Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

Sliding further downhill

The majority of our skilled people is migrating, and not only does this not augur well for the future, it means that the country is getting less for its investment in human development; training people is a very costly exercise. The country is gradually sliding downhill and those with alternatives are quickly taking their leave. In other words, not taking chances with their chances. For as long as we could remember we have been producing our own teachers, nurses, skilled artisans and the like. Such was our training regimen that all those who graduated were good enough to work in any part of the world. There was a time when the cost of living was such that we were content to stay and serve. But there was always the lure of life overseas. That lure now has so many of us leaving that we cannot train people fast enough and even those we train are never good enough because their foundation was rather weak. Things had even reached the stage where we were forced to lower the entrance qualifications to our top learning institutions. What makes it worse is that all those who leave seem to have very good reasons. People can now say that they left because of the crime situation. In the past they said that they were running from a dictatorship. Some even left because, as they said, they were the victims of discrimination. What we do not hear a lot of is the migration of people because they are dissatisfied with the pay. This was the talk for most of the time, as recruiters came from every part of the world to solicit skilled people from Guyana. Our decision-makers are wise enough to realise that they cannot stop the outward flow of the skilled people. They also say that they cannot match the financial rewards offered elsewhere. But there must be something that we could do. It is a given fact that we do not have the money to recruit foreign skills to replace those that we have lost. Other countries have been able to secure foreign funding to help them replace the lost skills and the people from those countries do not migrate in the numbers like we have been doing. It has been recognised that foreign aid cannot develop a country, but foreign investment would. Foreign investment would also help reduce the brain drain, but there must be something that the government must do. It must allow the foreign investor to pay the kind of wages that the investor feels is real. The government often dictated to the investor the kind of money that he/she should pay to avoid a conflict within the society. What is considered a fair pay in most societies would be seen as super salaries in Guyana, given the low value of our currency. But even before any investors come, a lot has to happen. One of the things in particular is political stability. By no stretch of imagination can we say that we have a stable political climate in Guyana. Every time it seems as though something is going to happen to make the climate stable, someone or some event serves to widen the rift between the parties. More recently, the various parties have been trading barbs over Local Government Elections. One wonders why its importance should even be debated. Probably the administration has the answer. And we appear to be heading for more heartache. Common ground has not been, and it seems will not be, reached on anti-money laundering legislation, and we are resigned to our fate. Whatever the case, one can expect continued bouts of hostility, especially between the two major Parliamentary entities. Of course this will do absolutely no good for political stability, and consequently we can safely assume that no meaningful foreign investor is going to come. Without these foreign investors the economy is going to slide further downhill and our skilled persons will continue to leave at an alarmingly high rate. What is most worrying is that no one seems to be doing anything to effect a change in our condition. No one seems to care.

Saturday October 25, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

The importance of Local Government Elections is indisputable DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to share some of the reasons why I think Local Government Elections (LGE) are important in Guyana: 1. The election process provides a means of connecting the community and persons elected by the community to govern them in terms of Local Government. It also enhances the representative relationship that exists between them. 2. It will strengthen the democratic process, since people will get to elect their own representatives 3. LGE will give our African Guyanese brothers and sisters the opportunity to at least have a greater say in the communities and municipalities where they make-up the majority of the electorate. It will empower our African Guyanese brothers and sisters who are currently, for all intents and purposes, totally dis-

empowered. Our current system has practically reduced them to second class citizens in the country of their birth. At the national level they have been stripped of all Political Power, despite the fact that we have a minority government. This system is highly untenable, callous, pernicious, totally unacceptable, and has no place in contemporary politics. They are also Guyanese, and like all of us they too crave for the same ethnic security we enjoy. Their foreparents slaved for centuries (before the coming of our ancestors) and so they also have a birthright to their share of the political space, and a right to selfdetermination. I do also believe that in the interest of peace, unity, security, and prosperity that this is a conversation whose time has come. 4. It will help to foster greater unity and co-

operation as people in each Municipality and NDC will have a greater say in the governance of their respective communities. 5. It will help to build trust among various ethnic groups, where everyone will feel respected, as they will become an integral part of the decision-making process. 6. It will be a big boost to national security, as greater unity will lead to a more cohesive approach in tackling crime. 7. It will help to promote greater accountability, as elected representatives will have to answer directly to the people in their immediate communities. 8. We will be able to achieve much more with so many talented citizens involved in building local communities – the law of Delegation. We will get to take advantage of the talent that resides in various organizations and political

parties. This will be a great blessing, given the already scarce supply of much needed skill sets - as a result of the mass exodus of our human capital. 9. It will help to prepare and develop leadership skills among thousands of citizens who will be involved in leading their local communities. These skills, once developed, can then be transferred or utilized at the national level to move our country forward. I do strongly believe that at this juncture in our history, and given the current political landscape, that the nation’s interest will be better served by convening Local Government Elections first, as opposed to General Elections. Further, given our current experience, it will be prudent that the date for future LGEs be fixed and enshrined in law, so that the nation will no longer be held to ransom by a recalcitrant (Continued on page 5)

Shifting to competitive production depends on ‘STEM’ & ‘HRD’ DEAR EDITOR, It was refreshing to see the recent long letter written by our Honourable Prime Minister advising that “we must shift from distribution and redistribution to production and productivity”. Our experienced PM must be complimented for taking this stand and with respect, I wish to humbly underscore that any such shift requires a strategic re-orientation and determined push to re-direct action on: • STEM i.e. graduates in S c i e n c e , Te c h n o l o g y, Engineering and Management to facilitate the changes; • HRD i.e. Human

Resource Development to sustain change or, as our learned PM reminded us, learning to fish in order to feed ourselves for life. I was especially impressed by the PM’s frank acknowledgement that his decades of experience in the bauxite industry taught him that “business success does not come easily and socialists tend to underestimate, under-value and even belittle the contribution of the capitalists”. My own experience in the ‘capitalist run’ sugar and rum industries leads me to a similar conclusion. I believe that most Guyanese of the

same vintage as the PM and myself will readily recall Bauxite’s and Booker’s substantial attention to technical training and human resource development via apprenticeships to produce tradesmen and operatives, plus cadetships/scholarships for development of the managerial and executive cadres. Many ‘graduates’ of these initiatives became successful captains of industry, enterprises and organizations at home and abroad. Interestingly, our PM also adverts to the issues of income disparities and the role of taxation in earnings

re-distribution. I do not think we should ignore the power of solid, relevant education, skills training and attitudinal/behavioral changes as natural levers (as opposed to contrived, manipulated taxation) to address income inequalities and maldistribution of earnings. Furthermore, I believe a concerted refocus and possible expansion of the role and programs of entities like the Boards of Industrial Training and TVET as well as our Technical Institutes across the country, are necessary steps at this stage of our (under)development. Nowrang Persaud

CARICOM should be involved in salvaging this desperate situation DEAR EDITOR, Cricketing nations the world over, as well as the diehard fans in the Caribbean and the wider world, are at a loss as to the recent silly action by their cricketers to return home in the midst of a tour because of a financial dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), and are now wondering what will be future of the game as far as the West Indies is concerned. At the moment it seems to be grim. As I have said

before, blame must be attributed not only to the players, and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), but should also be placed on the WICB for not intervening and prevent the standoff between the cricketers and their bargaining agent. I also wish to cast blame on Clive Lloyd, former captain, who was in India at the time of the walkout. Clive, although he is merely Chairman of the Selection Committee, and

not President of the WICB, is well respected by the players, since he was the most successful captain who led the West Indies. I am certain if he had strong words with Dwayne Bravo and his teammates they would have backed down from their plan. Another captain, Richie Richardson, was there also as an official, and one wonders if he did not try to dissuade the cricketers from their foolish action. Clive apologized and in a

report from New Delhi apologized for the walkout. He said that the players had made a mistake and went further to express the hope that the players’ action would not damage the outstanding relationship between the two cricketing nations. I am not certain about this, since The Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) is hopping mad, as they have lost tens of millions of dollars and their (Continued on page 5)

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

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

The problems facing mankind require global solutions DEAR EDITOR, We live in a world that is far from perfect. And while it is impossible to create a trouble-free and perfect world, there can be no doubt that much more could be done by those who control the reins of power to make this planet we live in much more hospitable and ecofriendly. United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2014, highlighted a series of disasters afflicting millions of people, most of which were man-made and therefore avoidable, only if there were more enlightened policies and greater tolerance for diversity by those in whose hands power is entrusted. What is disturbing is the smothering of hope by so many people whose life and living conditions continue to get worse despite promises and pledges by policymakers to put in place measures to improve the quality of life of the poor and downtrodden. The speech delivered by the Secretary-General does not leave much room for hope. “Every year at this time, hope fills this hall; the hope embodied in the Charter of the United Nations; the hopes of leaders who speak from this podium; the hopes of peoples across the world who hear these promises. This year, the horizon of hope is darkened. Our hearts are made very heavy by unspeakable acts and the deaths of innocents. Cold War ghosts have returned to haunt our times. We have seen much of the Arab Spring go violently wrong.” According to Ban Kimoon, not since the Second World War have there been so many refugees, displaced people and asylum seekers. Never before has the United Nations been asked to reach

so many people with emergency food assistance and other life-saving supplies. Diplomacy, he said, is on the defensive, undermined by those who believe in violence. Diversity is under assault by extremists who insist that their way is the only way. Disarmament is viewed as a distant dream, sabotaged by profiteers of perpetual warfare. It may seem as if the world is falling apart, as crises pile up and diseases multiply. The problems are not insurmountable but require concerted political action. Indeed, it was precisely for that reason the United Nations was established, but many of its decisions are being ignored or not acted upon by member countries, in particular the bigger powers who enjoy veto powers. Unless there are fundamental structural changes in terms of governance and decisionmaking, the Secretary General would continue to lament the lack of progress. My own view is that the time is long overdue to abandon the veto-system in the UN Security Council and allow for more democratic decision-making involving all members of the General Assembly, rather than leaving important decisions on war and peace in the hands of a few powerful states. Further, decisions taken and commitments made must not be honoured in the breach. Take for example the pledges made during the

1990s, which was supposed to be the Development Decade. The industrialized countries agreed to contribute 0.7 percent of their GDP for development assistance to the developing world, but a mere 0.1 percent was actually made available in that regard. The problems facing mankind are global in nature and therefore require global solutions. The way forward is for the developing and the developed world to work together in partnership and not against each other as is currently the case. Indeed, the balance of forces are now shifting in favour of what was once described as emerging economies, with China now taking centre stage in terms of global trade and commerce. Brazil, India and Russia are also on the rise economically,

which is altering the trade equation between the developing and the developed world, more particularly the United States and Western Europe. Barriers to free and balanced trade between the heavily industrialized North and the developing South still exist. There are still too many trade and quota restrictions which limit the extent to which small countries can take advantage of their full market potential. In addition, rich countries still continue to offer huge subsidies to their farmers which give them a competitive edge over farmers from the developing world. There is need for a new global architecture in which the poor countries can compete on an even footing in terms of market share and access. Hydar Ally

The importance of Local... From page 4 President, and Local Government Minister. This power should be removed from these offices as a matter of priority so that future generations will not be similarly violated. Local Government democracy, once embraced, will help to leapfrog development in local communities, and fos-

ter greater unity among our peoples at all levels. This is a great opportunity for President Donald Ramotar to leave a proud legacy. I do hope that he has the political will, and the wisdom to seize on it as it is indeed a win-win for all our peoples. Artie Ricknauth

CARICOM should... From page 4 fans were deprived of seeing the Windies in action. As a result, they have threatened legal action and moreso seek intervention by the International Cricket Council (ICC) the World’s governing body and plan to scrap India’s tour to the West Indies in 2015. Of course it will interfere with Windies participation in the upcoming World Cup. What would be detrimental to most of the players is a ban on them playing in the lucrative Indian Premier League. Former captain Courtney Walsh criticized the players and said that they should have never walked out in the midst of a tour, while world renowned commentator, Barbados-born Tony Cozier, like me, blames the WIPA, WICB and the players. He said all three clearly failed to appreciate the damaging consequences such drastic decision was bound to have on them all. It seems to me that the

players had planned their embarrassing action. Why didn’t they inform the Board that they would not play unless their demands were met, before they departed for India? Maybe the WICB would have selected a second string squad as they did during the Kerry Packer debacle when Alvin Kallicharran replaced Lloyd as captain and several “A” team players would have been drafted in the team. Well there is now a dilemma and every effort should be made to resolve the matter in order to bring cricket back to where it was. We must always remember that cricket is our culture, and the best medium for Caribbean integration followed by the University of the West Indies, therefore the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) should be involved and that regional Body should move as speedily as possible to salvage the desperate situation. Oscar Ramjeet

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Saturday October 25, 2014

Guyana staves off Intl. Delay in reconvening National Assembly blacklisting again Clash of the Whips…

due to Granger, Ramotar talks -Teixeira -There are discussions but this subject is not on the agenda – Ally By: Kiana Wilburg Government’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira sought to set the record straight last night on the fact that Opposition’s Whip, Amna Ally, has been “economical” with the truth surrounding government’s delay in setting a date for the reconvening of the National Assembly. Teixeira also sought to reassure the citizenry that the delay in setting a date is only due to the overriding interest in allowing the engagement with the Leader of the Opposition, David Granger and President Donald Ramotar to evolve. However, after being informed of this response, Ally said that this is not the case. The Government had made it clear that they had the right in setting the date for the Parliamentary sitting since it came out of recess in October 10. It was agreed by the parliamentarians that the Whips would meet in the Parliamentary Management Committee and arrive at a suitable date. Ally had told the media that she had contacted Teixeira and communicated to her that the Opposition would like an early sitting, before month end at that. Ally had told this publication that since she told Teixeira of the request of the Opposition, she has not heard from her since. However, Teixeira

Opposition Whip, Amna Ally

Govt. Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

explained that she spoke with Ally on several occasions with regard to the dates proposed by the Alliance For Change (AFC), those being October 16, 22, and 24. She made it clear that they both agreed that those dates were not suitable. “She, then, suggested October 30 and within 24 hours, called and said on checking her schedule that this date would clash with other planned events of the A Partnership for National Unity. I agreed to her request,” Teixeira claimed. She said that there was a “tacit understanding” that the Parliamentary sitting would be held in the early part of November. “I reminded her and reiterated on more than one occasions that once there

was an opening and the President and Leader of the Opposition were engaged in some kind of dialogue that this process should be given a chance to evolve. I told her l would await the outcome of this engagement and advised her to do the same. As Chief Whip, I have abided with the engagement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, however, it appears that Ms. Ally as Opposition Whip is coming under undue pressure from the A.F.C. and the more belligerent elements of the A.P.N.U. and as a result is having a difficult time,” The Chief Whip articulated in her statement to the press. She stressed that this should not in any way lead the public to believe that the government is fearful of

convening a sitting or in addressing the AFC’s NoConfidence Motion. “We are prepared to convene a sitting at any time,” She asserted. After being apprised of Teixeira’s comments, Ally told this publication that it is unfortunate that there was not a third party to the telephone conversation between herself and the government’s chief Whip. She said that her telephone conversations with Teixeira was based on negotiating a date for convening the sitting of the National Assembly but such conversations only produced excuses. She made it clear however that while Teixeira is saying that the delay is due to talks between Opposition Leader, David Granger and President Donald Ramotar, the subject of reconvening of the National Assembly is not on their agenda. “I consider this dillydallying and the government chief whip is going around in circles to come up with an agreement for us to have Parliament reconvene. Let it be pellucid that I am in no way under pressure by the AFC or elements of the APNU nor can they put me in such an awkward position. I fear nothing or no one…unlike Ms. Teixeira, who uses the public media to mislead the Guyanese nation, I don’t,” Ally concluded.

…would have triggered Regional and General Elections-Dr. Luncheon Dr. Roger Luncheon

Guyana has again managed to stave off international blacklisting following another review by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF). This past week, FATF concluded its most recent review of Guyana’s compliance with the various recommendations made, but despite its shortcomings, the country was granted more time to “put its house in order.” The announcement came yesterday, when Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon provided an update on the recent meeting in which the Guyana delegation was headed by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. In avoiding blacklisting by FATF, Dr. Luncheon announced too that Guyana, at least in the meantime, has avoided having to go to the polls for General and Regional Elections. According to Dr. Luncheon, President Donald Ramotar had made it pellucid that any untoward decision against Guyana because of the intransigence of the Parliamentary Opposition would have been one of the factors that would have triggered his resolve to return to the polls. “Guyana has staved off blacklisting, and indeed has not been the subject of any decision by FATF of further blacklisting…Guyana has been provided with time to put its house in order and essentially to conclude its efforts to enact FATF compliant AML/CFT.” Following the review held in Paris, FATF reminded that Guyana has made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and CFATF to address its strategic AML/ CFT deficiencies. The body noted that Guyana will work on implementing its action plan to address the deficiencies. The deficiencies identified by FAFT/CFATF includes adequately criminalizing money laundering and terrorist financing; establishing and implementing adequate procedures for the

confiscation of assets related to money laundering; establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets; establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; establishing effective measures for customer due diligence and enhancing financial transparency; strengthening suspicious transaction reporting requirements; and implementing an adequate supervisory framework. As it relates to the passage of the relevant legislation locally, the amendments to the AML/CFT legislation has been engaging the attention of the political parties in the House at the level of a Special Select Committee. Fielding questions from media operatives following his post cabinet press engagement, Dr. Luncheon informed that there is a new deadline Guyana is now working towards to enact its legislation among other deficiencies. He said that in September 2015, Guyana will again come up for review. Over the course of the deliberations in Paris, Nandlall handed over a Letter of Commitment from President Donald Ramotar to President of the FATF, Roger Wilkins, AO, pledging Guyana’s commitment to ensure that the country implements a regime that meets the requisite international standard. Government tabled amendments to current AML/ CFT laws last year but lawmakers from the Opposition refused to pass them, saying that they wanted to study the changes a little more, and subsequently presented its own amendments which government argued, runs the risk of making the amendments non compliant. The regional body of FATF- CFATF, late last year advised its member countries in the region to take steps to protect themselves against risks emanating from Guyana.

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Death of four-year-old at GPHC...

Mother to form organisation to help other grieving families The fight for justice for the untimely demise of fouryear-old Jaden Mars at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) may soon evolve into a fullfledged movement aimed at advocating for health officials to be held accountable for their actions. Mars was admitted a patient at the public hospital to have his tongued sutured but died under questionable circumstances several days later. December 10, 2014 will mark the first anniversary of his troubling death. His mother, Nathalie Caseley, has been desperately trying to seek justice for her son. She has even retained a lawyer for an all-out court battle. The woman has been receiving encouragement from many individuals and even more recently several others have been sharing their stories of loss at the very institution. Caseley, though still grieving for her son, said that she has been able to sustain her fight for justice because of the wide-reaching support she has been receiving. According to the woman, she has been contemplating forming an organisation that will help sustain the fight for justice for persons who succumbed under avoidable circumstances at the public hospital. “I will fight for health care...I don’t know how much support I will get but I do know that I can do this,” said Caseley, who is willing to accept support from the many other persons who have had experiences similar to hers. “I have told some of these people that if they want to come on board then they need to write me a letter with their names, information and everything clearly...tell me their story, and show the (death certificate) with the cause of death and these information,” disclosed Caseley. It is Caseley’s expectation that the proposed organisation will, in some small way, help persons deal with their grief.

Caseley said that moves were made by senior functionaries within the Ministry of Health for her to accept a position at the GPHC to help address such concerns. She is however currently committed to her job at Qualfon Guyana whose managers have been very supportive throughout her entire ordeal. Since the death of her son last year the woman had been on no pay leave and only returned to work on October 13, two days before what should have been her dead son’s birthday. Although she has been pursuing closure into the death of her son by seeking straight answers from health officials, Caseley was only last week able to meet with a contingent of senior Ministry of Health officials including Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud; Permanent Secretary within the Health Ministry, Mr Leslie Cadogan, and Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Mr Michael Khan. The meeting, which occurred on what would have been Mars’s fifth birthday (October 15, 2014), was held in the Minister’s Brickdam, Georgetown, Head Office. This publication understands that at the meeting not only was it acknowledged by the

Minister that there are flaws at the public health facility (GPHC) but perhaps public disclosures would serve to ensure that other officials are more meticulous in delivering their service. The Minister during the meeting was also vocal in pointing out that there were too many mistakes made during the child’s admission at the public hospital and stated clearly his conviction that the child should not have been dead. Although the doctors who attended to the child are reportedly still on the job this publication was reliably informed that one attending nurse has been sent off. The disciplinary action meted out would have been handed down by both the Medical and Nursing Councils. Meanwhile, in order to emphasise her mission to continue the fight for justice for her son, Caseley plans to spearhead a vigil on the anniversary of her son’s death (December 10, 2014). She is therefore encouraging persons wishing to support the vigil to bring along their white jersey and $1,200 to fund the cost for imprinting the inscription “Justice for Jaden Mars” at Trophy Stall, Bourda Market. It is expected that the vigil will be supported by Mothers in Black, Red Thread and other concerned individuals.

(Reuters) - Two attacks in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula killed 33 security personnel yesterday, security sources said, in some of the worst anti-state violence since Islamist President Mohamed Mursi was overthrown last year. The violence prompted Egypt to declare a threemonth state of emergency in

parts of North Sinai, where the violence took place, the state news agency reported. The attacks are a setback for the government, which had managed over the past few months to make some progress in the struggle against an Islamist militant insurgency in the Sinai as it focuses on trying to repair the economy.

President Abdel Fattah alSisi has also expressed serious concerns over militants who are thriving in the chaos of post-Gaddafi Libya and are opposed to the Cairo government. Egypt has offered to train anti-militant, progovernment Libyan forces while it tries to contain the Sinai insurgency.

A sombre-looking Nathalie Caseley displays photos that chronicle her son’s deterioration at the GPHC.

Attacks in Egypt’s Sinai kill 33 security personnel

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Saturday October 25, 2014

Bahamas takes a stand against illegal immigrants NASSAU, Bahamas CMC – The Bahamas government says nonnationals living here will from November 1 have to show evidence that they have permission to live or work in the country. Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said that while the Perry Christie administration had outlined the new immigration policy earlier this year and allowed for feedback” nothing that has come back by way of feedback on the policies indicates that there is a need to change that administrative starting date. “The date will therefore stand as the commencement date of the policy,” Mitchell said insisting that the new measures were not aimed at “any national group in The Bahamas. “It is generic in nature. It seeks only to better ensure that the people who live and reside in The Bahamas have the lawful authority to do so, either because they are citizens of The Bahamas or they have permits to reside or work here”. In recent years, the Bahamas has complained about the number of illegal Haitians and Cubans entering the country and have held talks with the governments on ways of ending the inflow of the illegal migrants, most of whom use the Bahamas as a means to reaching the United States. Mitchell said that the authorities “with immediate effect…are no longer accepting applications for first time applicants for residence or work permits from those who have no legal status in The Bahamas. “Those persons also will no longer be able simply to demonstrate that they have departed The Bahamas. This

Fred Mitchell is in response to the increased suspicion of fraud in connection with these applications. “In order for such a first time application to be processed, where the individual has no legal status in The Bahamas, the applicant must be seen and certified as having been seen by an officer of the nearest Bahamian embassy if there is no Bahamian embassy in the applicant’s home country. The embassies are in a position to process these certifications.” He said persons, who are not nationals of The Bahamas and live here, will from November 1 “be required to have the passport of their nationality and evidence that they have permission to live or work in The Bahamas. “This may represent a broad class of people. I wish to remind the public that the constitution of The Bahamas does not give citizenship at birth to those born here of foreign parents. Those children have a right to apply at their 18th birthday and before their 19th birthday for citizenship of The Bahamas. “Up to the time they are granted citizenship, in law they are not Bahamian citizens.

This means that these people will be required to have a residence permit to reside lawfully in The Bahamas.” Mitchell said that this is a requirement for which there will be no exceptions, save and except where someone is stateless. “In the case of a stateless individual, the government will provide an identity document but otherwise the practice of issuing certificates of identity is to cease on 1st November. When the currency of existing certificates of identity expires, they will not generally be reissued or renewed.” Mitchell said that the authorities anticipate that “in the case of one national group it may take administratively some three months to meet and process that demand and for the Department of Immigration to process the volume of applications for resident permits. “In any event, we expect that by 15th January 2015, most people will have complied with this requirement and certainly that children will have complied for the start of the school term in 2015. If any citizen has a difficulty, they should contact their local embassy for assistance with particular problems.” He insisted that the new measures are for the general good and will provide a more secure form of documentation for all who work and live in The Bahamas. “I would therefore urge all citizens residing lawfully in The Bahamas to comply with these new measures. Those who are not here lawfully should expect increased vigilance and enforcement on the part of the law enforcement authorities in The Bahamas,” he added.

IMF commends Jamaica for ‘miracle’ performance Jamaica Gleaner - The I n t e r n a t i o nal Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu says Jamaica’s achievements so far under the Extended Fund Facility agreement with the fund can only be described as miraculous. Addressing students at Montego Bay Community College in St James after a tour of the facilities on Wednesday, Min said because of the financial “miracle” that the

Government has performed the local economy is turning in a positive direction. “By our forecast, the growth this year will be stronger than last year, and even more important, for next year the growth will be stronger than this ye a r. Meanwhile, the fiscal deficit will drop to almost zero... s o I t h i n k i t ’s absolutely a miracle. It’s a great achievement by the Jamaican

Government,” he said. Min, who is in Jamaica attending the two-day 2014 High Level Caribbean Financial Forum which concludes today at Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James, said the IMF is committed to moving forward with Jamaica. “For the future, the key issue is we need the support of growth.. . we need the young people, we need the leaders of the future,” he told the students.

Saturday October 25, 2014

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ADVERSARIAL POLITICS AND A COMMON OPPOSITION STRATEGY There is no basic rule of joint opposition politics to wit, that if there is a common adversary then there has to be a common strategy to confront that adversary. There has never been such a rule; politics have never been that inflexible and dogmatic. In Guyana during the struggles to end the PNC dictatorship there were numerous occasions during which the political opposition parties came together. They came together in political formations such as the Committee in Defence of Democracy, the Arnold Rampersaud trial and the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD). The latter is instructive of the fact that there can be joint opposition politics even when the political parties have major differences over tactics and strategies. Within the PCD there were many different parties including parties such as the Democratic Labour Movement which was ideologically opposed to both the Working People’s Alliance and the People’s Progressive Party. Indeed, the

PPP also had grave reservations about the DLM, labeling it as a CIA front organization. The PPP was viciously opposed to the DLM but that did not stop them from coming together under the umbrella of the PCD. Throughout the life of the PCD there were major differences amongst the constituent parties. The most terminal were the differences on a common slate and a common platform for the 1992 elections. The historical record will show that it was the WPA in cahoots with GUARD which eventually jettisoned comprises reached on the common slate. Despite these differences, the PCD was able to achieve a great deal. For example had it not been for the PCD it is doubtful that the electoral reforms which eventually culminated in the agreement for counting the votes at the place of poll would have materialized. The point is that you can still find common ground where there is major disagreement. The argument, therefore,

that there is a need for APNU and the AFC to have a common strategy to confront the PPP is a flawed argument. Indeed, the AFC as a third force and a party offering itself as an alternative to both the PPP and the PNC has to be very careful about the permanence of alliances that it cements with APNU. AFC offers itself up as holding the balance of power in the National Assembly. And therefore while it can cooperate with APNU, and it has done so on a number of occasions, it has to be in a position whereby any tactical alliances it forges do not erode its freedom to differ with APNU, as it has done on occasion in the National Assembly. To therefore commit to a common strategy against a common adversary would be tantamount to the AFC undermining its freedom to decide on what issues it will oppose either the PPP or APNU or both. The conclusion therefore that the no-confidence motion will fail because the two parties do not have a

Transparency body offers Govt. help on extractive sector Watchdog body, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) has offered to help Government to build accountability in the country’s extractive industry. According to the body, it is welcoming the opportunity to be a part of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) which seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and the proper utilization of the financial resources derived from the extractive industry. At the inception meeting on October 10, 2014, held at the Herdmanston Lodge, and attended by representatives of the Government, private sector and civil society organizations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment declared its intention of engaging citizens in the initiative, TIGI said yesterday. “TIGI is eager to participate in the initiative, and will seek to engage with the Ministry to examine ways in which the organization can work together with the government to reach out to,

and educate citizens who are interested in supporting efforts to promote Guyana’s development.” TIGI said that citizens’ awareness and engagement are necessary if they are to benefit from the proceeds of the extractive industry. “At the same time, greater transparency and accountability is important to investors since citizens will become more aware of their contributions to Guyana’s

development.” Apart from the extractive industries that more readily come to mind, TIGI said it will also be seeking clarification on issues related to the bauxite industry and the ‘Rare Earths’ component of the industry. “‘Rare Earths’ are a collection of minerals that are very valuable to modern high-tech industries and like oil, is a relatively new addition to Guyana’s economy.”

common strategy is based on a fallacious premise that there has to be a common strategy amongst the joint opposition parties. There has to be common agreements on issues but not necessarily a common strategy to confront the PPP. The AFC is not interested in local government elections. It wants to cut short the term of Donald Ramotar for reasons that it knows best. It wants to deny him a full term. APNU on the other hand may have reservations about the outcome of fresh general and regional elections and may be thinking that local government elections would be a suitable referendum on the support that the opposition parties now enjoy. There may thus be differences as to how each of the opposition parties approaches the noconfidence motion.

But the bottom line is this: APNU has publicly indicated that it will support the motion whenever it is tabled. Therefore there is consensus on this issue even though tactically the two opposition parties may be approaching the issue differently, which all go to debunk the notion that a common strategy is needed to confront a common adversary. But that argument about the need for a common strategy to confront a common adversary exposes a certain mindset. That mindset is that when it comes to the PPP, the opposition parties must be adversarial. By labeling the PPP as an adversary, one effectively closes the door to any form of political cooperation. Those who wish to pursue this confrontational path of politics are effectively sidelining the possibility of

power sharing. If power sharing is to be achieved requires some form of political cooperation between government and opposition. The promotion of adversarial politics also misreads the public mood. Right now there are talks going on between APNU and the PPP over governance. At the centre of those talks is the issue of local government elections. But what the people really want is for some agreement, any agreement to come out of those talks so as to put an end to adversarial politics which the prophet of shared governance now deems as demanding a common strategy by the joint opposition parties.

Dem boys seh...

When you old, you got to use tricks Anil got more tricks than a circus monkey and more plans than a scamp. He got to use tricks because nutten else does wuk. He use tricks pun he uncle, then he use tricks pun a certain half mad man and run out de country. De other night he go in he bed when he wife tell he that he left on de light in the garage wha got de Mercedes. He did use tricks fuh bring in this car in de country and decide fuh hide de car. He wife coulda see from the bedroom window. Anil open the back door to go and turn off the light, but he see that people been in the shed thiefing. Right away he mind run pun de Mercedes. He phone the police, and Hicken ask, “Somebody in your house?” He said “No, but some people are breaking into my garage and stealing from me”. Hicken then tell he “All patrols are busy now. Go inside yuh house and lock de doors. I will send a squad team as soon as one is

available.” Anil said, “Okay.” He hang up the phone and counted to 30. Then he phone back Hicken again. “Hello, Hicken I just call you a few seconds ago because people been stealing things from my garage... Well, you don’t have to worry about them no more because I just shoot and kill them. Meh dogs eating them right now.” And he hang up de phone. Within five minutes, six Police Cars, de new SWAT Team, de two army Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at Anil’s residence, and catch the burglars red-handed. Hicken been wid police dem and he turn to Anil and seh, “I thought you seh that you shoot dem!” Anil, being he usual trickster self seh, “I thought you seh there was no police available, that everybody been by de house wheh de man who look like de devil, Jagdeo, live!” Talk half and look out fuh de trickster.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Norway paying Guyana US$35M for global - President Ramotar climate services The Norwegian Government will pay Guyana some US $35M for the global climate services provided by the forest during 2012. This announcement was made yesterday by Head of State Donald Ramotar at a press briefing at the Office of the President. The latest payment will bring the total funds earned under the partnership to US$ 150 million, President Ramotar told reporters. According to the President, the announcement comes as a

strong rebuttal to those who have tried for several years, to kill the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the GuyanaNorway partnership. “For many years, vested interests in Guyana tried repeatedly to prevent our country from receiving this money from Norway. On failing to do so, some politicians tried in three successive national budgets to stop the money from being invested in our people’s future” Ramotar told the

media. “Guyana is on the threshold of achieving what few countries anywhere in the world have managed to achieve” the President noted. Further, the Head of State said that Guyanese should stop to reflect on the fact that government has spent five years building the foundations of a genuinely low carbon economy. He said that government is maintaining 99.5% of the forest, and showing the world that it is possible to do this while simultaneously

generating jobs and economic growth from sustainable forestry and mining practices. “New low carbon economic sectors are growing fast; small businesses are creating low carbon jobs, Amerindians are achieving secure tenure over their land; and we are starting to invest in critical flood protection infrastructure” the President posited. The President continued to maintain that the country’s LCDS is grounded in recognition that climate

change is a clear expression of the inequality and injustice that exist in the world. He said that this is a problem primarily caused by rich countries, but whose negative impact is felt primarily by poor countries. He said five years ago Guyana was one of the first countries who attempted to correct the global injustice. Moreover, Ramotar said that in coming months the independent, international validation of deforestation rates in 2013 will be completed. He said that Guyana will receive the fifth payment under the country’s partnership with Norway. The President said that it is expected that this will bring an even higher payment, bringing the total amount earned thus far close to US$200 million, all of which is being invested in Guyana,‘s Low Carbon Development Strategy. It hasn’t been an easy road at times….. Despite setbacks, the President said that the country has prevailed and money is now flowing into the priority investments, both from the country’s own budgetary resources and from the money received from Norway. He said that most of the money is now allocated to transformative projects, and in most cases, is flowing to create real benefits for Guyanese. He said that over 11,000 Amerindian homes have electricity for the first time powered by solar units. “ Low carbon industries are growing fast… ecotourism in the Rupununi is growing by 20% a year, our business process outsourcing sector has more than doubled employment in less than five years, and we are seeing innovative initiatives in agricultural development” Ramotar explained. Using money received from Norway for climate services, the President said that government is working with local banks and other financial institutions to stimulate the creation of 2,200 low carbon jobs over three years in small businesses and vulnerable communities. The payments from

HEAD OF STATE Donald Ramotar Norway are also enabling the advancement of the LCDS Amerindian Development Fund the President disclosed. Back in August, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon had said, that there needs to be a comprehensive review and examination of the Guyana/ Norway Forest Agreement. According to Luncheon, this would be the best way of defining how well Guyana has performed, particularly in reference to its obligations. NORAD in its latest report released in August, had confirmed that Guyana could have lost US$20 million as a result of increased deforestation in Year 3 (2012) of the Guyana-Norway forest protection partnership. NORAD is a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and since 2010, has been monitoring Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) the programme under which Guyana is paid to protect its forest. Guyana and Norway in 2009 inked a REDD+ partnership under which Oslo will pay for Guyana’s performance on limiting greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and for progress made against governancerelated indicators. REDD+ is a global initiative that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Norway’s payments to Guyana may amount to approximately US$250 million over the period to 2015, depending on Guyana’s performance.

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Suspected Ebola case at GPHC ruled-out A suspected case of the Ebola virus was dispelled yesterday, after medical practitioners at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), swung into action to ascertain the root of some concerning symptoms exhibited by a woman. According to reports reaching this publication, the woman who reportedly hails from the Ivory Coast, West Africa, was taken to the GPHC for medical attention after complaining of feeling unwell. The woman has reportedly been in Guyana for some time now and only yesterday started to develop symptoms including fever. She arrived at the hospital around 13:00 hours yesterday. On learning of the woman’s condition, health workers did not permit her access to the emergency area and immediately sought to isolate her in the new outpatient facility of the hospital which has been identified as the Ebola quarantine area. She was escorted there by officials completely decked in protective gear which the hospital has been able to acquire, according to a source close to the

The quarantine area at the GPHC operation of the hospital. This publication was further informed that the hospital has all necessary measures in place to combat any potential case of the virus. Reports are that basic metabolism tests conducted on the woman, allowed for her to be cleared of clinical Ebola, a development that suggests that the symptoms exhibited are in fact not synonymous

with the virus that has been wreaking havoc in sections of West Africa. However, by late afternoon the woman was still in isolation although plans were reportedly being made for her to be discharged. Based on further investigations, there have been no reports of the virus in the Ivory Coast ahead of the woman’s arrival here, and

she has reportedly not been exposed to anyone or any location where it has been detected. This publication was nevertheless informed that additional tests will have to be conducted on the woman to confirm her Ebola free status. Reports are that blood samples will have to be taken from the woman and sent to the Caribbean Public Health

Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad where further tests will be done. This publication was informed too, that Guyana has in place a strict ongoing screening process at all ports of entry for persons who might have travelled in the past 21 days or been in contact with persons from sections of West Africa. Such persons, this publication was informed will

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

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Government revamping CANU - Dr. Luncheon By Latoya Giles Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday announced that the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) is expected to undergo several major changes starting from Monday. According to Luncheon, when Cabinet met on Tuesday last they came to a joint understanding of the changes which needed to be made to the entity. Luncheon told the media yesterday that the country’s main drug fighting unit is expected to have it human resources

doubled as government moves to implement its latest security sector reform initiative. Luncheon explained that the new reform process would be working on a revised chart - one that responds to the tasks, functions of investigations, prosecutions and international collaboration. Moreover the Cabinet Secretary said that the reform initiative follows inter-current intervention and recognizes the many contributions made by CANU to law enforcement in Guyana and specifically its functioning in the field of investigations, prosecutions

and international collaborations in anti-narco trafficking. Further it was noted that the second aspect of the reform is the approval of job descriptions, job specifications that are applied. These will be applied to the inventory of authorized positions. The third aspect he said, would deal with tenure. He added that the issue of salary structure would also come under the reform. “The impact of the restructuring and reforms of CANU we anticipate would be profound. CANU has made significant inroads into narco-

trafficking and narcotraffickers in Guyana. This is an extremely incisive, timely intervention,” Luncheon noted. Over the years CANU has come under much scrutiny. Within the last two years government had sought to introduce the use of polygraph testing to officers in the unit. A polygraph, popularly referred to as a lie detector, measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers

a series of questions. The belief is that deceptive answers will produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with nondeceptive answers. More than 60 law enforcement workers have been fired or not had their contracts renewed after failing or refusing to take the polygraph tests. These include employees of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and Police Anti Narcotics Branch. More than 20 employees of the Guyana Energy Authority (GEA), including fuel markers and inspectors, have also been let go recently

because of the polygraphs. The use of polygraph testing as a means to test an employee’s honesty is a controversial one with arguments by some that it is not conclusive enough to use as a basis for firing someone. According to Wikipedia, US federal government agencies such as the FBI and the CIA and many police departments such as the LAPD use polygraph examinations to interrogate suspects and screen new employees. There have been calls for the tests to also be administered to Government Ministers and Department Heads.

Patentia student dies after motorcycle accident Police are investigating a fatal accident which led to the death of 17-year-old Patentia Secondary School student, Cecil Adolphus, of Bagotville, West Coast Demerara (WBD). The accident occurred around 23:30 hours last Thursday night, October 23, on the Nismes Public Road, WBD. According to reports, Adolphus was allegedly speeding along the Nismes Public Road when he lost control of his motorcycle and ended up in a trench beside the highway. Speaking to this newspaper, a distraught Rosalind Gill, the young boy’s mother, related that the news of her son came as a devastating shock, especially since he did not own a motorcycle. “I don’t know how he got that bike,” said Gill, “it was probably one of he friend own, but I don’t know whose bike it was, cause my son don’t own one.” The mother said that her son stepped out of her home around 19:00 hours with friends, to attend a party in Stanleytown, WBD. She emphasized that her son left “on foot” and from her knowledge, no one arrived or

left with a motorcycle. At around the 00:30 hours, Gill received the news of her son’s accident from a neighborhood friend. Gill said that the person could not bring himself to tell her of her son’s death. She said that all he told her was, “I don’t know what to tell you, you just have to come see for yourself.” After that Gill rushed to the scene of the accident. A resident of the area, who asked that her name not be used, recounted that she did not hear any crash or loud noise when the accident occurred, but instead noticed a crowd surrounding the wreckage. According to her, it took police officials over an hour to locate Adolphus, who was some distance away from the bike. She said that the body was found with a broken neck and that the bike was irreparably damaged. Meanwhile, another witness said that as officials searched for Adolphus, a relative of the victim lamented “Why you let he ride? Yall know he can’t change gear!” Adolphus, a fifth form student, was not a licensed motorcyclist. Adolphus was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries .The body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a Post Mortem Examination.

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 21

UNICEF, lawyers’ associations sign Caribbean Airlines crash due MoU for advancing child rights Three years later…

to pilots’ error - report says

From right is Ronald Burch-Smith, President of the Guyana Bar Association; Marianne Flach, UNICEF Representative, Guyana and Suriname; and Simone Morris-Ramlall, President of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers.

The Caribbean Airlines crash site shortly after that July 30, 2011 incident. More than three years after late night crash which left a Caribbean Airlines plane broken in two, a report has found pilots’ errors to have likely been the cause. The findings were announced yesterday by the Ministry of Public Works, which overlooks the transport system in the country. During a press conference at the Ministry’s Kingston offices, lead investigator, retired Deputy Chief Civil Aviation Officer, Paula McAdam, said that based on interviews and cockpit flight recorders, it was determined that the plane landed more than halfway on the main runway, with the pilots failing to activate enough braking pressure to stop the plane. It rammed through a fence at the end of the runway, before coming to a stop about 130 feet beyond the runway. The impact broke the plane in two. Present at the media briefing yesterday were Minister Robeson Benn, lead investigator, Paula Mc Adam, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulficar Mohamed, and other officials. Included in the probe team were army pilots, Captains Patrick Nichols and Mike Charles, and other aviations from the region, US and Boeing. The 737-800 Boeing plane, had departed Trinidad and Tobago on July 30, 2011 with 157 passengers and six crew members. It was set to land at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, just after midnight. However, according to the Minister, reading excerpts of the report, the plane somehow landed almost 4700 feet further along the 7448feet runway- that was more than halfway. There were slight rains which had no impact on the landing. The damage to the plane was significant-beyond

“economic repairs”, Benn said. The most severe among the injured was one passenger who sustained a broken leg that had to be amputated. The Minister said that it was concluded that with just about 2700 feet left of runway for the pilots to stop the plane, there could have been measures taken. There is no evidence of any mechanical defects. The pilot never attempted to abort the landing nor did he activate the maximum braking power that could have stopped the plane. The investgigatrs said tha ythte pilot and the co-pilot were versed with landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The pilot was the more experienced with some 25 years flying experience, Ms McAdam said. The officials made it clear that the sole intention of the report is to prevent future accidents and incidents and not to apportion blame or be used for liabilities. According to Mc Adam, the team of investigators included local, regional and international experts. Firefighters were onto the scene early, with an army ambulance the first to arrive. The runway was closed

for 10 hours before regulators cleared it for opening. The investigators also took possession of the flight recorders and the plane removed by an engineering team from GCAA. According to Mc Adam, herself a senior GCAA official who resigned last year, from the cockpit voice recorder, there seems not to be significant coordination between the pilot and co-pilot. Both were experienced pilots, who were familiar with CJIA’s conditions. Mc Adam stressed the conclusions were all made based on what was presented to investigators. Crewmembers and the pilots were among those interviewed. There was no evidence that the crew had taken drugs or alcohol, the officials said. Among some of the recommendations made were the beefing up of emergency response at CJIA and more training for CAL’s crew, the report said. CAL, owned by the Trinidad Government, has been serving Guyana for decades. There had been accusations, mostly in some sections in the Trinidad press, that the runway was too short.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Guyana Bar Association and the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), signed a joint MOU yesterday, with emphasis on the areas of research, advocacy, innovation and strengthening the legal system with a focus on children. According to a joint press release by the parties, it is expected that the MOU will, among other things, ensure that children including those more vulnerable because of violence, neglect and exploitation are made visible through the work of the associations, and that it will act as a catalyst for the acceleration of children’s rights. “As an immediate next step in 2015, the associations with support from UNICEF, will host a National Conference and seek to dedicate the publication of the” Guyana Bar Review Journal” to children’s rights.” All parties to the MOU - Marianne Flach,

UNICEF Representative, Guyana and Suriname; Ronald Burch-Smith, President of the Guyana Bar Association, and Simone Morris-Ramlall, President of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, “expressed commitment, gratitude and support for this joint MOU which will serve to promote the interests of children in Guyana.” In her remarks, MorrisRamlall noted the historical focus of the GAWL on children’s issues, while BurchSmith observed that although the Bar Association has not specifically targeted the

issue of children’s rights (as part of the broad human rights agenda), the MOU will serve to fuse policy and practice and create change for children. The UNICEF Representative also noted that it was significant that this MOU should be signed on UN Day, the anniversary of the day the United Nations Charter came into force, and the UN was officially established. “Ms. Flach reiterated her commitment to working with all partners, including civil society, for the advancement of children’s rights,” the statement said.

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Kaieteur News

VEHICLE FOR SALE Special Sale: New Model Spacio with front & back camera, TV/DVD/CD, body kit, unregistered -$2M - Call: 617-2891 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Pools table, original, cloth, cue stick, balls, pocket, coinshute, coin, rubber, spring, chalk – Call: 6699927, 616-1886 Just Arrived! A new shipment of combine parts, Italian made - Call: 660-0342, 222-3538, 335-3100,335-3434, 335-4122 1 Model M Bush Truck with Winch & dump, 1 Honda ATV prospecting, 250 hours, excellent condition Contact:672-4536 Get copies of A+ Training videos, Rosetta Stone Language, Microsoft Office 2010 – Call: 672-2839 Generator: 65 KVA Perkins 4236 Engine – Tel: 623-9761 Two female & 1 male short fluffy dogs- Contact: 6996006 Perkins engines 1000, 1100, 4236 & 6 cylinder complete on bed, 320 BL excavator$14M- Contact: 691-2921 Lincoln generator welder$850,000, pallet jacks, fork lift, model M truck- Contact: 691-2921 On Sale at Roxie’s Fashion are: Leotards & Tights, dance attire/costume, Ballet Shoes, etc – Call: 227-8538 On sale at Roxie’s Fashion are: School Uniforms, Leotards, gym & swim wear Call: 227-8538 Brand new 6500 WATT power fist gasoline generator on wheels- 110220 volt- Price:$150,000Contact: 617-2205/ 681-1032 New American Made Warmer, aluminum ladders 32FT -$55,000, 24FT- $40,000 – Call: 609-7257,602-5794 Complete sawmill operation with lots of equipment, customers & suppliers and large land space – Contact Swamee: 614-1466; 672-4438 Cupboard- 50,000, Bed$80,000, Couch- $25,000 Contact:666-7242 Shimano 7/8 speed rear derailleur $10,000, Shimano hyper- glide 8 speed cassettes (11-32 teeth) $12,000, original XBOX games- $2,000- Contact: 6429901 Tibetan Terriors pups – Contact: 621-7766, 220-0770

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Venus Auto Sales, Raum Body kit- $2.2M, Noah$3.2M/$1.8M, Allion body kit- $2.350M, Spacio$2.350M (rims) - Contact: 624-5617 Toyota Premio and Spacio with TV, CD, AC, (front and rear camera) $2.4M and $2.2M – Tel: 681-7117

Saturday October 25, 2014

FOR RENT

SALON

VACANCY

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1999 International Hauler Truck, double axel, 10 speed, Cummings engine, air bags, immaculate condition, lately registered - Call: 609-7257, 602-5794 One Toyota Hilux HC2, Extra Cab, price $6.7M Negotiable Call: 641-2763 One Spacio, PNN Series, good condition (Lady Driven) – Call: 644-7000, 6664327

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2007 Ford F150 4X4 Extended Cab, fully loaded Auto 22 inch Rims and tyres, excellent condition - Call: 610-5370 1 Toyota Noah Van – Price $2.1M - Call: 641-2763 Nissan Wing Road, PSS Series, price - $1.7M negotiable - Excellent Condition - Call: 698-5949 1 Honda 2004- 600 RR Toyota Raum, Rav4, Fun Cargo, AT212, AT192, AT170, EP71 Starlet, Tacoma – Call: 6445096, 697-1453 Premio fully loaded - $2.3M negotiable – Call: 226-5473, 226-2623

Urgently Wanted! Thirty Five (35) security officers, apply @ Security Alliance, Barrack Street, Kingston (upstairs FedEx). One canter Truck Driver – Call: 622-1782, 658 -5803 Waiters, cooks, bartenders, receptionist – Tel:231-1908/ 231-1912, Cotton Club Restaurant and Bar, experienced required, shift work

Sales boys & girls apply: Avinash Complex, Water Street – Call: 226-3361/ 2277828 Roxie’s Fashion has vacancy for computer literate sales person @ 103 Church Street, Cummingsburg - Call: 6224386 One experienced nail technician must know Air Brush at Nalline Salon, Vreed-En-Hoop – Contact: 604-2900, 658-1200, 625-3899

If selling your land, email New York Real Estate, globonetinfo@yahoo.com or Call Hudson -604-2207 Farm workers – Call: 639-5577 1 Cleaner to work in snackette & bar , must know to cook, age 20-35yrs – Tel:647-7432, 223-5798 One live in domestic or maid, Salary $60,000 – Call: 6645199, 688-5409 (9am-5pm)

We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allison, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154

WANTED

International Cruiseline Purser officer, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionist, storekeeper, cleaners, electrician, carpenter, plumber, musicians etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880

Persons to sell local products 20% commission M&R Enterprise, Church Street – Call: 614-4047 Live in waitress to work in a bar – Call: 604-6606 Sawmill workers and wood mizer LT 40 operator – Call: 653-9752, 688-6579 One farmer – Call: 618-0487 Porters to work on Beverage Canter – Call: 649-9876, 2223927

PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 Storey building , 8 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, hot & cold water - $19M, Lot 11 Coghlan Dam, W.C.D, Just off main Road- Tel:264-1582, 679-7587 Two story business building at the corner of Ketley and House Street, Charlestown – Tel: 623-9679 House and land at D’Aguiar’s Park, for info Call: 686-1368 House & Land for sale by owner at Cemetery Road Helena No1 Mahaica E.C.D, For details call: 689-0820, 674-3902 1- 2 Storey wooden concrete building, 3 bedrooms upper flat, 2 bedroom lower flat, Public Road Grove E.B.D – Tel:657-0880 Two flat house at First Street, Foulis EnmoreContact: 258-0392 (between 6-9pm)

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

Albouystown: Corner Spot Business and residence, 3 bedrooms upstairs, parking $10M negotiable - Contact: 227-0583

VEHICLE FOR SALE 2005 Honda Airwave, fully loaded, immaculate condition, no reasonable offer refused – Call: 685-1231 Cactus Autosales: Reduced prices Premio, AT212, New Raum, Spacio – Call: 2206262, 681-4208 One black Toyota Vios Car for sale, PMM Series, price – $1.5M- Call: 685-0659 or 6003308

EDUCATIONAL Roxie’s Fashion, six weeks beginners sewing classes, starting October month end, to registered call: 622-4386

DRESSMAKING Roxie’s Fashion offers sewing of shirts, pillow cases, curtains, chairs & Cushion Covers etc, 301 Church Street - Call: 227-8538 (Continued page 23)

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 23

APNU MP links sole sourcing to “chronic” drug shortages at local health facilities George Norton, a medical professional attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), yesterday told the media that the much too drug shortages at health facilities across Guyana, can be attributed to government’s choice to go along the line of sole sourcing. Dr. Norton made this comment yesterday in his capacity as Shadow Minister of Health as he spoke at A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) press conference held at the office of the Leader of the Opposition, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. Dr. Norton was accompanied by his colleague in the National Assembly, Dr. Karen Cummings who shared the views expressed on the issue. Dr. Norton, an ophthalmologist, told media operatives that it is almost unbelievable the amount of money that is set aside for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies “and is given to The New GPC (Guyana Pharmaceutical Company) and still we are having shortages of drugs in the country.” The medical professional was faced with a question as to what are some of the reasons he believes that lend to the current shortage of

popular drugs like Panadol, Ibuprofen and antibiotics. Dr. Norton said that it has become a “chronic condition, something we have grown to live with….and it is so strange that at the tenth month of year, the Ministry of Health is still not in a position to say who won the tender to supply them.” Dr. Norton said that Guyana has to do something to address the chronic situation. He said that one measure which can be looked at is new suppliers. “We cannot be doing the same thing every year and expect something different.” Dr. Norton recalled that former Member of Parliament, Winston Murray stood on the floor of the National Assembly and showed the government the benefits of not having a sole supplier or sole sourcing “only for it to fall on deaf ears… it may continue until 2016.” As Dr. Cummings weighed in, she said that there has been too much “ad-hoc spending.” She said that unless systemic measures are put in place to address drug shortages, ailing Guyanese will continue to suffer. She added that, from all indications, it seems as if government is just giving money to cronies, as she can see “no scientific reason

Dr. George Norton, APNU Shadow Minister of Health behind what is happening.” Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, in July last, announced that the National Procurement and Tender Board (NPTB) found that the new GPC was the only supplier that met all of the requirements as was set out in the revised criteria. The New GPC is owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop who happens to be the best friend of former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. That company has been supplying the bulk of the drugs to Government for the past 15 years, ever since it was acquired by Ramroop in 1999.

Guyanese shines at Caribbean Toastmasters contest With a scintillating speech laced with humor titled “It’s time to upgrade,” Guyanese Toastmaster Travis Ferreira, secured second place at the just concluded District 81 Humorous Speech Contest. The contest was held during the Caribbean Toastmasters bi-annual Conference activities in St. Lucia, October 16 – 19, 2014. Toastmaster Ferreira is a member of the Digicel Extraordinaires Toastmasters Club, one of the recently established Corporate Toastmaster Clubs in Guyana. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization devoted to developing the communication and leadership skills of people with a membership of 313,000 in more than 14,650 clubs in 126 countries. On October 22, 2014, Guyanese Toastmasters joined with Toastmasters around the world in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Toastmasters International, which was founded by Ralph Smedley in Santa Anna California. Georgetown Toastmasters Club is the first Toastmasters Club to be established in

In defending the decision at the time, Dr. Luncheon told media operatives that the decision to award the contract to the New GPC was not tantamount to sole sourcing. He said that the Tender Board picked New GPC from among seven companies that applied to be pre-qualified. When asked if the criteria used to pre-qualify a company were not biased in favour of New GPC, Luncheon said, “The criterion is biased in favour of safety.” At least one of the other bidders have since moved to the court to have the decision by the Tender Board be reversed, adding that the revised criteria set out by the Ministry was discriminatory. Chief Executive Officer of International Pharmaceutical Corporation (IPA), Lloyd Singh, in his legal challenge to the Tender Board decision claims that the move by the Ministry was discriminatory of itself, or in its effect and decision. He further argues that the decision by the Ministry was unconstitutional, in that it violated Article 149 and as such, has asked that the court orders the decision that New GPC be the sole prequalified supplier of drugs and medical supplies, null and void. Under the contentious revised criteria, bidders had to demonstrate a gross annual turnover of US$5M and net assets of US$2.5M. Another criterion was that maximum score was to be awarded to applicants who would have paid $50M in Corporate taxes, annually. Additionally, the company that had 50 or more employees, and warehousing capacity of 30,000 square feet in the city, will also gain an edge. New GPC has been a

feature in the Auditor General’s report over the years with several instances focused on multi-milliondollar deficiencies in the procurement and supply of drugs to Government. The purchase of drugs this year is expected to surpass US$25M. The purchases have been a major source of contention between Government and the Opposition for years now, because of the seeming close relationship between its main principal and the Administration. Ansa McAl was the first to protest the decision by the Tender Board. That company had also lodged a formal complaint. In late 2010, Stabroek News carried an editorial piece titled “Sole-sourcing and the New GPC.” It said, “It is by no means an overstatement to say that the refusal by the Ministry of Health to secure drugs for state institutions through public tender rather than persist with its sole-sourcing method that basically puts public funds into the pocket of the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) without the company having to do much more than simply go out and acquire the drugs, is highly improper. It is, after all, no secret that GPC Director Ranjisinghi Ramroop is a friend of the administration. Dr Ramroop, moreover, is by no means the only person close to the administration who has been known to benefit from its preferential generosity. Sole sourcing and selective tendering are among the favoured ways of awarding contracts to people who are strategically placed to benefit from state-provided largesse…”

Four charged for Electrican’s murder

Toastmaster Travis Ferreira displaying his award with Toastmasters International President, Mohammed Murad, DTM Guyana and the oldest Toastmasters Club in the Caribbean. It was established on March 18, 1959, by Guyanese Derek Adamson upon his return to Guyana after experiencing the Toastmasters programme whilst he was residing in Canada, and was eager to

share the benefits with all. At present, there are nine toastmasters Clubs in Guyana: two community clubs which are open to the general public, and anyone interested in developing their communication and leadership skills, six corporate clubs and one Advanced Toastmasters Club.

Four men were remanded yesterday for the murder of electrical engineer, Abdool Saleem Aziz, who was shot dead in Prashad Nagar last Sunday. Glenroy Griffith, 21, Jarrell Ward, 26, Julian Mack and Justin Griffith, 36, allegedly robbed and gunned down the 23-year-old engineer at his Lot 33 Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar home. They appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, yesterday. The case was prosecuted by Inspector Joel Ricknauth. The accused, who were unrepresented, were remanded until October 27, when they will appear before

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Police had said that Aziz, a former employee of Beharry Group of Companies, was shot and robbed by gunmen as he was about to enter his premises. According to reports, the University of Guyana graduate was shot four times. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) but acceded to his injuries shortly after. A release stated that police arrested a suspect in Sophia on Wednesday, and that further investigations led to the arrest of three other men in Sophia. Two unlicensed .32 pistols with a total of 21 rounds were found.

(From page 22)

MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call: 678-7499

CATERING Roxy’s Catering: We offer a 10% discount, Holiday Special – Call: 223-0092 or 223-0095, one snackette attendant needed! FOR SALE/FOR RENT Located @ Lot 5 Block ‘K’ Walkers’s Delight W.C.D – 4 bedrooms all self contain. Price $25M/ per month $100,000 – Tel:674-4929/ 662-0187

TO LET One upper flat 2 bedroom @ 279 Herstelling E.B.D – Call:665-9077 Three bedrooms middle flat @ Broad Street with toilet & bath over head tank, ten minutes walk to Stabroek – Call: 692-0828. One bedroom apartment @ Diamond, E.B.D – Call: 644-5151 One spacious 2 bedroom apartment at Goedverwagting, rent $45,000- Call: 222-7966, 6765375, 649-9876 ACCOMODATION Harmony Inn: Furnished apartments in Georgetown and Parfaite Harmonie W.B.D, Your Luxury Hide Away…. Call: 668-0306, 2181400, 694-7817 VEHICLE FOR SALE One Premio. Fully loaded, 3 years old, excellent condition – Call: 673-6037

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Ministry of Education continues distribution of $10,000 vouchers today The Ministry of Education will be continuing the distribution of the ‘Because we Care’ $10,000 Grant vouchers in Georgetown today. The Ministry has a list of distribution centres and the name of the schools expected to be serviced at each centre. Distribution will commence at 9:00hrs at schools across Georgetown Vouchers can be uplifted at the Sophia Primary School, Sophia Special School, the National Park; Stella Maris Primary School, St

Margaret’s’ Primary, North Georgetown Primary Winfer Gardens Primary, St Angela’s Primary, St Agnes Primary, David Rose School for the Handicap, West Ruimveldt Primary, Agricola Primary , St Anne ‘s Primary, St Stephen’s Primary , St. Sidwell’s Primary, Graham’s Hall Primary School, St Gabriel’s Primary, St Ambrose Primary, Comenius Primary, Dolphin Secondary School, Ketley Primary School, Smith’s Memorial Primary School, Thomas Moore Primary School, St Pius

Primary School, East La Penitence Primary School, F.E Pollard Primary School, J. E Burnham Primary School, Rama Krishna Primary, Redeemer Primary, Bel Air Primary School, Enterprise Primary, South Ruimveldt Primary and Tucville Primary School. The Ministry said it wishes to remind parents and guardians that they would have to present themselves at the scheduled distribution venue. The parents/guardians receiving the vouchers must

present a valid means of identification. Identification (I.D) cards, passports, drivers licences are all acceptable and the recipients would be asked to sign or mark a document indicating that they have received a voucher. To en-cash the voucher, the recipients will have to attend to any Western Union/ Bill Express across Guyana, offer the required information and present a valid identification document. Vouchers must be encashed by November 30.

Overseas-based GAIL Foundation donate playground equipment When asked if they prefer playing on a slide, sea-saw or swing, the 27 children living at the “Bless the Children’s Home” in Industry, Guyana responded unanimously - the slide. On Saturday, Attorney Gail Seeram, Executive Director and founder of the GAIL Foundation, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the five-seat swing, double slides and two seasaws built and donated by donors in the United States. A similar ribbon cutting ceremony was held last week Friday at the Guyana Relief Council Shelter (GRC) in Georgetown, Guyana, where the GAIL Foundation and its donors built and installed a three-seat swing, double slide and playroom furniture, educational toys and books. Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, Chairperson of the Guyana Relief Council, joined Gail Seeram for the ribbon cutting. “We at the GRC are extremely pleased that GAIL Foundation has recognized the service we provide to the less fortunate in Guyana by enhancing our emergency shelter with playground equipment and a playroom.” Since its inception in 1994, the GRC has housed numerous families who lost their homes due to flood, fire and high winds.

When asked, “Why build playground equipment?” Attorney Gail Seeram explained that her U.S. nonprofit charitable organization, has chosen to build playground equipment for orphanages, schools and community groups in Guyana. The reasons offered, are that, play gives a child “escape” from whatever personal issue (neglect, abuse, poverty, etc.) that child is going through; gives a child social skills to learn to share and take turns and gives a child exercise. In addition to these projects, over the past three years, the GAIL Foundation has donated some $3.6M (US$18,000) to the following charitable projects: playground equipment to Promise of Eden Orphanage in Berbice; playground equipment to New Amsterdam Special Needs School; playroom furniture, toys and books to Red Cross Convalescent Home; playroom furniture, toys and books to Promise of Eden Orphanage; furnish a therapy room with computers, books and toys at the New Amsterdam Special Needs School; and Christmas shoebox gifts to the children of the New Amsterdam Special Needs School.

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Canada vows tougher laws as citizens worry in face of attacks

Sentries return to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa October 24, 2014.CREDIT: REUTERS/BLAIR GABLE (Reuters) - Canada vowed yesterday to toughen laws against terrorism in ways that critics say may curtail civil liberties as a country that prides itself on its openness mourned the second soldier this week killed by homegrown radicals. Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined a crowd at the National War Memorial in Ottawa to mark the death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was shot by a troubled and drug-addicted convert to Islam on Wednesday while on ceremonial guard at the memorial in the center of the country’s capital. Behind the somber scenes, Harper and his Conservative colleagues scrambled to beef up antiterrorism legislation that was already in the works before the attacks. An opinion poll showed a majority of Canadians lacked confidence in their security services’ ability to deter homegrown threats. Investigators said there was no apparent link between the two attackers one killed a soldier in Quebec and the other killed Cirillo in Ottawa, before they themselves were shot dead but Canadians worried about the parallels between them. Police said both were Canadian citizens who had been radicalized, a term the government uses to refer to Canadians who become supporters of militant groups such as Islamic State. Justice Minister Peter MacKay said the government would act swiftly to toughen security laws and would go beyond the terms of a bill to strengthen the powers of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service spy

agency that was already being drafted before this week’s incidents. “We’re looking ... to see if there is a way in fact to improve or build on those elements of the Criminal Code that allow for pre-emptive action, specifically in the area of terrorism,” MacKay told reporters in Brampton, Ontario. A government source said legislation to be introduced next week on the spy agency would be largely unchanged from the bill that was being prepared before Wednesday’s Ottawa attack. The government will put forward more measures later, the source said, and they will include wider powers to address security threats in the wake of the attacks. JOURNEY HOME Cirillo’s body returned to his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, on Friday, in a last ride along the nation’s “Highway of Heroes.” Thousands lined portions of the 500-km (300-mile) route and flocked to overpasses, hanging flags as a sign of

respect. “I’m here because my son was in the reserves as well and that makes it really hit close to home,” said Gail Tomaselli, a 60-year-old resident of nearby Simcoe, Ontario, who wor k s i n h e a l t h c a r e . “Canada is a very forgiving country and I hope we haven’t lost that.” About a dozen members of Cirillo’s regiment, dressed in the ceremonial kilts and boots of his unit, carried his flag-draped coffin into a Hamilton funeral home late Friday, followed by a large group of the soldier’s family. Police believe that the Ottawa gunman, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, acted alone and independently of Martin Rouleau, 25, who on Monday drove over two soldiers in Quebec, killing one of them, Patrice Vincent, a 53year-old warrant officer. The back-to-back attacks on uniformed soldiers on Canadian soil have sparked a national debate over the power to counter threats while holding on to some civil liberties.

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IMF warns Caribbean of PetroCaribe change amidst low oil prices Montego Bay, St James — Jamaica and the Caribbean need to prepare stress tests that include the halt of the PetroCaribe oil arrangement with Venezuela, said the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Experts think that the dip in the price of oil from US$100 to its current US$82.70 a barrel can remain for 2015. That could result in the oil exports from Venezuela declining by US$15 to US$20 billion annually, reasoned Alejandro Werner, director, Western Hemisphere department, International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the 2014 High Level Caribbean Forum under the theme “Unlocking Economic Growth,” in Montego Bay Thursday. “That might trigger obviously either an important policy adjustment in Venezuela that might imply some adjustment with PetroCaribe,” he explained. A l r e a d y, Ve n e z u e l a n President Nicolas Maduro is under pressure to re-examine the PetroCaribe arrangement. The Bolivar Fuerte currency declined sharply

Alejandro Werner against its US counterpart, inflation is even higher than usual and US based Standard & Poor ’s downgraded Venezuelan bonds to junk status. Maduro’s government has imposed food shortages and foreign currency restrictions in an attempt to achieve economic stability but this only angered citizens to protest. “In the case in which there is more volatility in Venezuela there might be disruptions in the programme and countries should continue to prepare contingency plans in this

event,” Werner said. Since 2005, Governments across the region entered into the PetroCaribe arrangement, a deferred oil payment deal with oil-producing Venezuela. Jamaica spends over US$2 billion on oil imports annually but the deferred oil payments under the PetroCaribe arrangement effectively provide some US$500 million in balance of payment support to Government annually. “But now the distribution of probabilities have shifted to the left and you should be more careful than before and stress-test your precautionary frameworks because maybe the scenario we have been dreading for the last few years may be realised,” warned Werner. The IMF expects the Caribbean to achieve growth rates into 2015 that are subpar to the wider Latin American region. Werner reasoned that the dip in the price of oil will benefit much of the region’s current accounts, so long as it doesn’t inadvertently lead to the end of the PetroCaribe arrangement.

Brazil’s Rousseff slams magazine’s allegations RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff yesterday denounced as an “act of electoral terrorism” a newsmagazine report suggesting she and her predecessor were aware of a corruption scheme within state-run oil giant Petrobras. The report published in the Veja newsweekly comes just ahead of tomorrow’s presidential elections, capping an acrimonious and bruising campaign in which Rousseff and her center-right rival Aecio Neves traded

allegations of corruption and incompetence as well as personal barbs. In a campaign video and a series of tweets released a few hours after the magazine hit newsstands, Rousseff slammed the story and threatened to take legal action. “Today the magazine exceeded the limits of decency and the lack of ethics,” Rousseff said. “The magazine has committed this barbarity, this infamy ... without presenting the most minimal proof. It’s absurd. It’s a crime.” She added that she

“cannot remain quiet in the face of this act of electoral terrorism by Veja and its hidden partners.” Her ad suggested the report was part of a systematic, years-long campaign by the right-leaning newsweekly to discredit her Workers’ Party, which has governed Brazil for the past 12 years. Rousseff said it was suspicious that the magazine’s publication was pushed forward to yesterday. It normally hits newsstands on Saturdays.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares Softball matches continue this weekend Play in Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares Softball cricket completion continues tonight and tomorrow with several matches. Tomorrow at Cyril Potter ground: Pitch 1: 9:30am-Wellman vs Frontliners. 12:30pmPrincess Hotel vs Farm. Pitch 2: 9:30amFloodlights vs Bel Air Rubis. 12:30pmChallengers vs Herstelling. Pitch 3: 9:30amWellwoman vs Blue Divas. 11:00am-Karibee Strikers vs 4R Lioness. 1:00pm-Karibee Strikers vs Sleepin Warriors. G.N.I.C. ground: 9:30am-Regal vs Speedboat. 12:30pm-Regal Masters vs Parika Defenders. Enterprise ground: Pitch 1: 9:30amYoung Guns vs Brickery Super Stars. 12:30pmEnterprise Legends vs Slingers. Pitch 2:

9:30am-Countryside vs Warriors X1. 12:30pmIndustry Super Kings vs Fishermen Legends. Meanwhile, tonight at DCC: Pitch 1: 6:30pm-Wolf Warriors vs Young Guns. Pitch 2: 6:30pm-Tiger Sport vs Shakir X1. Results for Oct. 23rd: Fishermen Masters def. Wellman by 7 runs. Fishermen 141 all out; M. Mohanlall 57; Greig DeFranca 3 for 15, Tony Singh 2 for 21. Wellman 139 all out; Shawn Massiah 24; S. Singh 4 for 18, R. Mohan 2 for 35. Wolf Warriors def. Farm by 6 wickets. Farm 129 for 7; Sheldon Perch 26, Ryan Ready 21. Wolf Warriors 130 for 4; H. Ransundar 41 not out, Mark Harold 25 not out; A. Sookdeo 3 for 16.

Saturday October 25, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Feel free to go shopping for yourself, Aries. While you're at it, you might as well pick up some things for others, too. You're apt to be in tune with the pleasant spirit of the people around you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You're likely to gravitate toward those who can put on a show and carry your imagination to a far-off land today, Taurus. Look for this quality in others instead of turning to the TV to satisfy this need. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Connect with those who carry you upward and encourage your fantasies today instead of those who try to bring you down to reality, Gemini. There's a need for you to shine more brightly than usual, and there's no reason why this wish shouldn't be granted. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're likely now on the brink of completing a major move of some sort. Your first reaction may be to sit in solitary deliberation as you wrestle with the pros and cons of each piece of the situation. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is one of those days when you will be walking along and all of a sudden hear a street performer playing music. Suddenly your feet start to move and soon you're dancing. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't take things that don't belong to you, Virgo. Your penetrating eyes are apt to spot things that are easily pocketed, even though you know deep down that those things aren't meant for you to keep.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try not to think too much about what is "supposed" to happen next, Libra. The truth of the matter is that things don't necessarily work out the way they're planned, so don't count on something that has no guarantee of coming to fruition. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Water your plants today and make sure they're getting enough light, Scorpio. If you don't have any plants, take this opportunity to go to the nursery and pick up a couple for your home or office. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You're on a roll today, Sagittarius. Don't let other people's insecurities or shallow understanding about an issue get in the way of your progress. There's a distinct advantage to the way you approach things. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may be wondering whose shoulder you should cry on, Capricorn. Usually yours is the shoulder that everyone else likes to use. The collar of your shirt is probably soaking wet by now, thanks to all the tears that have spilled on you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your coals have been smoldering for a while, and there is a great deal of smoke pouring from your blackened embers, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be wary of big promises today, Pisces. This could be one of those days when people are more likely to take a gamble because they're unrealistic about how things are going to work out. Don't be surprised if the stock market jumps as a result of the dollar signs that people imagine.

Page 27

Grand opening ceremony ushers in IGG second leg in Suriname Games are important to youth development – Minister of Sport Dr. Adna By Franklin Wilson in Suriname Compliments of Crown Mining Supply and Fazia’s Collection The second leg of the Inter Guiana Games was officially opened yesterday afternoon at the Andre Kamperven Stadium following a simple but colorful ceremony, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Dr. Ismanto Adna delivered the feature remarks before declaring the games open. The march past of the teams and hoisting of the French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname flags were done whilst the national anthems were being played by the band corps of the Suriname Defence Force. Director of Sport in Guyana, Neendkumar in his remarks posited that the youths of the respective countries are their greatest assets. He noted that the games are used to strengthen the relationship between the nations at the sport level. Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Suriname Dr. Ismanto Adna in welcoming the athletes said that the countries must do everything possible to assure the continuation of the games in the upcoming years. He informed that his Government fully supports the IGG and expressed gratitude to the Guyana and French Guiana

Governments for supporting also. “We want sports to develop consistently and want to give the youth the ability to be aware of the benefits of sport and physical activity in order to have a healthy and productive community. We also want them to deal with, and respect victory and loss. The Inter Guiana Games have proven to be an event that supports this aspiration.” Minister Adna also thanked the various sports associations, coaches, medical staff and volunteers whose collective efforts have also contributed to the success of the games over the years. While challenging the athletes to go for victory, Minister Adna also encouraged the athletes to play fair. Other officials delivering remarks was the Head of Delegation of French Guiana Mr. Jean-Claude Mairema and Suriname Permanent Secretary of Education Dr.. Robert Peneux. Brief history of the IGG The games began

officially in 1967 in Suriname with the three Guiana’s competing, Suriname won this inaugural event with Guyana second. Guyana hosted in 68 with Suriname again coming out on top. Founders of the IGG were Orlando Amson, E. Adbul Raman, Eddie Van Genderen of Suriname and O.T Mc Donald and Derrick Whitehead of Guyana. French Guiana refused to host the games in 1969 and 1970. The Surinamese it was that took the initiative to organize the games in 1970. The age range was increased from 17 to 18 in 1971. In 1975, Tennis was added to the list and this same year Guyana overall won with Suriname only winning at football. No IGG was organized from 1980 to 1992 and when it was revived in 1993 in Suriname, Guyana was victorious winning the only two games contested, athletics and football. Boys volleyball and girls basketball was added in 1994. There was another lull in the games between 2001 to 2006 when it was held again.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Digicel Guyana Open Golf Tournament launched Organisers of this year’s Digicel Guyana Open Golf Tournament are expecting a record number of entries in this year ’s competition despite the logistical difficulty it could create. This information was disclosed by Captain of the Lusignan Golf Club Chatterpaul Deo at the Launch of the tournament yesterday in the Boardroom of Digicel Head Office in Kingston yesterday. Deo, who along with Club President David Mohamed, overseas-based players Roger Rajkumar and Esau Shamshuddin, Events & Sponsorship Manager of Digicel Gavin Hope and Public Relations Manager Vidya Bijlall-Sanichara were in attendance at the occasion, gave a brief account of the format change to arrive at a winner in this year’s competition, while also grabbing the opportunity to forecast the playing conditions players could expect to compete on come November 1-2. According to Deo, the

- participants coming from five countries

Hassan Mohammad (centre) with his charges for the cycling event. greens and fairways are in excellent shape and while the locally-based players have enjoyed good success over the past few years, the improvements that were done on the Course makes it a level playing field for all, giving the visiting players an even chance to excel. In relation to the change in format, Deo disclosed that unlike last year when the overall winner came from the 0-9 Flight, the winner this year could emerge from

the 0-9, 10-18 and 19-28 Flights. Hope in his remarks spoke of the Company’s association with golf which according to him started five years ago when they first ventured into hosting their own tournament, before adopting the full responsibility of sponsoring the Guyana Open, a development that was born last year. He urged Guyanese to come out and improve their knowledge of the sport which

he stated has been increasing in popularity thanks to the sterling efforts of the club which strives to host a tournament almost every week. “We have seen growth in the number of persons participating in the sport over the past 2-3 years and this is due mainly to the excellent work being done by the Club,” Hope said. He added that from the number of countries slated to participate and the quality of the Course and

players he is anticipating a keenly contested weekend and a must see for all Guyana. Mohamed in his presentation acknowledged the partnership between the club and Digicel, informing that it has grown appreciably over the past five years and which has culminated in the sponsoship of the biggest tournament on the annual golf calendar. “It has been a wonderful journey working with Digicel and we hope to

continue to partner with them in the future,” Mohamed said. He revealed players will be coming from Canada, USA, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname to participate in the event with just around eighty players set to tee off on opening day. The defending male and female champions are Arvinda Kishore and Christine Sukhram. Tee off time on opening day is 07:00 hrs.

Inter Guiana Games – 2nd Leg

Hectic day anticipated as all disciplines to be contested By Franklin Wilson in Suriname Compliments of Crown Mining Supply and Fazia’s Collection The Team Time Trials at 08:00hrs will start what is anticipated to be a hectic day of competition between teams from host Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana, the second and penultimate day of rivalry in the second leg of the Inter Guiana Games here in Paramaribo. These Games, which are held for athletes attending school under the age of 19, would have started since the 1970s but there was a lull for some years and then it was restarted in 1994 according to Director of Sport, Neil Kumar. Conditions here is very hot but the athletes and officials are expected to be equally warm when it comes to the healthy rivalry that has become a norm during these games that have been contested between the three Guiana’s for so long. The 6-member cycling team will set the tone for today following the male and female volleyball teams opening salvos last evening. Guyana are the defending champions in cycling and according to Coach Hassan Mohamed, he is confident

that his charges will maintain their dominance in this area. Leading the charge is 2014 Junior Caribbean Road Race bronze medalist Alanzo Ambrose who is well experienced at this level. Akeem Arthur, Shaquelle Agard and Ambrose were all part of the Guyana team that competed at the South American Youth Games in Peru last year, their collective experience is expected to carry first timer Kravitz Jeffrey who according to Mohamed, has been experiencing difficulty breathing but will be ok in time for today’s Team Time Trials. The male riders will cover a distance of 10km while the females, Toshwanna Doris and debutant Ronella Samuels will cover 6km. Tomorrow’s Road Race will see the males covering 69km with the ladies doing half that distance, 34.5km. Some of the riders from both opposing countries also competed at the Caribbean championships that were also held here in Suriname which makes the anticipated duels, exciting. Each lap for the Road Race course is 17.25km. Following the Technical and Management meetings on Thursday evening it was agreed that Table Tennis (TT) will start and conclude today.

Chess and Badminton and TT starts at 10:00hrs. Football, which Guyana is not a part of, is set for 14:30hrs, while male and female Volleyball will be contested this evening at 17:00 and 19:00hrs. Badminton Coach Gokarn Ramdhani noted that the only threat he is anticipating will come from the Surinamese

players who they are very familiar with, “As long as the draw goes well for us I expect that the team will come out victorious,” the long serving coach and administrator noted. After their training session yesterday, Coach Linden Johnson summed up that he too is quite confident that his players will do well

and are quite capable of handling the opposition. He stated that both Suriname and French Guiana’s players are exposed on a regular basis but the Guyanese will hold their own. Chess Coach Wendell Meusa said that his players are going to take on Suriname A in their first match today and that should be there most

challenging. “We have already strategized on how we will approach this match and I expect a good outcome. Haifeng Su competed at the Youth Olympics and will be a key player for us. The other players, Jessica Clementson, Roberto Neto and Sheriffa Ali will all gave a good account of themselves.”

Saturday October 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

ECCB H. Nauth & Sons Contractors t20 cricket

Golden Grove play Lusignan ‘A’ in the Final Golden Grove Cricket Club and Lusignan Sports Club advanced to the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) H. Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering Contractors and Petrol Station T/20 Finals after emerging victorious in their semi-finals last Sunday at Strathavon Community Centre Ground. In the first match Golden Grove beat Perseverance won by 19 runs. In bright sunshine and with a massive crowd in attendance Golden Grove won the toss and made 170- 9 from their allotted 20 overs with Terrence King top-

scoring with an attacking 55 decorated with four fours and four sixes, while national youth player Sherfane Rutherford hammered three fours and four sixes in his 40. Keon Francis captured 528 for Perseverance who could only manage 152- 9 when their 20 overs expired despite 30 from Ovid Richardson and 25 from Ronole Bourne. In the second match, Lusignan ‘A’ whipped Strathavon won by five wickets after Strathavon, sent in to bat, were restricted to 929 from their 20 overs with Randy Budhu leading the

fight with 38 and Gobindram Hemraj chipping in with 21. Bowling for Lusignan ‘A’, Imran Khan took 2-13 and National under-19 Skipper Brian Sattaur supporting with 2-15 for Lusignan ‘A’ who recovered from the early loss of the usually explosive Sattaur to reach 93-5 from 16.2 overs. Vishnu Ramjeet stroked 24 and Sumnauth Bharrat made 20 as Steven Singh (2-7) and Jermain Tindal (2-12) bowled well in a losing cause for Strathavon. The date and venue for the final will be announced shortly.

GCC take on UCCA President’s XI in a 50-Over fund raising match The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) is set to host the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in a feature 50-over cricket match at the No. 69 Vikings Cricket Ground tomorrow. The event, which is expected to feature a number of big name players including former West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, will be used as a fundraiser for the UCCA and will also provide cricket lovers in the Upper Corentyne area an opportunity to see some of the country’s national players in action.

The GCC team apart from Sarwan is expected to include a number of national players the like of Robin Bacchus, Vishal Singh and Leon Johnson proving they are available. The UCCA team will be playing as the UCCA President’s XI selected squad and will feature players such as Sewnarine Chattergoon, Imran Khan, Seon Hetmyer, Shawn Perreira, Kevin Ramdeen, Akshay Homraj and Ishwar Singh as special selected players to join the Upper Corentyne team. Players selected from Upper Corentyne are Lakeram

Latchman, Omesh Khemraj, Victor Pedro, Omesh Kumar, Imran Mohamed and Roopchand Latchman. A capacity crowd is expected to fill the venue for what is expected to be a keenly contested affair. Admission for adults is easy, while children under 12 yrs will be admitted free. All proceeds from this event will go towards cricket development in the Upper Corentyne area. The UCCA is urging cricket lovers come out in their numbers and help a worthy cause. (Samuel Whyte)

IGG Volleyball

Guyana’s male trounce French Guiana; females blown away by host By Franklin Wilson in Suriname Compliments of Crown Mining Supply and Fazia’s Collection Guyana suffered mixed fortunes on the opening night of action at the 2014 Inter Guiana Games (IGG) second leg in Suriname last evening at the Ismay Van Wilgen Indoor Court, Paramaribo, Suriname. The male volleyball team were too good for their French Guiana counterparts winning in three straight sets, while the females were blown away by the home team in straight sets. Playing in the feature game of the evening, the Guyanese lasses were just not up to the challenge from their Surinamese counterparts and were dispatched in straight sets 25-6; 25-4; 25-14. The Guyanese showed marked improvement as

the game progressed, putting in their best performance in the third and final set urged on by their fellow Guyanese. The male team were able to brush aside French Guiana even though they did not look their best. French Guiana were the first to register a point but Guyana came back to knot the scores at 3 before taking the lead at 4; but the French side, which looked like they were going to take the fight to Guyana, tied the score at 6 and then 7. Guyana retook the lead at 87 and that was the end of the French for the night. The Guyanese males with just two players returning from last year, by then had warmed up and it was no turning back as the lads from the Land of Many Waters kept piling on the points much to the delight of the Guyanese supporters which included Director of Sport Neil Kumar and

the other athletes attending the games. Guyana went on to win the first set 25-18. In the second set, the Guyanese raced to a 6-1 advantage before wrapping up the second set at 25-13. By then it was just a matter of time as the French looked an ordinary unit, Guyana wrapping up victory by sealing the third set, 25-15. Coach Levi Nedd in summing up the team’s performance said that they did well given the fact that it is virtually a new team that is accustomed to playing “Backyard Volleyball” in Guyana. “This is a pretty young team, I think they have done well, they have worked pretty hard and I am happy for this first victory.” Looking ahead, Nedd pointed out that his charges will have to work on perfecting the sets a bit more, taking care of their distribution.

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Pakistan on top despite Warner’s ton ESPNcricinfo - Same predicament, different country. Pakistan encircled Australia on the third day in Dubai, preying on batting weaknesses glimpsed on countless previous occasions, whenever Michael Clarke’s men have been confronted by a dry surface and diligent bowlers. At one point in the afternoon, Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann could be seen with a hand shielding his face from the cricket in the middle and the Cricket Australia laptops in front of him. He had seen it all before, as recently as the tourists’ defeat in their only warm-up match, but seemed unable to prevent the unfolding of a familiar script. Brilliantly as Australia performed at home and then in South Africa last summer, they seem unable to transcend their antipathy for reverse swing, spin and sluggish pitches. Starting on a promising 113 without loss, Australia were rounded up for a mere 303. Only an ebullient 133 from David Warner, his third century in consecutive innings, gave any spine to the scorecard. But Warner’s effort was the exception that proved the rule, as a succession of batsmen failed to get comfortable, allowing a recently tentative Pakistan to take unexpected control. Rahat Ali, Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah were names unfamiliar to Australia before this series. All delivered quality spells, with Rahat finding reverse swing to dismiss Chris Rogers and becalm Alex Doolan, and Babar varying his flight and spin in a way Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe could not on the way to deceiving a hesitant Clarke and the debutant Mitchell Marsh. Yasir struck pivotally on either side of lunch, coaxing Steve Smith into an airy cut just when he appeared to be set, then bowling Warner when the opener misread the degree of turn. Brad Haddin tried to muscle the second new ball but dragged Imran Khan onto the stumps, and Marsh was lbw to Babar after successfully reviewing a caught behind verdict in favour of Rahat. The tail could summon no miracles, and when bad light

David Warner glances off his toes. (Getty Images) ended play, Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali had glided to 38 for 0 and an advantage of 189. The loss of two wickets for seven runs in the first halfhour of the Test now feels a distant memory, as does the suspension of Saeed Ajmal. On the evidence of day three, it is just as well for Australia he isn’t playing. Misbah-ul-Haq began the day with Rahat and Hafeez in tandem, and Rogers was soon troubled by the old ball moving through the air and lower bounce than he preferred. Shaping to cut Rahat, he was cramped by a delivery angling back at him, and chopped it onto the stumps. Doolan’s innings was strangely diffident, recalling his statuesque innings in similarly dry, slow and reversing conditions against South Africa in Port Elizabeth earlier in the year. Unable to puncture a ring field or rotate the strike, he fretted over five runs and 34 balls before chancing a single from a ball struck firmly to mid-on and was found short when Rahat aimed unerringly. Clarke’s hands were firm and his footwork uncertain, his brief stay ending when he squeezed Babar to short leg. And while Smith looked almost as comfortable as Warner in a stand of 48, he fell prey to mental error by slicing Yasir to backward point. Smith leaned angrily on his bat when the catch was

taken, and the importance of his wicket was emphasised in the first over of the afternoon. Yasir then deceived Warner with a quicker delivery angled in from around the wicket, earning the Twittersphere praise of Shane Warne in the process. Haddin and Marsh hinted at a pivotal union when the wicketkeeper lofted Yasir into the stands as he sought to wrest back some momentum, but Imran and Rahat both moved the second new ball enough to cause misjudgments: Haddin’s edge onto the stumps went someway to levelling up his liberal allocation of good fortune during last summer’s Ashes. Marsh used his long reach to play the spinners with composure, but played around a straight delivery from Babar to fall lbw on review, causing his father Geoff to angrily motion a forward defensive in the stands. Peter Siddle, oddly sent in ahead of the more accomplished batsman O’Keefe, was soon lbw to Hafeez. Mitchell Johnson and O’Keefe scrounged 32, but Johnson succumbed to a hook, and when the spinner skied a slog at Yasir, Australia had fallen a third short. Pakistan’s path towards victory is broadening, Australia’s is narrow and arduous. Scores: Pakistan 454 and 38 for 0 lead Australia 303 (Warner 133, Yasir Shah 3-66) by 189 runs.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Boxing promoter Seon Round of 16 action on Bristol donates to GBA Courts/Petra Organisation Pee Wee Schools Football Competition

today at Thirst Park

Today is the start of action in the Round of 16 in this year’s Courts/Petra Organisation Pee Wee Schools Football Competition which resumes, at the Thirst Park ground. Defending champion St. Puis, who had to secure a win last week to keep alive their quest to successfully defend their title will collide with Green Acres and they will no doubt be looking to improve their performance, especially with the top contenders chomping at their bit. Also expected to be in the race for the title is last year’s losing finalist West Ruimveldt, who has entered this phase with an unbeaten rocord, regsitering three wins from as many matches and they face Ketley Pollard.

Tournament favourites Tucville will also be in action at 13:00hrs as they square off against North Georgetown for a quarter-final place and this encounter should be an entertaining one. Group-F winners Stella Maris will attempt to cement their spot in the next round when they engage crowd favourites Enterprise. In the other slated fixtures, South Ruimveldt battle St. Stephen’s at 10:00hrs, while former champs Marian Academy oppose St. Angela’s in the second fixture of the day. At 11:00hrs, East La Penitence and St. Margaret’s collide, while Smith Memorial and F.E. Pollard clash for a place in the next round.

East Demerara Football Association Stag Beer League

Ann’s Grove and Victoria Kings advance Ann’s Grove FC registered an upset 2 nil victory over BV Triumph United, while Victoria Kings FC defeated Sparta United by a similar margin when action in the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Stag Beer League continued at the Victoria Community Centre last Thursday afternoon. Seon Robinson (60) and Alden Lawrence

(82) scored for Victoria Kings, while Travin Allen netted a double in the 80th and 83rd minutes for Ann’s Grove. Activities continue tomorrow afternoon with a double header at the Buxton Community Centre; at 14:00hrs, BV Triumph take on Golden Stars, while at 16:00hrs Buxton United will oppose Buxton Stars.

Boxing promoter/manager Seon Bristol yesterday donated to the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) a quantity of Cavilon Cream, which he handed over to its president Steve Ninvalle. GBA introduced the use of cream to their elite boxers at the National Open tournament which started yesterday at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre ground. Using the cream before the fights was made mandatory by international governing body AIBA earlier this year after they outlawed head guards for elite boxers. Bristol, who arrived from the USA yesterday morning, has always supported the association in various forms and pledged to continue doing so. “It is always an hounour to assist amateur boxing in Guyana. I think that if we all do our bit the sky would be the limit for our amateur fighters,” Bristol said. Bristol had donated gloves, mouth guards and other equipment before, while in 2011 he provided the local association’s annual fees to

Steve Ninvalle (left) collects the donation from Seon Bristol yesterday. AIBA and is key to having USA-based super heavyweight Quincy ‘Biggy’ Small participate in the National Open. Bristol furnished the return air ticket for Small’s travel. Cavilon cream is specially developed to help reduce cuts. It was first used in a major international competition at the 2014Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. It was

however, met with mixed reception. Some countries opted to use while others did not. Guyana did not. Boxers using the cream suffered less cuts it has been reported. AIBA made use of the cream mandatory, and has issued guidelines for its use in its technical rules. Youth, junior and female boxers are still however required to wear head guards.

Williams guaranteed Fudadin, Beaton in Windies year-end number one ranking ‘A’ team’s 50-Over Squad The Guyanese pair of Te s t p l a y e r s . b a t s m a n Assad Fudadin and fast bowler Ronsford Beaton were yesterday named in a 14-man squad to r e p r e s e n t t h e We s t I n d i e s ‘ A’ i n t h e i r 5 0 over series against Sri Lanka ‘A’ on that Island from November 1 in Dambulla in a threematch ‘ODI’ series. West Indies ‘A’ oppose the hosts on November 3 and 5 in Kurunegala and Colombo respectively in the other two matches. The ODI Series will be preceded by the three ‘Test’ series which Sri Lanka A leads 1-0 with one match remaining and the full squad read: Carlos

Assad Fudadin

Ronsford Beaton

Brathwaite (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Je r m a i ne Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Braithwaite, Jonathan Carter,

Miguel Cummins, Andre Fletcher, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Nikita M i l l e r, A s h l e y N u r s e , Chadwick Walton.

QC’s inter class sports continue today Action in the Queen’s College Allied Arts inter-class sporting activities continue today at the school’s ground. Among the events slated are boys and girls tape ball and softball, inter house volley ball, inter-class and 5-aside football, chess and table tennis. The finals will be played tomorrow at the said venue while there will be a feature volleyball game involving past and present students. Trophies are being sponsored by Trophy Stall while the activities are being organized by Quasen Nedd and Johnny Barnwell.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) Serena Williams clinched the year-end world number one ranking for the fourth time without hitting a ball yesterday after Maria Sharapova, the only woman with any chance of overtaking her, was eliminated from the WTA Finals. Needing to win in straight sets to stand any chance of advancing to the semi-finals, Sharapova lost the second set of her match against Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska at Singapore’s Indoor Stadium, ending her slim hopes of leapfrogging Williams for the top spot. Sharapova had led 7-5, 51 and appeared to be cruising towards victory but Radwanska dug deep to reel off five straight games and force a tiebreak, which she won 7-4 to even up the match and effectively eliminate the Russian from the tournament. Sharapova had already lost to Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova in the White Group and although she went on to beat Radwanska 7-5, 6-7(4) 6-2, the win served only as a consolation with her opponent eventually advancing to the last four. “I got the job done. I know

Serena Williams reacts as she plays against Simona Halep of Romania during their WTA Finals singles tennis match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium Wednesday. REUTERS/Edgar Su I’m not moving forward, but I’m proud of that effort and to finish the year off on this way,” Sharapova told reporters of her victory. “I will not be chasing the number one ranking next season, I think adding more grand slams is the top priority,” the five times major champion added. Despite receiving the rankings boost, Williams, who previously finished the year ranked number one in the world in 2002, 2009 and 2013, faces an anxious wait before knowing whether she has advanced to the semi-finals. The reigning U.S. Open champion thrashed Eugenie Bouchard 6-1 6-1 on

Thursday to finish the roundrobin phase with a 2-1 winloss record after beating Ana Ivanovic in her opening match and then losing to Simona Halep. The only way she can miss out on the semis is if Ivanovic beats Halep in straight sets on Friday. “Well, my fate really rests on me,” Williams said after beating Bouchard. “If I wanted to win and be a part of the event, I should have won my match yesterday or should have done better. “So whatever happens, happens at this time. I did the best that I could do this week. I should have thought about that sooner.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Page 31

Dhanpaul shines as Zeeburg thump Unity Chanderpaul hits a half century

Shivnarine Chanderpaul accepts the plaque from a fan Praveena Boodhoo in the presence of members of the Zeeburg team. A fine all-round performance by Yatesh Dhanpaul guided host Zeeburg to an eight- wicket victory over Unity in a 30-

over match played on Thursday last on the West Coast of Demerara. Batting first in front of a fair size crowd, the visitors

managed 146-7 off their allotted overs. Tagenarine Chanderpaul top scored with a fighting 75, while Sharif Mohamed made 23 (5x4)

Fifth Corporate Business in Sports Inter-Agency Softball cricket on today The fifth annual Corporate Business in Sports (CBIS) Inter-Agency Softball cricket tournament, fun day and exhibition cricket games will be held at the Albion Sports Complex today and will bring together 14 business organisations and agencies. The competition will be played on a knockout basis. The teams will engage in 10/10 cricket, dominoes and other activities. The finals will be played under floodlights, while a feature 20/20 exhibition cricket match involving a Berbice select team and top club Albion Community Centre will be played. The activity will held for the first time using permanent lights which were recently installed at the venue. The event is aimed at promoting unity and fostering better working relationships between entities and the public. The day’s activities as usual is expected to see professionals from various disciplines including bankers, managers, lawyers, presellers, cashiers, clerks all battling for supremacy.

Fans will be in for a big treat as the organisers have introduced a number of new initiatives to make the activity a truly business, family oriented affair. The activities are expected to commence at 09:00hrs. Top stereo sounds Paragon International will entertain fans, while big screen projectors and cheer leader and dancers will also be in attendance. Fireworks display is also on the cards. Children and other patrons will also be catered for with Merry go round and other tokens. Patrons will have an opportunity to walk away with gate prizes which will be up for grab. All the funds raised from the project will go towards charity. The tournament, which started in 2010 as a friendly game amongst business places, has now grown to become an agenda item on the calendars of the corporate businesses. The following first round games were arrived at with Nand Persaud Caribe Rice taking on Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha; Hand in Hand Insurance versus New

Building Society; Demerara Bank coming up against Republic Bank; Berbice Bridge Company meet Ansa McAl Stag Boyz; Oldendorff Carriers challenge Metro Office and Computer Supplies; new comers Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) match skills with Neal and Massy, while in the final encounter new comers J’s Super Market will play Banks DIH Limited. Each Team is permitted two guest players, while employees spouse and children can register as staff of the Company if there are not enough employees to fill the team. Wide and No Ball will be counted as runs, the front Foot “No Ball” will be counted as runs and will earn a “FREE HIT”, runs earned as a result of overthrows will be recognized as legal runs, a maximum of 3 overs per bowler at semi and finals stages while two overs will be allowed before. Third place finisher will be determined by the looser of the semi final with the higher scorer declared the winner. (Samuel Whyte)

and West Indies star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul 12 (1x6). Steady bowling by the home team restricted their opponents to 52-2 before Tagenarine Chanderpaul and his father Shivnarine added 26 for the third wicket. Following the dismissal of Shivnarine, the younger Chanderpaul featured in a third wicket stand of 60 with Mohamed to steady the innings. Despite the host managing to maintain a steady line and length, Chanderpaul beefed up the total in the latter stages of the innings with some lusty hitting. He slammed nine fours and two sixes off 83 balls. Dhanpaul captured 328 off five overs and

Yatesh Dhanpaul Crishanand Persaud 2-14 from six. Zeeburg were off to a fine start with Ganesh

Narine and Madanlall Doodnarine adding 62 for the first wicket to set their team on course. Narine hit three fours and one six before he went for 21, while Doodnarine made 20 with four fours. Dhanpaul gradually grew in confidence and smashed five fours and four sixes in a top score of 53. He and Joel Ramsahai (14*) saw their team to safety with a third wicket stand of 83 as they ended on 149-2 in 19.1 overs. Vishal Arjune and Tagenarine Chanderpaul took one wicket each. Zeeburg CC presented a plaque to Shivnarine Chanderpaul for his achievement in the sport before the match.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Smith sees turnaround in work ethics since Inter-County Commitment key criterion in team selection-Griffith By Sean Devers At age 57, former National youth and senior team Coach Albert Smith returns to the national cricket set up as a part of the technical team attached to the Guyana Jaguars, who are intensifying preparations for the inaugural West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Regional Four-Day F r a n c h i s e To u r n a m e n t which starts on November 14. Smith helped Guyana win its last regional First-class tournament when they won the 2002 Busta Shield; getting first innings points from Jamaica in final in Jamaica. Smith was also the Coach when the team won the regional one-day championship in 2003 and 2005 after losing to Trinidad and Tobago in the 2004 final. Guyana, with Smith as coach, won the inaugural Stanford Regional T/20 title in 2006. Now, five years after he was replaced as Head Coach in the middle of 2009 season by former National batsman Rabindranauth Seeram, the Berbician is back to lend his experience to a team that has struggled at the regional level in recent times. Smith returned to National cricket as Berbice Manager last year. He feels for the past two years at the Inter-County level the general attitude of the players has not been as good as it should have been. “Since the Inter-County tournament I have noticed a complete turnaround in the

Chairman of the National selectors Rayon Griffith and Berbice Coach Albert Smith in discussion at Bourda yesterday. work ethic of the players, who are now being paid to play not only for the matches they play in the regional tournaments but most of them can now earn a monthly salary,” Smith informed. “I think the franchise system is a good thing since if you are being paid you will be expected to be more professional in your entire attitude towards cricket,” Smith, who was the National under-19 Coach from 1999 to 2002, opined. He said from what he is seeing now and the teams in the past, the big difference is the spinners. “In the past we had attacking spinners like (Mahendra) Nagamootoo and (Neil) McGarell and before that (Clyde) Butts and (Roger) Harper. I believe the spinners today are more defensive

due to the large number of limited overs cricket played now” said Smith, who took over from Mark Harper as Coach in 2001. Meanwhile, Chairman of the national Selectors former Guyana fast bowler Rayon Griffith explained all 25 players in the Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) Franchise draft in addition to the National under19 pair of Kemo Paul and Shemron Hetmyer were eligible for selection. The 35-year-old Griffith took 56 wickets including a best of 6-44 from his 22 FirstClass matches and informed that the team will be selected after two four-day practice games. Griffith explained that among the key criterion for selection is commitment.

Paul Wintz (center) gets his ‘Beep’ test results from Coaches Albert Smith & Michael Hyles while Head of selectors Rayon Griffith (right) is also in the photo “Commitment is the most important thing we are looking for. Commitment brings all the other things…. discipline, passion and the right temperament. We (selectors) are also looking at attitude, fitness and of course performance,” Griffith added. The squad was joined by West Indies Test batsman Leon Johnson for yesterday’s first ‘nets’ session at Bourda. The squad had a two-day training session on Tuesday and Wednesday. Canada based Guyanese fast bowler Jeremy Gordon practiced with the

team yesterday and produced lively pace from a slow track which had plenty of preparation moisture. The squad will have their first practice game from Monday to Thursday at Bourda and all of the players except Barbadian Raymond Reifer (Guyana’s only overseas player who is expected here by Oct 30), Assad Fudadin, Ronsford Beaton (unavailable due to West Indies ‘A’ team commitments in Sri Lanka), Davendra Bishoo (travelling from Sri Lanka) and Zaheer Mohamed (who was absent

from all the sessions) should play.Guyana Jaguars face the Leewards Islands at Providence in their opening game from November 14- 17 before playing the Wi n d w a r d s I s l a n d s a t Providence from November 21-24. The Guyanese will then have their third home game at Providence when clash with Barbados from November 28–December 1. Guyana’s first ‘away’ match will be from December 5–8 when they face Trinidad & Tobago at the Queens Park Oval

Bravo’s side of the story, the abandoned tour to India W e s t I n d i e s ODI Captain Dwayne Bravo clarified what he described ‘some of the inaccurate statements that have been circulating the media regarding the India tour 2014. B e l o w i s B r avo’s letter to the public which was taken from caribbeancricket.com: “ I w o u l d l i ke to take the opportunity to clarify some of the inaccurate statements that has been circulating the media regarding the India tour 2014. M u c h o f t h e reporting on this situation seems to be

concentrating primarily on me and not on the fact that the action taken was in concert with all of the members of the squad. Only of late it appears that the action was taken by all but one of the WI squad in India. I w i s h t o s tate for the record that all correspondence sent and decisions taken were with the full agreement and consent of the players on tour including the current test captain Mr Denish Ramdin and the T/20 Captain Mr Darren Sammy. It was agreed that someone needed to

correspond with WIPA after we were presented with the match/tour contract in India when it became evident that the terms and conditions were very different from what we were accustomed to and expected. The team members met and I, as Captain, was nominated and accepted the responsibility to correspond on behalf of the players on tour and I will continue to do so as designated. I n o t e t h e comments attributed to Mr. Marlon Samuels from media reports and wish to state that Mr.

Samuels was invited to and did attend the majority of meetings with the players on tour. We extended an invitation to Mr. Marlon Samuels with the full knowledge that he is not a member of WIPA but was an interested party. Mr. Samuels contributed vigorously to the discussions held and indicated clearly, at that time, that he would stand with any decision taken by the team. I am therefore shocked to see the statements, if true, that have been attributed to Mr. Samuels. I w a n t t o s ay on behalf

of the players in the squad, while we are grateful for the tremendous support and understanding shown to us by our colleagues, friends and fans around the world and in particular those in the Caribbean and India, we recognize that a few have attempted to put the blame squarely on the players without the full knowledge of the facts. This is regrettable since a few persons are making statements without knowing all the relevant facts. In time we believe all the facts will come to light.

We d o n o t w ish to make any further statements on this matter since the players on tour (except Mr. Samuels) with some additional players who did not tour India have appointed Counsel to represent them in this matter. We l o o k f o r ward to a speedy resolution and that our concerns, and that of all players including the first class players, are addressed in a satisfactory and timely manner”. S i n c e r e l y, Dwayne Bravo

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 25, 2014

Page 33

Final selection for Guyana women’s hockey team for CAC Games The Guyana National Women’s Hockey Team has been trimmed to the final 16 players who will represent the nation at the Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Games being held in Vera Cruz, Mexico from November 15 to 23, 2014. The team has been in training for several months and the final 16 includes 6 overseas-based players, four of whom are temporarily displaced to pursue their studies while the other two reside overseas. The 10 players who reside locally, along with 6 reserve players have been training 5 days per week at the GCC ground, Bourda under the guidance of coaches Philip Fernandes and Peter De Groot. Guyana opens its bid for a medal at this year’s games against the Dominican Republic on November 15th at 1PM local time (12 noon Guyana time). This will be the first time that Guyana will face the Dominican Republic in international competition and should prove an interesting contrast of styles

Coach Phillip Fernandes (left) instruct his charges during a training session at the GCC ground. between the Guyanese midfield build-ups versus the Dominican’s long range passing game. The Dominicans were semi-

finalists at the last CAC games four years ago in Puerto Rico, finishing in 4th position while Guyana finished in 6th place. Along

The Annual Troy Humphrey Memorial cycle race rescheduled A release from Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) President, Brian A. Allen, has informed that the 17th Annual Troy Humphrey Memorial cycle race meet scheduled for today at the National Park, has been re-scheduled to 8th November at the original

time. Allen disclosed that, “We were informed this morning (yesterday) that the National Park would be used for the distribution of the $10,000 Education Grants (approx. 5000), and this was scheduled from 900hrs 1400hrs.”

“After a brief meeting with management of the National Park this morning, it was decided to reschedule the event in the interest of the safety of the cyclists and the crowd that is expected to converge at the National Park,” Allen stated in the release.

D’Andrade wins TTARP 5km Road Race G u y a n a ’s L i o n e l D’Andrade and Trinidad’s Tonya Nero claimed the r e s p e c t i v e m e n ’s a n d women’s titles in Trinidad and Tobago’s Association for Responsible Persons (TTARP) 5km Road Race at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain. D’Andrade crossed the finish line in 15:34, while Tr i n i d a d i a n s S h e r w y n Stapleton was second in 15:50 and Shane Barran (16:04) third. Nero, who will compete tomorrow at the South American 10km Road Race in Guyana, clocked 18:17 to win the female race.

Lionel D’Andrade on his way to winning the TTARP 5km Road Race in Trinidad and Tobago.

with Guyana and the Dominican Republic, Bermuda and defending champions Trinidad and Tobago find themselves in group B. Guyana is scheduled to meet Trinidad and Tobago in their second match of the competition on November 17th and complete their pool round on

November 19th against Bermuda. Hosts Mexico and Cuba are expected to be the top contenders in group A which also includes Barbados and Jamaica.The competition runs until November 23rd with the women’s final being contested at 3:30pm local time. Those selected to the final team are: Alysa Xavier

(GK), Ulrica Sutherland, Ashley DeGroot, Tiffany Solomon, Maria Munroe, Trisha Woodroffe, Aliyah Gordon, Marzana Fiedtkou, Leigh Sandison, Gabriella Xavier, Kerensa Fernandes, Chantelle Wales, Samantha Fernandes, Shebiki Baptiste, Te k e i s h a D e l e o n a n d Princessa Wilkie.

GT Beer/Berbice Cup 2014

Victoria Kings aim to dethrone Monedderlust The 2nd annual GT Beer/ Berbice Cup KO football tournament co-hosted by Starlight Generation and Monedderlust FC will climax tonight at the club’s ground in Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice. The grand finale - between Cup holders Monedderlust FC and Victoria Kings – is anticipated to be a showdown where there will be no shortage of goals, and with both coaches exuding optimism in lifting the Champion’s Trophy and the first prize of four hundred thousand dollars the expected large turn-out is in for a special treat. “I strongly believe it is going to be a good final and I expect the Champions to be a great challenge. We must step up our game because Monedderlust is a quality side. I must say I am

happy with how our preparations went and happier to say the morale and confidence within the team is high. We are confident of dethroning the Champions” reported Coach Mark ‘Sevens’ Critchlow. His opposite, Raul ‘Jug Head’ Huntley who has coached the Kings in the past is equally upbeat at retaining the Cup,” Our training in preparations for this final has been very encouraging and with Team spirit so high we are confident of holding on to the Cup for another year”. “The Kings are well known for their early aggression and we have the antidote for that. Our unit is much younger and stronger and we are ready to defend our Title on home turf” Huntley disclosed. The possible

starting line-ups are: KINGSRon Collins, Sherlock Dowden, Quacy DeSouza, Samuel Blackett, Sherwin Skeete, Calvin DeSouza (Capt.), Akeem Holder, Alden Lawrence, Seon Robinson, Orrin Elias and Winston Pompey. MONEDDERLUST – Elvis Rutherford, Travis Henry (Capt.), Kevin Layne Jr., Arthur Bailey, Delbert Wilson, Leon McDougal, Nore McDonald, Delroy Halley, Tenson Lindsley, Atlyn Browne and King Archer. The Championship game will be preceded by the 3rd place play-off set for 18:00hrs, featuring Cougars FC of New Amsterdam and Ann’s Grove United of East Coast and followed by a Masters match between Rastafari Patriarchs and Monedderlust Masters.

t r o Sp IGG Volleyball

Guyana’s male trounce French Guiana; females blown away by host P.29

Game Sealed! Guyana’s volleyballers (left) sealing the game in straight against French Guiana. (Franklin Wilson photo).

P.27

Grand opening ceremony ushers in IGG second leg in Suriname

Team Guyana during the official March Past of teams.

Digicel Guyana Open Golf Tournament launched P.28

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