, that the telecommunications giant was expected to get its own submarine fibre optic cable, which would be used to enhance its services with the expected liberalization of the telecoms sector. Luncheon said yesterday that he believes that with the interest Digicel has brought out in the public about landing its cable in Guyana, that interest has not been a secret for those in the communications sector. “That sector falls under the Office of the President and I would want to believe that it was in that context that his remarks must be seen,” Luncheon told the media. He said that the remarks cannot be with any prejudice to decisions that are yet to be made by the current administration with regards to the Digicel rollout plan. “Much sympathy exists for enhancing the broadband capacity in Guyana,” the cabinet secretary stressed. He added that on the surface, if Digicel would come with a credible proposal in relation to bandwidth and cable, they would be given understanding and support. “Now Digicel has applied to bring in another cable and I think the government has given them permission,” Jagdeo told attendees at the dinner. The Ramotar administration has not said anything on the possible

- Dr. Luncheon cable for Digicel. Jagdeo was at the time addressing criticisms of government’s lack of development of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. He said that ICT development formed part of a four-pronged strategy that the Donald Ramotar administration is working on as it pushes to develop a green economy. Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer Gregory Dean earlier this month had said that while his company is ready to make major investments in Guyana, the non-passage of the Telecommunication Bill continues to hamper business. Dean had described the “non-passage” of the Bill as a bigger issue for the country. “If a person is to look at the statistics, access to broadband and access to communication, it would be clear.” Dean told Kaieteur News that there’s no secret that Digicel wants to invest and become a full service communications player, not only in terms of expanding the current services they offer on the mobile phone but to also upgrade the present service. “We would also like to get into the landline and internet businesses, plus we’d like to run our own fibre optic cables too since we are looking to further our business here in Guyana,” Dean said. “It’s unfortunate that people often characterize the problem as a “Digicel issue”. We are just one of the operators in the country that would want to see the liberalization of the sector, and it needs to be resolved urgently,” the CEO had told this publication. Dean maintained that his company which touts itself as the “Bigger Better Network” is ready to make major investments in the country and would begin to do so immediately after the

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon legislation is passed. “Guyana has one of the lowest accesses to broadband; the only thing we come out on top is with regards to the prices,” the CEO told Kaieteur News. Dean also stated that lobbying the parliamentary group continues to be a sore point for the company. Parliament went into recess on August 10 last, but the Telecommunications Bill, which was expected to be debated, was not heard. There has been mounting pressure for the passage of new telecoms legislation which could pave the way for new players to enter the market. A recently released study of the Inter-American Development Bank placed Guyana at the bottom of the region in terms of internet speed, yet one of the most expensive. “Digicel is more than happy to compete with anyone. It can only benefit Guyana in terms of service and price.” Dean believes that his company can rollout the services in as little as a year, in a market considered an important one for the group. Since its entry into the Guyana market in 2007, Digicel has sunk US$70M in network and data services. However, though it has managed to move its population coverage to 96 per cent, up from 70 per cent, it is only managing to cover a mere 14 per cent because of the terrain. The size of the country has been a major challenge in expanding to remote areas, Dean said. However, Digicel is not daunted. The coming of the Linden/Lethem Road will ease the mobilization challenges. Already, the company has reached remote locations in the North West District, like Baramita, Arakaka and also Eteringbang.

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Britain warns of ‘exceptionally high’ level of anti-terrorism activity (Reuters) - British police are carrying out security investigations at an “exceptionally high” pace not seen in years to disrupt potentially deadly plots directed from abroad, notably Syria, the country’s top counter-terrorism officer said on Friday. Mark Rowley, Britain’s national policing spokesman for counter-terrorism, said the police had made 218 arrests so far this year while dozens of vulnerable people were also being referred to deradicalisation programmes. “The volume, range and pace of counter-terrorism activity has undergone a stepchange,” Rowley said in a statement, in the latest indication of serious concern among British authorities about the threat of an attack. Britain has been considered a target for Islamist militants ever since the Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States, and 52 people were killed when four young Britons carried out suicide bombings in London in 2005. In August, Britain raised its threat level to the secondhighest classification of “severe”, meaning an attack was considered highly likely, for the first time since mid-2011. Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that Islamic State (IS) militants fighting in Syria and Iraq

p o s e d t h e c o u n t r y ’s greatest ever security risk and has promised further measures to counter a threat posed by returning veterans. Some 500 Britons are already thought to be fighting there. Rowley’s is the latest in a string of warnings from security officials and senior politicians. Last week, he issued a notice to police officers around the country to be on alert to possible risks to their safety, while London Mayor Boris Johnson has said spies are monitoring thousands of suspects. Just this month, detectives have arrested 14 people in operations, and one very senior officer speaking on condition of anonymity has told Reuters some suspected plotters had got close to carrying out an attack. DEADLY ATTACKS “ We . . . a r e r u n n i n g exceptionally high numbers of counterterrorism investigations, the likes of which we have not seen for several years,” Rowley said, adding that they were thwarting several attack plots a year. “These plots are of varied sophistication, from individuals planning to carry out spontaneous yet deadly attacks, to more complex conspiracies. Almost all seemingly are

either directed by or inspired by terrorism overseas.” He said a specialist police unit was removing every week more than 1,000 pieces of illegal Internet content such as videos of beheadings, with the vast bulk related to Iraq and Syria. “Extremist groups are using social media in highly sophisticated ways in order to recruit or persuade individuals towards their violent and warped ideologies,” he said. To g e t h e r w i t h o t h e r agencies, police were carrying out about 100 “Syria-related preventative activities”, with more than half leading to individuals being referred to deradicalisation programmes, he said. Meanwhile, families have reported 66 missing relatives who they feared had travelled to Syria. Some Islamic groups have criticised the authorities’ response to the threat from militants and say it often provokes anger and resentment among B r i t a i n ’s 2 . 7 m i l l i o n Muslims by demonising them. They also say the West’s foreign policy plays a key role. They and other experts have warned that as such Britain is losing its fight against radicalisation.

US schools close in Ohio, Texas, over Ebola fears Washington (AFP) - Some schools in Ohio and Texas closed Thursday amid fears that students or staff had been exposed to a nurse who had Ebola infection during an airline flight. The US Centers for Disease Control has reached out to 132 people who were on the same October 13 flight as Amber Vinson, but said there was an extremely low risk that anyone was infected. She had a low-grade fever and was not vomiting or experiencing diarrhea on the trip from Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth, but she should not have been allowed to board a commercial airline, CDC chief Tom Frieden said. Three schools in central Texas were closed because two students had traveled on the same Frontier Airlines flight, according to a statement posted online. School superintendent

Susan Kincannon said North Belton Middle School and Sparta Elementary — where the students attend — were closed, as well as Belton Early Childhood School while health authorities evaluated the risk. “I’m frustrated that we didn’t learn until late tonight that the CDC was re-evaluating the health risk,” she wrote in the l e t t e r, posted late Wednesday. “The health and safety of our students is my first priority.” Some schools in Ohio also closed, including Solon Middle School and Parkside Elementary, after a school employee was potentially on the same plane but a different flight. “We learned today that an SMS staff member traveled home from Dallas on Frontier Airlines Tuesday on a different flight, but perhaps the

same aircraft, as the Texas nurse with Ebola,” said the school. Officials at the schools said the closures were a precautionary measure, and that building facilities would be thoroughly cleaned. Ebola is spread through close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. The virus has killed more than 4,400 people in West Africa since the start of this year. Vinson was the second health care worker diagnosed with Ebola after treating Liberian patient Thomas Eric Duncan, who died in Dallas on October 8. Her Ebola diagnosis was announced October 15, two days after she took the domestic flight. Another nurse, Nina Pham, was diagnosed with Ebola on October 12.

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Jamaica imposes ban on travelers from Ebola-stricken countries Jamaica Gleaner - The Jamaican Government has issued an immediate travel ban against certain persons travelling directly or indirectly from or through the Ebolaaffected West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. A statement from the National Security Ministry says the ban extends to persons ordinarily resident in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as persons who have travelled to or transited through the countries in the past 28 days. The travel ban also extends to Commonwealth citizens, not citizens of Jamaica, who have travelled to or transited through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone within 28 days of their arrival to Jamaica. The Ministry says CARICOM nationals benefitting from the free movement regime are also subject to this landing

Peter Bunting restriction which is a temporary measure necessary for the protection of human and animal health. Jamaican citizens and residents, who have travelled to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone within 28 days of their arrival to Jamaica, will be quarantined in the interest of public health and national security upon their arrival in Jamaica. This applies equally

to any person having a right of entry pursuant to Jamaica’s obligations under international organization head quarters agreements. Jamaican citizens who have travelled to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone within 28 days of their arrival to Jamaica, will be quarantined in the interest of public health and national security upon their arrival in Jamaica. The general public is advised that the Government of Jamaica reserves the right to screen all Jamaican nationals. According to the World Health Organization the present Ebola outbreak is the largest and most complex since the discovery of the disease in 1976; hence this decision has been made against the background of the outbreak in West Africa since March 2014, and its continued increasing threat to world health and security of Jamaican citizens.

St Kitts Nevis joins other Caribbean countries banning visitors from Ebola hit West Africa BASSETERRE, St. Kitts CMC – St. Kitts Nevis has joined the list of countries in the region to place a ban on nationals from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea as a precaution against the deadly Ebola virus. The Office of the Prime Minister in a statement late Wednesday said the prohibition will also be applied to travelers who have visited the three countries in the preceding 21 days. “The Ministry of Health will closely monitor the

situation in West Africa and other countries and will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to prepare for any potential threat,”” t he statement read. The Cabinet, has also requested the activation of the National Disaster Mitigation Council to coordinate preparedness and response with the health officials and to provide Cabinet updates. The same restrictions have been implemented in St.

Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Grenada is contemplating a similar ban. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 4,500 people have died from the Ebola virus during the current outbreak, the majority of those in West Africa. There have been two diagnosed cases of Ebola that were contracted in the United States and one in Spain; all three patients are health care workers.

Venezuela wins non-permanent seat on UN Security Council Venezuela was elected yesterday to one of the 10 non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for the next two years, succeeding Argentina in one of two slots reserved for Latin American and Caribbean. Facing no opposition within its region, Venezuela got the votes of 181 of the 193 member-states in the General Assembly. This will be Venezuela’s fifth term on the Security Council and its first since 1993. Caracas’ most recent previous bid, in 2006, ended in failure amid a protracted

contest with rival candidate Guatemala that necessitated 47 rounds of voting by the General Assembly. At the time, thenPresident Hugo Chavez accused the United States of pressuring countries to oppose Ve n e z u e l a ’s candidacy. Wa s h i n g t o n t o o k n o official position on Venezuela’s aspirations this time, even after several senators called on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to try to prevent the Andean nation from gaining a seat on the council.

Angola, Malaysia and New Zealand also obtained seats in yesterday’s first round of balloting in the General Assembly, while Spain and Turkey will face off in a second round for the fifth and final spot to be filled. Chad, Chile, Jordan, Lithuania and Nigeria will continue to hold the other non-permanent seats for another year. The Security Council’s five permanent members the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France each have the power to veto resolutions. EFE

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Achieving national unity requires a certain “substance” The conversation about national unity has for many years been circuitous, and as a result has derailed into debates as to which leaders were sincere about national unity. Sadly, none of those making inputs into these debates have bothered to outline or define their own understanding of what is national unity. This failure has rendered the debates vacuous. National unity can mean different things to different people. In a multiracial society, it can refer to racial or ethnic unity. Or it can simply refer to a coming together of political parties which straddle a wide range of ideological orientations. National unity can also be said to take place around events. After the 9/11 attacks there was a consensus within the United States that this horrific tragedy had united the American people. That idea of national unity was however a transient phenomenon and represented a collective condemnation of the attacks on the American people and nation. When Guyana achieved its Independence there was an emotional scene at the National Park where the country’s two main political

leaders embraced each other. That, too, has been described as a fleeting moment of national unity, as both leaders were united in their desire to have independence. But that moment passed. The idea of national unity in its common usage does not fit the ideal of national unity which is something more permanent, more substantial, more structured and more ideological. Cheddi Jagan saw national unity in Marxist terms. National Unity was for him about class unity and foremost about the unity of the working class. Marxists give primacy to economic formations, and for them, race and ethnicity were superstructure categories. Cheddi was not interested in racial unity in terms of bringing racial groups together. Cheddi was more concerned with the unity of the working class which had been fractured by the split between Burnham and himself. Cheddi was interested in repairing this fracture because for him, this would reunite the working class. Cheddi tried all manner of talks with Burnham, even meeting secretly with him on the Georgetown Seawall during the turbulent period of

the sixties to try to reunite the proletariat class, but to no avail. Burnham’s hold on power was too dependent on Western support and he knew that the West would never condone him jumping in bed with Cheddi or, for that matter, reuniting the working class, thus threatening vital expatriate interests in sugar and bauxite at the time. After Burnham pulled out of talks with the PPP during the period of critical support, Jagan, still keen on reuniting the working class, proposed a National Patriotic Front. This was a two-part proposal: one for a National Patriotic Front and the other a National Patriotic Front Government. The former would comprise all socialist and antiimperialist forces in the country. It would unite what the PPP saw as all progressive and revolutionary forces in the country. The latter, that is the National Patriotic Front Government, would result from a process of democratic elections and would involve an alliance of the working

classes and elements of the petit bourgeoisie. It was never intended to be a Russianstyled government. The WPA interestingly welcomed the suggestion, but did not feel that there should be any place in the National Patriotic Front for the PNC. It later tabled its own proposal for a Government of National Unity and Reconstruction, which was to have strong socialist orientation. Both of these proposals were never intended to represent a cobbling together of leaders. They were both deeply ideological and included blueprints for structure. Burnham, however, was never interested in anything that he perceived would weaken his already fragile hold on power. When the PPP was returned to office in 1992, Jagan made it clear that his then coalition with the Civic component represented racial, ethnic and class balance, and was ideologically plural. Jagan insisted on the word ‘balance’ because he knew that this

formation was a necessary but not sufficient condition for national unity. National Unity for him, to the end, remained uniting the working class. Hoyte was never going to be interested in forging such ideological unity. And in any event, that moment for uniting the working class along ideological lines had passed. The world had changed. Communism was on the ropes with the disintegration of the communist bloc in Eastern Europe. Jagan himself was forced just before the 1992 elections to concede that the building of socialism in Guyana was out of the question. He knew that the objective conditions were not present for the reuniting of the working class along ideological lines. Unfortunately there are forces that raise the question of national unity outside of the notion of class unity. They see it in terms of the ethnic and racial question. Those who today spout national unity should avoid the mistaken notion that

somehow bringing a few defectors and putting together faces of differing complexions can lay the basis for a movement towards national unity. National unity has to be premised on something more substantive, something more ideological. But to get there requires the courage for parties to identify where they stand ideologically. It is hard to see how parties that are afraid or incapable of defining themselves ideologically can ever aspire to the “substance” that is required for national unity.

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Friday October 17, 2014

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

Guerrilla warfare inside the PNC Anyone who thinks that electoral politics or extraparliamentary activism can remove the PPP Government and that it can happen without the presence of the PNC is a person who knows absolutely nothing about Guyana. The AFC may one day become stronger than the older, large political parties. But for now, the PNC is a huge, established fifty-sevenyear party with massive support in Guyana. If one hopes for the removal of the PPP in a general election or through Arab Spring activism, the PNC has to be involved. Against this background, it must be alarming for Guyanese to know that the bitter divide between the PNC hierarchy and the Linden PNC constituency is turning a dangerous bend where there are no concrete rails. Things are just getting from bad to

worse between Congress Place and Linden. If ever Guyana needs a brilliant mediator, it is now. I was having lunch with Leonard Craig and Lincoln Lewis on Tuesday at a little, cozy Creole restaurant in Charlotte Street owned by a fellow Wortmanville man. A gentleman came up to our table and said, “Look what is happening to the PNC; check Facebook man.” We asked him to read it and he did. Since that Tuesday morning, lots of people are talking about this boiling water inside the PNC. This is a trenchant disagreement between two top figures in the PNC leadership - one from Linden, a definite future leader of the PNC, the other from Congress Place, one of the nicest persons you can find in the PNC and a soldier whose service in the seventies and eighties extended not only to Guyana but also to the Third World. If this volcanic quarrel is not quelled immediately, it will harm the PNC in big ways. Sadly, the poignant exchange is now public knowledge and one hopes that an escalation

does not take place. Here now is a point I made to Craig and Lewis as we discussed the acidic disagreement between the two PNC leaders. I borrowed from my experience living in Grenada when Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and his deputy Bernard Coard were on a regime of constant exchange of denunciation. In psychology, once you tell a person you are going to get them, they will try to get you before you can fire your first salvo. If you know that you have no intention to confront them then don’t say it. But once you telegraph your thoughts, there will be a reaction. There are poisonous quarrels inside the PNC and the lessons of Grenada are being ignored. What the PNC needs at this moment is what they don’t have – a Ptolemy Reid. Could a Rashleigh Jackson fill the void? But for sure the PNC needs some healing. The rumbles inside the PNC could not come at a worse time for this country. After twenty-three years of domination by the PPP, the Guyanese people sense the fall of the PPP. The theory is

that protracted incumbency has caught up with the PPP. It is a theory that only holds partial validity. The inherent danger of the PPP is that it is essentially an authoritarian party. From the beginning, it had an authoritarian structure shaped by the communist culture. This route the PNC missed. The PNC was born as a middle class, liberal party. Down the years Burnham made it into a socialist outfit, but the transformation did wipe out its liberal middle class moorings, because many of these kinds of folks remained in the state system. Once the PPP stays in power, it will continue to lack even a trace of human

kindness. Incumbency has nothing to do with Minister Benn’s order to remove poor women from selling bottled water along Irving Street and Vlissengen Road on the flimsy excuse that they are encumbering the parapet. President Ramotar lets Benn get away with this unkind act. In the midst of the crumbling PPP, the PNC chooses to start a guerrilla war inside its party. Surely, all PNC activists must know that the infighting is playing into the hands of the PPP. It is unthinkable that the main PNC official for Linden actually called in the police to man the gate where PNC supporters were picketing. Isn’t there anyone from

Frederick Kissoon the PNC who could have gone and talked to the gateprotestors? Why were the police summoned? By any stretch of the imagination this was a mistake. The PNC is making too many mistakes at a time when it should partner the AFC in a final push for regime change. Time will never wait for any person in this world. It never did.

Dem boys seh...

Opposition refusing free trip Old people does always seh be careful of what you ask for. De opposition does always grumble how government don’t allow dem fuh guh pun foreign trips. If a foreign country invite ten Guyanese politicians de PPP does tek seven and give de other three to de Pee Hen See. De AFC never see one trip. A big meeting come up in West Africa wheh Ebola tearing tail and got dead lying in de streets all over. De PPP suddenly get generous overnight and decide to send all de opposition people. De AFC wha never get a trip to anywhere suddenly get a few tickets. One arrive fuh Moses and de rest went to de PNC. All of dem get big out of pocket allowance from de PPP. This generous behaviour from de PPP shock de whole opposition. Dem boys seh that is not generous dem generous, dem know why dem sending only de opposition to West

Africa at this moment. Dem boys hear that none of de opposition people ain’t going fuh this kind of freeness. Moses seh that he part de Red Sea, but he never cure Ebola, and certainly Ebola wouldn’t cure he. Basil Willy get a trip to London and he get excited. But he hear that is all dem Africans going to de same meeting, and so he tell Granger that he wouldn’t even send he mustache. Dem boys never thought that dem woulda see de day when Basil woulda refuse such a trip. But even while all this trickery going on, scampishness deh afoot. Dem boys hear that Bobby write Donald and tell he that he can cure Ebola. Donald tell he, “Let me send you deh right now.” Bobby call Bharrat and complain how Donald want send he to Africa to kill he. Talk half and pray fuh yuh soul; Ebola is on a roll.

Friday October 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Ebola threat prompts entry restrictions International travel has been disrupted as restrictions have been implemented and enforced by a number of territories in light of the prevailing Ebola outbreak that has been ravaging sections of West Africa. And Guyana, like a number of Caribbean and international territories, has also embraced this restriction in order to ward off the potential entry of the virus. Speaking of deliberate implementation moves yesterday was Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, as he hosted his weekly postCabinet press briefing. Dr Luncheon told a gathering of media operatives that although the viral epidemic continues to devastate West African territories evident by high cases of fatalities, and has reached other continents, it has however not yet invaded the South American continent, in which Guyana is situated. In its desperate attempt to prevent the Ebola Virus from entering Guyana, moves have been made by Government to

institute restrictions against travellers from West Africa. In a statement publicized on the Facebook Page of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, it was noted that Government since early September discussed Guyana’s preparedness to deal with Ebola. Moreover, she noted that “on September 9, 2014, all Embassies and Consulates abroad have been instructed by me not to issue visas to nationals from West African countries for the time being. The Embassies and Consulates have not issued any visas since then,” she added. But according to Rodrigues-Birkett, while this does not constitute a travel ban for persons from African countries (Africa has 54 countries), the measure implemented is aimed at dealing with the deadly Ebola virus which is seen as a challenge to both developed and developing countries alike. And even as Dr Luncheon emphasized the importance of the implemented restrictions

Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday, he pointed out that Guyana’s Ebola preparedness was the subject of a recently held Cabinet meeting on October 11, last. On that occasion, he said, the Ministry of Health and its officials presented to the gathering, a summary of interventions that have already been made and those that were being planned. Dr Luncheon went on to note that at the meeting it was also highlighted that the Health Ministry has in place public awareness campaigns

that appeal to the public and health professionals alike, of the Ebola virus, its associated complications and the approach to its prevention, since no specific cure is available. And according to Dr Luncheon, the Cabinet encounter was one that strongly supported calls for aggressive travel restrictions by Guyana and the introduction and intensification of surveillance methods at ports of entry. He disclosed yesterday that

LIAT celebrates 58 years of service in the region LIAT yesterday celebrated 58 years of aviation service to the Caribbean region. ‘The Caribbean Airline’ is one of the longest and most prominent airlines operating in this part of the world, providing service to most of the island nations. In a public missive to mark the occasion, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, David Evans said that the airline continues to work through many challenges. He expressed gratitude to the many staffers who have worked with the company throughout the years, and he thanked customers and stakeholders for their continued support. Evans highlighted that getting to this point (58 years) has not been an easy task. He said that the company continues to operate in an environment which presents the airline with many challenges. “As we all witnessed this week with the passage of Tropical Storm Gonzalo, the storm disrupted our operations and inconvenienced many of our customers.” The CEO reiterated his appreciation of the company’s employees and customers for their patience and support, “as we work together in the recovery efforts.” Several small islands have been hit by the recently passed storm, with some

LIAT is 58 years old

currently undergoing reconstruction phases. The LIAT CEO underscored the importance of the airline’s focus on safety: “In spite of the continued challenges we can once again look back at our proud achievements. Our safety record and continued commitment to this region are just two of the many things we can be proud of.” Evans charged that this 58th anniversary is very significant as it will see LIAT completing the transition from its Dash-8 fleet to its new ATR fleet. LIAT was founded in Montserrat in October 1956 by Saint Kitts-born Mr. Frank Delisle. “The airline has grown over the years and is now the main mode of transportation for people travelling between the islands, serving 18

destinations,” the company’s CEO highlighted. LIAT operates more than 600 flights per week from Santo Domingo in the north to Guyana in the south providing the most extensive inter-island network of any carrier in the region. The airline was said to have transported over 800,000 passengers around the region last year. Recently LIAT reorganized its flight plans and added additional flights to some destinations. They also reorganized their services to accommodate more passengers using the smaller carrier to in-transit with international carriers. Locally, LIAT added three more flights from Grantley Adams Airport to Ogle International. The airline currently operates 10 flights on a weekly basis.

assurances were given that such measures are already in place. At the recent meeting too, the Cabinet Secretary said that it was revealed that there are facilities that have been readied and others that are being put in place for purposes of quarantine. He also spoke yesterday of measures being taken to have holding areas created at ports of entry in anticipation of the arrival of persons with the Ebola virus. According to Dr Luncheon too, the meeting was informed that in addition to readying hospitals for the isolation of suspected and/or confirmed cases, efforts were also being directed to the procurement of protective gear and necessary medical supplies to combat any potential case(s) of the virus. But since the Health Ministry may not be able to combat Ebola alone, Dr Luncheon noted that “the Cabinet considered a reach out to stakeholders; to the Guyanese civil society in ensuring that the exercise in protecting Guyana from being affected by Ebola; that such a reach out was warranted, and calls were made for more intense collaboration between Government and stakeholders in that regard.” Since the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa earlier this year almost 4,500 persons have died from its debilitating symptoms that can range from the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. As it progresses, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function can develop as can internal and external bleeding. And according to the WHO, once infected, persons could start manifesting symptoms between two and 21 days. But while Government has claimed to have put in

place restrictions since last month, from all indications, information to this effect had belatedly trickle down to the office of Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran. Ramsaran was quoted in at least one section of the media as saying that there was no need for a ban to be put in place in light of the Ebola virus. His disclosure has left many concluding that either he (Minister Ramsaran) was excluded from Government’s discussions to have restrictions be implemented or he was attempting to mislead the nation. However the Minister in an attempt to clarify his earlier position yesterday issued modified comments regarding the Ebola virus in an email titled “clarification on Ebola situation regarding entry of West Africans into Guyana.” According to Ramsaran in his missive, “the Ministry of Health would like to clarify and reassure that there are stringent restrictions on entry to Guyana by persons who may pose a threat to the health of the nation by the importation of the Ebola virus.” Particular focus, according to him, is being directed to citizens of, and visitors to West African countries, where the disease is currently raging and represents a Public Health Threat of international concern. He informed too that the Ministry of Health, from the first proclamation by World Health Organisation Director, Dr Margaret Chan, initiated its national Ebola virus response. According to him too, “the Ministry has maintained vigilance since and will continue, and expand as needed, the multi-agency work already started to protect Guyana from this disease.”

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Friday October 17, 2014

AFC bemoans marginalisation Members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) are bemoaning the fact that they have been ignored when opportunities arise to represent Guyana on the international stage. However, according to the Party, it has been the given opportunity to attend international forums in parts of the world where Ebola is rampant. AFC Member of Parliament, Cathy Hughes, told the media yesterday, “I suppose when you are the smaller party you don’t get the level of fairness that should be handed out to all the parties on equal footing.” She said that AFC members would seldom make the list of persons allowed to represent Guyana abroad, but government officials do, and so do members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

AFC MP Cathy Hughes Hughes told the media that it is an issue that has bothered the AFC to the extent that she begun dealing on a private basis with the Opposition Parliamentary Chief Whip, Amna Ally. “We certainly feel that

there are times when we don’t get as much consideration as we should,” said Hughes. She said that AFC only stands a chance when the election process is being done abroad and not by local government officials. Adding to his colleague’s point, AFC Vice- Chairman Moses Nagamootoo told the media, “I should have been in West Africa by now and still there of course, and perhaps remain there with the way things are going. I was amazed that my name came up and I was told that it was approved for me to attend a conference in West Africa, but I pulled myself from the conference early in August.” He said that he did that because he was conscious that the government turned him down before, but all of a sudden is opting for him to go now.

Conversion from analog to digital TV approaches Cabinet on Wednesday considered the latest and final version of the road map for the transition of television broadcasting from analog to digital. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday reported that the transition by Guyana complemented an international phenomenon that saw analog TV broadcasting on its way out and being replaced by digital TV broadcasting. To that end, the HPS explained, Guyana and the i n t e r n a t i o n a l telecommunications union had collaborated in acquiring consultancy to develop a road map for Guyana’s transition. The final version of the road map has been presented to Cabinet for endorsement and acceptance by the Government. The presentation of the final report to Cabinet members and the national road map oversight body concentrated on several aspects. This included the timeline, particularly when analog TV broadcasting would end, and when digital TV broadcasting would begin, the HPS said. He noted that the road

map also contributed to factors to be addressed by government and stakeholders in the conversions. This included the technology, the application of standards, the arrangement for the transition, and the cost of the transition. Dr. Luncheon stated that expectations include more public consultations, particularly involving broadcasters who would have a significant role and would be impacted by this transition from analog to digital TV broadcasting. The report, once and if endorsed by government, would present a road map which would lay out the task of Guyana, the government and stakeholders to implement over the life of the period of transition. “That would be developed and information to that effect would be provided to the public,” Dr. Luncheon stated. In November 2012, the HPS had stated that Guyana along with countries in Europe, Middle-East and Africa have until June 17, 2015 to complete the transition from analog to digital. Digital terrestrial television offers many advantages such as better

quality signal and affords tremendous benefits in terms of spectrum usage. When television broadcasters switch from analog platforms to digital only platforms, part of the electromagnetic spectrum that has been used for broadcasting will be freed up because digital television needs less spectrum than analog television. This worldwide transition releases valuable spectrum which can be used to provide mobile broadband services among others. The release spectrum is referred to as the digital dividend. The location and size of digital dividend vary among countries due to the factors including geographical position and penetration of satellite/cable services. With the analog to digital television broadcast transition, there are many issues that Guyana will have to address. These include the technical, regulatory, economic and business related issues. Notably, in Guyana, the transition has already started with the acquisition of flat screen televisions where analog and digital formats are both installed.

Friday October 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Mom who left kids alone jailed for two weeks Angela Bodhaley, the single-parent Perseverance mother who police in early August had charged with neglect, was yesterday sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment by Magistrate Sunil Scarce when she finally appeared at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. Bodhaley had been absent twice before yesterday’s sentencing. She was initially charged with neglect. She pleaded guilty to the charge. Police said Bodhaley in

early August left her five sons without adult supervision for a period of three weeks, at her Perseverance home. The boys, with ages ranging between fourteen to six years old, were reportedly forced to take care of themselves, a practice they had grown accustomed to, since their mother would on occasions leave them unattended. Bodhaley, although she would receive monetary assistance from her relatives

overseas, and from her neighbours, would leave her young sons unattended and begging. She had told Magistrate Scarce that she had an injured leg and was unable to work to take care of her boys. Because of Bodhaley’s negligent behaviour, members of the Child Care and Protection Agency removed the boys from their Perseverance home and they are currently in the organisation’s care.

Taxi driver charged with stealing car A 29-year-old taxi driver, who spent months avoiding the clutches of the police, is now the third person to be indicted for stealing a man’s car earlier this year. Alton Golding is the last of the alleged perpetrators to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for stealing Iverly Allicock’s motor car (PPP 5786). The Toyota Axela motor car which is valued $2.7M was hijacked at John Street, Campbellville, on June 11, last. The accused pleaded not guilty to the allegations, but Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded him to prison. The request for Golding to be denied bail came from Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones, who opposed bail due to the prevalence, nature and gravity of the

charge. The Prosecution told the court that the defendant is a flight risk who would not return to face the charge instituted against him. He reminded the court that the theft occurred in June, but Golding had been on the run. The prosecutor added that the accused had only been apprehended on Wednesday. Though Jones did not reveal the details of the crime yesterday, the Prosecution had disclosed how Golding and his two accomplices, Kirtland Scott, 23, of Friendship, East Coast of Demerara and Mortimer Chan, stole the car that day. The two had faced the said simple larceny charge at separate times in June before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

A man accused of assaulting a woman in an attempt to rob her on one of the busiest city streets, was yesterday remanded to prison. Royden Browne who appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court is alleged to have attacked Natasha Outar on Wednesday

(October 15) on Regent Street in an attempt to rob her of her $35,000 BlackBerry Curve cellular phone. Inspector Michael Grant, who prosecuted, explained that the woman was walking along Regent Street when Browne pounced on her. He said that the accused cuffed the woman several times and attempted to take her cellular phone. Browne denied the

During Chan’s court hearing, it was stated that around 01:00 hours on the morning in question, Allicock reportedly parked his car in front of his yard and retired to bed. When the victim awoke later that morning, he realized that his car was missing and subsequently made a report to the Police. Acting on information ranks went to Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara and managed to recover the car. Findings during the investigations into the matter led to the three men. Though they had been arrested at different times, they were all charge with simple larceny. Following the brief court hearing yesterday, Golding was remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to November 14 for report.

Accused mugger refused bail

allegations, however, and claimed that she “jammed him” and he chucked her in retaliation. He said that they had an “accident.” Inspector Grant objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence. He said that Browne had previously been charged before the courts. Browne was denied bail and the case is set to be called again on November 3.

Friday October 17, 2014

GuySuCo refuses to reinstate worker who allegedly slapped manager The state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has refused recommendations for an employee, accused of slapping the manager of Skeldon Estate, to be reinstated. Yesterday, the corporation said it preferred to head to arbitration on the matter. Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, had recommended that the worker, Daniel Stevens, who was summarily dismissed on September 20, 2014 for physically assaulting the Estate Manager of Skeldon Estate, be reinstated. The CLO’s recommendation was made in his capacity as conciliator after two meetings with the Corporation and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union. The last meeting was held on October 1. According to GuySuCo, its rejection of the CLO’s recommendation was based on the availability of statements by workers who gave evidence that the Estate Manager, Dave Kumar, was neither under the influence of alcohol nor was aggressive towards Stevens, and that on the contrary, it was Stevens who was aggressive towards the Manager, which resulted in him physically assaulting the Manager. The alleged altercation between the manager and staffer had sparked several days of protest last month at Skeldon, leading to power outages across the coastlands after the generating sets at the Corentyne, Berbice factory could not function. “Prior to the commencement of the conciliatory proceedings, the Corporation and the Union signed a Terms of Resumption on September 24,

- calls for arbitration

GuySuCo Director, Jairam Pitam

GAWU President, Komal Chand

2014, that included, among other terms, a resolution of the matter either at conciliation or arbitration. The Corporation having now rejected the CLO’s recommendation, has requested the Ministry of Labour to move the matter forward to the next stage of the procedure, which is arbitration,” GuySuCo said in its statement yesterday. According to the sugar company, the Estate Manager in his usual night visits to the factory and mill dock met a group of workers that included Stevens who were “malingering” in the vicinity of the mill dock and cautioned them to report to their respective work stations. “On being cautioned by the Manager, Stevens became abusive and was calmly advised by the Manager to heed his advice and report to his work station. Stevens subsequently retaliated and approached the Manager in a hostile manner, and in the process struck the Manager in his face.” GuySuCo said that the incident was witnessed by several staffers, all of whom have testified in written

statements that the Estate Manager was neither intoxicated nor aggressive and abusive to Stevens. “The Corporation wishes to point out that there were several incidents in the past at several estates whereby employees who have alleged to have physically assaulted their co-workers or superiors have been summarily dismissed without hearing proceedings. The most recent being at Blairmont Estate where a cane harvester had physically assaulted a field foreman, and had his services summarily terminated; without a hearing. This decision was communicated to the Union’s General Secretary, who concurred with the decision.” Yesterday, GuySuCo was invited by the Ministry of Labour to a continuation of the conciliatory meeting to be held next Monday. “The Corporation looks forward to the Ministry’s deliberation on this matter in charting the way for an early resolution at the next stage.” It is estimated that several thousand US dollars worth of cane had been burnt, during the strike action last month.

Friday October 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Nation witnessing effects of a Constitutional collapse - Harmon - “We are at the lowest level of political degradation as a result of this govt,”

House Speaker Raphael Trotman By Kiana Wilburg “When a government can spend millions of taxpayers’ dollars without permission of the National Assembly, ignore the plight of the people to lower the Berbice Bridge toll, ignore resolutions that were crafted to bring about substantial change in the lives of citizens, and support a devious attack on the private media by one of its own, it is no longer a question of a lack of ethics. We are witnessing the effects of a constitutional collapse.” This is the opinion of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s General Secretary, Joseph Harmon. His comments were made after being apprised of statements by the coalition’s point man on financial matters, Carl Greenidge, who is of the belief that there is a serious lack of ethics, not only among government officials but also among Members of Parliament. While he deems the absence of such an essential quality as damning, he believes that the lack of ethics among parliamentarians will lead to a collapse of constitutional arrangements. But Harmon disagrees with Greenidge. “The devastating effects of the current administration’s kind of governance are beyond the mere lack of ethics.” The politician stated via a telephone interview that at this point, “Guyana is witnessing the lowest level of political degradation as a result of this government. There has been a lack of ethics by many government officials and even some members of parliament long before the Tenth Parliament. But since the 2011 elections, we are experiencing something more frightening than just the effects of lack of ethics by the government. We are witnessing acts

Joseph Harmon

Carl Greenidge

that border on criminality, and in any normal society, a lot of politicians would have been facing the court. Ethics is about morals; the principles that would govern one’s behaviour, but there is a blatant disregard for anything moral and upright as outlined in our very constitution because the current administration is of the firm belief that it is in power and it can do as it pleases.” The APNU politician went further to coin his own term to sum up the kind of governance and the level to which the government has sunk. He termed it—”Badman-ism.” Harmon asserted that Attorney General Anil Nandlall, by his very actions, has no regard for the Constitution and has even contributed to “the backward and fearful state that the nation is currently in.” “The Constitution is just a book that Nandlall waves from left to right in Parliament. He has no respect for it. When you look at the amount of things this government has done and is doing, the delay for the sitting to debate the No-Confidence Motion, the vicious attacks on the media that it has been silent on and supported, the NICIL and Marriott Hotel quandary… I mean with all this… I have not even touched the tip of the crassness taking place. I don’t know how much more we could collapse, but the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is determined to show us that they could go lower than they already are,” the APNU General Secretary lamented. While Harmon holds this view, Greenidge’s comments on the other hand seemed to be more subtle. In his interview with Kaieteur News, the former finance minister said that the lack of ethics has played a significant role in eroding the relationship between the

administration and the opposition. Greenidge believes that more emphasis should be placed on having constitutional requirements not only for consultation between the political parties on certain matters but also for shared input. Additionally, Greenidge said that the public needs to avoid confusing disagreement with animosity. “The Opposition has to be seen and indeed has to try to oppose and expose the Government and to eventually replace it. At times, this generates tension, but does not originate in personal animosity. The latter may eventually arise, but that should not be extreme or dysfunctional. “In fact, Parliamentarians get on reasonably well with one another most of the time. However, I have said publicly and in Parliament, that during my term as a Minister of Finance and Planning (and Trade) I do not recall members being treated to anything approximating to the harsh language, abuse or coarse behaviour that we have seen since 2011. I was treated politely and with respect by all the Opposition MPs including Boysie Ramkarran and Reepu Daman Persaud. I sought to reciprocate all of the time. That was the culture. Now things have changed. There is a total disregard for ethics by some MPs,” Greenidge lamented. He said that one reason for the change is that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) believes that once it wins elections, it is entitled to do anything it wishes. “So there is tremendous anger over attempts to constrain them…and the reaction to not getting its way can sometimes be very vitriolic and abusive,” the former finance minister added. He said too that ethics (Continued on page 31)

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Crane housewife murder…

Search for suspect intensifies The search for 44-yearold Vidol Anthony Rawlins, who is accused of murdering his wife at their Lot 4 Crane Housing Scheme home, on July 18, last, has been intensified, according to a senior police source. The Police official said that ranks at every station, countrywide, are keeping an “eye out” for the suspected wife-killer, who according to the official, thinks he is “smarter than the police.” Kaieteur News was told that police in ‘D’ Division have searched a number of homes on the West Coast of Demerara and in the city, including the homes of Rawlins’ relatives. Commander of ‘D’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, had told this newspaper that since the murder of 30-year-old Candy Rawlins, his ranks have searched a number of places but came up empty handed. “We are looking for him… we have searched a number of places but we didn’t find him... He keeps moving,” Amsterdam said. A relative of the murdered housewife had told this publication that they had

On the run: Vidol Anthony Rawlins received information that one of the man’s relatives is hiding him in the city. However, relatives claimed that the suspect moved from that location and is hiding in Berbice. “The people said that he moved from there, so I guess he keeps moving from one location to another,” the relative said. This newspaper was told that the suspect was spotted in Crane, West Coast Demerara and in Alberttown, Georgetown. The police said that Rawlins had bound and gagged his stepdaughter

before stabbing her mother to the neck. According to a police source close to the investigation, the 11-year-old girl informed them that she was in her room when she heard her stepfather demanding sex from her mother. She said that she “did not take the noise too serious” because constant quarrelling was a norm in the home. “She said she went back to sleep. The next day when she wake up the stepfather taped her mouth and tied her up in a chair,” a police source explained. He added that the girl claimed that she managed to untie herself after some time and ran to her mother’s room. “When she see her mother she start scream and she run and call out for the neighbours who then informed us,” the police source said. No one reported hearing any noise coming from the house. Neighbours had said that the couple fought and quarreled very often.

Page 16

Kaieteur News

IATA partner deems Fly Jamaica fastest growing airline in local market Capacity within the Guyanese aviation sector is said to have grown by 12 percent in 2014, while Jamaica-based airline, Fly Jamaica, is said to be the fastest growing airline on the local scene. According to an examination by Innovata; a partner of International Air Transport Association (IATA) involved in travel related content management and content distribution, Guyana has been featured as having a capacity of around 460,000 one-way seats offered on services involving Guyanese airports this year. This, it was reported, represents “a double-digit increase of 12 percent over the previous year.” Both the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Ogle International was said to have registered capacity increases when compared to 2013 figures. Ogle doubled its annual capacity, while Cheddi Jagan posted a 9.6 percent growth. The rapid expansion, the international site indicated, r e s u l t s f r o m L I AT ’s decision to move all of its Cheddi Jagan operations to the Ogle airport.

“Fly Jamaica is the fastest growing operator, increasing its weekly capacity by 100 percent or 621 weekly seats over the last 12 months.” As of October 2014, Guyana is served by a total of seven airlines, with Caribbean Airlines – the flag carrier of Trinidad and Tobago – being the dominant player in the Guyanese market. It was said that the airline commands 69 percent and 62 percent of seats and flights respectively. The airline is also said to have carried 2.9 million passengers last year with three airport pairs; to New York (JFK), Toronto (Pearson) and Port of Spain. The latter is said to be the most frequently served destination, with a total of 30 weekly flights from Cheddi Jagan Airport. Fly Jamaica ranked second with a weekly seat share of 14 percent, making connects from Cheddi Jagan to Toronto and Kingston. Total weekly seat capacity in Guyana is said to have gone up by 24 percent, “with two out of the seven carriers recording growth, when comparing data from this October with the same week

last year.” Surinam Airways and LIAT saw their operations unchanged. “While no carrier posted capacity decline in the last 12 months, the Guyanese market has seen the arrival of three new airlines namely Insel Air from Aruba twice-weekly, Copa Airlines from Panama City twice-weekly and CONVIASA from Puerto Ordaz weekly. “A total of nine countries can be reached non-stop form Guyana according to Innovata schedule data for this October.” Anna aero which provided the contents of the report said that with around 4,800 weekly seats and 4.6 percent more than that in the corresponding week last year, Trinidad and Tobago topped the list of country markets served, with a combined total of 30 weekly flights operated by Caribbean Airlines from Cheddi Jagan. However, Jamaica has seen the most significant growth in weekly capacity, 67 percent or an additional 414 seats, followed by the USA with 24 percent this year. The USA, which is served by Surinam Airways and Caribbean Airlines, has seen a net growth of 214 weekly seats due to the latter’s additional weekly departure to New York’s JFK. It was noted that in the last 12 months, four new country markets have entered this year ’s ranking, namely Canada, Aruba, Panama and Venezuela, while Caribbean Airlines has withdrawn its twice-weekly flights to Antigua and Barbuda.

Friday October 17, 2014

World Food Day 2014…

“Eat What We Produce” campaign launched Students taking notes at NAREI’s Open Day

The ‘Tunnel House’ showcasing eco-friendly ways to grow produce In celebration of World Food Day yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture officially launched its “Eat What We Produce” campaign which aims to increase consumption of Guyanese agricultural products. The event was hosted at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) where the initiative received support from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). This year’s World Food Day was observed under the theme “Family farming – feeding the world, caring for the earth”, and focuses on developing environmentally conscious farming among family groups throughout the world. During his feature address, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, made

the point that the country’s trajectory has been led by agriculture and that the sector has seen an increase of US$114 per capita when compared to US$5 investment in 1990. He also advocated that society needs to change their ideas as to what constitutes a farmer. “We must abandon thoughts that agriculture is an industry for peasants, as it is responsible for 20 percent of the Guyanese economy, providing 50 percent of employment in the country.” In addition to promoting family farming, the Minister highlighted the importance of not only feeding the population, but also providing proper nutrition to the general public. In the past few years starvation has declined by over 100 million persons bringing the world closer to food security. However, Dr. Ramsammy cautioned that the world is

“nutrition insecure”, meaning that consumers are not receiving the correct nutritional value from their meals. This problem, he said, affects over three billion of the world’s population. It was averaged that nations apart from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) consume over 2,800 calories a day, which is over the daily recommended 2,200 calorie intake. The Agriculture Minister tied this to the necessity for the “Eat what we produce” campaign, as he cited that the programme will develop citizen consumption of locally grown food products that are rich in nutrition. A clear message that resonated throughout the event was the need for the agricultural industry to be innovative in order to remain relevant and meet the demands of the world. IICA representative, (Continued on page 31)

Friday October 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Police in Bartica bust Seafield Co-op takes MMA-ADA to court over seized farmlands five persons for cocaine A West Berbice Cooperative Society has taken the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) to court, challenging a decision by the body to seize over 545 acres of land. In the civil action filed yesterday, the Seafield Cooperative Land Society Limited of West Berbice, asked for orders that compel MMA-ADA to show reasons why its decision to take the lands and allocate it to others, should not be overturned. The Cooperative is arguing that the decision was arbitrary and breached its constitutional rights to the protection of its property. The matter will come up again on October 27, in the Bail Court. The Plaintiff is being represented by Attorney-at-law, Basil Williams, According to the court documents sworn to by Secretary to the Cooperative, Lloyd Moore, the society is a legal registered body which comprises members who are proprietors of the lands situated in Seafield Village. The land was acquired by ancestors of the proprietors from Plantation Seafield, after the abolition of slavery. However, they were never given individual transports of the lands which stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Abary River. In the 1920s, attempts were made to survey the lands in Seafield Village, but

Lloyd Moore only the northern section was completed, with transports issued for these “frontlands”. Despite this, occupation of the backlands also continued, with a fence built by the ancestors in the backlands behind the Seafield Village. As a matter of fact, the village even established one of the earliest councils to which rates and taxes were paid. According to the court documents, there were no actions to stop the occupation of the backlands until now. The Cooperative contends that the MMAADA, after being established in 1977 to manage the area, was only responsible for administering state lands. Of course, this does not include the land holdings of the Cooperative. Moore argued that the only charges that the society was responsible for to the MMA-ADA would be for

drainage and irrigation fees. This has been happening since May 1985 when the Cooperative was established. According to Moore, in March this year, the society met with Rudolph Gajraj, the Chief Executive Officer of MMA-ADA, who told the body that they owe in excess of $11M, a charge that they denied. The society said it paid over $7.5M. In June, the society said that it saw notices in the newspaper in which MMAADA was signaling its intentions to regularize state lands under the control of some Cooperatives. Seafield lands were listed. “That on the 17th of June at a meeting at the MMAADA’s office held pursuant to the said notice, Mr. Gajraj told the gathering to apply for lands published in the said notice as state lands, including the society’s said lands for which they would have to pay $28,000 per acre and that he could give no guarantee that a previous occupant could get back their land.” Moore said that the MMA-ADA’s actions or the society’s indebtedness to the body does not allow for the takeover of the lands. Rather, the MMA-ADA should have gone to court. “The MMA-ADA recourse is to a court of law to recover any money owed to it.” The society also said in court documents that it had 41 members, from the Seafield area.

Region Four’s 2014 top... (From page 6) percent of schools achieved over 50 percent passes. There was also a slight decline in this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) with 27.6 percent of students gaining entry into the region’s top schools. Bourne affirmed that such performance records are enough cause for the department to rethink their position as it relates to teaching and supervision. The education officer explained that since teachers are the first to be blamed for poor student performances “unproductive practices” by educators must also be dealt with so as to optimize the education system. Performances in this year’s Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Examinations were seen as improvements, in both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), by the department, with gratitude extended to

head teachers, teachers and parents of President’s College, Annandale Secondary School, Hope Secondary School and Diamond Secondary School in particular. Last year, 19.7 percent of the district’s students matriculated, or were eligible to pursue tertiary education, while this year those figures increased by 100 percent. The top performer for the Region Four District of Education, Arifa Mohammed, was awarded for her outstanding achievements in this year’s CSEC Examination. Mohamed, of President’s College, wrote 13 subjects, achieving 11 Grade Ones, one Grade Two and one Grade Three. President’s College

dominated the top five positions for exceptional performers in CAPE for the region. Some of the top performers in the National Grade Six assessment included; Zaid Bacchus and Siddi Nandkishore of Peter’s Hall Primary School, Lance Fung-A-Fat of Supply Primary School, Chandini Baljor of Lusignan Primary School, Wonetta Benjamin of Craig Primary School, and Sarsawatt Heeralall Chateau Margot of Primary School. Other students, teachers, educational officers and school representatives were also awarded prizes for debating and spelling bee competitions, educational achievements and athletic tournaments.

Five persons are now in police custody and will have to answer drug trafficking charges when they appear in court today. They were all arrested following police raids conducted on two Third Avenue, Bartica, residences on Wednesday. According to reliable information reaching this publication, the tactical operations, which were spearheaded by Assistant Superintendent Rudolph Banwarie, unearthed several grammes of cocaine which is reportedly an unusual find in the Region Seven locale. This publication was told that while there have been raids in the past that led to quantities of marijuana; the recent find was surprising to even some of the enforcement officers. Reports are that the Assistant Superintendent, acting on information received, was able to lead a team of police ranks to the buildings in question. There, quantities of the prohibitive substance were detected and the five individuals, including a married couple, were arrested for trafficking in cocaine. The separate raids

occurred around noon on Wednesday, and those arrested are currently in custody at the Bartica Police Station assisting with further investigation. According to some concerned persons, drug trafficking in the Bartica area has been one of immense worry to them. It is for this reason that moves have been made to collaborate closely with Officer in Charge (OC) of the Bartica Police Station, (Assistant Superintendent Banwarie) in order to curb the disturbing practice. This is in light of the fact that the OC has long declared a zero tolerance stance to the use of illegal substances. The Assistant Superintendent has also been clamping down on the use of alcohol, particularly by underage patrons. This was particularly evident when the Guyana Teachers’ Union Bartica Branch hosted its annual inter-school championship sports event at the Bartica Secondary School ground. At the event it was observed that vendors were selling alcohol to students which prompted the OC to engage action to have those

vendors removed. The move was lauded by residents and the Bartica Interim Management Committee/Neighbourhood Democratic Council (IMC/ NDC). According to a statement issued by the IMC/NDC in this regard, “this move and effort by the police is highly commendable...the efforts by the police to minimise the level of alcohol use by the young people and helping to bring to our attention (to the fact) that there is still need to have alcohol free zones.” Moreover, the statement added that the “IMC/NDC thanks the police for their efforts in helping to make our community a better place.” It was also noted by the IMC/NDC that the police in the Region Seven community have been realising continued successes in their efforts to provide safety and security. The consistent intervening measures organised and implemented by the police are also being lauded by a number of Bartica residents who have openly vocalised their appreciation for the dedicated and efficient service they are afforded.

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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 One 14" Dredge/Draga in working condition – Contact: 694-4828, 663-0742 Just Arrived! A new shipment of combine parts, Italian made - Call: 660-0342, 222-3538, 335-3100,3353434, 335-4122 Complete sawmill operation with lots of equipment, customers & suppliers and large land space – Contact Swamee: 614-1466; 672-4438 One Massey Ferguson Tractor, plough & cage wheel – Call: 269-1106, 6679049 Pressure Washer & Vacuum (9Gal) Wash, price negotiable – Tel:667-4389, 680-7772 One Canter tray, length: 11ft, Width: 5ft 7", Complete Steel Tray, Price $250,000. Contact F. Ahamad, Tel:256-3156, 6709063 Two 8ft American pools table – Tel:639-2821, 693-1432 1000 Lb Nylon Seine + One 15hp Yamaha and flat bottom boat – Call: 691-3633, 223-4552 Transformer -25KVA Industrial Single Phase 480/ 240/120V USA- Tel:623-9761 Generator: 65 KVA Perkins 4236 Engine – Tel: 623-9761 Two female & 1 male short fluffy dogs- Contact: 6996006 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3232 One stall for sale at The Vendors Mall, StabroekContact:611-8291 Food warmer 8 trays- Tel: 661-6795 Massey Ferguson 390 4X4fully renovated – Call: 6886274, 691-3851, 678-8698

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 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call :225-9032, 647-2943 FOR LOW COST: REPAIRS TO FRIDGE, FREEZER,A/C UNIT, MICROWAVES, TV & WASHING MACHINE CALL: 629-4946 OR 2254822 Hibiscus Jewellery & Pawn Shop, 15-16 American Street, Best price offer, open from 9:00-4:00 – Tel: 225-7252

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807/ 690-6494 PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Top Quality cars for rental, latest series and models, best prices - Call: 692-1051, 6855011

FOR SALE/FOR RENT American pool table – 2770578 One American Slate Pool table – Call:679-8534 Located @ Lot 5 Block ‘K’ Walkers’s Delight W.C.D – 4 bedrooms all self contain. Price $25M/ per month $100,000 –Tel:674-4929/ 662-0187

PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 - 2storey wooden & Concrete house with 5 bedrooms upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $30M - Tel: 642-7898

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Nissan Pick -up GG Series and one (1) mini bus – JJ Series in excellent, road worthy condition – Call: 2335108, 233-5023 1 New unregistered Mazda Axela 2006 Sedan - $2.350M Negotiable (never used in Guyana), very low mileage – Tel: 649-0956 Blue RX8 Sports Car, mint condition, 6 speed manual, low mileage, Tel:681-4208, 220-6262 One Toyota Ax10 - $2.1M Negotiable, One Toyota Spacio $1.8M Negotiable Tel: 678-0109 or 618-2576 1- L Touring Wagon car, Toyota Corolla – Call: 6632882 Toyota RAV4, Fun Cargo, Raum, AT212, AT192, AT170, EP71 Starlet, Tacoma, Vigo, Nissan Titan – Call: 644-5096, 697-1453 Special Sale: New Model Spacio with front & back camera, TV/DVD/CD, body kit, unregistered -$2.1M – Call: 617-2891 Toyota Premio $2.3M, Toyota Voxy - $1.8M, Vehicles fully loaded, never registered – Call: 617-2891 One Unregistered Noah Call:652-0709; 276-0556 One pit bull 19 Seater BNN, Excellent Condition- Call: 652-0709, 276-0556 One pit bull minibus immaculate condition, never worked hire, going cheap – Call: 629-3663. Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada MF135- $1.2M, MF165 -$1.8M, MF285 $2.4M, Ranger Pickup - $1.5M – Tel: 682-5230; 628-9596 1 Hiace super custom bus BSS Series, with AC, TV, CD, Sunroof, mags, never worked on the road – Tel: 677-8359 One new model Raum PRR – Tel:277-0672, 696-7341 One Toyota Spacio $1.8, one AE 100 Corolla Wagon $750,000- Tel:611-6632/ 6643488 Mitsubishi Hyab canter GPP series- Tel:622-3468 2008 Toyota Rush for saleCall: 642-6079 2010 F150 4WD, excellent condition- $7M- Call: 663-9251 One RZ bus, BKK seriesCall: 220-7399/ 682-6294 First Class Auto: In stock Premio, Spacio, 212, Sienta, Rush, Fielder, Bluebird- Tel: 609-8188/ 602-6307 1-Dodge Ram 4x4, model 2002, 4 wheel drive $2.6M. 1-F150 model 1999 $2.2MCall: 674-4929 FOR HIRE Trucks for interior locationsCall: 662-8884

Friday October 17, 2014

VACANCY

WANTED

SALON

LORRY DRIVER, Clean Driving Record, Residing on East Bank Demerara. Tel 266 4427

Urgently Wanted! Thirty Five (35) security officers, apply @ Security Alliance, Barrack Street, Kingston (upstairs FedEx).

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

Earn $5,000-$20,000 – Daily, working from home (free training) jobfairworld wide.com or Tel: 233-6517/ 622-1957 Immediate opening for salesman/ driver and porter to work on the Essequibo Coast- Tel: 654-8111 Bond clerk, Grader operator and Accountant, interested persons can contact us on Tel: 603-4094 One Trainee refrigeration technician – Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 One Live in Caregiver to look after toddler – Tel: 697-8797 One night security, apply in writing with a valid police clearance to GCC Ground, Bourda. Pharmacy assistants and part time pharmacist to work at Pharma Choice Pharmacy on Durban Street – Call: 6758790, 661-3124 Day guard: apply @ Technical Service Inc, 18-23 Eccles industrial Site. One Accounts Clerk – Call: 614-4358 International Cruiseline Purser officer, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionist, storekeeper, cleaners, electrician, carpenter, plumber, musicians etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880

LAND FOR SALE One land Located at Cornelia Ida W.C.D, Phone, water & light – Contact: 6520709; 276-0556 Parfaite Harmonie, Phoenix Park $4M, $1.3M (Dairy), Eccles - $4.5M, Providence $4M, Herstelling -$4M, Schoon’Ord - $3.5M – Tel:675-7292

CATERING Roxy’s Catering: We offer a 10% discount, Holiday Special – Call: 223-0092 or 223-0095, one snackette attendant needed! PEN PAL East Indian male, 47 seeks female friends- Call: 649-4914

Cashiers, salesgirl, porters and a domestic maid, Apply to 1E Dennis & Middleton Streets Campbellville Live in maid to work in town Call: 669-6030 One cook to cook in kitchen in the interior – Call:681-6044 Over edge and straight stitch operator to work at Garment Factory Call:222-2541 (Monday – Friday) Experienced Drivers, cashier, counter staff, roti cook, pastry maker @ Hacks Halaal, Commerce Street. Drivers - $30,000 per week, Porters $21,000 per week, to work on W.C.D – Call: 6848231, 629-4236 Experienced hire car & mini bus driver & dispatcher @ Providence – Tel:265-7076, 616-5419 Welder, mechanic, Accounts Clerk, Trainee Machinist, Day Security, apply in person: Technical Service, Lot 18-23 Industrial Estate E.B.D One nail technician (air brush an asset) @ Nalini Beauty Salon, Vreed En Hoop Junction – Call:604-2900, 6581200, 625-3899 Bartender needed – Call: 2251821 We buy land in Parfaite Harmonie, Schoon’Ord, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling and Phoenix Park– Tel: 675-7292 Live in couple, wife: domestic duties, husband driving , Arc/ Acetylene welder, good accommodation and ratesTel:227-1830 1 diesel vehicle to buy $200,000 call:662-8884 Farm worker, carpenter and mason- Call: 265-3586 Experienced log truck driver, log scaler- Call: 683-2575 1 Cleaner to work in snackette & bar , must know to cook, age 20-35yrs – Tel:647-7432, 223-579

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call: 678-7499

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) AND MORE, SAWS & DRILLS -$10,000 - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 Space Designed for barber shop, located on Public Road – Call: 613-0448/6728625 Business place for rent @ West Coast Demerara – 3000 SQ.FT – Call: 690-1740 Furnished apartment to rent, perfect for students, single or working couple @ Industry E.C.D – Tel: 222-6001; 6192388; 684-7853 Two bedrooms apartment for rent : 7 Durban Street Lodge –Call: 687-5324 Two bedroom apartment, to rent at Lot 72 West Ruimveldt - $40,000 per month – Tel:6927377, 672-7194 Bond located on Broad Street 9000 Sq – Contact: 223-8479, 647-3768 Building on Lombard Street, Three floors high, Contact: 223-8479, 647-3768 Apartment for rent at Lot 37 Independence Street La Grange – Tel: 667-8896 TO LET Alberttown (apartment $60,000) Contact Diana: 2272256, 626-9382 1-1 Bedroom apartment at Uitvlugt Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara – Tel: 680-4990 One fully furnished 2 bedrooms apartment: TV, Air Conditioned, hot & cold, cable (South), 1 Bedroom apartment @ Bent St. Call: 689-5877 One two bedroom apartment – Call: 617-3001 One two bedroom apartment for rent in Diamond New Scheme – Price$40,000, preferable no children – Call: 216-2339, 604-2431 Alberttown (new)- $80,000, Bel-Air- US650, Camp StreetUS1300- Contact Diana: 2272256, 626-9382

Friday October 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Former Bishops' girl admitted... From page 3 two passes from the British Examinations Board's EDEXCEL exam. Leander's scholastic achievements were then boosted by a pass, with credit, from the University of Guyana's LLB programme in 2012. On October 4, the young attorney obtained her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School. The DPP in her petition stated that the promising young lady attributed the values instilled in her to her alma mater. Ali-Hack noted that the values which the new attorney upholds will benefit her in her profession. She said that Leander is joining the profession at a time of change, and she (DPP) trusts that the changes she will bring will be of a good nature. The DPP noted that Leander displays courtesy and kindness, qualities that

are sorely lacking in young people today. She said that the young woman has shown remarkable qualities and is embarking on a career with a good reputation. Ali-Hack boasted that Leander will be a good lawyer; one who would stand out at the bar table. The DPP revealed that while Leander attended the law school in Trinidad, she was part of the Human Rights Clinic, and said that it formed an integral part of the Criminal Justice System. She expressed confidence that the experience Leander gained at that clinic will be applied in her practice. Ali-Hack said that she had complete confidence in the new attorney's ability to become an excellent attorney in her chosen profession Madame Justice George, addressing Leander, said that it was with pleasure that she admitted another past student of The Bishops' High School

Nation witnessing... (From page 15) among Ministers and politicians need to be urgently and properly addressed and policed if certain constitutional arrangements are not to collapse completely. In similar vein, Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman opined that without a doubt, the decades-old animosity between government and

opposition, the feelings of distrust, betrayal and glaring instances of bad governance and corruption, have hindered the ability of the body-politic to find common ground and for the nation to have sustained growth and stability in general. Greenidge agreed implicitly with this comment and went further to state that it is a matter that the Parliament needs to tackle urgently.

“Eat What We... (From page 16) Wilmot Garnett, said that innovation must be “technological, institutional and social” so that the 90 percent of Guyanese farms that are owned by families can survive the progress of the world. FAO representative Khadija Musa also reiterated that as 2014 is considered ‘International Year of Family Farming’ the UN is investing efforts into innovating the agricultural industry on a familial level. The observation of World Food Day was also marked by NAREI showcasing local produce with an ‘open day’ that hosted various dignitaries and students.

Chief Executive Officer of NAREI Dr. Oudho Homenauth explained that the institution hosted the open day as a way to promote the “Eat what we produce” campaign and get Guyanese on board with the initiative. He also said the institute fully backs the programme and will help the Ministry with getting “Guyana branded” products into the kitchens of the populace. While some progress has been made worldwide, the event acknowledged that over 800 million people still suffer from hunger, with 42 million currently living without regular meals in the Latin America/Caribbean region.

to the bar. She noted that Leander has copped the Government of Guyana prize for being the best graduating law student and said because of her background, much will be expected of her. The judge, who herself had worked in the DPP Chambers, told the young attorney that being a new prosecutor is not like 'Matlock,' but rather, takes a tremendous amount of preparation. She urged Leander to be humble and appreciate that she will be working with “older and wiser heads” who can guide her. Madame Justice George noted that it is often taken for granted that women can now join the legal profession and that it is often forgotten that there are many men and women who struggled to pave the way for this to happen. She charged Leander to be a lawyer's lawyer by respecting her colleagues and her work. The judge urged her to be firm in her practice and not to be swayed or intimidated by senior attorneys. “Come to court so prepared that the others will have no choice but to respect you and your work,” she charged. Leander was encouraged to practice with integrity and to be loyal and punctual. “Understand the court and understand the judges,” she said. The judge wished her a successful future. In response, Leander noted the advice by her seniors and added that she will remember it throughout her practice. The 24-year-old thanked her parents, Eon and Gillian Leander for their years of dedication and sacrifices. She noted that it was not an easy task, but she had made it through the support of her family, friends and God. The young attorney admitted that becoming a lawyer was not something she had initially considered but added that it later became a part of her. Leander attributed her values to her old school and said that at Bishops' there were “rules, rules and more rules.” She said, however, that it is to that end that she owes her honesty, integrity and respectful attitude.

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What will be uncovered if an...

From page 4 from his son, they were not doing their work. The last I checked, he was not internal affairs and him being a manager he could have talked to those staff or advised the person they fell under, since the Audit and Verification Division is divided into different sections. This same son ran to his father for a senior official who was at the time acting in the capacity of Head of that same Division and had that official demoted. He thought that his daddy was the boss, so he could get up from his seat and leave for two-three hours and this is information from inside that section. When he was talked to about his absence by the Head for such periods of time because his co-workers were annoyed that he had those privileges, he went to his father and indicated to him that the Head isn’t working. His father, being unprofessional and impartial as he is, did what he felt was right. I move on to the duty free scam, and I agree that any taxpayer that is found guilty of defrauding the revenue should feel the brunt of the law. But can the CG explain the BMW and the Benz that his kids drive. Persons that have been working there for most of their lives, even managers, cannot afford to buy those cars. Mind you those are the cars that we know about and I’m certain that they are not all. Sattaur goes after those that defraud GRA, but who looks at him and his activities because I’m certain if an audit is carried out on him we may not believe what is uncovered. From my own experiences working there I can honestly say this to the public, when you are friends with the seniors in GRA you get off quite easily. The businesses and individuals that make the money pay little or no tax and that is true cause I have dealt with their cases many times but the person that works and earn just to make ends meet are

taxed harshly. They are told to sign payment arrangements and cautioned sternly if it’s not honored they will be taken to court. I agree that once you have taxes payable you need to pay them but this should not only apply to the average persons. Now when these big boys are not pressured to pay their correct taxes like the ordinary citizen the country loses revenue. For example, a person that doesn’t have any connections in the agency may need a compliance, but if they have taxes outstanding, they are told they need to clear it at once or enter into a payment arrangement, but a friend of the top clique goes to who they know and then you hear that a promise was made to pay the taxes so issue the compliance. Once the compliance is issued it’s hard for the staff dealing with that case to get that taxpayer to pay and then at times the Head would come down on that staff saying that they are not performing. Mr. Sattaur if in order for you to remain Commissioner of the GRA votes had to be cast, I say this with 100% surety; you would not be reelected. The majority of the people that work under you know that you are not a fair person, but due to fear of being victimized, they keep their mouths shut at least in the office. The last time I checked, the GRA was governed by a board of directors but they seem to be sleeping or they are turning a blind eye because they should have never approved the employment of Sattaur’s children. By doing that it speaks volumes of how corrupt this agency is .They and the Government need to get it through

their heads that it’s not just Sattaur and his kids that contribute to the collecting of taxes but the thousands of other employees that work there. When workers are frustrated they do not perform to the best of their ability and I can tell you if a poll is carried out, but persons remain anonymous, the plight of workers of the GRA would be more than you can imagine. Since I’ve been employed there I’ve seen a lot of good workers leave and that’s mainly due to the unfair treatment that’s meted out to them. The board needs to put a system in place to know what’s happening in the agency through the views of its employees because all they do when they have meetings is listen to the seniors. Show that you are competent and are doing the jobs you were put there to do. Taxpayers that work hard and are paying their taxes know what I’m talking about and also the few elites that pay little or no taxes despite the millions you make knows yourself too. Now I expect when a response is prepared it would be bombarded with quotes from the laws / acts but I would recommend that the persons responding would close the acts and respond so that the readers can understand. Majority of the population that read your responses have never seen the cover of an act muchless read it or even understand what it’s saying. When you respond to articles people just turn the page because they cannot understand you and they just see the agency as trying to hide behind the acts. (Written by a frustrated employee that shares the views of many.)

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T&T orders Ebola travel ban ...passengers coming from West African countries stricken with Ebola will be denied entry Trinidad Express Trinidad and Tobago yesterday took the decision to ban entry to travelers coming from the African countries which have been stricken with Ebola. Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan announced during a post Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, that anyone coming from Sierra Leone, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Nigeria, will be denied entry to the country. In addition, people who visited the named African countries within the past six weeks, will also not be allowed entry. And citizens who visited these countries will be quarantined for 21 days upon arrival in Trinidad and Tobago. Government’s

Dr Fuad Khan decision comes after similar orders from other Caribbean countries, and as the United States mulls whether to institute a travel ban of passengers arrival from West

African countries, with the White House saying it was against the move, but top health officials saying it should not be discounted. Meanwhile, Tobago has begun its preparation in the event that the deadly Ebola disease makes it to these shores. A team starts preparation in Tobago for a possible outbreak of Ebola affecting countries in West Africa. The two-hour meeting which was chaired by THA Chief Secretary Orville London at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Scarborough and attended by senior representatives of the Customs and Excise Division, Immigration, Police, Port Authority, Airports Authority, Health Division and the Tobago Emergency Management Authority.

Trinidad and Tobago not questioning Jamaica’s decision to deny Abu Bakr entry PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago government Wednesday night said the decision by Jamaican immigration authorities to deny the leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen group, Yasin Abut Bakr, entry into that country should not be questioned. National Security Minister Gary Griffith in a statement said the decision by Kingston “should be respected as it shows a firm stand by that country’s National Security to ensure that stringent measures are exercised to protect that country’s borders”. Bakr, accompanied by his wife and son, had arrived in Jamaica to attend the 18th anniversary of the Million Dollar March to be held in that country over the weekend. Bakr is reported to have been invited by the US-based leader, Louis Farakhan, who is expected to be the main speaker at the anniversary celebrations.

Yasin Abut Bakr But Bakr, 73, who staged an unsuccessful coup against the then ANR Robinson administration in Trinidad and Tobago in 1990, was denied entry and media reports in Jamaica said he had been placed

on a list by the International Police (INTERPOL). Griffith said that he supports the actions of the Jamaican authorities and are far from “muddying waters’ an apparent reference to a statement made by Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister AJ Nicholson that Griffith to “refrain from continuing to muddy the integration waters” as he responded to comments that the influx of thousands of illegal Jamaicans into the oil-rich twin island republic is putting a strain on its resources. Griffith said that notwithstanding the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for free movement of certain categories of Caribbean nationals across the 15-member regional grouping, “it must be clearly understood that matters of national security must take precedence for the safety and security of all”.

Friday October 17, 2014

Obama approves reservists for Ebola fight, government under fire

Protestor Jeff Hulbert of Annapolis, Maryland holds a sign as he demonstrates in favor of a travel ban to stop the spread of the Ebola virus, in front of the White House (Reuters) - President Barack Obama authorized calling up military reservists for the U.S. fight against Ebola in West Africa on Thursday, as lawmakers criticized his administration’s efforts to contain the disease at home. Obama’s move came after lawmakers held a congressional hearing to probe the federal response to the virus. Amid criticism of perceived missteps by the administration, many House of Representatives members joined calls for a ban on travel from the hardest-hit West African countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Obama signed the executive order authorizing the use of U.S. military reservists to support humanitarian aid efforts in those countries, highlighting the need to launch an all-out attack against the disease. The order did not specify how many personnel would be involved. A congressional hearing on Thursday came as

concerns about the virus in the United States intensified after two Texas nurses who cared for Liberian patient Thomas Eric Duncan contracted the virus. After the hearing, the White House said Obama met with top administration officials handling the government’s response to Ebola. News that one of the nurses, Amber Vinson, travelled aboard a commercial airliner while running a slight fever ratcheted up public health concerns on Wednesday, prompting several schools in Ohio and Texas to close because people with ties to the schools shared the flight with Vinson. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) said it would take over the care of the first Texas nurse diagnosed with Ebola, Nina Pham, who contracted the virus while caring for Duncan, who later died. Lawmakers focussed questions and

pointed criticism at the hearing on Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The administration did not act fast enough in responding in Texas,” Democratic Representative Bruce Braley of Iowa told the hearing. “We need to look at all the options available to keep our families safe and move quickly and responsibly to make any necessary changes at airports.” Several Republicans said flights from West Africa, where the virus is widespread, should be stopped. Ebola has killed nearly 4,500 people in West Africa, predominantly in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, since March. On Thursday, Sierra Leone’s government said the virus had spread to the last healthy district in the country, killing at least two people. The virus is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person showing symptoms of Ebola. Frieden argued, as he has before, that closing U.S. borders would not work and would leave the country less able to track people with Ebola entering. Moreover, cutting flights to Africa would hit the U.S. ability to stop the virus at its source, he said. His comments came before it was announced that Obama had sent a letter to leaders of Congress saying an unspecified number of reservists would be used to help active-duty personnel in support of the U.S. Ebola mission in West Africa.

Friday October 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 17, 2014

Umpires named for this weekend’s GCA fixtures The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) has released the names of Umpires to officiate in this weekend’s Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) matches. In the Hadi’s World City Mall Inc. first division twoday which starts at 09:30hrs tomorrow, Colin Alfred and Hortence Isaacs will officiate in the game between Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) at Bourda. Cyril Garnath and Shannon Crawford will perform duties at Everest with

the home team facing Police. In the New Building Society second-division 40 over competition which commences tomorrow, GCC will face Transport SC (TSC) at Muslim Youth Organisation with Zaheer Mohamed and Chetram Persaud in charge; Ace Warriors will tackle Everest at GNIC under the guidance of Clyde Layne and Heuvel Cunha; Police will host GNIC with Reginald Grant and Edward Bowen officiating; Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will entertain Malteenoes SC (MSC) -Ryan Banwarie and Daniel

Richmond are the umpires and University of Guyana (UG) will be at home to Sophia with Javed Persaud and Leyland Liverpool overseeing the action. On Sunday, Ace Warriors will journey to GNIC with Zaheer Mohamed and Clyde Layne doing on field duties, UG will travel to MYO under the watchful eyes of Chetram Persaud and Joseph Jeffery and Sophia will take on Diplomats at UG with Ryan Banwarie and Deon Feassal umpiring. Matches commence at 10:30hrs. In the Banks Malta Supreme Under-13 tomorrow,

Friday October 17, 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.

MSC will play DCC at 09:30hrs and Everest will engage GCC at 13:30hrs at YMCA - the umpires are Randolph Rose and Arleigh Rutherford. On Sunday, TSC will face

DCC at 09:30hrs and Diplomats will play GCC at 13:30hrs at YMCA with the umpires being Randolph Rose and Arleigh Rutherford. At MSC, GYO and Everest will clash at 09:30hrs and Bel

Air Rubis will take on MSC at 13:30hrs, Reginald Grant and Heuvel Cunha will officiate. Umpires are asked to be at the venues at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time for play.

Pele FC leads points standing as GFA Div. 1 League progresses Pele FC has amassed 19 points and leads the other 7 teams as action in the secondround of the Georgetown Football Association division one league continues at the Tucville ground. Fruta Conquerors are on 16 points while Sunburst Camptown are in the third place slot on 13 points. The Guyana Police Force (11), Georgetown Football Club (7), Flamingo FC (6), Northern Rangers (6) and Beacon FC (3) are the other

contenders. There has been several postponements but the action resumes on Wednesday October 22 with Police taking on GFC while Fruta Conquerors will tackle Camptown. The tournament commenced March 22 and to date, the teams have played each other once with Pele earning the top place after victories over GFC, Flamingo, Beacon and Camptown. Their match with the GPF ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Ireland beaten in New Zealand tour opener by three wickets Ireland lost by three wickets against Northern Districts in the first of four tour games in New Zealand. Kevin O’Brien top-scored with 45 in a poor Irish batting display at Seddon Park in Hamilton and the tourists were all out for 153 in 40.4 overs. George Dockrell picked up four wickets but it was not enough to prevent Northern Districts from reaching 157-7 with almost 12 overs to spare. Ireland face a New Zealand XI at the same venue tomorrow. The World Cup warm-up tour started in Australia with two defeats by Queensland Bulls followed by two victories over ACT Comets.

Physical... From page 39 Permaul, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Ronsford Beaton, Narsingh Deonarine, Trevon Griffith, (note that Leon Johnson ,Assad Fudadin and Devendra Bishoo are currently on assignment), the drafted players Keon Joseph, Rajendra Chandrika, Paul Wintz, Vishaul Singh, WICB contracted player Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and other players eligible for selection under “Pay for Play” Zaheer Mohamed, Raun Johnson, Anthony Adams, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Amir Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Steven Jacobs, Keemo Paul, Kevon Boodie, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai, Ricardo Adams, Jason Sinclair, Kemol Savory, Jonathan Foo, Royston Crandon, Raj Nanan, Kandasammy Surujnarine, and Rajiv Ivan.

The Irish were in early trouble in Hamilton, Andy Balbirnie and Andrew Poynter dismissed with just four runs on the board. Niall O’Brien (21) and his brother Kevin were the only Ireland batsmen in the top six to get to double figures as they were reduced to 58-5. Alex Cusack (20) and Dockrell (28) chipped in with valuable lower-order runs but a total

of 153 made the hosts firm favourites. Northern Districts were 2-19 before Joe Carter (42) and Daryl Mitchell (39) steadied the innings and the target was reached in 38.1 overs. Dockrell was the pick of the Irish bowlers with 4-17 while Craig Young, Graeme McCarter and Peter Chase each took a wicket. (BBCsport)

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Muhammad Ali’s daughters Hana and Lewis Hamilton & Sebastian Vettel May May play down fears regarding their call for better wet-weather tyres father’s health by telling fans ‘he is fine’ Muhammad Ali’s daughters Hana and May May have revealed their father is doing ‘fine’ despite the legendary boxer being unable to attend last Wednesday’s premiere of ’I Am Ali’. Hana and May May have played down fears surrounding their father’s health in an exclusive interview with NBC News’ Today. In a sit down interview with Matt Lauer, May May said: ‘Unfortunately, certain family members that don’t understand Parkinson’s might misspeak because they don’t see him as often so when they do see him, they think he’s doing worse than what he is. But he is fine people, don’t be worried.’ Hana added on the former boxer’s inability to communicate: ‘For me that’s been frustrating, my father still communicates and we’re lucky to be able to talk to him and see him more often than most people, so we still get it, it’s just a softer voice. ‘Now we have the blessing of these audio recordings.’ Ali’s two daughters also commented on what their father was like around the house before he started suffering from Parkinson’s disease. ‘For us he was larger than life at home too. He chased us around the house in

In January, Pirelli agreed a new deal to supply tyres to Formula 1 until the end of 2016

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, pictured in 2013 with wife Lonnie, was unable to attend the premiere of a documentary about his life. Halloween masks when it wasn’t Halloween, he was always playing jokes, doing magic tricks,’ said Hana. ‘He had a spiritual side around the house that was pretty profound,’ added May May. May May hopes the new documentary about her 72year-old father will inspire future generations to express themselves. ‘A lot of journalists would say we already know everything about Muhammad

Ali but I talk to people who are thirty and under and they don’t know his history. ‘I want them to take away, be who you are. Be free to be who you are. There’s still a lot of discrimination and disparities in this county; everyone is equal. ‘My father at the end of the day, he fought for that equality. You can be what religion you want to be, you can change your name, be who you are and stand up.’ (Mailonline)

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have called for better wet-weather tyres to make racing in the rain safer. They say the limitations of the ‘extreme’ tyre force them to use the lighter-treaded ‘intermediate’ when the track is too wet. Jules Bianchi was on worn intermediates when he lost control and crashed into a recovery vehicle at the Japanese Grand Prix, suffering severe head injuries. “They’re not great tyres. That’s no secret,” said Mercedes’ Hamilton. Tyre supplier Pirelli produced a new design of ‘extreme’ tyre - used for the worst conditions - for this season, to improve its waterdispersing ability but the drivers say the problems remain. Hamilton said that the Pirelli wet tyre was less effective than that produced by the company’s predecessor as F1 supplier,

Bridgestone. World champion Vettel said that the drivers had passed on their concerns to Pirelli and governing body the FIA even before the Japanese race. The Red Bull driver said: “If you have a lot of water, you obviously need to have a tyre that gets rid of a lot of water very well so you don’t suffer aquaplaning. “The problem we have is that the extreme tyre has an extremely narrow window. “The intermediate is quicker so as soon as you have got rid of most of the water you try to put the inters on, taking a lot of risk into account, just because it’s a quicker tyre. That’s something we need to work on.” Pirelli director of motorsport Paul Hembery said the company did not consider this to be an urgent problem but that it was open to change if it was deemed

necessary. He said the wet tyres dispersed 65 litres per second at 300km/h this season, up from 50 litres per second a year ago. “These are comments by drivers that have not been made in an official way to us,” Hembery said. “Of course, if Pirelli was requested by the teams and the FIA to reconsider the technical capability of the wet tyre, Pirelli would do it immediately. “But so far Pirelli does not see any realistic technical need to change the wet tyre. “There is a working group coming up quite soon and it is quite likely this will be considered there. And if it is, we are open to the idea of modifying the tyres. “Every change we make has a deep technical basis and does not just follow comments from one person, as not everyone has the same view.” (BBCsport)

Pistorius faces prison hospital LeBron James doesn’t like if sentenced to jail idea of shortening NBA games Reuterswing - Oscar Pistorius will reality of the prison was a long Throughout the sentencing Cincinnati - LeBron James wouldn’t mind a shortened NBA schedule. But he isn’t a fan of the league’s upcoming experiment to shorten games to 44 minutes. The Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics will play a 44-minute preseason game on Sunday as part of the NBA’s experiment. The exhibition will be four minutes shorter than the NBA’s standard 48-minute game with four 11-minute quarters, one minute less each than usual. James thinks fewer games would be better for the NBA in the 82-game regular season rather than fewer minutes in a single game. “It’s not the minutes, it’s the games,” James said. “The minutes don’t mean anything. We can play a 50-minute game if we have to. It’s just the games. We all as players think it’s too many games in our season. “Eighty-two games are a lot. But it’s not the minutes.

LeBron James Taking away minutes from the game isn’t going to shorten it at all. Once you go out and play on the floor, it doesn’t matter if you’re playing 22 minutes … or you play 40 minutes. Once you play, it takes a toll on your body.” James did acknowledge that playing fewer games

would also create less revenue for the teams and the players. He liked the 66-game lockout schedule during the 2011-12 NBA season – minus the occasional back-to-backto-back set, but he didn’t have a projected number that he believes would be best for the league. James also made note of injured All-Stars Kevin Durant and Paul George, and thinks players’ health would be aided by fewer games.“We all know that without seeing the books that less games means less selling of tickets and prices and all of that,” James said. “But at the end of the day, we want to protect the prize, and the prize is the players. We have to continue to promote the game and [when] guys are injured because there are so many games, we can’t promote it at a high level.” (Yahoosports)

be committed to the hospital wing of one of South Africa’s toughest prisons if the doubleamputee Olympic track star is sentenced to jail time for killing his girlfriend, the head of the prison service said yesterday. On the fourth day of Pistorius’ sentencing hearing, Zach Modise, who has worked in the prison service for 35 years, was questioned by the defense about conditions at the Pretoria Central Prison, Pistorius’ most likely destination because of its disabled facilities. The jail was the execution site of dozens of black political activists by South Africa’s apartheid government, which handed over power after the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994. It is also the home of apartheid death squad leader Eugene de Kock, known as ‘Prime Evil’, and is known for a vicious gang culture. Beatings, male rape and murder cases have been reported there in South African media. However, Modise said the

way from the popular perception and said Pistorius’ disability - his lower legs were amputated as a baby - would ensure he was kept in a separate wing. “The Department of Correctional Services is ready to admit and detain people with disabilities,” said Modise, who was also quizzed by defense lawyer Barry Roux about the problem of tuberculosis among inmates at the prison. Pressed to give details about the prison’s population and facilities for the disabled, Modise conceded that there was only one resident doctor for every 7,000 inmates. Modise said Pistorius would have access to a cell of his own and that a suitability test would be conducted to determine the athlete’s particular needs. On Tuesday probation officer Annette Vergeer, testifying for the defense, said prison would “break” Pistorius because of his disability and psychological problems.

hearing, the defense has been fighting to keep the 27-year-old out of jail, citing his disability as a reason. On Monday, a social worker recommended Pistorius be sentenced to three years of community service and house arrest at his uncle’s Pretoria mansion. Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide for the negligent killing of law graduate Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year when he fired four shots through a toilet door in the mistaken belief an intruder was lurking behind it. Culpable homicide in South Africa is punishable by up to 15 years in prison in the most serious cases, or by a suspended sentence, house arrest and community service in lighter ones. The state and the defense will present final arguments today, after which Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to retire for several days to considering her judgment.

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Friday October 17, 2014

Wambach goal lifts U.S. Ten-woman Haiti tops women over sturdy Trinidad Guatemala in CWC opener

Trinidad goal keeper Kimika Forbes (1) and defender Arin King make a stop against USA forward Alex Morgan (13) in the first half. (John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports) Kansas City, Kansas Abby Wambach scored in the 55th minute to lift the United States to a 1-0 Group A victory over a difficult Trinidad & Tobago side in the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship on Wednesday night. The result left the Americans (1-0-0, 3 points) in a first-place tie with Haiti (1-0-0, 3), which defeated Guatemala (0-0-1, 0 points) in the first game of the doubleheader at Sporting Park. The Soca Princesses, the 46th ranked team in the world, made life difficult for the top-ranked women’s team by playing a tough defense and by keeping many players behind the ball. In seven previous encounters, the Americans never scored fewer than three goals against T&T. Goalkeeper Kimika Forbes

was magnificent in defeat, stopping everything sent her way. “Credit to them. They played a great game of soccer,” Wambach said. ”They stuck with their game plan. Their goalkeeper played a ridiculous game.” After enduring a frustrating first half of near misses, the U.S. finally solved the defense 10 minutes into the second half. A Carli Lloyd through ball found Alex Morgan bearing down on goal on the left side. Forbes came out to cut down the angle as several defenders ventured toward Morgan. She sent a cross to an open Wambach, who headed home her worldrecord 171st international goal. The USA was out of sync, seemingly a step ahead or behind, while attempting passes and shots.

“We’ve just got to get the ball down and play,” Wambach said. “A lot of teams are going to try to bunker us.” Sometimes the Americans were sloppy as well. Goalkeeper Hope Solo almost gave the equalizer to Trinidad on a silver platter when her errant goal kick was intercepted by Kennya Cordner on the left side. Cordner fired her shot over the crossbar. Another Trinidad opportunity came in the 41st minute as Cordner went 1 v 1 with defender Christie Rampone on the left wing. Rampone forced the 25-yearold forward to shoot from a difficult angle, allowing Solo an easy save. The U.S. will meet Guatemala in Bridgeview, Illinois, on Friday night, while T&T faces Haiti. (CONCACAF)

Sequence from which Haiti (red jersey) scored its only goal in a 1-0 win over Guatemala in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship. (Photo: Mexsport) Kansas City, Kansas – Despite being reduced to 10 players early in the first half, Haiti earned a 1-0 win over Guatemala on Wednesday in the opening match of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship (CWC) at Sporting Park. Lindsay Zullo scored the game’s only goal in the 69th minute, completing a wild sequence that could have seen any of three players claim credit. The victory gives the Haitians an initial lead in Group A with the United States set to face Trinidad & Tobago later in the evening. Guatemala may look back on the encounter as an opportunity lost. In the 17th minute, after mishandling a long pass played into the box by Marilyn Rivera, Haiti

goalkeeper Cynthia Chery was shown a straight red for grabbing and impeding Ana Lucia Martinez. Geralda Saintilus replaced Chery in goal as Haiti also decided to remove Wisline Dolce from the field. Rivera stepped up to take the subsequent penalty, but Saintilus dove to her left to make a stunning save. That miss would come back to haunt the Guatemalans, who were shutout for the 10th consecutive time in the competition. In the 69th minute, Haiti was awarded a free kick in Guatemala’s end following a Kimberly De Leon foul on Kimberly Boulos. Kensie Bobo delivered a ball into the middle of the box that was headed with power at

goalkeeper Yoselin Franco. The 19-year-old made a reflex stop, but while falling backwards palmed the ball into the path of Yvrose Gervil. Before crossing the line, it deflected off Zullo’s stomach and into the net. Guatemala could have taken the lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. Right-back Daniela Andrade sent a threatening cross into the Haitian area that Gervil headed inadvertently off her own crossbar. Haiti returns to action today against Trinidad & Tobago, while Guatemala will look to bounce back against the United States also today. Both matches will be played at Toyota Park in B r i d g e v i e w , Illinois. (CONCACAF)

Cape Verde, Algeria clinch AFCON spot, Côte d’Ivoire stunned Cape Verde Islands defeated Mozambique 1-0 on Wednesday to become the first country to reach the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic Matchday 4 of qualifying, while Congo DR stunned Côte d’Ivoire 4-3 in Abidjan and title-holders Nigeria overcame Sudan 3-1 to get back into contention for a place among the 16 finalists. The Blue Sharks were later joined by Algeria as goals from Yacine Brahimi, Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani earned the Desert Foxes a 3-0 triumph over Malawi in Blida. Algeria are the only team with a perfect record after four rounds and lead Group B by six points from Mali with Ethiopia and

Malawi three points further behind. Ghana stayed on track to qualify with a 3-1 home win over Guinea and shock 2012 champions Zambia trounced visiting Niger 3-0 to end an embarrassing winless streak. Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia and Togo also won while the South Africa-Congo and Burkina Faso-Gabon matches were drawn. Heldon Ramos was the toast of Cape Verde - a group of islands off the west coast with a population of less than a million - by scoring the 76thminute winner in Praia. The islanders debuted in the Cup of Nations last year and exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals after holding hosts South

Africa and Morocco and defeating Angola. Cape Verde have nine points in Group F, Zambia and Mozambique five each and Niger two with the final two match days scheduled for mid-November. Côte d’Ivoire conceded four goals for the second time in three games as they wiped out a two-goal deficit with ten men only to be beaten by a late goal. Franck Kessie was redcarded just after half-time with his team trailing 3-1, but a brace from former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou restored equality. A Congolese side desperate to avenge a 2-1 home defeat by the Ivorians four days ago never gave up and Jeremie Bokila scored his second goal

a minute from time. Cameroon comfortably overcame Sierra Leone 2-0 in Yaounde through early goals from Leonard Kweuke and Stephane Mbia in the other Group D game. The four-time champions have ten points, Côte d’Ivoire and Congo DR six each and Sierra Leone one. Nigeria were another team to gain revenge as they put a stunning loss in Sudan behind them by winning 3-1 in Abuja. All the goals came during the second half with Ahmed Musa opening and closing the scoring, Salah Ibrahim equalising and Aaron Samuel putting the Super Eagles ahead a second time. With surprise Group A leaders South Africa held 0-0

by Congo in a rain-soaked match in Polokwane, the two tickets to the finals are up for grabs. South Africa have eight points, Congo seven, Nigeria four and Sudan three. A Emmanuel AgyemangBadu goal deep in stoppage time sealed victory for Group E pacesetters Ghana in northern city Tamale. Asamoah Gyan gave the Black Stars an early lead, Mohamed Lamine Yattara levelled and Andre Ayew converted a second-half penalty to nudge Ghana ahead a second time. Togo completed a ‘double’ over Uganda by winning 1-0 for the second time within five days with defender Serge Akakpo nodding the 70th-minute

winner. Ghana lead the way with eight points, Togo have six and Uganda and Guinea four each. Zambia put a three-match winless Group F run behind them in Ndola by outplaying Niger through second-half goals from Rainford Kalaba, Emmanuel Mayuka and goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, off a penalty.After failing to score in three matches, Angola overwhelmed Lesotho 4-0 in Luanda, Egypt were 2-0 winners over Botswana in Cairo, and Ethiopia shocked Mali 3-2 in Bamako. Malick Evouna earned Gabon a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou after Jonathon Pitroipa had given the home team a half-time lead. (FIFA.com)

Friday October 17, 2014

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8th MCYS Ride for Life Cycle Road Race

Greaves pedals to first stage honours; Campanioni wins stage two to lead overall The eight edition of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) Ride for Life Cycle Road Race pedaled off yesterday in fine fashion with local boy Alanzo Greaves fo Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) winning the first stage. Greaves clocked One Hour 37 minutes 49 seconds to win the stage which commenced at 07:30hrs from Corriverton Police Station and concluded at Alexander Street in New Amsterdam, Berbice - a distance of 46.6 miles (75km). Team Coco’s Ruben Campanioni of Cuba was second to Greaves in 1:41:47 followed by his teammate and fellow Cuban Camillo Ulloa. Guyanese Geron Williams of Continental Cycle Club placed fourth, another Cuban also from team Coco’s, Carlos Ostino finished fifth and local rider Robin Persaud sixth. Fifty-six of the 63 registered cyclists started the race and Greaves, Persaud, Williams, Akeem Arthur,

Shaquille Agard, Campanioni, Ostino, Yohan Robayo and Ulloa dominated the early proceedings, eventually leaving Arthur behind. The riders continued to battle their way in the Ancient County but enduring stiff challenges from his rivals, Greaves powered his way to the finish line, taking one prime in the process. Williams, Ostino and Campanioni took a prime each.

Stage Two - Campanioni won this stage which pedaled off at 14:00hrs from old Rosignol Stelling, West Berbice and proceeded to Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown for the finish. He clocked 2:19:12, covering a distance of 60.4 miles (96km). Ostino, Christopher Holder, Verun Maharaj, Paul De Nobrega and Albert Philander set the early pace on this leg but they were strongly challenged by Scott

Savory, Marlon Williams, Michael Anthony and Greaves who destroyed the main Peloton leaving just a few in sight. However, Team Coco’s Chris Holder, Darren Matthews, Campanioni, and Ostino along with Verun Maharaj and Paul De Nobrega took over up front and as they passed through Mahaicony, the leaders had two minutes and 10 seconds on the chasing pack which

was led by Marlon Williams, Michael Anthony, Greaves, Geron Williams among some others. In bright sunshine, they continued the grueling encounter before Campanioni and Ospino separated themselves from the others, but Campanioni it was that crossed the finish line ahead of Ospino who took two primes. As anticipated, Team Coco’s dominated this stage taking the top six spots.

Defending champion Raynauth Jeffery grabbed third place in 2:22:12 ahead of fellow Guyanese Christopher Holder in 2:22:16. Ulloa placed fifth and Junior Niles sixth. Darren Matthews won one prime. The race continues today with action in stage three from 09:00hrs beginning at the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara to finish at Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo, a distance of 35 miles (65km).

Team Coco’s withdraw from MCYS Ride for Life Cycle Race - claims ongoing injustices After dominating stage two of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) cycle road race, Team Coco’s has withdrawn from the remaining s t a g e s o f t h e event. The team occupied the first six positions in the stage which commenced from Rosignol and concluded at Carifesta Avenue yesterday. Team owner, US based Ian Davis informed Kaieteur Sport of his team’s withdrawal from the race after he felt that they were treated unfairly pointing out ongoing injustices. Davis pointed stated that during stage two, they (officials on the team bus) were informed by a race official to move forward because they had a lead of over three minutes and as such they were escorted by the said official to the riders on the break away (upfront). Davis said they got up to the breakaway, but shortly after another race official told them that the time was not three minutes and instructed them to move back. Davis stated that they retreated to the back of the race and a cyclist, Montgommery Parris

Team Coco’s asked for water and it was given to him. He informed that at that point no questions were asked and they were not informed of any shortcomings. “After the completion of the stage, I was asked to speak with the Race Director Mr. Malcolm Sonaram and he told me that each member of the team will be penalized where 30 seconds will be deducted from them,” he explained.

Davis said at that point he told Sonaram that his team will withdraw from the event. He stated that there is an ongoing issue since the team was formed and they will not take part in future events in Guyana. “The Guyana Cycling Federation is incompetent,” Davis added. He told Kaieteur Sport that when they attempted to feed one of their cyclists from a supporting motor cycle, they were asked to go aback

of the bunch even though their cyclist moved aside. He said other motorcyclists not only fed but also wet cyclists from other teams which he deemed illegal. Davis explained that since he got involved in the sport locally, it has gone to another level. However, Race Director, Sonaram told Kaieteur Sport that Team Coco’s officials never sought permission to move forward and at no time the gap was over three

minutes. He said the longest time for the gap was Two Minutes 25 Seconds and when they moved forward the time was One Minute 30 Seconds and as such they were instructed to go back. Sonaram said that after the race he spoke with the President of the GCF Ms. Cheryl Thompson and Secretary General of the Guyana Olympic Association Hector Edwards along with other officials and the

decision to penalize the team was taken. He informed that despite the penalty, Team Coco’s still occupies first and second place and have a considerable lead overall. The race rules provide for team supporters to move forward if they have a lead of at least three minutes. Team Coco’s withdrawal is a blow to the overall competitiveness and quality of the race which continues today and ends on Sunday.

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Soldiers gun ISAAC title as Police trail - fierce battle at Camp Ayangana today

The armed forces will go into battle today for the coveted ISAAC title with the Guyana Defence Force leading the Police Force by a point. By Edison Jefford A fierce battle is expected at the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Base Camp Ayangana Ground today with the Soldiers heading into the final straight of the 2014 InterServices Annual Athletics Championships (ISAAC) with a one-point advantage. In years past, the more dominant Guyana Police Force would have already been coasting ahead in the competition, but not so this

year, as the soldiers have led through the first two days of the competition this week. Following their eightpoint advantage after the first day on Tuesday, the Defence Force held on to a one-point lead on Wednesday; they are currently on 295 points with the Police on 294 points heading into what should be very keen contests today. The Police are defending champions. The Soldiers last won

outright in 2011. In 2012, there was the historic tie that ensured the army had one hand still fastened to the coveted trophy. Can they reproduce that winning formula today? The soldiers are already bubbling after Olympian, Police’s Winston George false started in the 100m race and was thrown out. His absence opens the floodgates for a GDF sweep, which will be ideal for their point

situation. Davin Fraser has been impressive for the army in the sprints, he has Quincy Clarke and Rupert Perry also in the sprints. For Police, Keith Roberts will have to put in the performance he showed at the Police trials when he defeated George. George returns in the 200m and 400m, which he is favoured to win except Defence Force Patrick King has other ideas. Among the

women, Letitia Myles for the army and Tiffany Carto for Police have turned in similar 200m heat times while newcomer, Aniqua Prowley for GDF has been the one to watch in the 100m with her 11.9 seconds. The talented Guyana Police Force track and field team are clearly in for what should be one of their toughest ISAAC challenges today. They will have to

overcome the spirited Soldiers on their home ground if they are to successfully defend their title. The event starts at 2pm today with the usual march past and opening ceremony. The competition is expected to begin at 3pm and goes under floodlights. The Guyana Fire Service, Prison Service and City Constabulary are also competing in the Championship.

Troubled West Indies refocus on cricket There is a series to play for, one that is locked 1-1, but it feels like the series has been wrapped in cling film and left in the freezer. With a cyclone forcing the third ODI to be cancelled, and off-field issues surrounding the West Indies team pushing the actual cricket into the background, it feels like the Delhi ODI took place five weeks and not five days ago. The cling film will come off in Dharamsala, where West Indies will need to prove themselves all over again. Following an encouraging performance in Kochi, where they made 321 in a massive win, familiar failings returned to haunt them in Delhi, where they gave up their last eight wickets for 45 runs and lost a match they had been in control of. As a collection of names, this West Indies batting lineup is pretty handy, even without Chris Gayle and Lendl Simmons. Still, the collapse at Feroz Shah Kotla wasn’t entirely unexpected. Exhortations that the players must have heard a million times - ‘we need to be more consistent, we need to play spin better’ - will probably ring in their ears once again when they gather for their team talk in Dharamsala. India haven’t been at their best in this series either, and it will worry them a little that their batting is yet to click

Ambati Rayudu

Jerome Taylor has a bowl in nets, Kingston. (© WICB) into gear. And not just during this series. India had a collective batting average of over 35 in both 2012 and 2013, but this year they have averaged 31.15 - they haven’t done as badly since 2006. Having scored a century every 2.4 matches over the last two years, they have only made four centuries in 18 matches this year. In a preWorld Cup year, India are yet to decide on their best opening combination and the best fit for the number four

slot. The two remaining matches of this series are their final home ODIs before the World Cup, a sign that audition space is shrinking quite rapidly. Form guide -India WLLWW (Completed matches, most recent first); West Indies LWWWW. Watch out for - He scored two half-centuries on the England tour and has an ODI average of 38.45, but doubts still persist over Ambati Rayudu’s suitability for the No. 4 slot. His overall strike rate of 69.23 isn’t too flash, and he has faced

more than 25 balls and scored at a strike rate of less than 70 in a third of his 15 ODI innings. Rayudu will need to find ways to quicken his scoring or faces the risk of missing out on a place in the World Cup squad. On a slightly two-paced Delhi track, India found Jerome Taylor extremely difficult to get away in the early overs of the second ODI. Since returning to international cricket after a 32month period plagued with injury, Taylor has looked like

he has never been away. The pitch at the HPCA Stadium should offer some help to the seam bowlers, and Taylor will enjoy himself if that is the case. Team news - India added Akshar Patel to their ODI squad for the last two matches, but the left-arm spinner is unlikely to play unless the team management decides to rest Ravindra Jadeja. India (likely): 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 Suresh

Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Amit Mishra, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Mohammed Shami. With Lendl Simmons ruled out of the entire series with a back injury, West Indies will have to continue with a makeshift opening combination, with either one of the Bravos partnering Dwayne Smith at the top of the order. West Indies flew in the left-arm spinner Nikita Miller as a replacement for Simmons. West Indies (likely): 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Darren Bravo, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 5 Dwayne Bravo (capt), 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Andre Russell, 9 Sulieman Benn, 10 Ravi Rampaul, 11 Jerome Taylor. Pitch and weather - Last year, Dharamsala’s debut ODI was played amid fears that snow would ruin any chance of the match taking place. That was in January. The match went ahead and England’s seamers moved the ball around prodigiously in the morning. This time, the weather should be milder, with maximum temperatures in the low 20s, and an afternoon start means the quick bowlers will probably derive the most help with the new ball under lights. Spin is likely to play less of a role than it did in Delhi. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Defending champs St. Pius in must win situation Defending champions St. Pius will be facing another pressure game when they face Kitty-based F.E. Pollard in this year’s Courts / Petra Organisation Schools P e e We e F o o t b a l l Competition which resumes tomorrow, at the Thirst Park ground. The current champions have looked lackluster to date, managing two draws from as many matches and will have to secure full points in this encounter to stand a chance of qualifying automatically for the next round failing which they will have to fight to be among the

best third placed teams to make it to the next phase. They, however, engage a team that is coming off an impressive 6-0 victory against counterparts J.E. Burnham in their last fixture, a team that held the titlist to a goalless draw in the opening round of the competition. St. Pius have not scored a goal to date in the tournament and seems devoid of any sort of potency up front, while F. E. Pollard looked menacing in attack in their previous clash with Quincy and Brian Williams supported by Makhaya Jarvis and Tramel McCurdy,

Cricketers’ appraisal to influence Selection Criteria for National Representation

Physical assessment and practice sessions commence on Monday Cricket Guyana Inc. has advised that preparation exercises for the 2014/2015 Senior Regional Tournaments will commence on Monday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda. Training activities will first focus on the Physical Fitness assessment of players on October 20-21 from 08:00hrs to 12:00 hrs. Thereafter players will enjoy two days of rest before engaging in practice activities from October 24–26, 09:00hrs to 13:30 hrs prior to two 4-Day practice matches, October 27-30 and November 4-7, respectively. Players are reminded that the selectors are authorised to choose players from outside of the selected Franchise 15 should the need arise. As such, while as a general rule the selected Franchise 15 will be given selection priority, failure of a member or members of that select group to meet Players’ Appraisal acceptable standards, will render them invalid for selection. As such, all players requested for participation in these activities are expected to attend training with a view for selection during the 2014/2015 regional season.

Those not in the selected 15 who gain selection during the said season, shall fall into the category of “Pay for Play.” The measures of analysis for Players’ Appraisal which comprise higher levels of objectivity than subjective tools shall include but are not limited to attendance, a c t i v i t y p u n c t u a l i t y, uniformity, self-analysis (strengths & weaknesses), contribution to player analysis (team mates and opponents), individual and teamwork ethics, effective match applicable, compliance to WICB Code of Conduct for Players’ and Officials and the likes. The training squad would be put through their tests and training by Head Coach Esaun Crandon assisted by a technical team consisting of Albert Smith, Reyon Griffith, Michael Hyles and a GDF trainer. It must be noted, that Raymond Reifer will go through his physical fitness assessment on November 1 and 2, when he joins the squad. Players who are requested for participation in preparation exercises from Monday October 20 includes the first ten contracted players: Veerasammy (Continued on page 34)

being the chief architects of their victory. They will once again be called upon to spearhead their quest for full points, but with the game being a must win for the champs the contest seems headed for a riveting showdown. The inform Tucville faces St. Stephen’s and while the former should start as clear favourites to notch up their third consecutive win, St.

Stephen’s will have all the incentive to be the first team to inflict a loss on the East Georgetown-based juggernauts. Keion and Rayheem Marques have been the leading marksmen for Tucville, while Hosea Parkinson was the lone player on the score sheet for St. Stephen’s in their win over Thomas More last week. Last year’s beaten

finalist West Ruimveldt as always stays out the limelight, but they too have been impressive to date, notching up victories in both of their previous games. They clash with Comenius and must be heavily favoured to gain full points in this encounter. The full fixtures are as follows: Marian Academy versus North Georgetown; Winfer

Gardens vs. Stella Maris; F. E. Pollard vs. St. Pius; J.E. Burnham vs. St. Angela’s; St. Margaret’s vs. South Ruimveldt; St. Ambrose vs. Smith Memorial; Tucville vs. St. Stephen’s; St. Gabriel’s vs. Thomas More; Success Academy vs. East La Penitence; Ketley vs. Enterprise; West Ruimveldt vs. Comenius and Green Acres vs. Redeemer. Starting time is 10:00 hrs.

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Friday October 17, 2014

Bad blood and revenge are hallmarks of tomorrow’s final The sponsors and Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) could not have wished for a better final to conclude the Golden Brook / Windjammer / Toney Sevens League Competition. The two teams that will clash for the championship scheduled to be played tomorrow are University of Guyana Wolves and Yamaha Caribs. It should be a virtual dream final with a lot of bad blood and revenge involved and rugby fans should make it a date to be there at the National Park to witness what will definitely be a bruising affair. It will be a rematch of the Banks DIH One-Day Sevens Tournament which saw UG Wolves erase a first half deficit to beat Caribs in a closely fought encounter and word is that the latter did not take the defeat lightly and have vowed to take revenge come tomorrow, while the Wolves have boasted about making it two wins in a row

against their nemesis. Former national Coach and Captain Theodore Henry, who seems to be a rejuvenated player, exhibiting the passion and hunger that typified his career earlier, has been in terrific form since the start of the season, while the speedy Carl Lewis, Keon David and Akeem Fraser have all lent admirable support in their success to date and they will need to continue in the same vein to get past a Wolves’ pack that is thirsty for more victories. The Wolves on the other hand will look towards Ryan Dey, Godfrey Broomes, Osei McKenzie and Lance Adonis to lead their charge for triumph. It is anticipated that at the end of the competition the GRFU will name a provisional squad to commence training for the upcoming NACRA Sevens Championship scheduled to be staged in Mexico in December.

Shemon Gittens out-walks competitors in CS&TC Education Month race The Cavalier’s Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC) staged an event in commemoration of Education Month September 28 last. Activities commenced at President’s College, proceeded to the Golden Grove Market and back to the place of origin. President’s College student, Shemon Gittens, copped the honours just ahead of Enoch Alicock and Dyrel Sancho; Gredille Benjamin finished in the 4th place slot. Jennel Gildarie was the first female to cross the line with Dashana Reid, Jennifer Park and Anasa Williams finishing in that order. The winners and runners up were lauded by CS&TC Coordinator, Jennifer Major, who urged them to continue pressing on in anticipation of selection on a national racewalk team to the 2016 Brazil Olympics. Ms. Major also acknowledged the input of

Public Service Minister, Jennifer Webster, in this event and said that her financial input has resulted in the successful staging of more than 50 events and two camps for junior race walkers. The event was also sponsored by Ansa McAl and Hand in Hand Insurance.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 17, 2014

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NEE launches Stag/Cell Smart Futsal Tournament in Linden

By Edison Jefford New Era Entertainment (NEE) launched their second annual Stag Beer/Cell Smartsponsored year-end Futsal Tournament yesterday in Linden, committing to continued development for sport in the community. “We will work with all the referees and teams to ensure that the tournament improves. It is just our second venture and we are committed to improvement,” NEE Director, Bobby Noel said at the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) building. The tournament will feature all of Linden’s top street football teams from November 1-15, playing for a $200,000 first place purse. The second place team will get $100,000 while third pockets $75,000 and fourth $25,000. Trophies will accompany the monetary prizes that will be doled out. Stag Beer Brand Manager, John Maikoo told the representatives of teams and media that his brand is about appealing to the grassroots with entrenched community development

It’s back! From left, NEE’s Bobby Noel, Andrew Major, Cell Smart’s Lenford Malcolm, Stag Beer’s John Maikoo, NEE’s Shareef Major and Stag’s Sean Abel usher in the 2014 year-end Futsal Tournament. programmes, in this case through sports. “I know football is very big in Linden. It is a sport that connects the community and Stag has always been there to connect communities in Guyana, “Maikoo said, adding that the NEE Futsal event is a good initiative. “We anticipate good support and we see this as a great opportunity to give back to the community. We want to see this tournament grow into something bigger with the commitment of Stag,” Maikoo encouraged the organisers. Each team will pay $5000

to enter the competition that will be held at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court. A glitzy opening ceremony on the first night, including a March Past was among the

protocols mentioned at the launch. Sales and Operations Manager at Cell Smart, Lenford Malcolm indicated that they have been a part of NEE projects for a number

of years and based on their good track record and success, they plan to continue support. “This event brings people together and we are proud to

be a part and give our support,” he said. NEE’s Winston Fraser thanked all sponsors and teams for being a part of the 2014 mega Futsal completion envisaged.

t r o Sp 8th MCYS Ride for Life Cycle Road Race

Greaves pedals to first stage honours; Campanioni wins stage two to lead overall See Sto ries on P.37

Team Coco’s withdraw from MCYS Ride for Life Cycle Race - claims ongoing injustices

Ian Davis

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