Kaieteur News

Thursday Edition October 18, 2012 - Vol. 5 No. 41

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Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Cops found dead at Paramakatoi

Dead: Marlon Letlow

Dead: Leedon Aaron

Auditor General to investigate NDIA fraud allegations Vic Puran drowned Ricardo Rodrigues took 15 bullets- Post Mortem New GPC boss objects to Several injured after speeding minibus crashes

Passengers thrown left, right and centre out of turtled minibus

Ricardo Rodrigues

questions on huge bid variance …Submits $228M more than other bidder for anti-malaria drugs

Dr. Bobby Ramroop

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Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

New GPC boss objects to questions …submits $228M more than other on huge bid variance bidder for anti-malaria drugs Dr. Ranjisinghi 'Bobby' Ramroop, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) is angry that a reporter dared to question him about his bid for the supply of anti-malaria drugs to the Ministry of Health.

“The reporter, i n c r e d i b l y, d e m a n d e d information on why the company's bid was so much higher than IPA's,” Ramroop said in a statement yesterday.

There were only two tenders opened for the supply of the drugs on Tuesday. The bid from I n t e r n a t i o n a l Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) was $32,730,400.

New GPC's bid was for $261,568,442. It meant that New GPC's price was $228,838,042 more than IPA's.

Ramroop accused Stabroek News of “seeking to malign his company. He described the article that reported on the high bid as a “malicious” article.

Dr. Ramroop, in the statement, claimed that he

New GPC CEO, Dr. Ranjisinghi 'Bobby' Ramroop was contacted by a reporter attached to Stabroek News at approximately 18:22h on Tuesday.

He said that it is highly unusual for a newspaper to call and question a bidder or its representative after working hours on the day of

a bid submission.

Mr. Ramroop is also the head of Guyana Times, a newspaper he manages and TVG Channel 28, a television station he acquired from Anthony Vieira.

Yesterday, Editor-in-

Chief of Kaieteur News, Adam Harris, said that he found it strange that Ramroop who says he owns a newspaper…the Guyana Ti m e s … w o u l d f i n d i t unusual that a reporter would call after hours. His reporters have called people at odd hours.

“Anybody in the media business would know that habitually, reporters in the course of duties would contact officials for information. Invariably, this can happen after hours. The job of a reporter is 24 hours per day because news occurs at any time.”

New GPC, through its parent company, Queens Atlantic Investments Inc (QAII), in responding yesterday to the report in the Stabroek News on the bids' opening by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on Tuesday, said that the contact was unusual.

Stabroek News, in its report of the bids' opening, said that it contacted Ramroop, for an explanation about the difference in the

New GPC's bid price.

According to the newspaper, Ramroop first said that the “person responsible for preparation of tender documents was not available and that Stabroek News should call today during working hours. A few minutes later, Ramroop called the newspaper and declined to respond to the question and instead levelled accusations against the reporter in a hostile manner.”

Ramroop, Stabroek News said, accused the reporter and by extension the newspaper of "teaming up" against him and of working for IPA and "looking for a scandal story.”

government –particularly in relation to drug purchases – and that New GPC has further contributed to this by declining to answer questions.”

Yesterday, New GPC, in the statement criticizing the Stabroek News report, said that the tender was advertised for 10 antimalarial products and that New GPC submitted its bid within the designated time frame.

“The tender was specific, requesting a specific type and quantity of items. The company was guided by the specificity of products requested and outlined in the bid document.”

EVADE Stabroek News' Editorin-Chief, Anand Persaud, responding to Ramroop, is quoted as saying that Dr. Ramroop's allegations were outrageous and a clear attempt to evade answering important questions about procurement. “Persaud said that grave misgivings continue to swirl around the procurement practices of the

NOT SO LATE… “At this juncture the bidder cannot and should not comment on the bid since it is in the domain of the National Tender Board. In any event, there is no way the bidder would know of the particulars of a competing bid and hence cannot comment on any pricing discrepancy or any other (continued on page 19)

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Berbice criminal session opens The Ceremonial opening of the October 2012 session of The Berbice High Court was staged on Tuesday with the usual pomp and ceremony outside the Berbice High Court building on Esplanade Road, New Amsterdam.

Leading the parade was a 29-strong female contingent.

The salute and inspection were taken by Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire who is presiding in the October criminal sessions of the Berbice High Court.

She was accompanied by Justice Franklyn Holder who is presiding over the civil court. They were escorted by Commander of B division Assistant Commissioner Derek Josiah and Cadet Officer Jermaine Dufu.

The all female police guard of honour was led by woman Assistant Superintendent of Police A. Barnwell and woman Inspector Yonette Stephens.

The sergeant was Cynthia Kelly. Also accompanying the parade were Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken, Superintendent Kevin Adonis, Deputy Superintendent W. Parsram, Cadet OfficerAlistair Roberts and Sergeant Michael Newland.

Forty-nine cases are listed for the session, among them 10 murders, seven manslaughter cases, four for attempt to commit murder, four for causing grievous bodily harm, felonious wounding, robbery under arms, four rape cases, 13 carnal knowledge cases, one case of sexual activity with a child, two cases of possession of firearm and one case of arson.

In court Justice George took the opportunity to address the jurors present who numbered over 100. She congratulated them for their large turnout.

The Judge then empaneled the jury in the matter of Herman Ally called ‘Shark Oil’ 63 of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne who is accused of murdering fellow Rose Hall Town resident, Randal Sandy, of Sabsook Street, sometime between Thursday October 5 and Friday October 6, 2006.

This is the second time that the man will be facing a Judge and Jury. His last trial ended with a hung jury. Justice George then adjourned the matter to Monday October 29.

Ally is being represented by attorney at law Raymond Alli.

Attorney at law Prithima Kissoon is the prosecutor.

Page 3

Two Cops found dead at Paramakatoi A police search team was up to late last night trying to recover the bodies of two colleagues who were killed in so far unknown circumstances in the mountainous Region Eight.

The dead cops, Constable Marlon Letlow and Leedon Aaron, 25, had left their location, the Kato Police Station, on an all terrain vehicle since Sunday last for a routine patrol but never returned.

According to reports, the bodies were discovered hours after their ATV was spotted with its headlamps on in Paramakatoi, North Pakaraimas earlier yesterday.

Information reaching this newspaper stated that the ATV was seen at the bottom of a cliff, while the bodies were spotted a few yards away.

Police Commissioner (ag) Leroy Brumell last night confirmed that a team of policemen was in the area but he could not say what were the circumstances s u r r o u n d i n g t h e m e n ’s death.

A source in the Region Eight area told this newspaper that he has received conflicting reports about the men’s death. “First they said it was an accident and then they said it was murder. The

Dead: Marlon Letlow

Dead: Leedon Aaron

area is remote. The search team had to be flown in. By tomorrow (today) we will be able to get word from them,” the source said.

It is not clear if the firearm the men may have had in their possession were recovered.

Marlon Letlow, of Claybrick Road, Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, has been working at the Kato Police Station for the past month.

His aunt, Samantha Allen, said that the family received a call from the police, informing them that he and

another police rank were missing after they left for a patrol in the area.

The woman said they also saw the news online that the two ranks may have been murdered.

“Then somebody call and tell we that is murder they get murder and that they only find one body and that they looking for the other one.”

Allen said that the relatives are awaiting confirmation from the police as to what really transpired since they are only hearing bits and pieces of information.

Letlow was charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of Bartica gold dealers Jainarine Raghubir and Ramdeo Deonarine in September 2010.

However, this newspaper was reliably informed that the matter against Letlow was dismissed and he was reinstated by the Guyana Police Force.

Relatives of Leedon Aaron of Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, said they too received a call from the police, who informed them that he was murdered.

The dead man’s brother, Jason Aaron, said his brother has been working in the location for the past two years.

He said that they last spoke with Aaron two nights ago when the Constable called to talk to his mother.

According to Jason Aaron, everything seemed fine with his brother.

Aaron’s family said that they too are awaiting official word from the police about what really transpired.

The dead man’s mother and sister were already overwhelmed with grief as they were heard weeping loudly in their home when this newspaper visited yesterday afternoon.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the 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 Linden shooting unveils a gigantic puzzle The commission of inquiry into the shooting to death of three Linden residents has raised some very interesting questions. On July 18, last, the Linden community opted to protest the proposed electricity hike mooted by the government. The protest was supposed to last for five days and came on the heels of other protests for the same cause.

It turned out that on July 18 the people, having assembled at the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge, effectively blocked the thoroughfare and this caused the police to intervene, first to clear the bridge to allow for the passage of daily traffic. By the end of the day the protest had grown in size and gunfire rang out. Three people were killed.

There were comments from the acting Police Commissioner who said that the shooting was unjustified.

The Head of State condemned the shooting as did every other individual and organization. To give teeth to his expression of amazement at the shooting, President Donald Ramotar ordered an independent commission. Members of the panel came from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

The Alliance for Change, on behalf of the victims, brought a firearm expert from the United Kingdom. Things have got very interesting since the expert delivered his expert opinion before the commission. He clearly identified the shotgun pellets that killed the three Linden residents; he spoke with the police about their armoury and found that the shotgun cartridges used at Linden had been withdrawn from the police standard armoury seven years ago.

If the police armoury where the bullets and arms are stored is properly run, then whatever is withdrawn from service would be properly stored and if any is removed then there would be a record of such removal. It would be difficult for ranks to access these cartridges and even more difficult for them to surreptitiously remove any.

However, knowing Guyana and the carefree manner in which we operate, there is nothing to stop a rank who befriends the person in charge of the armoury from entering and removing anything. We have seen policemen with guns other than their standard issue and these guns would have come from the armoury where weapons seized or confiscated by the police are stored.

If the police never had the rounds that killed the Lindeners and if, as the police have so far contended, they never shot at the protesters, then one must wonder about the identity of the persons who fired the bullets. Indeed, none of the people who testified so far has said that he or she saw the police shoot at the protesters.

If, as the people suggest, the bullets came from within the ranks of the police then people other than policemen were in the ranks.

If others were in the ranks and they shot at the protesters then the police would have heard the gunshots and would have taken appropriate action. They would have known if they were infiltrated and react to the people shooting on July 18.

Since there was no reaction then those in the police ranks must have been convinced that people among them were shooting and that they were policemen.

Statements have been taken from most of the ranks on duty that day in Linden and it would be interesting to see what they said. If they all denied shooting then one must wonder at the non arrest of the shooters who therefore must not have been police.

And according to the expert, the bullets that killed the three Linden residents were fired from a distance of no more than 30 yards.

The shooter or shooters must therefore have been in full public view.

A lot is not right and no answer seems to be forthcoming.

This is going to be yet another unsolved case and pretty soon the files would be placed somewhere to gather dust.

There is another side to all this. If the police did not shoot then the State cannot be held liable for the deaths.

Who then would compensate the relatives?

Is it a crime for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to publish weekly press releases?

DEAR EDITOR, What has become of the Freedom of Information Act? Why is it when Guyana’s president and ministers of government undertake official travel to attend international meetings, the Guyanese people are always kept in the dark?

President Donald Ramotar and the Foreign Minister Ms. RodriguesBirkett, traveled to New York to attend the opening of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly last month followed by the latter traveling to Peru to attend the Third Summit of South American and Arab Countries (ASPA); however, there was a total blackout of these attendances in the local media, especially with regard to the ASPA meeting.

Furthermore, in a show of total lack of respect for the ASPA Summit, its organizers and other heads of State, President Ramotar, who was scheduled to arrive in Lima, Peru, did not show up and no reason(s) was given for his “no-show.”

One would think that the foreign ministry would have

informed the media and the Guyanese public of this turn of events, but apparently it would appear that such a simple act is asking too much of the Foreign Minister.

We hope that at least an explanation was sent to Lima.

The fact that members of Guyana’s private sector were not invited to attend the ASPA Summit in Peru also showed the total disregard by the government of the private sector’s role in the economic development of the country, as well as their ability to attract much needed investments to Guyana.

Also, the government failed to realize that such a forum (and involvement by the private sector) was a lost opportunity, which the private sector could have utilized to solicit investments for Guyana, since this was largely a business forum for South American countries to forge stronger economic ties with the Arab countries.

It would seem that the Guyana government is more comfortable begging for handouts rather than

trying to attract much needed foreign investments.

Speculation is running wild now as to why President Ramotar decided not to travel Peru, and why his foreign minister’s visit to Peru was kept as a State secret. Also, the Government Information Agency (GINA) made no mention of the ASPA meeting. Moreover, it seems like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has placed a gag order on its diplomats.

No one is allowed to speak to the public. If they were doing such a brilliant job, Rodrigues-Birkett wouldn’t be “afraid” to give them permission to speak to the media and the public.

Some years ago, when the Foreign Minister travelled to Syria and Egypt for several important meetings of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), that also didn’t make news in Guyana. GINA did not see it fit to inform the public of these meetings as well.

This lack of accountability to the

Guyanese people is a pattern that exists in Guyana at all levels of the government and especially in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Ministry shares only what they want the Guyanese people to know.

For almost a decade, the UN position was vacant because they refused to a p p o i n t M r. Ta l b o t , a n Afro-Guyanese who studied diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law. The PPP regime sends anyone from Freedom House to international meetings and most are clueless of the deliberations of those forums.

On one occasion, a delegation was sent to Senegal sometime back to a heads of government summit and Dakar never received the names of the delegates.

One delegate never made it to the summit and the other was refused entry, but luckily someone from Senegal’s Foreign Ministry knew the Guyanese diplomat and that person was granted entry to the summit.

It takes the Foreign Ministry forever to assign representatives to different international meetings. An example, Mr. Harry Narine Nawbatt was supposedly sent to Iran to attend the NAM Summit, after the meeting had already commenced. However, it was not certain that he made it to Tehran, as no mention was made of his actual attendance, or any submission made by him on behalf of the Guyana Government to the NAM summit. Hardly any of these “diplomats” or representatives of Guyana deliver a statement at these forums.

The PPP regime appointed a bunch of unqualified party supporters as diplomats. Only Odeen Ishmael and Rudy Insanally are exceptions.

More recently, after charges of discrimination, the Foreign Ministry appointed a few Afro-Guyanese to diplomatic post overseas.

They are well qualified for their respective posts. And a case can be made that the PNC government while in office, produced some of Guyana’s best diplomats regardless of race, and who made international fame. How many diplomats have made it on international scene since the PPP regime took office in 1992? And anyone who stood a chance was stymied.

Shabnam Ally Ray Chickrie

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

Bisram’s condemnation of the opposition for the Ag ricola unr est is ir le Agricola unrest irrresponsib esponsible DEAR EDITOR, We refer to a communiqué from Vishnu Bisram. He has chosen to be a Judge, jury and executioner on the issues of who must be condemned and who are responsible for the Agricola street demonstrations.

We are very clear that violence of any kind is violence and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, especially when innocent victims are affected. But Bisram cannot act like a hypocrite and use this opportunity to make stupid remarks about the vices of the street demonstrations, thinking the working class in Guyana is completely daft.

For how long will the working class live in human indignity and inequality as the PPP uses violence to discriminate and oppress them? For how long will the poor and the working class continue take the abuse from those in power?

There will come a time when they will say enough is enough.

Bisram also said that the opposition “must be condemned and those responsible arrested and charged and the victims compensated….”

What about compensation for the people of De Willem who have to endure constant flooding because of a $154 million koker that was placed at the wrong location? What about

compensation for the people of Lusignan whose road went into disrepair two months after the Ministry of Public Works spent some $60 million on this project?

How can Bisram claim that justice for the victims affected by the violence at Agricola should be the number one priority and to this day he has not uttered a single word in support of the three slain young men and the dozens who were injured at Linden?

Not only that, he has chosen to remain silent on the fatal shootings of 17year-old Shaquille Grant and 21-year-old Dameon Belgrave.

In fact, he praised the police actions at Linden, because, as he said, the government’s maintenance of law and order must trump all other actions. He further stated that the PPP government should not allow the actions of a few thugs at Linden to disrupt the town.

This suggests that the lives of the five slain young men (Shemroy Bouyea, Allan Lewis, Ron Somerset, Shaquille Grant and Dameon Belgrave) are of less value and importance to him than those whom he claimed were robbed or injured at Agricola.

The suffering of the people of Lusignan and De Willem is of no relevance to him, but the recovery of those 12,000 votes in Berbice which the AFC took from the PPP in the last election is of greater importance.

DEAR EDITOR, Here in Guyana we love America. We want to emulate the American lifestyle, dress, musical selection and even diet. There are people who have never lived in the US but have a full “yankee” accent.

A few weeks from now someone will be throwing a Halloween party.

However, I wish to see Guyanese emulate other aspects of the American way.

For example, the way how a political debate is organised and conducted.

After looking at our local attempts at a political debate then watching at the two US presidential debates, thus far, it leaves truckloads to be desired. I certainly hope our debate organisers and politicians were watching.

Firstly, the debate was between two (2) persons, one

(1) from each side of the fence. Not for government representatives and one opposition.

The moderator seemed to be well researched, took command of their space, and was not intimidated. The debaters were, for the most part, very civil towards each other - something that was not evident in the gutter, mud fights, crab war, buse out, cuss out, pointing-my-fingerin-your-face, banging on the chair, shouting spree sessions we had here.

Obama and Romney had their facts in their heads.

There was no coming to the debate with loads of paper and books. Since we copy so much from the US, maybe our politicians can copy some class and decorum, at least in a debate Montgomery A. Chester

Maybe our politicians can copy some class and decorum from the US presidential debates

Bisram was silent for the last decade as the PPP marginalized the people of Linden by not developing the town and denying them the freedom to have more than one TV station. At no time did Bisram express any sympathy for them? So when he said that “The [AFC] party has its politics all wrong and priorities mixed up” we are of the considered view that he is in fact getting his facts mixed up, since it is the PPP

that is forgetting it is the Government of Guyana and their duty is to govern for all the people of this nation.

Let us emphasize that the situation in a number of depressed communities is not of the making of the AFC; they are solely created and perpetuated by the PPP during the last twenty years.

It is under a PPP Government that all the gold and diamonds are reaped from the Amerindian lands but very

little value is returned to the custodians of the land. It is under a PPP government that trafficking of narcotics has increased significantly and corruption has escalated in almost all state agencies and departments.

Who has benefited, not the poor and the working class but the rich and the powerful.

It is under a PPP Government that members of the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal

grow “fat” on uncertified and unexplainable wealth which they accumulated from climbing on the backs of the poor and the working class while at the same time pushing them down further into the ground.

So Bisram, at this critical juncture of the nation’s development, we implore you to take your lecture to Freedom House.

Dr Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news Guyanese graduates from Cuba The Census exercise - Field work are not being treated with respect and the numerous challenges DEAR EDITOR, Students and graduates spend some six to seven years in Cuba (that is, six years for Engineering courses and seven years for the Medicine course); they sacrifice so much to go to an unknown country far away from their family and friends so that they can bring back something worthy, in order to develop their country.

One of the students recently wrote something in the Kaieteur newspaper and he/she mentioned that the Government of Guyana recognizes them only when they graduate in numbers, and not while they are struggling to adapt and study

over there. Well, the purpose of this letter is not to focus on their struggles, but to talk about how they’re being treated once they return to Guyana.

Some of these students or scholars live in rural areas and are being placed to work in locations other than their home villages where they are needed. Some of them are forced to travel long distances on a daily basis, while others are given unprepared and unsanitary living quarters close to their workplace.

The Engineering scholars were told that they would be given a job within a month of arrival and will be getting

their first salary in October, along with other benefits such as Duty Free, etc. I spoke to some of the scholars; some said that they have had to relocate from their homes just to get closer to their workplace; some said that they are currently working in their villages, while others said that they did not have a job as yet and are on standby. Those that are on standby have been so for over a month now.

Now I would like to know, if the government of Guyana is aware that they have a certain amount of scholars coming back from Cuba since the ending of July, why are they now taking their time to look for placements for these important resources? This lack of coordination and planning should not be tolerated, especially from the government, and must be dealt with correctly.

If the Government of Guyana does not respect and find uses for these scholars, how do they expect them to stay in the country when there are so many other opportunities out there?

A concerned Citizen

DEAR EDITOR, On the evening of October 15, the Chief St a t i s t i c a l O ff i c e r, o n television, gave the nation an update on the Census exercise as it is being carried out. One of the few things highlighted by him was that some 200 enumerators quitted as they found the exercise challenging.

As one who is involved in the process in the field I just want to make the following points: (a) This Census project was planned long before its execution – Census is not new to Guyana, as such planners were expected to include the relevant components and resources for success to be realized. (b) The success of this Census exercise rests squarely on the shoulders of the field staff - the Enumerators and Supervisors. So, the selection process should have been rigid, and only persons with the required qualifications and qualities should have been selected/employed.

(c) Executing a project of this magnitude without everything in place would surely result in hiccups along the way. (d) Budget cash flow is an important part of any project – the planners would have known that communication and travel are critical in the execution of this Census project.

They knew they had to budget for communication and travel for 13 Regional Census Coordinators, 64 Area Coordinators, 596 Supervisors and 4100 Enumerators.

The Chief Statistical Officer hinted at the challenges of the exercise as though they emanated from the court of the field staff only.

Challenges are numerous. But I am just going to highlight a few: (a) Some Coastal areas started this Census process 1 – 3 weeks after the designated Census Day; Sept. 15 (b) Enumerators in some areas started the process with incomplete kit – clipboard, eraser etc. not

included. (c) Field Staff have been enduring all manner of humiliation as they conduct this exercise – chased, cursed, closed gate, non-cooperation etc. (d) Communication and travel is critical for this exercise.

It appears as though this exercise is the field staff (Supervisors and Enumerators) and not the St a t i s t i c a l B u r e a u ’s .

Because, since the exercise started, field staff had to be finding money to travel, to communicate, and there has been no reimbursement to replenish what was in some cases borrowed.

With respect to (d) I want the President, the Finance ministers and the public to know, I have this gut feeling that a few smarties within the Bureau want to take folks for a ride.

Field Staff want to be reimbursed monies expended (travel & communication) in carrying out this exercise thus far.

Supervisor

Tuesday October 16, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 7

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

Luncheon’s “rumble” comment taken out of context DEAR EDITOR, While I agree with my friend Freddie Kissoon and PNC parliamentarian Mr. Mark Archer that Dr. Roger Luncheon’s “Let us rumble” comment was inappropriate (KN Oct 14) and it should never have been uttered, it was taken out of context and provided an opportunity for opponents to pounce on the government.

Provocateurs (and their sponsors) used the comment to attack innocent people beating and robbing them – it was thuggery and bullyism, reminiscent of what took place in 1992, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, and last July.

Statements can be easily misunderstood and taken out of context in a politically fragile nation.

Thus, Luncheon should have been more careful with his words. But his words were not sufficient for the opposition to promote mayhem and chaos in the country.

No amount of provocation is sufficient to stage protests and then use violence against

people to be followed by robberies. Also, it was inappropriate for Kissoon to demonize and denigrate Luncheon.

The man’s personal looks and character have no bearing on the controversy.

The opposition and critics like Kissoon know exactly what Luncheon meant by “let us rumble” – it was not for the government and opposition to engage in physical violence to create mayhem in the streets and beat and rob people based on racial motivation.

I should note that Messrs Archer and Kissoon and others condemned (and rightly so) the police for (certain) actions taken against violence in Linden, but they have not condemned the perpetrators of the beatings and robberies of persons on the East Bank.

People were targeted based on their race as the victims claimed and the media reported.

They have also not criticized the police for their inaction while these

innocent people were being beaten and robbed.

And while people were being beaten and robbed, neither Archer nor Kissoon or their party colleagues came out to defend the victims or call off the attackers.

The police took a hands-off approach on the East Bank (against the attackers) perhaps because of their heavy criticism for being tough on Linden.

The attackers posed a direct threat to the lives of people and the police and the security forces should have responded appropriately to protect the victims. If there was one time strong force was needed by the police, it was last Thursday.

If there was one lesson that Luncheon and the government should learn is don’t trust the opposition with off-the-cuff remarks.

And a major lesson people should learn is whenever the opposition calls a protest, stay far away – it is an opportunity for you to be beaten and robbed.

Vishnu Bisram

Shame on the organizers and those giving permission!

DEAR EDITOR, Last Sunday night, October 14, we the residents of Tuschen New Housing Scheme were victims of rather appalling discomfort and blatant disregard for our rights. The plot of land (Lot 689) has been designated to be used by the community for some productive purpose.

However, the past year has intermittently seen the ground being used to host loud, non-family-oriented, late night fiascos, otherwise advertised as ‘Fun Days.’

From around 7pm, the organizers of the event increased the bass of their outrageous speakers and our ordeal began. The vibrations shook our precious belongings off shelves, our children were in turmoil as they could not sleep, and were still expected to be up early for Monday morning school.

This continued, with the deafening noise driving us to deep frustration until about midnight, when calls were made to the Leonora Police Station. It took almost two hours for them to send an officer to ensure that the noise ceased. Finally at around 1:30am we got peace, but

awoke to face a new week tired from agony and frustration, some of us with migraines.

Similar concerns were recently raised (on October 8) in a letter by a resident of Windsor Forest in the your newspaper.

Since it appears to be a pattern, we are hereby collectively asking that an explanation be forthcoming as to why the night’s events were allowed to escalate to the point of torturing residents by denying us sleep and the right

to peaceably enjoy our homes.

Was permission given for this event? If yes, why were there no limits and monitoring implemented by the Police/ Regional Authorities? Shame on the organizers and those giving permission!

We demand an explanation and assurances that there will be future justice for us, should there sadly be a repeat of events.

Residents of Tuschen New Housing Scheme

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Rodrigues took 15 AK-47 bullets

Ricardo Rodrigues Monday’s execution victim, Ricardo Rodrigues, had 15 bullets pumped into his body, a post mortem examination revealed yesterday.

This newspaper learnt that most of the bullets struck Rodrigues in his chest and lower down.

Only one bullet grazed his face, ripping off a portion of his skin.

It was obvious that the gunmen were determined to ensure that Rodrigues stood no chance of surviving.

“Even the doctor say ‘like these men didn’t know that this man was already dead’,” an associate told this newspaper.

Investigators had

recovered 41 spent AK-47 shells from the scene, a reflection of the intensity of the brazen attack which also resulted in the wounding of three other persons.

Investigators are convinced that Rodrigues was the sole target of the attack which took place in the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club compound, Albert Street, on Monday.

Eyewitnesses recalled seeing two men dressed in black, firing repeatedly at Rodrigues who was sitting at a table outside the club’s Pit Stop Restaurant and Bar. Police sources have informed that they have questioned several persons, including a prominent city businessman who had presented himself for questioning.

The businessman was subsequently sent away.

Investigators are also interested in questioning several other businessmen for clues into what is the most high profile execution so far this year.

A senior police official has said that there is no need for any alarm since despite fears of reprisals, the police have intensified the monitoring of a number of hot spots and

vulnerable locations.

No clear motive for the killing has been established but investigators are probing whether it is linked to the recent arms and ammunition find at Lethem.

Rodrigues was released last week on $100,000 bail after spending a night in police custody pending investigations into the discovery of three M-70 and four M-16 assault rifles, along with a grenade and radio communicating equipment.

Questions are still being asked as to how the gunmen managed to carry out such a brazen attack in that part of the city, at that time of the afternoon, and then disappear without a trace.

Rodrigues’s death is the seventh execution-style killing in Guyana so far for the year, with all but one occurring in the city and its immediate environs.

Meanwhile, two other persons, Michael Hutchinson, 42, who was hit on his right arm and right foot, and Canadian Jean Le Blanc who was shot in his right hip, were still in hospital up to yesterday.

Yesterday the Canadian national said that he is still

confused and frustrated by the incident. A devastated Le Blanc said that he is not sure if his family is aware of his plight.

He claimed that several persons have visited him in the hospital and have promised to inform his family about the incident but “I don’t know if anybody did.

Nobody has come and told me that they call”.

Le Blanc, who has been in Guyana since October 13, last, was supposed to return to his homeland three days later.

He claimed that on the day of the shooting, he was “at the wrong place, at the wrong time” and faced the worst.

“I am on vacation, so I am staying at the Princess Hotel.

That day (Monday) I was in a taxi passing the place (Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club) when I asked the taxi driver to stop and drink some beers,” the Canadian recalled.

He stressed that all of a sudden he heard gunshots coming from all direction and the next thing he realized was that he couldn’t walk.

The Jamaican, Michael Hutchinson, is also a patient

Jean Le Blanc at the GPHC. His condition is listed as ‘stable’.

Aubrey Henry, who was

also wounded in the shooting, was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.

Conflict of interest?

CJIA contractor hires son of former Jamaican Works’ boss Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Works Agency (NWA), Patrick Wong, has apologised for his ‘role’ in a business arrangement between his son and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) which was the main contractor on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).

According to a report in the Jamaican Gleaner, yesterday, a forensic audit of the project has found t h a t Wo n g p r o v i d e d assistance/advice to his son, Patrick Russell, who was contracted by CHEC to provide legal service.

“Although we found no evidence of a direct conflict of interest, there is a perception of a conflict,” said the auditors in the final report submitted to Parliament recently.

Wo n g told The Gleaner that he meant no harm and was merely extending a fatherly hand to his son with no ulterior motive.

“My son was hired by China Harbour as an international lawyer to assist them with their business and my only involvement, and I probably shouldn’t have, was he asked me to take a look at his proposed

contract and give him some comments,” said Wong.

“As a father to a son, I am very proud that my children come to me for personal and professional advice. They do this every day, so it did not dawn on me that I should have taken off my father’s hat and said ‘No, son, this time you need to speak to someone else about this’.”

Wo n g said when contacted by his son, he responded as he had done on previous occasions when his children sought his personal and professional advice.

“I do apologise if there was any perception, but that was not the intent. As a father I just responded,” he said.

Wong argued that his son did not work on the NWA projects.

“However, in hindsight, I would follow the recommendations as laid down by the report and take off my ‘father hat’ and put on the ‘CEO hat’, so that is as far as that issue goes.”

CHEC has been controversially awarded a contract in Guyana to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to the tune of US$150M.

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

THE OPPOSITION AND LAW-MAKING IN PARLIAMENT The greatest crisis facing this country is, as ironic as it may seem, one of parliamentary democracy.

This crisis has nothing to do with elections.

Guyana now has a parliamentary democracy because of free and fair elections.

The root of this crisis is the failure of the opposition to understand its role as an elected collective in a representative parliament.

At the heart of this failure to understand the role of the opposition, particularly in parliament, is a lack of appreciation of Guyana’s constitutional traditions, the nature of the parliamentary system that exists, and its historical ties to the British Westminster system.

Parliament is about to reconvene after recess and the combined opposition is preparing for a new round of assault on the government. It has proposed to ensure significant amendments to various laws, and they have even been promised assistance in drafting their own laws.

In 1980, Guyana passed a new Constitution which emerged out of a process that tinkered with our constitutional traditions.

The Burnham 1980 constitution, the final product of a rigged referendum, tried to overhaul with the

Westminster constitution that was bequeathed to this country by our colonial masters.

Having the stigma of Westministerism, of course, made it easier to assail the old constitution and paint it as irrelevant to our history and c i r c u m s t a n c e s , notwithstanding the fact that the constitution that we inherited on independence was built on solid constitutional foundations and historical traditions.

In the end, Burnham maintained the spirit of Westminster but merged the positions of Head of State and Head of Government to give effect to his dream of being a powerful President.

Despite there being an Executive Presidency, the 1980 constitution was still fundamentally based on Westminster ideals, the most significant of which was the separation of powers between the three arms of the State: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

Under the concept of separation of powers, the executive is responsible for the administration of the government, the legislature for the making of laws, and the judiciary for the adjudication of disputes.

The separation of powers, which is still the most respected principle in constitutional rule, argues

Dem boys seh...

Leslie and Man Soor get ketch in public Old age can be a bad thing. Is when you can’t help youself, when you got to depend pun people. This old woman get she pension and she small piece from NIS. Out of that small piece she does give she daughter almost half fuh some food.

De other day she daughter give she a licking fuh she own pension money.

And de daughter use a stick fuh beat de old lady who could only think about de days when she use to mind that same daughter and give she food and shelter. But dem boys seh that dem got a thing called retribution.

Some politicians got to watch that same retribution because some of dem spiteful.

Some people set up a People’s Parliament. Dem ain’t trouble nobody. All dem do is sit down wid de placard and answer question when people ask.

Dem politicians put up a fence pun de spot. That didn’t stop de people because dem sit down outside de fence. Now de politicians give de people letter fuh move. De word is that is Gail do that because

she got some position in de other parliament.

Dem boys waiting fuh see wha gun happen. Dem already see how dem politicians masturbating (in Guyana people does call it pumping) in public. Leslie and Man Soor guh pun TV wid de Jamaican who tun Guyanese.

Dem was suppose to debate de opposition.

Uncle Donald already tell dem fuh bring in de media but because dem know that de opposition ignoring dem Leslie and Man Soor put two empty seat and talking to dem seat.

Everybody know that chair can’t talk but is suh bassody dem two get that dem decide to try fuh a miracle.

Dem boys seh that Burnham voice shoulda come from dem chair. De two of dem woulda run out de TV station.

Depending on who more strong, dem woulda stick up in de door. Leslie woulda get a heart attack and that woulda be retribution.

But as dem boys seh, time longer than twine.

Talk half and wait fuh de retribution.

that in the exercise of its distinct functions, no arm of the State should perform the functions of the other arm.

Thus it is not for the legislature to adjudicate on legal disputes. That is the responsibility of the courts.

The role of the executive is to exercise control over the administration of the government.

The role of parliament is to pass laws. However, there is and has always been an important distinction in respect to introducing and passing laws.

While the legislature passes the law, the principal,

not exclusive, obligation of introducing laws under a Westminster system has always been the responsibility of the government.

The administration of government is intrinsically tied up with the right to pursue its own legislative agenda.

As such the executive has the right to introduce laws since this is an integral part of governing. It would be tantamount to a reversal of roles if the government were to sit back and allow the opposition to decide what legislative bills to introduce.

This would amount to the opposition exercising executive power because in introducing its own legislative agenda, it could virtually or constructively usurp executive functions.

The power, however, to pass laws that have been tabled is the sole responsibility of the parliament. As such, even if the government introduces a law, it is for parliament to decide whether it will be passed.

The opposition can refuse to pass laws tabled by the government. In this way they can frustrate executive

action.

But they do not have the right to decide, without the consent of the government, on what Bills should be introduced in parliament. The decision to introduce Bills remains the principal prerogative of the government and the decision to pass remains the Continued on page 13

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Trotman’s bar: Dichotomizing the human character?

One of the most obdurate tasks in moral philosophy is to analyse the human character to arrive at an objective value system. It is possible to argue that it cannot be done.

Those not concerned with intellectual pursuits would say that you can conclude if a person is bad, good, or indifferent by looking at that person’s character.

Those persons who say this, of course, are not bound by scholarly standards. They have no use for academic methodologies.

A common approach is to judge a boss as a good man

because he treated the company well. Those who love him do not care that he was one of the worst exploiters of women through the use of resources.

Now why should society accept John Jones as a good man because he ran a productive company but ignore his support for State abuse of power?

I had a little admonishment for my friend, attorney Gino Persaud. Gino had published an analysis of the inauguration speech of President Ramotar and mentioned how successful Minister Manickchand was.

Can you judge any

Minister of the Jagdeo Government to be a successful performer without contextualizing? Should we forget the context that Minister operated in?

I told Gino that when Manickchand was Minister of Social Services there were controversies of the exact number of persons receiving old age with the accusation (as documented by Christopher Ram) that the list may not be the right one.

It was Manickchand who had to give the stamp of approval for Kwame Mc Coy to sit on the Rights of the Child Commission. Surely, in arriving at the judgement of success should you ignore a holistic picture?

It appears that Speaker, Raphael Trotman has done just that. Talking to reporters on the achievements of the Tenth Parliament so far (in which Trotman egregiously confuse inconsequentialities with essence and substance), the Speaker praised Ms. Gail Teixeira for raising the standards of parliamentary behaviour. He said as Chief

Whip (for her party), she set the bar. Which bar?

Cadbury’s chocolate or Palmolive soap?

Here is where context comes in. Was Teixeira honest in setting the bar as Chief Whip? In doing so was she being opportunistic. Was there an ulterior motive? Or is it that Teixeira is seriously interested in uplifting the standards of Parliament? The answer is no. Only Trotman will disagree.

Ms. Teixeira is regarded among political analysts as one of Guyana’s leading Marxist hard-liners.

She has been in the Cabinet since 1992, held some of the most senior positions in the Ministerial stream and for the past two years has been governance advisor in the Office of the President.

If as Trotman believes, that Teixieira is one of those PPP leaders who believe in standards then where are the standards set by her party and government the past twenty years?

This question one hopes the media will put to Trotman.

What Trotman has attempted to do is to dichotomize the human character and he has failed miserably.

If Teixeira has set the bar as Chief Whip then her failure to set the bar in other crucial areas of life calls into question, how since is she in setting high standards for her country?

And what about the appallingly low standards at UG where Teixeira is the Government’s “Chief Whip” in the Council of the University?

Can someone tell our competent Speaker of the National Assembly about Ms. Teixeira’s bar at UG? I sat less than ten feet from Ms. Teixeira in July 2011 in one of the statutory meetings of the UG Council when Ms. Teixeira shamelessly told the Chancellor she has a list of names that she wants to see removed from their lecturer position.

There was no bar in Teixeira’s hand only a big stick. UG without even a tenth of its quota of lecturers had to endure even more falling

Frederick Kissoon standards because Teixeira got her way. Trotman would call this raising the bar.

One wonders what Trotman’s party will call him if he continues to praise the PPP Government. Trotman of course is facing the end of his career in opposition politics so one can expect more saccharine endorsements of the main PPP actors.

This of course is going to disturb the collective psyche of APNU. After all it was APNU that chose Trotman as the Speaker contrary to popular belief that it was his party the AFC that negotiated the job for him. At the rate Trotman is going, APNU may want to rein him in.

Then we will have a constitutional crisis on our hands because we may see Trotman’s PPP friends coming to his rescue.

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Granger points to the way forward for Bartica Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, Brigadier David Granger visited Bartica to discuss the way forward with Party members.

He detailed his 10-point plan which had evolved from his interactions with party members and private citizens over the last two years.

He said that the PNCR was celebrating its 55th anniversary this month and called for a return of Party pride.

T h e p a r t y, t h e n t h e P e o p l e ’s National Congress came into being on October 6, 1957.

Brigadier Granger urged Party members not to allow the skewed views of others to make them reluctant to speak of the many accomplishments of the PNC while it was in government.

He identified the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) and the National Congress of Wo m e n (NCW) for

rebuilding. He charged members with mobilising for forthcoming local government elections in order to take control of local democratic organs.

Bartica, he said, was the administrative centre and economic hub of the huge Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region and deserved to be treated respectfully by the central government.

He called on Bartica to examine the experience and example of the much smaller community of Kwakwani.

Referring to the election of the Kwakwani N e i g h b o u r h o o d Development Committee by the residents themselves to resist the unfair imposition of an Interim Management Committee by the P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/Civic administration, Brigadier Granger emphasised that “all politics is local” and local residents must insist on being consulted on local issues.

Kendaise Kizyann Rodney

writing the Common Entrance Examination in 1999.

Being an excellent student she later transferred to Saint Stanislaus College in Fourth Form where she successfully wrote eight CXC subjects.

Further, she wrote five Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) subjects, law being her major.

She later entered the Law Programme at the University of Guyana (UG) and in 2009 graduated with a credit and earned herself a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. Ms. Rodney, in 2010, entered the Hugh Wooding Law School and on September 7, 2012 earned herself her Certificate of Legal Education and a place on the Principal’s Roll of Honour.

She is one of three Guyanese students who graduated with Honours.

Rodney is now an Associate Attorney at the prestigious law firm of Hughes, Fields and Stoby and is attached to the firm’s partner Mr. C.A. Nigel Hughes in the Criminal Litigation Department.

An emotional Ms. Rodney at her admission to the Bar attributed her success to the mighty works of God and her parents who made numerous sacrifices to help her attain her dreams of becoming an Attorney at Law.

KENDAISE RODNEY IS ADMITTED TO THE BAR

Twenty-five year old Ms. Kendaise Kizyann Rodney is among the recent graduates from the Hugh Wooding Law School. She was admitted to the Guyana Bar on October 6, last, before Justice Reynolds.

Her Petition to the Court was presented by Nigel Hughes.

The third child of Jacqueline and Colin Rodney, of Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge and of Bourda Market, Ms. Rodney started her primary education at the Winfer Gardens Primary School before attending North Georgetown Secondary School after

Barticians are angry over the removal of their N e i g h b o u r h o o d Democratic Council and the installation of a purely PPP/ C-appointed Interim Management Committee.

Brigadier Granger promised that under his leadership, the PNCR’s participation in A Partnership for National Unity will continue to be consolidated and the Party will continue to build bridges to other

communities.

He stressed the importance of rebuilding t h e P N C R ’s h i s t o r i c relationships with religious organisations and Trade Unions and ensuring fundamental rights.

Brigadier Granger was accompanied by Party Vice-Chairman Dr. George Norton; Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford and several members of the Regional Democratic Council.

David Granger

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Kaieteur News

Charles Gardiner is Essequibo’s newest centenarian

Charles Josephat Gardiner One may conclude that coming from a family which recorded three centenarians, living to see that ripe old age is not only a gift.

And this can be said for Charles Josephat Gardiner, a former policeman and farmer of Noitgedacht, Wakenaam.

He recalled that his uncles James and Peter and his great grandmother, whose name he could not have recalled, all lived to reach 100 years.

Uncle Charlie, as he is commonly called, resides at Adventure Village, Essequibo Coast. He needs no assistance with his daily movements. He only has someone who keeps his company during the nights.

Uncle Charlie detailed his childhood years and how he continues to cope at 100. He recalled being born to James and Lucretia Gardiner.

Uncle Charlie added that he is the last of five, all of whom have predeceased. He remembered attending the Scots School in Wakenaam and completing his primary education there.

Boasting of his love for money, Uncle Charlie explained that as a result of emerging from a poor family, he was forced to look for work.

He said that he was first employed as a labourer with the task of shaping wood to construct homes. After

working for fifteen years molding and shaping wood, Uncle Charlie said he worked another fifteen years as a farmer and finally he was recruited as a policeman with the specific designation as an animal inspector.

Uncle Charlie said he worked at all three of the stations at Essequibo, namely Leguan, Wakenaam and on the Essequibo Coast.

However, in 1996, he took up permanent residence on the Essequibo Coast. In 1936, he recalled tying the knot to his late wife Virginia Seales.

That union bore seven children, three of whom are alive today.

He described himself as “being very wild” having shared many relationships prior to settling down. He always managed to keep his affairs with multiple women a secret.

“You never tell a woman who and if you are seeing another woman. I was engaged to be married to my wife and during that exact period I was having my son.”

Uncle Charlie who wakes up at 3:00am each day also attends the Airy-Hall Anglican Church. He is still active and does everything on his own but due to his age he has been rendered hard of hearing.

His daughter, Betty Ellis, called Joy, said that her father uplifts his pension, cooks, cleans, and reads his bible, without the aid of his spectacles most times.

Ellis said that the entire family is overjoyed to be a part of her father’s 100th birthday celebration, which would take the form of a thanksgiving service, on Friday 19th.

Thursday October 18, 2012

Auditor General to investigate NDIA fraud allegations

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Auditor General (ag), Deodat Sharma

NDIA’s CEO, Lionel Wordsworth

A leaked audit report that recommended the firing of Lionel Wordsworth, Head of National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), has the attention of Auditor General (ag), Deodat Sharma.

The state auditor, responding to questions yesterday, said that while he has not received a copy of the field audit report, he is highly interested in it.

Sharma is waiting on the Chairman of NDIA Board to send a copy to his office for investigations to commence.

Currently, the Auditor General’s office is treating reports in the Kaieteur News over the weekend as allegations.

Under the laws, the Auditor General and his office, an independent body, can descend without notice on state agencies and carry out checks. However, there have been criticisms whether the office has really been fulfilling its mandate.

According to Sharma, he will have to investigate the claims in the report because the Ministry of Agriculture is one of the entities the Auditor General’s office is responsible for.

He explained that field audit reports submitted to the Audit Committee of NDIA

Board are sent to the Auditor General.

Sharma was unable to reveal if the Auditor General’s office discovered any discrepancies in the operations of NDIA whilst compiling the 2011 Auditor General Report. He said that the details of that report will be revealed when the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, lays it in Parliament.

The field audit report on the operations of NDIA revealed what appeared to be instances of fraud and conflict of interest, including sole sourcing of services for the supply of fuel. The report recommended the dismissal of Wordsworth and Senior Section Engineer, Aneel Chowbay.

The audit report on fuel consumption and equipment operations and maintenance was conducted between May and September.

NDIA is charged with managing the conservancies in Guyana.

The report was completed and submitted to the Chairman of the NDIA Board of Directors on September 26.

It was also copied to President Donald Ramotar…a fact that came under fire from the Agriculture

Ministry.

Following the publication of some key details of the report in Kaieteur News, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy defended Wordsworth and Chowbay and the operations of the entity.

The report concluded that fraudulent acts were committed by Wordsworth and Chowbay, in breach of the Procurement Act 2003.

The Ministry of Agriculture, in attacking its own Field Auditor, said he is not performing creditably.

The NDIA described the report as unsubstantiated and prepared by a person who has a personal agenda. He accused this newspaper of not checking the facts.

“The Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) wishes to make clear that the statements contained in the Kaieteur Newspaper article dated Sunday, October 14, 2012 titled ‘Audit Report recommends dismissal of NDIA boss Lionel Wordsworth and Senior Engineer Aneel Chowbay’ are misleading and inaccurate and only represent the interest of someone with a personal agenda.”

New Amsterdam Town Week 2012 has been launched. The Town Week is being held this year under the theme “Collaboration and Unity for the restoration of New Amsterdam”.

This is the twelfth year that the celebrations are being held and a number of activities have been planned.

The week of activities is expected to kick off on Sunday with a March Past and Opening Ceremony at Main and New Streets. A parade around the town and a cultural presentation are also slated for that day.

Among some of the events planned are basketball and netball competitions for

schools in and around New Amsterdam. A Senior Citizens Day is also planned.

New Amsterdam first held Town Week celebrations in 2000. This year’s week of activities will culminate with the much anticipated Street Fair and Exhibition on October 27, on Main Street, New Amsterdam. This will be followed in the evening by the Town Day Bashment and Wash Down at Stelling Road, New Amsterdam.

Business entities are expected to clean their surroundings. They are also expected to decorate the surroundings with flags and buntings. Many businesses have plans to put on special

promotions and giveaways during the week of celebrations. The Republic Bank New Amsterdam Branch has also launched a Special Town Week Loan Promotion.

New Amsterdam is also celebrating its 121st Anniversary as a Municipality under the theme “Striving Towards Improving the Standards of New Amsterdam”.New Amsterdam became a town exactly 100 years before it became a municipality.

New Amsterdam is by far the oldest of the three towns in the county of Berbice.

The Coordinator of this year’s observances is Ms Norman Chesney.

New Amsterdam Town Week 2012 Launched

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Reliable electricity supply paramount for business growth France-based Guyanese, Professor and Electrical Engineer, Joseph Farley, has said that a good electricity supply is paramount if Guyana wishes to progress with businesses.

The specialist, who is currently in Guyana and doing work with the University of Guyana Berbice and Turkeyen Campuses, stated that no one in the business world would tolerate employing large numbers of people and have them “sit idle for four hours” during a blackout.

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been an upsurge in blackouts.

Berbice is being hit hard by rolling blackouts on a daily basis.

Already, GPL has tipped 200 blackouts for the year, and this certainly does not auger

- visiting French Professor well for the power utility company. Berbicians are furious.

Prof Farley, who is staying in Rose Hall Town, said that one day he had a blackout in the town for more than four hours.

“When you have a hundred employees or more sitting around, waiting for current to come on, this is a loss of productivity.

So big businesses, if they were thinking of coming into South America, would look at your resources and infrastructure, and when they find out that the power is very unreliable, their answer will be ‘no!— I am not going to be going there’.

Prof Farley said that there can be several solutions to improve the electricity

situation in Guyana. He added that the country needs to ensure that there are the right people doing the jobs and that appointments are based on merits.

“The manager that is responsible should be given some objectives”, he stated.

The objectives, he said, need to be reviewed regularly.

When workers do a good job, he noted that they need to be congratulated. “People are not only interested in the financial side— that is important— they are also interested in the working environment and job satisfaction.”

Maintenance is another area whereby GPL can improve so that power supply can be improved altogether.

“We cannot expect the

THE OPPOSITION AND LAW-MAKING...

From page 9 prerogative of the entire parliament.

It is true that the Constitution of Guyana allows for any member of the National Assembly to present a Bill. And the opposition is wrongly assuming that this gives it the right to introduce any legislation and to do so without the approval of the government.

If the opposition is allowed to bring Bills before the House, they can use this power to dictate executive policy and this would fly in the face of the separation of powers. If the opposition has the right to introduce any Bill, then it may also attempt to legislate its own Budget which is purely the responsibility of the Executive.

The provision that allows any member to bring a Bill before the House is synonymous with what is known as a private member’s Bill.

The specific provision of

our Constitution speaks about any member tabling legislation. It does not speak about the collective known as the opposition being allowed to table legislation.

It is hereby contended that this specific provision in our Constitution is a device to allow for private members’ Bills, something that is not a novelty under Westminster constitutions.

Andy Williams, in his magisterial work, UK Government and Politics, page 89, notes that members of parliament who do not hold ministerial office have the facility of introducing private members’ Bills.

He observes that governments often support such Bills in order to legislate controversial issues of social morality such as a decision on abortion, the death penalty or homosexuality.

Votes in parliament on such Bills are usually votes of conscience and members are thus free to vote without resort to party positions.

The opposition must disabuse itself of this idea that they have freedom to introduce any Bills.

They do not, except for private members’ Bills which as mentioned above is intended to move certain issues outside of political party conflict.

It can refuse to pass government Bills but it is not the opposition’s responsibility to legislate their own agenda.

Once the opposition begins to usurp the function of government and try to introduce their own legislation, the government will refuse to assent to it.

But the government will go further. It will use the introduction of any opposition Bill as the basis for a legal challenge and when that challenge is heard, the opposition will find itself embarrassed by its own failure to understand important principles of constitutionalism.

machines to be churning day and night, without them going faulty, so we have to keep a good log of what is happening and when.”

POOR RADIO SIGNALS The poor radio signals being experienced by much of the population, especially those far away from the transmission radio sites, he said, can be blamed on the electricity situation.

“We’re coming back to the same electrical problem.

When the electricity goes off, people buy back-up generators, and a lot of these generators are not regulated, so they emit a lot of electrical noise.

Because I do not know where the transmitter is for the radio in the Corentyne area, and because the signals are weak, the noise [being emitted from the generators] is greater than the signals, so what we hear is noise”.

Dr Farley said that this deserves some action.

Prof Joseph Farley

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Non Pareil man stabbed to death, attacker escapes Rasheed Abdool called “Black Boy”

Rasheed Abdool called “Black Boy” body wrapped awaiting the Hearse.

Police on the East Coast Demerara are investigating the second murder in that

district this week as a 24-yearold labourer was stabbed to death last evening at Non

Pareil. The man was identified as Rasheed Abdool, called “Black Boy” of 292, Non

Pareil, ECD. The other murder case earlier this week involved 42-year-old Allison Bowen, a

mother of three. She was stabbed by her reputed husband at her Goedverwagting, ECD home

and in full view of her two young sons.

According to reports, Abdool was in a heated argument with another man who was on a red bicycle. The man then whipped out a sharp instrument and proceeded to stab the labourer who bled to death on the public road.

His assailant then escaped on foot leaving his cycle and slippers behind.

The cycle has since been impounded at the Vigilance Police Station.

“The man is known around the area as a handyman who does smoke up he thing,” one resident said.

At the scene of the incident residents converged in shock as police conducted their investigations. The body was taken away by Lyken Funeral Parlor.

Colombia, FARC rebels begin peace talks in Oslo B O G O TA / O S L O (Reuters) - Historic closeddoor talks between Colombia and Marxist rebels began yesterday in Norway after FARC rebel and government negotiators arrived in Oslo in a bid to end almost half a century of armed conflict, Norwegian officials said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is betting a decade of U.S.-backed blows against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has left the group sufficiently weakened to seriously seek an end to the war after so many failed attempts.

Both parties, whisked through a VIP section of Oslo airport, were taken to an undisclosed location around midday with the media completely shut out for planned meetings yesterday and today, the Norwegian foreign ministry said.

This is the latest attempt to negotiate peace with the drug-funded rebels since they formed back in 1964. Past discussions ended in shambles, even strengthening the guerrillas’ ability to attack civilian and military targets.

Santos, a former defense minister, announced in

Juan Manuel Santos September that the two sides had negotiated the terms of a draft agenda in Cuba, with the opening of the talks to take place in Oslo.

The five-point discussions will likely be thorny as they focus on the drug trade, victim rights, land ownership in rural areas, FARC participation in politics and how to end the war.

Despite the talks, Colombian troops have continued their offensive against the rebels and guerrillas have stepped up attacks in recent days against energy and mining installations. Santos has

refused to call a ceasefire until a peace accord is reached.

“Negotiating while conflict goes on is very dangerous and so I ask both sides to be very cautious with their actions,” opposition Senator Wilson Arias told Reuters.

“They both should lower the tone of the fighting.”

As well as being a personal victory for Santos, a successful end to the talks would increase the Andean nation’s weight in investment portfolios after years of being considered one of the world’s most dangerous places to visit and do business.

Tuesday October 16, 2012

Kaieteur News

Duo in court for shooting incident Two men have been charged for discharging a loaded firearm at Romano Nurse with the intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm to him.

Deon Charles, of Middle Road La Penitence, and Kester King, of James Street, Albouystown, allegedly shot at Romano Nurse over an issue that took place in Albouystown on Sunday September 30.

Police information is that on September 30, the victim was shot at after he told another person that he saw Charles pick up a red bicycle and ride off with it.

Charles and King, obviously annoyed at Nurse for disclosing who took the cycle, later returned and shot at him, the police said. The police stated also that they are in possession of the spent shells.

The two men subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to them by Chief Magistrate ( A g ) P r i y a Sewnarine- Beharry.

T h e i r A t t o r n e y Paul Fung-A-Fat argued that the police did not find a gun on

Deon Charles and Kester King as they leave the court house

either of the defendants.

Fung A fat argued that Nurse had been the aggressor in the case as he was demanding money from his clients.

The court learnt that one of the defendants, Charles, has matters pending in court and therefore both persons were remanded to prison until October 18.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 16, 2012

Home burgled while businessman attends wake

The business place/ house that was broken into At least five persons, including a businessman, fell victim to a burglary over the weekend. The family has estimated its losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars after thieves entered their Lot 207 Yurbani Avenue, Eccles East Bank Demerara home.

According to reports, Ronney Jodha, the owner of Plus Printing, discovered around 23:00hours on Saturday last that persons had broken into his property and had stolen a quantity of documents and local and foreign currencies.

Kaieteur News was told that the family had recently travelled to Guyana to attend the funeral of a family member. According to the proprietor, the family had left their home on Saturday evening around 20:00hours.

When they returned to the house, Jodha said he noticed that the front door of his house was broken.

The man continued that he ventured further in the home and noticed that the bedroom doors of three other occupants were also broken.

On checking, the man said he noticed that the house was

ransacked. He said he immediately called the police and later went to the police station to make a report.

According to the businessman, Canadian passports, citizen cards, credit cards, bank cards, insurance cards and even health cards were stolen from the home.

Apart from that, at least US$1,500, C’dn $3,000 and $200,000 in local currency.

A quantity of cell phones and gold and diamond jewelry were also taken from the victims’ home.

The matter is currently with the police and investigations are ongoing.

Tuesday October 16, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Oh la la, Shreya!

Indian singer thrills thousands in “super duper” show

Shreya Ghoshal performs at the National Stadium Sunday evening.

A section of the crowd at the Shreya Ghoshal Concert.

Shreya Ghoshal’s hit song “Teri Meri Prem Kahani” depicts lovers struggling to define their love story, but for the thousands of Guyanese fans who turned out for her show Sunday evening, there was no definition needed. It was clear and simple, they were in love.

Why, she was their “fantasy” as well.

On landing in Guyana, she called the country “gorgeous” and “heavenly,” and after the show, she tweeted that it was “super duper.” Indeed it was.

Once she stepped on the stage at the National Stadium, there was no hesitation by the fans in confirming their love for an artiste who has been a constant feature in their homes since she lent her voice to Aishwarya Rai for the film, Devdas, in 2002.

Remarkably, Ghoshal, at just 16 years old then, won the Filmfare Award (India’s equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Female Playback singer, for the song “Dola Re Dola” in the film.

Since then, she has sung for some of the best names in Hindi cinema, and once it’s Bollywood, Guyana connects, from the Corentyne Coast to the Essequibo Coast.

Over the past decade, Ghoshal’s sojourn into Bollywood has produced some of the best collaborations with music producers and writers, and picked up award after award, catapulting her into a league of her own.

Shortly before getting on stage, with blow dryer to her hair, she pondered about what to wear. In the end, she stepped on stage with what the ladies called “jeggins,” a midriff top and jacket. It was simple, but not understated, still managing to maintain her reputation as a woman of elegance.

That was all the styling that was needed. Opening with “Teri Meri Prem Kahani” from the recent Salman Khan/ Kareen Kapoor blockbuster, Bodyguard, Ghoshal charmed the audience from the beginning.

What followed were songs that showed her

versatility as a singer, and the near perfection with which she undertakes her craft. At points it’s as if she rides off in haste to the precipice, without plunging over (Dola Re Dola) and at other times, you can feel the gentle breeze of a comforting whisper tingling at the back of your neck, moving across your face, enveloping you with a certain gentleness and warmth that is always to be longed for, as she does in Tere Meri Prem Kahani and Jadu Hai Nasha Hai, though the latter borders on the seductive.

Whether it is her skill in Indian classical music, dabbling in soulful melodies that she has come to perfect, or just having fun with the saucy item numbers of Hindi cinema, Ghoshal has come of age.

Bringing along a dancing troupe added to the magic of her voice, especially for songs like “Oh la la,” from The Dirty Picture, “Zoobi Doobi” from 3 Idiots and “Mashala Mashala” from Ek Tha Tiger.

Ghoshal brought along with her singers Prithvi

Gandharv and Jeffrey Iqbal, both of whom ably added to what was a spectacular event.

Among those at the concert were President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee, along with Reepu Daman Persaud, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, which put on the show.

The Sabha deserves credit for an event that was smoothly executed, and we

could hear no one complain about anything.

Before her final song, Mere Dholna Sun, from Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Ghoshal performed a medley of songs from Indian’s melody queen Lata Mageshkar, from whom she draws inspiration.

Among the favourites was Lag Ja Gale, lip-synched

by Sadhana in the 1964 film Woh Kaun Thi. We would want to think that the

audience agreed with the lyrics and joined in the chorus.

Indeed, the fans embraced Ghoshal as if they would never have such a beautiful night with her again, but her parting words, “See you soon!” told everyone that we might just see her again here, and by that time, she would have climbed higher on the ladder of success. (Neil Marks)

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 16, 2012

DDL challenged to compete with other subsidy- Dr Persaud tells shareholders based companies

By Leon Suseran Chief Executive Officer of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Dr Yesu Persaud, has stated that his company has to compete in a highly competitive world whereby many companies that produce wines and liquors receive subsidies from their governments. This is not the case in Guyana and has placed enormous challenges on the distillery.

He was speaking to the company’s shareholders at the Annual Shareholders’ Reception on the tarmac of the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) at Tain, Corentyne on Sunday.

“We do not get subsidies; all the big companies get subsidies throughout, not through their parent companies, but from the countries in which they operate, because there is a ‘kick- back’ to the government”.

He said this is “not

possible for us in Guyana...You go and ask for subsidies, and you will be thrown out; so we have to stand on our own feet, something we have done and have been doing over the years… and we have done it very well and have reached the stage now where we are considered the Number One brand in the Caribbean, a unique, unique privilege to be in”.

Managing Director of DLL, Komal Samaroo, stated that while the company has been earning huge amounts of successes in various arenas, there are the challenges, one of which is mainly the subsidy issue.

He stated that in some parts of the world, rums that are being produced by other countries are heavily subsidized by those countries’ governments.

“Today, as we sit here, 92 per cent of the rums imported into the USA is subsidised

by the governments of the countries in which those rums are produced— 92 per cent!”

“We do not get subsidies; we have to compete side by side with the products that are heavily subsidised, and because of these challenges we face, we need to work together and go after every opportunity and we need your support in this market, through friends and families overseas, too”.

Dr Persaud added, “We produce the finest Vodka— Ivanoff— nothing but the best— nothing to beat that, and shortly, you will be getting it in a new package and we will be internationalising that product”.

Dr Persaud stated, too, that DDL has been able to spread out its products to new markets, whereby the company’s products are now in all the Canadian Provinces and trying to conquer the U.S. gradually, EU and UK.

A section of the shareholders

“We’re also selling in one of the coldest countries in the world, Russia, and it’s not easy to sell there, but we have done that, so we are here, there and everywhere so your company is moving from strength to

strength, but we need your support locally, to become the dominant player in the local market”.

The company’s shareholders, he said, stretch from Crabwood Creek to the Rupununi and even in the European Union, USA, Canada, Caribbean and the European Union (EU).

Diamond Liquors, Demerara Distillers and Guyana Distilleries were merged into the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). DDL is the only company which produces an international brand, ‘El Dorado’, out of Guyana. El Dorado has won the International Wines and Spirits Competition year after year, including 2012. DDL has 9,500 shareholders in its records.

The Demerara Distillers Limited has changed its strategy in trying to work closer with customers and its shareholders.

Samaroo told shareholders that meeting with them once per year is not enough, rather there needs to be an ongoing dialogue among stakeholders. He

announced a 24- hour hotline, 265-5000, for shareholders as well as customers.

“Don’t wait until we come up here, but call us at anytime and if you have complaints or suggestions or see an opportunity, call us and let us know”.

Samaroo added that the company has been making significant progress especially where it concerns marketing of its signature brand rums, the El Dorado rums, throughout the world.

The company is now marketing the Ocean Spray brand of fruit drinks in Guyana, and Samaroo noted that this is one of the new initiatives taken by the company in not only taking the best products to the world, but bringing the best products from the world, here.

A proud company managed 100 per cent by Guyanese “(DDL) gives opportunity to Guyanese; trains people in Guyana to manage the business in a manner that the best practices are achieved anywhere in the world and this must be a proud thing for all of us”.

Police are insisting that “unless they apprehend the suspect in the case of the 58year-old woman who was raped recently, they would not be able to positively identify a fingerprint.

The woman, formerly of Devonshire-Castle, on the Essequibo Coast, tearfully related that she was asleep when suddenly she was awakened by a scratching sound emanating from her house.

The woman added that at first she thought it was the sound of a rat but as she forced herself out of bed she was confronted by an intruder, who proceeded to ransack her house with the aid

of a torchlight.

The terrified woman who lives alone said that after the man, who was armed with two cutlasses and a knife was through ransacking her house; he then asked her for “wife”.

She said she told the man she was a “big woman” and he replied saying he was a” big man”. The woman said that the man then threatened her and proceeded to undress her before raping her.

She has since lodged a complaint at the Anna Regina Police Station and has also undergone a medical examination. The woman said that the rapist carted away $4,000 in the process.

Police hunt Essequibo rapist

Tuesday October 16, 2012

Kaieteur News

Man rrefused efused bail ffor or wounding spouse Davendra Kumar, 44, of Cooper Street, Albouystown allegedly used a knife to inflict a laceration on his partner’s neck on October 10.

He was refused bail today.

He faced Chief Magistrate (Ag) Priya SewnarineBeharry on the unlawful wounding charge.

On Wednesday last, the defendant went home to his reputed wife, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and started to abuse her about her daughter. The couple had a fiery verbal dispute over the issue.

As a consequence the defendant took a knife from his wife, who was cooking at the time and slashed her neck leaving her unconscious. The complainant later received

medical attention and stitches to the injury she sustained.

While Kumar accepted what the police reports stated he claimed that the incident was “just an accident.”

He related that his spouse had been striking him in the back when “she slipped and fell on the knife” causing injuries. “Is just a slight cut my worship”.

The Magistrate requested a copy of the medical to ascertain if the defendant’s story was correct.

However, before the Magistrate could make a final decision on yesterday’s proceedings, Kumar revealed that he has previous infractions with the law for abusing his wife. He was refused bail until October 22.

Davendra Kumar

Ohio University seeks internships with local media Ohio University is seeking to further enhance its partnership with the University of Guyana (UG) through capacity building of lecturers and students.

A four-man delegation headed by Dr. Scott Tittsworth, Dean of Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University, is in Guyana to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two universities.

Dr Tittsworth is also a former CNN correspondent.

According to UG’s Director of the Centre of Communication Studies, Carolyn Walcott, this

renewed partnership could see lecturers benefitting from scholarships to study abroad.

In addition, there should be an injection of resources to purchase laboratory equipment.

She said that UG’s Centre of Communication Studies benefitted from a previous MoU with the University that recently ended.

Walcott was one of the privileged students to have pursued her Masters in Communication through the Ohio University.

While the Ohio University is helping to develop Guyana’s highest tertiary learning institution it

is reaching out to local media houses to provide internships for its final year students. Director, Institute for International Journalism, Dr. Yusuf Kalyango, is hoping that students from the Ohio University will be able to be interns at media houses in Guyana.

Both state-owned and privately-owned media houses are being targeted so that students will have an appreciation of practicing journalism in a developing country. The Ohio University has done similar stints in countries across the globe, including Zambia.

By Rehanna Ramsay A 35-year-old father of two has been charged with causing the death of a 12-yearold pedal cyclist as a result of dangerous driving.

Roderick Tappin of Lot 89 Sparendaam, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on Friday October 12, at Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, he drove a motor lorry in a manner dangerous to the public and caused the death of Junior Cameron, who was 12 years old.

The case was called before Chief Magistrate (Ag) Priya Sewnarine- Beharry, yesterday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

However, according to police facts Tappin was driving motor lorry GPP 6830 at an accelerated rate proceeding east along Joseph Pollydore Street when he came directly into Cameron’s path. The child was attempting to cross a junction. Tappin reportedly lost control of the “speeding” vehicle and collided with the pedal cyclist who was later

pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Further reports revealed that the defendant had breached the conditions of his insurance and was not licensed to drive a lorry at the time of the accident.

He has already pleaded guilty to the breaches of conditions. Attorneys- atLaw Paul Fung- A-Fat and George Thomas provided legal representation for the defendant.

In a request for bail, FungA-Fat refuted police claims that his client was speeding

and stated that it was the cyclist rather; who came into the path of the truck.

The lawyer also affirmed that his client has no previous antecedents with the law, poses no risk of flight and is prepared to lodge his passport if he’s granted bail.

Prosecutor Wynette Hubbard did not contest the lawyer’s request and as a result Tappin‘s bail was set at $300,000.

Bail is on condition that the defendant lodges his travel document and reports to the Brickdam Police Station once weekly.

Plaisance man charged for death of 12-year-old boy

Page 19

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Kaieteur News

U.S. seeks up to 10 year prison sentence in Gupta insider case NEW YORK (Reuters) Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc board member Rajat Gupta deserves to spend eight to 10 years in prison for his “shocking” insidertrading crimes, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers yesterday.

Gupta, who is also a former head of management consultancy McKinsey & Co, is set to be sentenced on October 24 in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. He was found guilty in June of leaking Goldman boardroom secrets to his hedge fund friend Raj Rajaratnam, who is now serving an 11-year prison term for insider trading.

Gupta, 63, is the most influential corporate figure to be caught in a broad insider trading crackdown of the last four years. His lawyers yesterday filed court papers asking he be spared prison, citing his years of charitable works, and suggested he be ordered to probation and community service instead.

The government said Gupta should get a significant

prison term, saying his “crimes are shocking” and he time and time again flouted the law and abused his position of trust as a corporate board member.

“Although Gupta’s criminal conduct appears to represent a deviation from an otherwise law-abiding life, Gupta’s crimes were not an isolated occurrence or a momentary lapse in judgment,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Tarlowe wrote in the government’s filing. “Indeed, the opposite is true.”

Prosecutors also said that Goldman is seeking $6.8 million in restitution for legal fees and related costs it paid related to the Gupta case.

About 25 percent of that amount is compensation that Goldman paid to Gupta as a director, a court filing said.

A spokesman for Goldman Sachs, Michael DuVally, declined to comment.

Christopher Mumma, a spokesman for Gupta’s attorneys, declined to comment.

Gupta faces a potential

sentence of 20 years in prison or more on the charges, though such a long sentence is seen as unlikely. The sentence will be handed down by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over his trial.

In requesting a nonprison sentence, Gupta’s lawyers urged Rakoff to consider Gupta’s stunning fall from grace as punishment enough.

“A sentence of probation with a condition of rigorous, full-time community service would fully satisfy ... sentencing objectives,” wrote defense attorney Gary Naftalis and Gupta’s other lawyers.

The defense outlined a proposal for community service that would include his work with Covenant House, a group that provides services for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth, and a “a less orthodox” plan in which Gupta would live and work with Rwandan government officials to help fight HIV/AIDS and malaria in rural districts.

Thursday October 18, 2012

EU summit to tackle banking union BRUSSELS (Reuters) European leaders will try to bridge deep differences over plans for a banking union at a summit yesterday but no substantial decisions are expected, reviving concerns about complacency in tackling the three-year-old debt crisis.

It will be the fourth time EU leaders have met this year and the 22nd summit held since the crisis erupted in Greece in late 2009.Yet diplomats expect no breakthroughs at the two-day gathering, with the agenda focused instead on longer-term efforts to retool the region’s banks and economies.

Since the European Central Bank announced last month that it was prepared to buy the bonds of struggling euro zone countries in unlimited amounts under strict conditions, government borrowing costs have fallen sharply and some of the market-

led pressure to move rapidly to resolve the crisis has dissipated.

Yields on the 10-year government bonds of Ireland, Italy and Spain have fallen by between 1 and 1.5 percentage points in the past six weeks, reflecting a much-reduced level of risk and limiting the need for immediate intervention.

At the same time, efforts to forge ahead with the setting up of a banking union across the eurozone and parts of the wider EU have stalled, amid differences between Germany and other member states over the timetable and scope of the initiative.

The banking union proposal, backed by leaders at the last summit in June, is the first stage in what is seen as a four-pronged strategy to overhaul the monetary union and prevent future crises. Other steps for the future are a ‘fiscal union’ for budgets, an ‘economic union’ and a ‘political union’.

The first aim on the banking side is to create a single banking supervisor under the ECB, but the original goal of having that in place by January 2013 already looks in doubt, and it may not be fully up and running until 2014. Joerg Asmussen, Germany’s representative on the ECB’s executive board, said on Wednesday the central bank would not be ready to start overseeing banks from early next year, even if the legal structures are in place by then, and said it was more important to do it properly than to do it quickly.

The latest draft conclusions agreed ahead of the summit and obtained by Reuters on Wednesday said only that a single supervisor was a “matter of priority” and leaders should have the “objective of completing it by the end of the year”.

Of akistani Offficial: Shot P Pakistani gir ving her limbs girll is mo moving

Indian students participate in a prayer ceremony in support of and for the recovery of 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) LONDON (AP) — A 14year-old girl shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting female education has been doing better since she was airlifted to England for specialized treatment and has been moving her limbs, a Pakistani official said yesterday.

Although it’s difficult to gauge what such an improvement might mean given that the exact nature of Malala Yousufzai’s brain injuries have yet to be made public, one expert said the news was good.

“Any progress is hopeful,” Dr. Jonathan Fellus, chief scientific officer at the New Jersey-based International Brain Research Foundation, said.

“This is the natural course of recovery that we would expect.”

The Pakistani official, who spoke anonymously because he wasn’t cleared to talk on the

record about the case, said he had been briefed by doctors and that Malala’s condition was “definitely much better” since she arrived in England on Monday. He added that the girl was moving her limbs, although he didn’t elaborate.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, where Malala is being treated, released a statement Wednesday saying Malala was in “stable condition and continued to impress doctors by responding well to her care,” but didn’t go into detail. The hospital’s acting head of communications, Carole Cole, said there would be no further news on the case until Thursday.

Malala’s family, which the hospital said was still in Pakistan, could not be reached for comment.

Malala was returning home

from school in Pakistan last week when she was targeted by the Taliban for promoting female education and criticizing the militant group’s behavior when they took over the Swat Valley, where she lived. The attack, in which two of her classmates were also wounded, has horrified many in Pakistan and across the world.

The Taliban have threatened to target Malala again, because she promotes “Western thinking.”

Fellus said in a phone interview that physical abilities were often the first to return in cases of traumatic brain injury, and that didn’t mean that the teen would necessarily make a full recovery.

Still, he said, “the earlier you start to see recovery, the better.”

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Caribbean catastrophe model could go global Barbados Nation - The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility may be adopted at a global level if suggestions put forward at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Expert Meeting are accepted.

During the three-day meeting held last week at Hilton Barbados the issue of Loss and Damage Associated with the Adverse Effects of Climate Change took centre stage.

And in delivering the keynote address during the opening ceremony, UNFCCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres noted that the Caribbean was the only region in the world with such a regional insurance system.

“It is quite unique and is looked upon by other countries as a potential lesson learnt to see what can be extrapolated. What is being thought through here in this meeting and needs to go to Doha for further consideration is what insurance mechanisms can be set up at the global level to give the first level of insurance,” she said.

She told participants from as far away as Fiji, New Zealand, Norway and Qatar that one insurance company could not accept all of the risks.

“What they do is, they work with each other to be able to take on part of the risk. That is what is being considered here,” she said.

The executive secretary also expressed her satisfaction with the progress Barbados made, particularly with the conscious efforts made over the last 30 to 40 years to put together the data on the hydrological cycle.

“You have data here on prevailing winds, you have data on currents, you have data on precipitation that is actually quite unique with respect to other islands.

“It is precisely that data set that allows Barbados to apply the data and make the infrastructure changes that need to be made, but that already are based on the data that you have projected into the future. It is quite impressive,” she said.

However, she noted that such strides placed Barbados

in a privileged position, especially as it was already a middle-income country.

Figueres explained that Barbados’ classification meant it no longer qualified for access to traditional sources of financing but pointed out that as a middleincome country, Barbados now had access to other sources of funding.

“What I have learnt in my short stay here is that Barbados is working very actively with financial institutions such as the InterAmerican Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, and would be able to have access to further multilateral banks because of its privileged status as a middle-income country,” Figueres pointed out.

When the curtain comes down on the meeting today, it is expected that a proposal on loss and damage, particularly from the perspective of Small Island Developing States, will be prepared to be taken to Doha towards the end of this year.

Page 21

Chavez gives Petrojam priority Jamaica Observer The start date for the modernisation of Jamaica’s o i l r e f i n e r y, P e t r o j a m , appears to have been brought to the front of the q u e u e o f Ve n e z u e l a n expansion projects.

Already delayed by five years, the project failed to take off due to the inability of the owners — the governments of Jamaica (51 per cent) and Venezuela (49 per cent) — to finance the project.

But Caracas, which turned its attention to other areas for expanding its refining operations, has since shifted its focus back to Kingston.

In a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Venezuelan Government said that its state-owned r e f i n e r y, P e t r o l e o s d e Venezuela SA (PDVSA), has brought forward the start date of the Jamaica project to 2014, a year earlier than previously expected.

The aim is to increase production from 35,000 barrels per day (bpd) to

…Venezuelans put expansion on fast track 50,000 bpd at the Kingston refinery.

No reason was given for advancing the commencement date of the three-year project, but the new start date puts it ahead of several other projects, including two in Cuba, for which start dates have been put off by a year or more.

Some of those projects were earmarked for commencement before PDVSA got to Kingston.

The Jamaican Government’s inability to finance the expansion project, based on its lack of fiscal savings, has been evident for some time.

After the Government realised that the capital cost associated with the upgrade would double from the original estimate of US$663 million to US$1.3 billion over a three year period, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that plans to expand the plant would be halted.

An alternative view until recently was that the

Ve n e z u e l a n s w e r e h e l d back politically.

The refinery upgrade project evolved out of a memorandum of understanding signed in August 2005 between then Jamaican prime minister at the time, P J Patterson, and President Hugo Chavez, with an expected 2010 completion date.

Golding, who took office in September 2007, has, in the past, expressed concern about Jamaica’s relationship with Venezuela. Referring to President Hugo Chavez’s brazen anti-Americanism, he said: “We must not allow ourselves to become part of someone else’s political agenda.”

It’s likely that the return to office of the People’s National Party — Patterson’s party — and affirmation of Chavez’s Administration, which was returned last week for a sixyear presidential term, has strengthened diplomatic ties between the two countries.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Barbados PM laments silenced voice of regional institutions BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, has lamented the silenced voice of regional organisations such as the Caribbean Congress of Labour and the Caribbean Congress of Churches, whose utterances and writings have stirred the psyche of Caribbean nationals for decades.

He made this observation recently while addressing the sixth University of the West Indies (UWI) Distinguished Alumni Lecture on the topic: The Global Crisis: An Opportunity for Collaboration and Cohesion between CARICOM Member States.

Stuart added: “Times were in the region when the voice of regional labour was equally loudly raised and heard, thanks to the vibrancy of the Caribbean Congress of Congress.

Time was, also, when the voice of the church was

Freundel Stuart equally loudly raised and heard, thanks to vibrancy of the Caribbean Conference of Churches.”

He further stated: “Indeed, it is still true that perhaps the most educational newspaper on regional issues to be circulated in the Caribbean was Caribbean Contact, published by the Caribbean Conference of

Churches.

“It seems to me that the resonance of all three of these institutions has now diminished and their flame is burning low. In the days of their glory, this region did not have as much money as it now has and was certainly not as technologically sophisticated.”

Stuart proffered the view that the now dormant CARIFESTA, a regional festival which represented a symbol of social cohesion, must be reignited. He suggested that “the time had come for us to raise the profile of CARIFESTA to the exciting and special place that it once occupied in the hearts and minds of the people of this region.

The Prime Minister contended that the region would benefit from the revitalisation of regional private sector, regional labour and ecclesiastical organisations. (Caribbean News)

US probes CAL on flight delay Trinidad Express - Stateowned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) is being investigated by the United States Department of Transportation (DoT) for keeping passengers on the aircraft of an international flight for more than four hours.

The DoT said in a statement Tuesday the fourand-a-half-hour delay occurred on August 15 on a CAL flight from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport to Piarco International in Port of Spain.

The DoT’s Air Travel Consumer Report states that the only delay on a runway that violated the “Passenger’s Bill of Rights” rules in August was CAL’s flight.

The report states the rules against runway delays prohibit delays longer than four hours on international flights, and the three-hour rule for domestic routes.

The DoT said that since the new rules took effect, airlines can be fined US$27,500 for each passenger who is stranded on a plane.

CAL said the delay was caused by bad weather, and a number of other flights were also delayed.

C o r p o r a t e Communications head Clint Williams told the Express via telephone Tuesday, he did not know how long the aircraft stayed on the tarmac.

“There was a tarmac delay of flight BW 421 on August 15, 2012 due to adverse weather conditions, (causing) airport congestion as a consequence of the bad weather and the aircraft having to return for refuelling after a lengthy initial period on the tarmac with other

similarly-affected aircraft.

The total time of the delay exceeded four hours and as such, the US Department of Transport has requested verification that procedures that govern such a delay were followed.

Caribbean Airlines is complying with all requests for information from the DOT,” he said in a follow-up statement.

Williams said this was standard procedure.

He said he was not in a position to say when the report by the DoT would be completed.

He added that to his knowledge, issues passengers may have faced related to the delay had been dealt with by the airline’s customer service staff members.

-CMC -Nevisians will go to the polls to elect a new Nevis Island Administration (NIA) after Premier Joseph Parry dashed any idea of calling a by-election in the St. John’s constituency following a court ruling in August that the seat won by his deputy, Hensley Daniel, be declared vacant.

“We are having a general election. Let’s not believe that we are having a by-election.

It’s not going to happen. No by-election is going to take

going to be a general election,” Parry said on his weekly radio programme “In Touch with the Premier”.

His announcement ended weeks of speculation that the Nevis Reformation Party (NRF) would seek to regain the seat it won in the July 2011 NIA elections.

In August, the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling that declared the results of the July 2011 election in St John’s null and void.

Joseph Parry

Passengers stuck on jet...

Nevisians to vote for new government CHARLESTOWN, Nevis place in this country; it’s

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

PNM senator demands probe into Govt. purchase of land for $175m; bought for $5m Trinidad Express Government paid $175 million for 50 acres of land at Eden Gardens, Calcutta, Freeport, in 2012, when the same parcel of land had been bought two years earlier for $5 million.

So said People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Faris Al-Rawi in his budget contribution at yesterday’s Senate sitting at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain.

He quoted from both the Cabinet minute 1538, dated June 6, 2012, which approved the $175 million purchase, and the deed of purchase, 2010, by which the property was bought for $5 million.

Al-Rawi said the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) sought a valuation on the land from “reputable” valuator Linden Scott and Associates. That company gave the HDC a valuation of $52 million, excluding stamp duty, legal fees and other costs associated with the purchase.

The valuation, he said, also was premised on the fact

that the 50 acres were being sold en bloc to one purchaser, the HDC. He said Linden and Scott was “on every bank panel in Trinidad and To b a g o conducting mortgages. Ask Senator Howai, he sat on FCB and he would tell you Linden Scott is very reputable”.

This valuation was done in November 2011.

Al-Rawi said that by letter dated April, 26, 2012, the Commissioner o f Va l u a t i o n ( w h o m h e did not name) advised that “$180 million was a fair estimate of the current open market value for the unencumbered freehold interest (land)”.

“The Government valuator with no material attached to the Cabinet minute, other than his letter, says ‘forget the $52 million (estimate of Scott) ... I say the Government valuator says it is $180 million’,” Al-Rawi stated.

“So I decided that I

wanted to check the land value in relation to this property. The deed in 2010 for the purchase of this property by the developer ... 3rd February, 2010, a deed prepared by Roopchan Chadeesingh, Madam President, you know what the value is .. .$5 million,” he said.

“Oh goood!” exclaimed his colleague, Fitzgerald Hinds.

Al-Rawi said $350,000 in stamp duty was paid, stamped by the Board of Inland Revenue.

“The Commissioner of Va l u a t i o n w o u l d h a v e checked this and seen $5 million worth of land,” he said.

Al-Rawi said one could develop land and enhance the land, but “Mr Scott contemplates that in his report”.

Al-Rawi said he did a lot of legal work (with properties) in that area and he knew that if one added the developmental costs and the interest associated

with these costs, “you could not cross $115 million”.

“The market is soft, the construction sector is going down, the review of the economy says that and yet this Government is going to buy land for $180 million,” he said.

He added, “In the same way the Prime Minister demanded that the Milshirv and Aquatic Centre projects (in Tobago) be referred for investigation, in the same way I demand that the Honourable Minister of Justice start

doing the work that the last Honourable Minister (Herbert Volney) didn’t do.”

Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal had stated in the House of Representatives that the Cabinet had taken into consideration that the land (between 2010 and 2012) had been fully developed with roads, drainage, sewage treatment plant, water and electricity.

Al-Rawi also accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of being in breach of the

parliamentary rules.

H e s a i d t h e P M ’s budget contribution was carried live on State-owned CNMG, in violation of the parliamentary rules on live broadcasts which state that only the Minister of Finance, the Opposition Leader and the Finance Minister’s wind-up were to be carried live.

Al-Rawi said Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed, who is talking about the kind of broadcasts to be aired on the media, had allowed this kind of breach.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) - A high school principal in Barbados has suspended 265 students for what he said were school uniform violations.

Matthew Farley issued the suspension letters after he and other teachers

inspected students at Graydon Sealy Secondary School this week. The students have been suspended for up to five days.

F a r l e y ’s decision angered dozens of parents who arrived at t h e s c h o o l o n Tu e s d a y,

prompting officials to call police.

Among the violations listed are skirts that were too short and pants that were too baggy.

The school has a total of 942 students who are required to wear white shirts and red pants or skirts.

Barbados high school suspends 265 students

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Kaieteur News

Voters say Obama beat Romney in second debate WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Voters say that President Barack Obama performed better than Republican rival Mitt Romney by a substantial margin in their second debate, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released yesterday.

Forty-eight percent of registered voters gave the victory to Obama, while 33 percent say Romney prevailed in the Tuesday debate, the online poll found.

The poll reflects the broad consensus of debate observers who said Obama’s forceful approach gave him the upper hand over Romney, who was widely seen as the victor in their first matchup on October 3.

“Clearly, the debate was a bit of a turnaround for Obama. He put in a much stronger performance than he did in the first debate and it’s showing in the numbers,” said Ipsos pollster Julia Clark.

Obama’s favourability rating climbed five percentage points after Tuesday’s debate to 55 percent. Romney’s

U.S. President Barack Obama favourability rating fell two percentage points, to 48 percent.

Voters’ views of Obama also improved slightly on a range of issues and personal attributes, from managing the economy to whether he is tough enough for the job.

Obama launched

aggressive attacks against Romney on jobs, energy and Libya in the debate. His feisty performance thrilled Democratic supporters who had been disappointed with his lackluster effort in the first debate.

Any impact on the November 6 election will not show up in opinion polls until Thursday at the earliest, Clark said.

Conventional wisdom holds that debates rarely affect the outcome of presidential elections, but this year may prove an exception.

Romney’s strong performance in the first debate silenced critics on the right and turned the page on a string of missteps that had hurt him in opinion polls.

Romney surged ahead of Obama in polls in the weeks following the first debate, but his lead was already shrinking before the second debate, which was held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.

As of Tuesday, Obama

held a lead of three percentage points in the daily Reuters/ Ipsos tracking poll.

The current result is a more accurate reflection of the state of the race than the seesawing polls over the past month, Clark said.

“This was always going to be a very close election and that’s back where we are now,” she said.

The accuracy of Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the survey of 655 online voters, conducted shortly after the debate, has a credibility interval of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

Alleged 9/11 mastermind: America killed more people than hijackers did GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) - The alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks told the Guantanamo courtroom yesterday that the U.S. government had killed many more people in the name of national security than he is accused of killing.

Khalid Sheik Mohammed was allowed to address the court at a pretrial hearing focused on security classification rules for evidence that will be used in his trial on charges of orchestrating the hijacked plane attacks that killed 2,976 people.“When the government feels sad for the death or the killing of 3,000 people who were killed on September 11, we also should feel sorry that the American government that was represented by (the chief prosecutor) and others have killed thousands of people, millions,” said Mohammed, who wore a military-style camouflage vest to the courtroom.He accused the United States of using an elastic definition of national security, comparable to the way dictators bend the law to justify their acts.

“Many can kill people under the name of national security, and to torture people under the name of national security, and to detain children under the name of national security, underage children,” he said in Arabic through an English interpreter.

Thursday October 18, 2012

Syria envoy says bloodshed could engulf Middle East

Lakhdar Brahimi BEIRUT (Reuters) - The international mediator on Syria said yesterday its civil war risks spilling across borders to engulf the Middle East and appealed for a temporary truce he said could mark a small step towards defusing 19 months of conflict.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N.-Arab League envoy, has proposed that both President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and rebel fighters seeking his overthrow hold fire during the Islamic feast holiday of Eid al-Adha that starts next week.

Syrian authorities, who blame rebels for the failure of an April ceasefire plan, guardedly welcomed Brahimi’s proposal but said any initiative must be respected by both sides.

Turkey, one of Assad’s harshest critics, and Iran, one of his strongest allies, both backed the plan, in rare agreement.

Thirty thousand people have been killed in the uprising, which began with peaceful demonstrations and now pits mainly Sunni Muslim rebels against an

Alawite president. There are fears of broader Middle East sectarian conflict between Sunni powers sympathetic to the rebels and Shi’ites who back Assad.

“This crisis cannot remain within Syrian borders indefinitely. Either it will be addressed or it will increase ... and be all-consuming,” Brahimi told reporters in Beirut after talks with Lebanese leaders.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 90 people had been killed in Syria by late afternoon on Wednesday, after 150 people died the day before.

The death toll has topped 1,000 a week for at least two months as divided world powers have condemned the bloodshed in what has become a largely stalemated conflict, but failed to agree on a political solution.

On Sunday, Brahimi appealed to leaders in Iran Assad’s strongest regional ally - to support a proposal for a ceasefire to mark Eid alAdha, expected to begin at dusk on October 25.

MOSCOW (Reuters) Russia criticized the European Union yesterday for imposing new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme and called for a fresh round of talks between world powers and Tehran as soon as possible.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over EU sanctions imposed on Tuesday against major Iranian state companies in the oil and gas industry and the central bank.

Moscow said unilateral sanctions by the EU dealt a “palpable blow” to the unity of the six nations - the United States, France, Britain, China, Germany and Russia - leading diplomatic efforts to rein in Iran’s nuclear program.

“We will continue to consistently seek to achieve

the organization of the next round of negotiations ... as soon as possible,” the statement said. No talks have been held since the last round in Moscow failed to bring a breakthrough last June.

Russia has supported four rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran but says further measures are counterproductive.

The West suspects Iran of using its civilian atomic energy program as a cover for ambitions to build a nuclear bomb - accusations Tehran denies.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday she hoped turning up the heat on the Islamic Republic would persuade it to make concessions and that negotiations could resume “very soon”.

Russia criticizes EU Iran sanctions, urges talks

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Armstrong steps down from charity; Nike drops sponsorship (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong on Wednesday stepped down as chairman of the charity he founded to distance the cancer patientsupport organization from the widening doping scandal that promises to cost him his seven Tour de France cycling titles.

At the same time, one of his long-time corporate sponsors, Nike Inc., said it could no longer ignore the growing evidence of his illicit behavior as one of the cycling world’s premier athletes and dropped its sponsorship of him.

Armstrong said in a statement: “To spare the (Livestrong) foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship.” He will continue to serve on the board.

Armstrong is set to lose his record seven Tour de France titles after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency published a 1,000-page report last week that said the nowretired American took part in and organized an elaborate and sophisticated doping

scheme on his way to his unrivalled success on the Tour.

Armstrong, 41, has always denied he took banned substances during his glittering career but decided not to challenge the USADA charges against him.

Armstrong founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in late 1996, according to the foundation’s website. The organization launched the Livestrong brand in 2003 as it widened its cancer patientsupport services, and the foundation is now known by both names.

His departure as chairman comes just two days before the foundation’s fund-raising gala in Austin, Texas, where Armstrong lives. Celebrities such as Sean Penn and Ben Stiller are expected to attend, with comedian Robin Williams and singer Norah Jones to provide entertainment.

“It is his effort to inoculate the foundation against any risk or damage associated with current controversy in the cycling world,” Livestrong spokeswoman

Katherine McLane said in an interview.

DONATIONS TO LIVESTRONG RISE So far, the foundation’s financial health appears not to have suffered from Armstrong’s cycling scandal.

Contributions have actually risen this year as the USADA probe gathered momentum. For the year 2012 to date, the foundation has reported revenue of $33.8 million, up 2.1 percent from this point a year ago, according to documents provided to Reuters.

Since late August, when Armstrong said he would not contest the USADA findings and the agency said it planned to strip him of his titles, Livestrong has received more than 16,000 contributions, averaging about $97 each. “This is almost twice normal levels,” Rae Bazzarre, another Livestrong spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, Nike, in reversing its earlier stand in support of Armstrong, said it was severing ties with Armstrong, but would continue to support Livestrong.

Lance Armstrong “Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and

misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with

him,” the company said in a statement. “Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner.”

Cycling’s world governing body, the International Cycling Union, has yet to rule on the USADA report. They can either confirm Armstrong’s life ban and strip him of his seven Tour titles or take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The USADA report accused Armstrong, as head of the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team, of running “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.” The report included sworn testimony of 26 people, including 15 riders, who described years of performanceenhancing drug use.

Thursday October 18, 2012 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Today you may have some important phone calls to make, Aries, and want to get them out of the way before doing anything else. You will definitely get your message across, because your communicative abilities are very strong. ******************************* TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): Good news about money could create some excitement in your household today, Taurus. One of your goals might be to invest some of the funds in fixing up your living situation. ******************************* GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): An intriguing new neighbor, perhaps someone you’re attracted to, could move in near you, Gemini. This might prove very exciting.

You will probably strike up a conversation and enjoy talking with him or her. ******************************* CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Your intuitive abilities should be operating at a very high level today, Cancer. You might inadvertently receive some positive psychic messages about your future, and this could prove very exciting. ******************************* LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): A friend could introduce you to an exciting new person for whom you feel a very powerful physical attraction, Leo. This meeting could prove exciting, but stay calm and remain objective. ******************************* VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Some exciting career developments could have you flying high today, Virgo. Perhaps you’ve just reached a longterm goal or managed to get a break that tells you that your goals are now within reach.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Tonight you might decide to attend a group activity of some kind, perhaps one concerned with philosophical or spiritual matters, Libra.

Everyone who attends is apt to feel very strongly about the subject, so discussions could prove lively and exciting. ******************************* SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Your financial situation could be greatly boosted by a development you hadn’t expected, Scorpio.

Perhaps some investments suddenly skyrocket in value, or maybe the homes in your neighborhood are suddenly worth more than you thought. ******************************* SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): A legal matter that may have been pending for a while could finally be completed today, Sagittarius.

It’s very likely to go in your favor. Therefore, if you’ve been sitting on a contract, agreement, or other document that needs your signature, read it carefully before you sign. ******************************* CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Your physical energy is likely to be high today, Capricorn, so you might not feel like staying indoors.

Take care of your body first, and get in a good workout. ******************************* AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 18): An exciting rush of physical passion could hit you today when you’re introduced to an interesting new person, Aquarius. ******************************* PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Chores that need to be done around the house could be at the top of your priority list today, Pisces. A female visitor, perhaps your mother, could come by and making your place look great will preoccupy you.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Hanoman wins King’s Jewellery World Golf tourney Robert Hanoman rolled back the years in a tight race to triumph in the King’s Jewellery World sponsored Medal Play golf tournament as four players ended on net 68 recently at the Lusignan golf Club.

The experienced golfer shot net 68 but emerged winner on a countback from three-time Guyana Open winner Avenash Persaud (gross 71 handicap 3) who finished second Vijay Deo (gross 76 handicap 8) who placed third and Alfred Mentore fourth (gross 76 handicap 8).

Persaud who shot gross 71 received a prize for his feat while Patrick Prashad was Nearest to the Pin. The top players received trophies and other attractive prizes from the sponsors who were lauded by President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Jerome Khan for sponsoring the tournament for three successive years.

Khan said players look forward to Kings Jewellery World’s sponsorship because of the attractive incentive prizes that are awarded.

King’s Managing Director Ralph Persaud disclosed

Ralph Persaud, Managing Director of King’s Jewellery World and his two sons pose with winners and officials at the Lusignan Golf Club.

that his company was happy to sponsor the tournament once again and looked forward to working closely with the LGC in the future.

Meanwhile, the Annual MACORP sponsored tournament will take place on Saturday at LGC starting at 12:30hours.

Captain of the LGC, Rawle

Moore said that 38 players were already registered for the tournament by Wednesday with two days remaining before the close of entries.

Courts Pee Wee Football Tournament...

Teacher Ferdinand of Kettley Primary exuding confidence Teacher responsible for Kettley Primary School preparations to participate in the Courts Pee Wee Football Tournament, Philip Ferdinand, speaking with Kaieteur Sport at the school’s location two days ahead of the start of competition, exuded confidence of doing well.

Ferdinand said that the eagerness of the students have made it difficult for him to select the final composition of the team and he has now decided to wait until a final training session scheduled for tomorrow, at the National Park to do so.

“Initially I had about 20-plus students to choose from which I eventually reduced to 12 with the intention of picking a final 10, but even that is proving difficult for me right now and I’m thinking about taking all 12 to our opening game against St. Sidwell’s on Saturday,” Ferdinand told this newspaper.

Quizzed on the school’s preparations, Ferdinand disclosed that after an initial session talking about the rules of the game, he got down to teaching the basic rudiments of the sport including how to keep control of the ball, how to pass the ball and how to score goals and so far the students have been very receptive according to him.

In response to how difficult it was to come up with his final selection from such a large batch of students attending the school, Ferdinand said he first decided to choose those with a basic background of the game,

Philip Ferdinand before eliminating those who hadn’t.

He revealed that they’ve been able to practice for a total of five days so far and indications are that the boys have steadily improved over the period.

Meanwhile, opening day fixtures are as follows: Marian Academy versus St. Pius from 10:00hrs; St. Sidwell’s vs. Kettley; Green Acres vs. Sophia; Tucville vs. St. Gabriel’s; West Ruimveldt vs. Success Academy; St. Margaret’s vs. F.E Pollard; South Ruimveldt vs. Redeemer and North Georgetown vs. Enterprise.

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 27

West Indies’ success key to 2013 Champions Trophy (Reuters) - Eighteen days of international one-day cricket will provide an aperitif for next year’s Ashes series in England with the world governing body hoping to capitalise on West Indies’ success in the Twenty20 World Cup. The Champions

Trophy, a 50-overs tournament involving the world’s top eight one-day sides, has been a poor relation of the four-yearly World Cup and next year’s edition will be the last in this format.

It will be replaced in 2017 by the International Cricket

Council’s (ICC) inaugural test championship which will give each of the game’s three formats a single global trophy.

In the meantime, the ICC needs to sell a tournament which will be staged from June 6-23 at the Oval in London,

Stag Beer /EDFA Senior League - Second Round...

Leaders BV aiming for title with 7 games to play League leaders BV Triumph United already ecstatic with their qualification for the 2012/2013 edition of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super League will be going all out to win the Stag Beer sponsored East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Senior League which enters

the second and final round this weekend.

The BV side defeated Upper Demerara’s Silver Shattas comfortably in their two game relegation matches the past two weekends, 2-1 and 8-2 respectively. They are a confident unit now with 7 more games ahead of them in the East Coast League.

POINTS STANDING AFTER FIRST ROUND, EACH TEAM PLAYING 7 GAMES EACH: Teams Wins Loss Draw Goals Points Ann’s Grove 3 2 1 9 10 Buxton United 3 1 3 10 12 Buxton Stars 2 0 5 6 11 BVTU 5 1 1 9 16 Golden Stars 0 6 1 4 1 Mahaica 2 4 0 4 6 Plaisance 0 4 3 2 3 Victoria Kings 4 1 2 14 14

They have joined fellow East Coast side Buxton United as the other East Coast side in the GFF Super League.

BV will take on Victoria Kings in the feature game on Saturday at their home Ground with opening play between Ann’s Grove United and Golden Stars.

On Sunday, action will switch to the Buxton Ground when Plaisance will open against Buxton Stars to be followed by the main event featuring Mahaica Determinators and Buxton United. Matches will be played at 14:00hrs and 16:00hrs.

Priyanna Ramdhani, Elan Rahaman headline Marian Academy Badminton tournament The Marian Academy Primary School Badminton Tournament concluded on Tuesday at the school’s badminton courts and Priyanna Ramdhani & Elan Rahaman were crowned Boys & Girls Champions. The results of matches played are: Boys Singles SemiFinals: Gareth DaSilva defeated Demetrius DeAbreu: 11-5 Elan Rahaman defeated Amara Adams: 11-3 Boys Singles Final: Elan Rahaman defeated Gareth DaSilva: 11-1 Third Place: went to Demetrius DeAbreu who defeated Amara Adams: 11-5 Girls Singles QuarterFinals: Rebecca Ramlall defeated Sarah Samad: 11-2 Reba Ramlall defeated Angelie Balram: 11-7 Ria Persram defeated Rachael Ramlall: 11-1 Girls Singles SemiFinals: Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Rebecca Ramlal: 11-0 Ria Persram defeated Reba Ramlall: 11-1

Champs Priyanna Ramdhani and Elan Rahaman.

Girls Singles Final: Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Ria Persram: 11-1

Third Place: went to Rebecca Ramlall who defeated Reba Ramlall: 11-2.

Edgbaston in Birmingham and the Cardiff Wales stadium. At the official launch on Wednesday from the towering heights of the Millbank Tower, which overlooks the Oval in south London, tournament director Steve Elworthy said the competition would feature “seriously intense cricket”.

West Indies’ thrilling victory this month in the Twenty20 World Cup final, after they had appeared to be down and out against hosts Sri Lanka, is expected to generate renewed enthusiasm among London’s Caribbean community who flocked to the Oval during their team’s glory days in the

1980s.

“In the first two games at the Oval you have West Indies against Pakistan and then you have India versus the West Indies, that’s specifically because of the Caribbean community in and around the Oval,” Elworthy said.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson added: “Each team has matchwinners, there’s not a team in which you think I’m not going to bother going along and watching.”

England captain Alastair Cook said the tournament was an opportunity for his team to win their second global trophy following their victory

in the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup. “We’ve only won one ICC tournament and we’d like to win another one,” he said.

“We’ve got a really good home record and the conditions suit our style of play so we’ve got an opportunity as a side to do something really special.

“We’ve played some really good one-day cricket and we’re quite a balanced side over the last 18 months or so. “We’ve still got a huge amount of potential and work to do to reach where we would like to be, to keep consistency in our play.

What’s important for me as a captain is we keep on improving.”

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Persaud and Ali highlight latest GFSCA Softball results for October 14 Ravendra Persaud (119 N.O.) and Zulfikar Ali (94 N.O.) shone for Young Guns in latest round of matches in the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association Softball (GFSCA) Softball tournament.

The GFSCA tournament sponsored by Mike’s Pharmacy, Ariel Enterprise, Trophy Stall, Ramchand Auto

Spares, Survival, Motor Trend, and Petama Enterprise, continued last Sunday with several matches.

In the Results: Herstelling def. Queens Park Rangers by 61 runs.

Herstelling 166-9 off 15 overs.

Omesh Narine 88, Shameer Fazal 32. S. Ramsaran 3-34.

Queens Park 105 all out. S. Hussain 3-12.

One Love def. Renegade by 110 runs. One Love 187-4 off 10 overs. R. Sawh71, F. Khan 42 N.O, R. Singh 26 N.O. Renegade 77-7 off 10 overs.

R. Singh 2-15, R. Sawh 2-10.

Princess Hotel All Stars Def. Renegade 1 wicket.

Renegade 109-9 off 15 overs.

Chris 27, Asif 4-22, Princess Hotel All Stars 113-9 off 15 overs. V. Singh 26, Chris 3-18.

Shortman def. El Commandante by 12 runs.

Shortman 187-6 off 15 overs, Chris 80. El Commandante 175 all out off 15 overs, Balram 42.

Builders Lumber Yard Def. Desperado by 68 runs.

Builders 159-9 off 15 overs, L. Samaroo 44 N.O. Desperado 90 All out , R. Bicessar 3-4, C. Harrichand 3-6.

L.B.I Top Gun def.

Lusignan Third Street by 66 runs. L.B.I Top Gun 176-6 off 15 overs, N.Khan 82, R. Dowlatram 34. Lusignan Third Street 108-9 off 15 overs, N. Khan 4-11.

Lusignan Third Street def.

Builders Lumber Yard by 2 wickets. Builders Lumber Yard 89 all out, C. Das 3-28.

Lusignan Third Street 93-8, L. Somrah 3-10.

Success Warriors def.

Front Liners by 4 wickets.

Front Liners 117 all out, M. Persaud 4-22. Success Warriors 118-6 off 13.2 overs, N. Boodhoo 42, Raghunandan Narine 3-17.

Bedi Ramjewan Masters def. Wellman by 4 wickets.

Wellman 190-10 off 25 overs, N. Samlall 72, G. De Franco 30.

Bedi Ramjewan Masters 1947 off 23 overs, Ishwar Persaud 68, Danny Gangadin 42, Jaggernauth Singh 32, G. De Franco 3-28.

Young guns def. East Bankers by 134 runs. Young guns 255-2 off 15 overs, Zulfikar Ali 94 n.o. (12x6, 5x4), R. Persaud 119 N.O (14x6-6x4).

East Bankers 121-9 off 15

overs, Suresh Ramdin 31, R. Bacchus 3-16 (taking a hattrick).

Front Liners Masters def.

Dynamic Security Force by 7 wickets. Dynamic Security Force 153-9 off 20 overs, Randolph Perreira 53, Mohamed Rafeek 3-12. Front Liners Masters 154-4 off 16 overs, Linden Mc Coy 63, Sunil Ramesh 2-31.

Challengers def.

Amelia’s Furniture Store by 6 wickets. Amelia’s Furniture Store 91 all out off 13.4 overs, Dayanand Singh 3-7, Dyram Ramnauth 3-16. Challengers 92-4 off 6.3 overs, Randy Ketwaru 30, Steve Ali 2-11, Aley Singh 2-21.

Rockaway def. Amelia’s Furniture Store by 106 runs.

Rockaway 191-7 off 15 overs, Jagdesh Deosaran 54 ,Rishie Singh 80. Amelia’s Furniture Store 85alloutoff14.5overs.LeonMorgan 42, Rakesh Boodeam 3-8, C. Hariprashad 3-15.

Savage Masters def.

Enterprise Legends by 45 runs. Savage Masters 179-5 off 15 overs, Ramo Malone 88, Falim Mohamed 52.

Enterprise 134 all out off 23.3 overs, Kaleel Mohamed 32, Anil Rambarran 4-24.

Digicel maintains...

From back page which was conducted in the Digicel Boardroom were Head of Marketing Jacqueline James, GTTA’s Assistant General Secretary Linden Johnson and Public Relations Manager Shonnet Moore.

James in her remarks remained all present of Digicel’s commitment to sports, adding that that is one of the primary reasons for them being on board.

She recognized the efforts being made by the GTTA in aggressively promoting the tournament, a development which she said they are happy about.

“We have seen the tournament grow in numbers and it is clear that next year will be even bigger,” James stated.

She thanked the GTTA for having them on board and promised to remain on board in the future.

Johnson gave a synopsis of the format of the tournament, adding that is serves as a channel to help prepare players at that level for various other tournaments locally and regionally.

The categories to be contested are 11 and under to the 18 and under and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each category.

Majola guilty...

From page 32 AGM on October 27.

They may also have to appoint a new chief executive if Majola loses his job after the sanctions have been announced. Jacques Faul, the acting chief executive, and Haroon Lorgat, the former ICC boss, are believed to be in the running.

Majola’s hearing was due to be complete by the end of May but it was delayed when he contested the appointed chairperson. The challenge was successful because John

Myburgh, who was to hear the proceedings, made an advisory award against Majola and he was believed not to be impartial in the matter because of that.

Tip was then appointed and the hearing started last Wednesday. Majola has since launched a challenge in the country’s Labour Court.

He is challenging the legitimacy of the action taken against him over the last year, particularly the decision to hold a disciplinary hearing against him.

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Trophy Stall, FK Angels, Success Masters reign supreme Trophy Stall, Fazal Kayume’s (FK) Angels and Success Masters were the respective winners of The Regal Stationery and Computer Centre (RSCC)/ Guyana Softball League (GSL) organised three-tier Nationwide Softball Competition which concluded on Sunday last with three finals, at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown.

After an enthralling day of cricket, inaugural GT&T 10/ 10 champions Trophy Stall emerged winners of the Male Open competition; Success Masters won the Over-35 Male division; and Fazal Kayume’s Angels carted off the Female Open title.

In the Male Open championship game, Trophy Stall thrashed South Stars XI of Linden by eight wickets in the 10-over affair.

Sent in to bat after losing the toss, South Stars XI were dismissed for a measly 48 from just seven overs with eventual Man-of-the-Match, Ramnarine Latchman, returning remarkable figures of 3-6 from two miserly overs.

Fazal Rafeek and Randy

Katwaroo supported with two wickets apiece.

In reply, Trophy Stall blazed to victory, reaching 502 from 5.1 overs to be the recipient of the $100,000 first prize and trophy. South Stars XI had to settle for the runnerup prize of $40,000.

In the Over-35 final, Success Masters secured a six-wicket win over Better Hope to take the $100,000 top prize and trophy.

Better Hope took first strike and managed to post a challenging 146-8 from the allotted 20 overs, but that proved to be insufficient.

Success Masters’ run chase was made easy through a second wicket partnership of 101 between Hakeem Majeed and Vijay Baljit. Majeed led the way with 55, while Baljit made 51 as Success coasted to 147-4 from 18.2 overs.

For their effort, the Better Hope men collected $40,000.

The Female Open final was also keenly contested with FK Angels inflicting a seven-wicket defeat on All Star Conquerors of Linden.

Batting first, All Stars Conquerors posted 82-4 from

The victorious Trophy Stall team poses with their hardware following the presentation ceremony on Sunday.

10 overs to which FK Angels responded with 83-3 with exactly two overs to spare.

Vanessa Choonoo starred with bat and ball for the

champions, taking two wickets and hitting an unbeaten 24. For the victory, FK Angels pocketed $50,000, while All Star Conquerors

collected $25,000.

The competition was sponsored by Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Star Party Rental,

Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Click Computer Store and Mike’s Copy Centre. It was organised by the Guyana Softball League.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

Costa Rica eases into hex, 7-0 over Guyana CONCACAF Site - SAN JOSE, Costa Rica Randall Brenes and Alvaro Saborio scored two goals each and led Costa Rica’s 7-0 victory over Guyana on Tuesday that confirmed the Ticos’ passage into the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

Cristian Gamboa, Cristian Bolanos and Celso Borges also had goals for Costa Rica, which advanced to the “hexagonal” round for the fifth straight time since it was introduced for the 1998 World Cup. Costa Rica finished in second place with 10 points in Group B, eight behind Mexico and five ahead of El Salvador, which lost to Mexico 2-0 in a match played simultaneously in Torreon.

Guyana, which already had been eliminated, finished the final 40 minutes with 10 men after Walter Moore was issued a second yellow card, and the “Golden Jaguars” completed the semifinal round with one point in six games, outscored 24-5.

Brenes and Gamboa scored four minutes apart to put Costa Rica ahead 2-0 by the 14th minute, and Costa Rica added five second-half goals to complete the rout.

The goal binge was the most scoring for Costa Rica since a 7-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Suriname in September 2008.

Brenes added to the lead in the 48th and Saborio scored his first by converting a penalty in the 51st after Moore was ejected.

Bolanos added his goal in the 60th and Borges in the 71st before Saborio completed the rout in the 76th, making him Costa Rica’s leading scorer with six goals in as many games.

Costa Rica midfielder Alvaro Saborio (right), challenged by Guyana’s Charles Pollard (left), scored two goals to help the Ticos to a 7-0 victory and increase his total to six in World Cup qualifying (Photo by Imagenes en Costa Rica).

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Physically challenged athletes in fund raising drive for NY Marathon A team of physically challenged athletes managed by amputee William ‘The Conqueror’ France are on a fund raising drive to cover their expenses to participate in the New York Marathon on November 4.

The athletes, Dennis Burns, Andre Richardson, John Antoo, Steve Charles, Indi Ramnauth and Yvonne DeAbreu along with Manager William France have been on the drive and have done very well to date under the circumstances faced as they prepare to head to the West Demerara area to continue their drive this weekend.

They have so far realised $588,000 of the $980,000 needed to take the team to the United States. They are still looking for additional assistance but must be commended for their self help effort. France expressed heartfelt thanks to all the persons that have assisted so far noting the assistance from the people at Berbice and especially the Police at Fort

Some members of the team that will be participating in the New York Marathon on November 4.

Wellington including ASP Jairam, Sgt Thomas and Cpl Benjamin who made a part of the journey with the athletes as they did a walk in the Berbice area recently to raise funds. France also noted the help from George Humphrey, Neil Kumar, Ramchand Auto Sales and Brains Watch World.

They have so far held walks in Essequibo, East Coast, East Bank and Berbice and the West Demerara is the target area this weekend.

France noted that not much attention is given to disabled athletes and he hope that trend will change in the very near future and also that businesses could come out and assist them this time and in the future in relation to sponsorship.

He highlighted the difficulties faced in obtaining sponsorship especially form some big establishments, but noted the help form members of the public so far, for which the team is very grateful.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 18, 2012

England and Serbia charged Majola guilty

by Uefa after racism claims on all charges Uefa has charged the Football Associations of England and Serbia in the wake of Tuesday’s Under-21 match.

The Serbian FA has been charged with alleged racist chanting by fans and both associations over the behaviour of players at the end of the game.

Violent scenes erupted shortly after Connor Wickham

scored in the 90th minute to give England a 1-0 win.

The cases will be discussed at the next ordinary hearing of the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body on 22 November. A Uefa statement read: “Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against both the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) and England’s Football

Association (FA) following a number of incidents during and after England’s 1-0 win over Serbia in the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off second leg at the Mladost stadium in Krusevac on Tuesday 16 October 2012.

“Regarding alleged racist chanting, UEFA will instigate proceedings against the FSS

over the misconduct of their supporters during and at the end of the match. Proceedings will also be instigated against the FSS for the improper conduct of the Serbia players at the end of the match.

“UEFA will also commence proceedings against the FA for the improper conduct of the England players at the end of the match.”

Gerald Majola Cricinfo - Gerald Majola, the suspended CSA chief executive, has been found guilty on all nine charges laid against him at his disciplinary hearing, including accepting bonuses, not declaring them to the board and wrongdoing around travel claims.

The sanction against him will only be decided on Friday, although it is likely he will be fired.

Majola’s hearing took place without him after he withdrew from proceedings last week. He was invited to appear before chairperson Karel Tip for the decision yesterday but chose not to.

He could still make an appearance today to make submissions on the sanction that will be handed down.

When that takes place it will bring to an end an almost three-year long saga over which has centred on R4.7 million (then US$ 671,428) in bonuses that were paid to Majola and 29 other staff members after the hosting of the 2009 IPL in South Africa.

Three separate investigations found that the money was not properly declared to the board and contravened principles of corporate governance.

Suspicion first emerged when CSA’a auditors picked up the payments as an irregularity in August 2009. At the time, sources close to the body maintained that the payments were made in accordance with precedents set during other non-CSA events, such as the 2007 World Twenty20.

The then-president Dr

Nyoka called for a more thorough look into the matter.

CSA initially said they would have an external enquiry but decided to exhaust their internal mechanisms first and moved the matter in-house.

AK Khan chaired the commission and cleared Majola of any wrongdoing but reprimanded him for making an error of judgement in not declaring the money.

On Nyoka’s insistence - after having votes of no confidence passed against him twice and winning a court battle - CSA had to subject itself to an audit by major firm KPMG. Their investigation recommended CSA seek legal advice on whether Majola broke the law.

After hearing testimony from a lawyer, the board chose to reprimand Majola severely in response.

The action was deemed to be unsatisfactory by the country’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula. He stepped in and ordered that another investigation be conducted under Judge Chris Nicholson.

Hearings were held from December last year to February 2012 and in March, Nicholson issued his findings. The two most notable ones were that Majola be suspended pending a disciplinary hearing and that CSA restructure its board.

The latter is almost complete. On Tuesday CSA announced the five independent directors who will sit on the new board and will appoint five provincial presidents to join them at the (Continued on page 28)

Thursday October 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

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GABBFF Seniors 2012 – ‘Rise of the Machines’

Banks Vita Malt Plus & Giftland Officemax chips in Banks DIH Limited under their Vita Malt Plus beverage and Giftland Officemax are the latest business entities to lend support to the Guyana Amateur Body Building & Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Senior Championships set for this Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Vita Malt Plus Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie who handed over the cheque to GABBFF General Secretary Videsh Sookram reminded of his company’s continued commitment to the development of body building in Guyana over the years.

McKenzie also stated that they have been on board with the Hugh Ross Classic since its inception a few years ago and they will remain committed to body building for many years to come. He encouraged not only athletes but all lovers of keeping fit and exercising to use Vita Malt Plus which is a healthy non alcoholic beverage.

Giftland Officemax Marketing Manager Compton Bobb handed over his company’s contribution to GABBFF representative Kerwin Clarke, who is the reigning Hugh Ross Classic overall winner; 2012 Novice overall winner. Clarke also won a bronze medal at the recently concluded CAC championships in the Lightweight category.

Bobb also reminded of his company’s dedication to supporting the growth of Guyanese sportsmen and women.

“Over the years we’ve demonstrated that commitment across the board in tangible terms.

Bodybuilding is one of the sports that we have been supporting and encouraging Guyana at large to exercise and stay fit since it contributes to being healthy and that is what we would love to see, a healthy population.”

Meanwhile, reigning Mr. Guyana Clint Duke will headline the list of competitors that will be vying for the prestigious title on Saturday.

Some of the other male athletes that will be in contention are Devon Davis who is fresh from his gold medal performance in the Flyweight category at the 2012 edition of the CAC championships, he also won the Bantamweight division at this year’s HRC. Heavyweight champion at the HRC Michael Dos Santos; Rudolph Blackman {2010 Novice overall winner}; Alister Lancaster {winner of the 2012 HRC Lightweight & Flex Night Berbice Regional winner}, Rosco Joseph {2010 Novice Lightweight champ}.

Curtis McKenzie of Curtis Workout will compete in the Men’s Body Fitness category.

Headlining the female segment of competition are Alicia Fortune {Reigning Ms. Body Fitness & 2012 HRC Ms. Physique}along with Nadina Taharally {2012 HRC Ms. Figure}.

Following are the categories that will be contested on Saturday:

Marketing Manager of Giftland Officemax Compton Bobb hands over their contribution to GABBFF’s Kerwin Clarke.

Flyweight (132 lbs); Bantamweight (143 lbs); Lightweight (154 lbs); Welterweight (165 lbs); Light Middleweight (176 lbs); Heavyweight (177 lbs & up); Men’s Fitness; Masters Men; Ms. Body Fitness and Ms. Fitness.

(Franklin Wilson)

Vita Malt Plus Brand Manager Clayton Mc Kenzie presents the cheque to GABBFF General Secretary Videsh Sookram.

t r o Sp Digicel maintains support for Courts confirms partnership with GTTA’s Schools Tournament National Schools’ Championship

Head of Marketing Jacqueline James hands over one of the trophies to Acting President of the GTTA Godfrey Munroe in the presence of Assistant General Secretary Linden Johnson and Digicel’s PRO Shonnet Moore yesterday.

R

eferring to it as critical for the sustenance of the production of new players, Acting President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Godfrey Munroe, speaking yesterday during a briefing called to confirm Digicel’s support for the National Schools Tournament, thanked the Cellular Company for its sustained assistance towards the event.

Munroe, who took over the office in the interim after former President and Commissioner of Police Henry Greene died in a road accident spoke of the importance of the tournament which is in its third year, informing that it helps the GTTA identify new talent to harness and therefore aids in the

sustainability of their long term programme of producing players of quality at every level.

He reported that the tournament has grown tremendously since its inception three years ago and pointed to this year’s entries as even exceeding that of last year, a testament to the growing popularity in the sport.

Munroe, a former national champion disclosed that entries from Georgetown, Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 have been received and over thirty schools have confirmed participation in the tournament which is scheduled to start tomorrow and run until Sunday, at the National Gymnasium.

Among those present at the ceremony (Continued on page28 )

Courts’ Director of Operations, Laverne Bakker (second, right), Main Street Branch General Manager, Pamela Humphrey and Marketing Assistant, Kester Abrams (right) make the presentation to Co-Chairman of the National Schools’ Championship Management Committee, Glendon Fogenay (left) and Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Edison Jefford yesterday.

C

ourts Guyana yesterday f o r m a l l y confirmed its partnership with the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships that will be held during November 19-13 at the National Stadium,

Providence and National Aquatics Centre.

The furniture and appliance giants handed over a cheque worth $300,000 to the National Schools Championship Management Committee at its Main Street Branch with the company’s Marketing Assistant, Kester Abrams, stating that the donation is an effort to continue to develop the event to new levels of success.

Abrams said that Courts is always eager to promote sports among youth and it is satisfying to be promoting a healthier lifestyle in the process.

“The best of the country’s student-athletes will be competing at the Schools’ Championships and as a result, they deserve to be treated as the best,” he observed, adding that some of these athletes may go on to represent Guyana at the C A R I F TA G a m e s a n d beyond.

The National Schools’ Championships is the country’s premier schools’ cycling, swimming and athletics event with approximately 1700 athletes from districts across Guyana, competing over a five-day period for s u p r e m a c y. N o r t h Georgetown, District 11 is the defending overall champion and the quest has

already begun with several inter-school contests across Guyana.

Marketing and Public Relations Officer for the National Championships, Edison Jefford, thanked Courts for their support, urging them to remain a long-standing partner with the event since it has an outstanding track record in terms of support for sports.

“Courts has been supporting sports heavily, especially track and field.

They have even adopted a signature event, The Courts 10km Road Race. Courts must be applauded for their efforts because without corporate support it is extremely difficult to move sports forward,” he said.

Jefford noted that the National Schools Championship is one of the best events to partner with in the development of sports in Guyana since it builds sports from an educational perspective and is stretched from primary to secondary institutions.

The National Schools’ Championship is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and Guyana Teachers’ Union with Digicel in a three-year Memorandum of Understanding. Over the last three years the event has attracted significant corporate support.

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